Who we are and what we do

Our vision

Excellence in Defence housing and related services.

Our mission

To deliver efficiently, housing and related services that meet Defence operational and personnel requirements.

The main function of DHA is to provide housing and related services to members of the Defence Force and their families in response to Defence requirements¹. In fulfilling its role, DHA contributes to Defence retention, recruitment and operational goals.

DHA is active in Australian residential housing markets, constructing, purchasing and leasing houses for Defence personnel. DHA is a large property manager, responsible for managing the allocation of dwellings to Defence members and the resulting tenancies. DHA is also a major land developer. We acquire and develop land to build enduring and sustainable communities of mixed military and private owners and tenants. DHA finances its activities by selling and leasing back dwellings through its Sale and Leaseback (SLB) program, the sale of land and dwellings from its major developments and the disposal of surplus properties.

DHA is a Government Business Enterprise (GBE) operating under the provisions of the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. It is required to maintain a strong balance sheet and to meet shareholder return obligations including the payment of dividends to Government.

DHA has established a subsidiary, DHA Investment Management Limited (DHA IML), to be the Responsible Entity for an unlisted property trust approved by Government. DHA IML will prepare its own Annual Report and financial statements although its results are consolidated in the financial statements attached to this report.

Corporate objectives

To achieve the mission and to fulfil the outcomes desired by Shareholder Ministers, DHA set six strategic objectives:

1. Housing supplied and managed effectively to meet Defence requirements.
2. Sustainable long-term financial position and strong corporate governance.
3. Enhanced customer service.
4. Good stakeholder management and public relations.

5. Motivated, engaged and productive staff.

6. Information technology solutions that enhance the business and customer service.

This Annual Report describes DHA’s performance against these objectives.

Our values

• Respect
• Excellence
• Integrity
• Enthusiasm
• Innovation
• Teamwork

DHA encourages its staff to apply its values consistently in all aspects of their behaviour. These values contribute to workplace harmony and to improve the way in which DHA conducts its business. DHA complies with the Public Service Act 1999 and upholds and promotes the Australian Public Service Values and Code of Conduct.

DHA is committed to providing a safe workplace, free from discrimination and harassment, and recognising the individual contributions of staff members. DHA is also committed to high standards in its dealings with maintenance and other contractors and with private investors on behalf of whom it manages property.

Our capabilities

The primary role of DHA is to supply housing and related services to Defence members and their families in accordance with the Defence Housing Australia Act 1987, in response to the Defence Housing Forecast and in accordance with supply agreements with the Department of Defence. The following capabilities are required to meet this role:

• Property and tenancy management – DHA provides housing allocation and tenancy management services to Defence members and their families, and property management services to lessors.
• Property provisioning – DHA buys land and, with the assistance of the private sector, develops and constructs houses and, as required, purchases new and established houses.
• Capital raising – DHA generates capital to meet its provisioning commitments by selling and leasing back dwellings through its SLB program, the sale of land and dwellings from its major developments and the disposal of surplus properties.
• Lease management – DHA establishes SLB and direct leases, extends existing leases using options in contracts and, where expedient, negotiates new leases to meet requirements.
• Investment management – DHA manages its owned portfolio of housing retained for investment reasons (rather than selling under the SLB program).

In all five areas DHA has invested in the recruitment of skilled and committed people to ensure it remains a cost-effective supplier of high-quality housing for Defence personnel and their families.

Through a national network of Housing Management Centres (HMCs), DHA manages a total portfolio of 18,304 properties (as at 30 June 2013) valued at around $10 billion, including off-base accommodation for Defence singles, and dwellings held for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (Customs) and the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

DHA shareholders

DHA sits in the Defence portfolio. The Minister for Defence and the Minister for Finance and Deregulation were Joint Shareholder Ministers of DHA.

During 2012–13, the DHA Board reported to the Hon. Stephen Smith MP, Minister for Defence and Senator the Hon. Penny Wong, Minister for Finance and Deregulation, as Joint Shareholder Ministers of DHA. Responsibility for operational matters affecting DHA was delegated to the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP, Minister for Defence Science and Personnel.

Footnotes

1 Defence Housing Australia Act 1987, Section 5.↑