AUKUS Occupant Resources 

For people relocating from the United States or the United Kingdom, renting in Australia can feel familiar while offering a distinctly different lifestyle. Properties may be more spread out than in many UK cities, and even in urban areas there is often a greater sense of space and access to parks, beaches or natural surroundings. Day-to-day life in an Australian rental is often shaped by the country's outdoor culture, with many residents spending time enjoying local cafes, sporting activities, community events and nearby natural attractions. For many newcomers, renting in Australia offers not just a place to live, but an opportunity to embrace a relaxed, outdoor-oriented lifestyle and a unique connection to the local environment.

The Department of Education for the state in which you reside will have information regarding the local public schools you may be eligible to enrol in, or private institutions can also easily be searched online. When selecting a property via DHA's Online Services, you will also be able to see the location of local schools relative to your selected property, or there is a link to Google maps to further explore travel times. 

Australian homes are often provided as a blank canvas, encouraging tenants to make the space feel like home through furniture, décor and personal touches. Occupants of DHA properties may be able to make certain minor modifications, such as hanging pictures, installing child safety devices, or adding temporary fixtures, although approval may be required for more significant changes. There is a strong culture of maintaining the property and communicating with DHA about repairs, improvements and ongoing maintenance.

The homes themselves can also feel different. Australian properties often place greater emphasis on outdoor living, with courtyards, balconies, verandas and gardens playing an important role in everyday life. Features such as large windows, open-plan living areas and indoor-outdoor entertaining spaces are common. New arrivals from the UK or parts of the US may also notice that homes are designed to suit a wide range of climates, meaning heating, cooling and insulation can differ from what they are accustomed to. Understanding these practical and cultural differences can help you settle in more quickly and make the most of the Australian lifestyle.

The benefits of renting with DHA include:

• quality properties located close to base or city centres
• no competition with open rental market
• view and reserve your property online any time
• no inspection needed to reserve a property
• no fixed lease term
• no bond or rent in advance
• 24/7 online maintenance service.

Once you have reserved a DHA property, we will schedule a Welcome Visit, meeting you at the property to give you your keys, a property tour, and discuss your occupation. Routine property inspections are also more common than many newcomers expect, with inspections generally carried out periodically (generally annually) to check the property's condition and identify maintenance issues.

The amount you pay in rent for your DHA property is determined by your home service, and rent payments will not be made directly to DHA. Refer to your Housing Office for queries regarding this. 

Utilities/services

• Information on which day of the week your rubbish will be collected, and which bins/trash cans go out on which day, is available via your local council's website. You can find this by searching the internet for your suburb name + council.
• Properties will require electricity connections, you can find local service providers easily online. For Rockingham, in Perth Western Australia, the sole provider for electricity is Synergy.
• The profile of your chosen property in DHA's Online Services portal will tell you whether you also require a gas connection. 
• You will not be required to connect water to the property, this will already be connected and an account active, you will receive billing for this utility in a similar manner to your rent payments (refer to your Housing Office for more information).
• Internet, pay TV connections or other services can be connected at your cost. 
• Connecting an Australian mobile number will help ensure DHA and our contractors are able to contact you promptly about your occupation, including inspections, maintenance and emergencies, which includes handy reminder text messages. As soon as you connect your Australian mobile number, update this in your contact details via DHA's Online Services. 

Property fixtures

• Australian properties standard electricity supply is 240 V, and some appliances and electrical items from home may not work here. 
• Simple, reversible modifications are permitted to properties, as long as rectified at the end of your tenancy. Modifications impacting structure of the property, or unable to be returned to original condition, including full internal painting and decorating, may not be approved. You should always check with DHA prior to making a modification to your property. 

Apartment living 

• When living in apartments or other community-type living, there may be a management company and applicable laws governing your residence. 
• The managing company is referred to as a Strata or Body Corporate manager, and the rules are By-laws. 
• Strata or Body Corporate may be known as a Common Interest Community in the US, or a Right to Manage/Residents Management Company in the UK.