Defence Housing Australia (DHA) and the Department of Defence have today signed a contract for DHA to provide a Living In Accommodation (LIA) Booking and Allocation Service to the Department of Defence for a period of five years.

“DHA already provides a very important and integral role with the Department of Defence by providing housing and related services to Defence members and their families,” DHA Managing Director Peter Howman said.

“This new service is an expansion on DHA’s existing business, but it capitalises on our nation-wide capabilities and our understanding of ADF accommodation needs and expectations. By providing the LIA Booking and Allocation Service (LIA BAS) DHA will be able to provide a more complete end-to-end housing solution for all Defence members.”

There are more than 33,000 rooms available as LIA across Australia which are used as permanent, course, exercise and transit accommodation (including as an alternative to commercial accommodation).

“By engaging DHA, the Department of Defence can provide all serving members with a single comprehensive, integrated and cost-efficient accommodation service,” Mr Howman said.

The new system will provide ADF personnel, unit and Defence administration with 24/7 access to real time information on accommodation availability and options via DHA’s Online Services. This will mean that regardless of their location they will be able to access the same, easy-to-use booking system.

DHA will commence its pilot program for the new LIA BAS in South East Queensland in late 2013. The remaining regions will transition over to the DHA LIA BAS in 2014 ahead of the commencement of the new Base Services Contracts.

DHA is also pleased to announce that the Department of Defence has extended the Allocation and Tenancy Management services for Defence housing that are currently delivered by DHA for a further five years until June 2019. This extension in conjunction with the new LIA BAS will mean that members will have one knowledgeable point of contact to access all their housing and on-base accommodation needs.