AUKUS - Moving in

Moving in

Moving into a new home is an exciting part of your posting to Australia. DHA is here to support you through the move-in process and help you settle into your property as smoothly as possible.

This section provides information about what to expect before, during and after move-in day, including property access, welcome visits, utilities and other important arrangements. Taking a few moments to familiarise yourself with the information below will help ensure a smooth transition into your DHA home.

If you need assistance at any stage, you can contact DHA through Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window).

Welcome visit

Once you've secured your property, DHA will send you an email confirming your move-in date and welcome visit.

Why do I need a welcome visit?

The welcome visit is an opportunity for us to welcome you to your new home and explain important information, including your responsibilities as an occupant.

Your welcome visit is scheduled for the business day before your move-in date. During the visit, you'll need to sign your occupancy agreement and ingoing inspection condition report (ICR).

If you're unable to attend, you can nominate someone to act on your behalf through Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window). They can attend the visit and sign these documents for you. Further information about these documents is available below.

A welcome visit cannot take place before your property is ready, and you can't leave any belongings or pets at the property prior to the welcome visit. Insurance does not cover any damage, injury or loss resulting from items being left at the property before the welcome visit.

Your property manager will meet you at the property to:

explain DHA services and your responsibilities as an occupant
explain the home's features
explain the occupancy agreement
provide your ingoing ICR
hand over keys and remotes.

If you can't attend your welcome visit

If you're unable to attend your welcome visit:

submit an enquiry through Online Services
if your welcome visit is within the next 72 hours, please contact us on 139 342
nominate someone to act on your behalf through DHA Online Services to attend the visit for you.

General information

Your move in or occupancy date depends on your personal circumstances.

You can see the date a DHA property is available when you view the property in Online Services, however you cannot move into or occupy the property before or on the available date. A welcome visit can be scheduled on the same date as the available date (one business day prior to your move in date).

Pets, trailers, furniture and other personal items cannot be stored at a property prior to moving in. Insurance does not cover any damage, injury or loss caused as a result of the goods being on the property.

If you need to change your occupancy date, let us know via an Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) enquiry.
You need to accept the Inspection Condition Report (ICR) at the inspection. This will confirm your acceptance of the property only, not the condition of the property. You have 7 days to review the ICR, add any additional comments and return the amended document to DHA through Online Services. We recommend you take some time to review the report to ensure we have not missed anything. If DHA does not receive an amended report from you within the 7 days following your welcome visit, your accepted ICR will be used as the final version.
To amend the ICR:
- download or print a copy of the ICR and add your comments under the relevant location
- upload the amended report through the ingoing condition report link on your Online Services (word documents or emailed lists will not be accepted).
Unless noted otherwise, the property and associated fixtures are deemed to be intact and in working and acceptable condition - this means you do not need to add comments like "good condition" or "in working order."
Do not add maintenance requests to the report. If you require any maintenance, log this via your Online Services.
If required, we may contact you or arrange an onsite inspection to discuss your amendments to the report.
You will receive the keys and remotes to your property on the day of your welcome visit.
DHA does not hold spare keys for the property. You are responsible for the cost of replacement keys and/or gaining access if they are not left in the lock box when you move out. See also locked out or lost, stolen, damaged keys and remotes in your maintenance responsibilities.
You are responsible for arranging, paying for and disconnecting utility services at your property, including electricity, gas (including gas bottles), telephone and internet services. Any connection or disconnection fees are your responsibility.
When setting up utilities, you may be asked to provide proof of your address. A copy of your occupancy agreement is available through Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window).
You do not need to arrange a water connection. Water services will already be connected and associated with the property. DHA will advise your home service of your water usage, and they will arrange invoicing for this utility.
The property report in Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) provides details about the utility services available at your property, including whether a gas connection is required. Meter numbers are also available in Online Services.
Approval is not required to connect internet with a service provider. Service providers will tell you what type of connection is available for your property.
Primarily, internet connections are to the National Broadband Network (NBN); approval is not required for NBN installations where the NBN infrastructure already exists at a property.
If the property does not have the NBN infrastructure installed, you must submit an enquiry via Online Services to seek approval before any work is carried out.
The NBN connection box (internal) must not be installed in a wet area, bedrooms, hard to reach areas or high traffic areas to ensure it does not impact the usage of the property and amenities.
To find out more about the NBN, visit your preferred provider.