AUKUS - Property maintenance and safety

Property maintenance and safety

Maintaining your DHA property is a shared responsibility. DHA manages property maintenance and repairs, while occupants are responsible for the day-to-day care of the property and reporting any issues promptly.

This section explains how to report maintenance, your responsibilities as an occupant, and important safety information to help you care for your home during your occupancy.

If your life, safety or property is at immediate risk, contact emergency services on 000.

Is your request urgent?

If your request is urgent and involves an immediate risk to health, safety or security, call DHA's 24/7 maintenance line on 139 342.

The following issues are generally considered routine maintenance and should be reported through Online Services:
- loss of a heater when weather conditions do not require heating
- loss of one air conditioning unit where other units within the property remain operational
- garage door faults where there is a lockable internal access door between the garage and the home.
If a garage door fault occurs, occupants remain responsible for ensuring their personal belongings are appropriately insured. DHA does not provide insurance cover for loss of or damage to personal possessions stored at the property.
If you would like to make any changes to your property, including security changes, such as installing new locks or other security devices, you must seek prior approval from DHA via an Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) enquiry.

Include the below information in your enquiry:
- proposed property modification
- details of the location to be modified
- reason(s) for requesting the modification
- details on who will perform the modification(s) (professional tradesperson, or occupant).
No modifications, including but not limited to painting, pet access, and camera installations, should be undertaken before first gaining approval from DHA. Electrical and plumbing works should never be carried out other than by a suitably qualified contractor.
A reasonable number of picture hooks may be fitted in the property. One hook per linear metre of wall would be considered reasonable.
Please ensure you are using the appropriate type of picture hook. Sticky hooks and adhesives should not be used due to the risk of damage upon removal.
Picture hooks used appropriately (as described above) do not need to be removed upon vacating. Any damage caused by the removal of picture hooks including sticky hooks and adhesives, is considered non-fair wear and tear and will require repairs to return the property to its original condition.
Australia is prone to a variety of weather events, and being ready can make a critical difference to your safety and well-being.
We are committed to supporting our members and their families during weather emergencies.
The following information and resources will help you and your family prepare for and respond to weather emergencies.
Stay informed
Stay up to date on weather and emergency information in your local area.
Bureau of Meteorology (BOM)
The BOM(Opens in a new tab/window) provides:
- detailed weather information including local forecasts
- severe weather warnings (cyclones, floods, severe storms, heatwaves, bushfires).
In Australia, we face all kinds of extreme weather, and it can strike quickly causing major disruption. Power outages, flooding, and bushfires can leave you isolated, without essential services, and at risk.
While sometimes overwhelming, being prepared protects yourself, your family and your home. Refer to the local emergency services resources above to plan how you can reduce risk, ensure you have important telephone numbers handy and prepare an emergency kit.

State and Territory Emergency Services (SES)

The SES provides communities with critical information on:

emergency services (alerts, fire, policy, ambulance)
preparing emergency kits for staying at home during an emergency or when you need to evacuate
how to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies.

Call your local state emergency services (SES) for assistance during storms or floods if your home has suffered significant damage such as significant roof leaks, a fallen tree blocking access, or flooding that threatens your home.
DHA will begin property damage assessments once the weather conditions improve. Depending on the extent of the damage, property assessments may take time however, we will work as quickly as possible to keep impacted members informed.
For non-urgent storm-related damage requests:
- Report maintenance via Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window). Once a maintenance issue has been reported, it cannot be edited. For any new issues that may arise, a new request must be reported.
- If you’re in a tropical location, humidity and moisture following a storm event can lead to mould growth. See Mould for information on how to manage this. Report maintenance via Online Services(Opens in a new tab/window) if conditions worsen.
- Secure your pet while your property or fencing is damaged or being repaired.  
- Continue to monitor local emergency services websites for advice.
Extreme weather events are stressful for members and their families, and we remain committed to providing support while we work to understand the impacts of an extreme weather event.
We will work with contractors to action maintenance requests where it is safe to do so, and in order of urgency.  
We will: 
- Triage member requests in order of priority
- Arrange ‘make-safe’ works on properties where damage has been reported, to prevent deterioration
- Inspect properties to identify damage and develop repair plans, once authorities deem the area safe
- Liaise with private landlords and insurance companies as needed to remedy damage as soon as practical
Insurance companies will treat claims based on severity.