AUKUS - Finding a property

Finding a property

Finding the right home is an important part of your move to Australia. DHA offers a range of properties across Australia to support AUKUS personnel and their families throughout their posting.

This section explains how to search for and reserve a DHA property, what to expect during the allocation process, and the information you need to consider before moving in. You'll also find guidance on property features, inspections, pets, strata requirements and housing costs.

We recommend reviewing the information below before selecting a property to help you make an informed decision and ensure a smooth transition into your new home.

DHA provides a range of housing options to support AUKUS personnel and their families, including units, townhouses, and houses, from larger homes to contemporary, higher-density options in central areas.
The properties are located in metropolitan and regional areas, within close proximity to the Defence base, with spread of the portfolio allowing integration into local communities, accommodating varying households and lifestyle preferences. They allow easy access to essential infrastructure such as schools, medical centres and shopping.
Properties are well maintained and feature good amenity, inclusions (such as air conditioning) for each property are included within Online Services.
There are no minimum lease terms to occupying a DHA property, agreements are periodic with no end date, intended to accommodate personnel and their families for their posting cycle. There is flexibility for either early vacate or extensions as may be necessary when it comes close to your posting time.
Once you have an Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) account, you can start searching for available properties using the preview function.
The properties displayed will align with your approved housing entitlements, including your housing allowance, family size and required housing date. If you have questions about your housing eligibility, allocation type or bedroom entitlement, please contact your Housing Office. DHA can only offer and facilitate viewings for properties that match the eligibility criteria provided by your Housing Office.
If you have specific requirements or special housing needs, your Housing Office can provide advice on the options available to you.
When searching for a property:
- you'll see properties available from 8 weeks before to 5 weeks after your required housing date
- selecting Next 6 months will display properties expected to become available later in the year
- you can change your required housing date in Online Services to view properties available at different times
- if you reserve a property based on an updated housing date, you'll be expected to occupy the property on that date
- Online Services is updated in real time and property availability can change at any time
- during peak posting periods, multiple occupants may be viewing the same properties.
We recommend checking Online Services regularly, as new properties are added frequently. You can also set up notifications to be alerted when suitable properties become available.
Once you've found a property you'd like to secure, see Reserve a property for the next steps.
You'll need an Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) account before you can search for and reserve a property in your posting location.
Once you've found a suitable property, you can reserve it directly through Online Services.
Important things to know:
- you must accept the property reservation within 30 minutes, otherwise it may become available to other occupants
- if you decide you no longer want the property, you can remove the reservation through Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window)
- while a property is reserved, you'll receive a weekly email asking you to confirm that you'd still like to keep the reservation
- if you don't submit the required documentation by the date specified in the reminder email, the reservation will be removed and the property will become available to other occupants.
Securing your property
To secure your reservation, complete the Housing selection form and submit it through an Online Services enquiry.
Once DHA receives and processes your completed Housing selection form, your reservation will be finalised.
Your occupancy agreement will be available to view in Online Services. You don't need to sign this document before your welcome visit. Your property manager will explain the agreement during the welcome visit, and you'll sign the occupancy agreement and Ingoing Inspection Condition Report (ICR) at that time.
Once you've secured your property, see Moving in for information about the move-in process.
DHA properties cannot be inspected before they are occupied. To help you make an informed decision, detailed property information, floor plans (where available) and photographs are provided in Online Services.
You'll have the opportunity to inspect your chosen property during your welcome visit, which is scheduled for the business day before your confirmed move-in date. At this visit, your property manager will walk you through the property, explain important information about your occupancy and provide the keys and remotes.
If you're arriving via submarine deployment or have other exceptional circumstances that may affect your ability to inspect a property, please contact your Housing Office to discuss your options and available support.
Before reserving a property, we recommend that you:
- review all available property information and photographs in Online Services
- consider the property's location, features and inclusions
- discuss any specific housing requirements with your Housing Office
- contact DHA if you have questions about a property before making your selection.
Once you've found a suitable property, see Reserve a property for the next steps.
You can view properties available from 8 weeks before to 5 weeks after your required housing date. Selecting Next 6 months in Online Services will display properties expected to become available later in the year.
If no suitable properties are available, submit an enquiry through Online Services for further assistance.
