Property and location requirements

Properties leased to DHA must meet specific requirements and be located where we need dwellings.

Property requirements

To be eligible to be leased to DHA, a property must meet our minimum requirements and have identified additional features installed.

minimum requirements - cover basic property specifications such as the number and type of rooms and vary by property type. Properties must meet minimum requirements to be leased to DHA.
additional features - may be required depending on the property's location. Additional features may include outdoor areas, security features, climate control, extra storage, and garages. The need for additional features will be assessed at the point of application.

If your property meets general requirements, DHA may work with you to identify and install required additional features. We recommend contacting us to confirm which additional features may be required for your property before purchasing or installing.

Please note that DHA only leases unfurnished properties.

To be considered for a lease, your free-standing dwelling must meet the following criteria:

minimum of three bedrooms with built-in wardrobes
lounge
dining/meals
kitchen
laundry
bathroom
separate toilet (location dependent)
ensuite
double or single lock-up garage
fully enclosed rear yard of at least 35m² (except Greater Sydney where the minimum is 25m²).

Additional features that may be required*:

covered outdoor area (15m² desirable)
security screens
climate control
internal storage: linen, broom and pantry cupboards
low-maintenance garden.

* Features may need to be installed and will be assessed at the point of application.

To be considered for a lease, your townhouse must meet the following criteria:

minimum of two bedrooms with built-in wardrobes
lounge
dining/meals
kitchen
laundry
bathroom
double or single lock up garage.

Additional features that may be required*:

covered outdoor area (10m² desirable)
security screens
ensuite
climate control
internal storage: linen, broom and pantry cupboards
low-maintenance gardens.

* Features may need to be installed and will be assessed at the point of application.

To be considered for a lease, your apartment must meet the following criteria:

minimum of two bedrooms¹ with built-in wardrobes
lounge
meals
kitchen
bathroom
secure car accommodation
secure storage room, cage or cupboard.

Additional features that may be required*:

security screens
ensuite
climate control
internal storage: linen, broom and pantry cupboards.

* Features may need to be installed and will be assessed at the point of application.

DHA locations

All properties leased to DHA must be within 30 kilometres of a Defence base. However, not all properties within this distance may be accepted. DHA also considers:

the city or region where the property is located and whether there is a current need for properties, and
the street address of the property and whether it is close to a Defence base, transport links and amenities.

Demand for properties in cities and regions varies and is subject to change without notice.

We are currently looking for properties in the following areas:

ACT - Canberra*, Queanbeyan*
New South Wales - Glenbrook*, Newcastle*, Nowra, Sydney*, Richmond*, Wagga Wagga
Northern Territory - Darwin*
Queensland - Brisbane*, Gold Coast, Cairns, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Townsville
Victoria - Mornington Peninsula, Melbourne*, Wodonga
Western Australia - Perth*, Rockingham
South Australia - Lefevre Peninsula, Campbelltown*, Vale Park*, Hewett, Adelaide Hills

*Greater region equates to the city, with the inclusion of the outer suburbs.

You can also view specific suburbs and locations where we are actively seeking properties on the current DHA priority locations page.

Next steps and more information

If you'd like to speak to our Leasing Experts to see if your property meets our requirements, please call 133 342 or submit an online enquiry.

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Learn about the benefits of leasing your investment property to DHA, ask questions and have them answered live.

1. One-bedroom apartments may be considered in some locations. If you have a one-bedroom apartment, please call 133 342 to speak to our Leasing Team to see if it may be considered.