Moving House Assistance in Australia

Moving house assistance is a standard welfare service the Australian government offers to help those in need relocate from one home to another. Moving assistance programs can be accessed for various reasons, whether during a national disaster, financial issues, or forced relocation due to government developments and other public initiatives.

Although every Australian can access government assistance and welfare via Services Australia, keep reading to learn more about moving assistance programs to assist you in accessing moving house assistance in Australia.

Finding Assistance

Services Australia assists millions of people annually, with 5.5 million receiving income support payments in 2021. There’s even a handy online tool to see what payments and services you may be eligible to receive. 

Eligibility Criteria

Families and individuals must adhere to specific criteria to qualify for any government-assisted relocation programs in Australia. These criteria include income limits, location restrictions, current asset portfolio, housing demand, and situational factors. 

Am I Eligible?

If you are considering government assistance, consult the relevant government department to determine if you adhere to the criteria. For instance, families currently living in overcrowded conditions or are using more than 30% of their income on housing may be eligible for some government assistance.

To decide which relocation support you are eligible for, contact your welfare provider, including:

• Workforce Australia
• Transition to Work
• ParentsNext
• Disability Employment Services

Assistance For Job Seekers

Australians who receive welfare assistance through Job Seeker and want to move house for work can apply to receive rent in advance, covering the costs of securing a new place to live before moving or starting a new job. Eligible Job Seekers can use these services to pay rent, bills and utilities, hire home removalists, and cover travel costs. 

Other Assistance for Job Seekers

Job Seekers can also receive financial support with other job search expenses such as purchasing a new suit or updating their resume. Overall, these services aim to help individuals overcome financial barriers while easing the processes of finding and maintaining employment. 

Assistance For Students

Services Australia offers moving house assistance to those individuals studying and training and those doing an Australian Apprenticeship. Below is a list of the payments you can receive to move for study.

• Tertiary Access Payment: assists with the cost of relocating from a rural or regional area to pursue higher education. 
• Fares Allowance: assists with the costs of getting from your primary residence to your place of higher education.
• ABSTUDY Fares Allowance: assists with the expense of getting from your primary residence to your place of study. 
• Rent Assistance: automatic payment for rent and other expenses.
• Textbook Allowance: helps purchase textbooks, equipment and other materials necessary for your studies.
• Relocation Scholarship: provides financial assistance for relocating students to attend a university or TAFE.

Assistance for Apprenticeships

Additionally, those doing an Australian Apprenticeship can receive financial assistance for accommodation, travel and other expenses related to their apprenticeship. Apprenticeship financial assistance also includes help with the cost of tools and equipment needed for their trade. 

These payments and financial assistance make it feasible for individuals to pursue education and training opportunities regardless of location or financial situation.

Transitioning Out of Care Assistance

Australians transitioning out of state or foster care can access the Transition to Independent Living Allowance (TILA) to assist with the costs of leaving care. Worth up to $1500, eligible recipients can use the TILA to pay for a wide range of items, including rental bonds, furniture, course fees, and even buying a car. Those living in state care may also receive a higher rate of Youth Allowance or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.

Other Transitioning Out of Care Assistance Programs

In addition to the TILA, the Independent Youth Allowance provides financial support for those aged 16-24 who are not living with their parents or guardians and are not receiving financial assistance. There is also the Special Benefit, which provides financial aid to those in hardship who are not eligible for other income support. 

These programs aim to provide financial support and assistance to help individuals transitioning out of care to achieve independence and self-sufficiency.

Assistance For Rural, Regional or Remote Australia

Those living in rural, regional or remote areas in Australia may be eligible for additional support from Services Australia. These include

• Farm Household Allowance: assistance for struggling farming households. 
• Assistance for Isolated Children: assistance payments for parents and carers of children who can’t attend a local state school. 
• Remote Area Allowance: an extra income support payment for those living in a remote area.
• Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme: Support payment programs to help move out of state and to reduce transport costs between Tasmania and mainland Australia. 

Services Australia also operates Mobile Services Centres to help those living in remote areas of Australia access services and payments. There are also agents and access points all over regional and remote areas to help people navigate Services Australia online.

Relocation Funding for Disability Assistance 

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can assist in relocations for individuals with a disability as long as the support meets the reasonable and necessary criteria and the funding criteria available online. 

Eligibility for Disability Assistance

The NDIS typically considers assisting relocation costs for circumstances where an individual’s home can’t feasibly be modified, and it is necessary to live in a more accessible home. They may also assist in other costs associated with moving homes, such as finding removalists who can help pack and unpack your home, stamp duty, mortgage fees and real estate fees. 

Emergency Relocation Assistance and Crisis Payments

Services Australia crisis payments are “a one-off non-taxable payment” for those that have “experienced an extreme circumstance and are in severe financial hardship.” Although numerous crisis payments are available, to be eligible for any of these payments, you must meet the following criteria:

• Experiencing severe financial hardship, i.e. moving assistance for low-income families.
• Receiving or qualifying for an income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance
• Experiencing an extreme circumstance. To be eligible, you must be experiencing 1 of the following:
  • Family and domestic violence
  • Natural or other disasters not covered by a disaster relief payment
  • Arrived in Australia as a Humanitarian Entrant for the first time
  • Released from prison or psychiatric confinement.

You must contact Services Australia within seven days of your extreme circumstance occurring. In cases involving COVID-19, you will have 14 days to get in contact.

Relocation Specialists, You Can Trust

Government funding and assistance can alleviate the financial burden and stress of relocating, particularly when times are tough. Read the information carefully to determine your eligibility, as it may save you thousands of additional costs. 

With over ten years of experience in the industry, we’re one of NSW’s most trusted removalist companies. Get in contact with Smoothmoves today to determine how our home relocation services can assist you with your government-funded or assisted relocation.