In the unlikely event that DHA cannot offer a suitable property, you may be referred back to your Housing Office to discuss alternative housing arrangements and available support.
We recommend that you:
- check Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) regularly, as property availability can change at any time
- set up notifications to be alerted when new properties become available
- contact DHA through Online Services if you need assistance with your housing search.
Property features and inclusions are listed within each property's profile in Online Services.
Depending on the property, inclusions may include:
- air conditioning
- ceiling fans
- heating
- appliances
- other property-specific features.
We recommend reviewing the property profile carefully before making your selection to ensure the property meets your requirements.
Temporary furniture can be provided to help you settle into your DHA property while you're waiting for your personal furniture to arrive in Australia.
If you require temporary furniture:
- reserve a property through Online Services
- submit an enquiry through Online Services to advise DHA that furniture is required
- include the date you would like the furniture to be delivered.
Details of the furniture package available to you, including items available for families with infants, can be found in Online Services.
Once you know the arrival date of your personal furniture, submit an Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) enquiry using the reason Service Residence – Furniture Arrangements to arrange collection of the temporary furniture. Some whitegoods and appliances may remain in the property for the duration of your occupancy.
Important things to know:
- minimum notice periods apply for furniture collection requests
- let DHA know as early as possible when your personal furniture delivery date is confirmed
- if temporary accommodation is required between furniture collection and delivery of your personal furniture, contact your Housing Office for advice and support.
You can share a DHA property with other eligible AUKUS personnel or civilians from your country's service.
To arrange a shared occupancy:
- only one occupant needs to reserve the property through Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window)
- if occupants are moving in on different dates, the person moving in first should reserve the property
- once the property has been reserved, submit an enquiry through Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window)
- include the rank, name and DOD/DHA ID of the person you'll be sharing the property with.
Changes to your sharing arrangements
If your sharing arrangements change during your occupancy, let DHA know as soon as possible.
To update your details:
- select View/Update tenancy details from your Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) dashboard
- submit the relevant changes to DHA
- contact your Housing Office, as any changes may affect your housing entitlements and allowances.
If your property is part of a strata or body corporate scheme, you must comply with the applicable rules and by-laws throughout your occupancy.
A copy of the relevant by-laws will be available in Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) for properties that are subject to strata or body corporate arrangements.
Important things to know:
- strata and body corporate by-laws may cover matters such as parking, pets, noise, waste management and the use of common areas
- you are responsible for understanding and complying with any applicable by-laws
- additional restrictions may apply even if an activity would otherwise be permitted under your occupancy agreement.
Depending on your home country, strata or body corporate arrangements may be known by different names:
- United States: Common Interest Community (CIC)
- United Kingdom: Right to Manage (RTM) or Residents' Management Company (RMC).
We recommend reviewing the by-laws before reserving a property to ensure the arrangements meet your needs.
Some DHA properties allow pets. Before reserving a property, check the property details in Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) to confirm whether pets are permitted and whether the property is suitable for your pet.
To be approved, pets must:
- be domestic animals
- not be kept for business or commercial purposes
- be permitted under any applicable strata or body corporate by-laws
- comply with local and state government requirements.
Strata and body corporate approval
Some properties require separate approval from the strata or body corporate before pets can be kept at the property.
To request approval, submit an enquiry through Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) and include:
- animal type
- breed
- sex
- weight
- whether the animal has been desexed.
If approval is granted, you must comply with all applicable by-laws and approval conditions.
Ongoing responsibilities
Local council and government regulations determine the type, size and number of pets that may be kept at a property.
Failure to comply with property, strata, body corporate or local government requirements may result in a breach of your occupancy agreement and approval to keep pets being withdrawn.
Pet damage
You are responsible for any damage caused by your pets during your occupancy, including:
- damage to the property
- flea or tick infestations
- additional cleaning requirements, including pet hair removal
- carpet cleaning, remediation or replacement where stains or odours cannot be removed
- repair of property damage
- damage to landscaping, turf, sprinkler systems or fencing.
We recommend reviewing pet requirements before reserving a property to ensure the property is suitable for both you and your pets.
Your home service is responsible for managing housing allowances and rental payments associated with your DHA property.
Your Housing Office can provide advice on:
- your housing and rental entitlements
- applicable allowances and subsidies
- how rental payments are managed
- utility and other housing-related costs covered by your home service.
If you have questions about your allowances or payment arrangements, contact your Housing Office for guidance before reserving a property.