Rent Deduction Scheme

The Rent Deduction Scheme is a free service for Centrelink customers that allows you to pay your government rent with regular deductions from your Centrelink payments.

If you receive regular Centrelink payments and rent the place you live in from the government, you can apply for the Rent Deduction Scheme.

Once you are part of the scheme, your rent is taken from your Centrelink payment automatically and sent directly to your housing authority. This way you know your rent is always paid in full and on time.

If you rent with one or more people, each of you can pay your share of the rent through the Rent Deduction Scheme.

This service is free and you can apply or stop the deductions at any time.You cannot use it if you rent from a private person or organisation.

To apply to be part of the Rent Deduction Scheme you have to complete a form which you can get through your local housing authority. Centrelink will send you a letter confirming when your rent will start to be deducted and the amount that will be taken out of your Centrelink payment each pay-day.