How to apply for a Homes Victoria affordable home

To apply for a Homes Victoria affordable home, you will need to comply with the eligibility criteria below.

If you are unable to comply with all of the below criteria, you will not be eligible to apply for a Homes Victoria affordable home.

• Accept the Terms and Conditions (see below)
• All household members are Australian citizens or permanent residents
• Household income falls under the gross income threshold (seeTable 1) but is not so low you would be put into rental stress (defined as spending more than 30% of your gross household income on rent)
• Household members cannot own property
• If successful, required documents and information will be supplied within two business days
• If successful, the household can move in within 30 days of accepting an offer.

Table 1: Eligible gross income thresholds

* This can be made up of a couple or two singles earning a household income of up to $110,300.
** This can be made up of a family or shared group (couples/singles) earning a household income of up to $154,410.

All income ranges are measured before tax (gross).

Income eligibility for Homes Victoria affordable homes are set using the income ranges as per the Planning and Environment Act 1987. These income bands were updated on the 27 June 2024 and come into effect on 1 July 2024. Find income eligibility bands on page 1222 here (PDF).

You will have an opportunity to inspect the property before you apply. Inspection dates will be shown on the application platform. 

Your application will enter a ballot system for that property. In a ballot, the successful applicant(s) are chosen randomly from a list. In this way, all eligible applicants will have an equal chance of being offered an affordable home.  

Note: You will be required to attend an inspection of the property before a rental agreement can be provided.

If you are successfully drawn from the ballot, you will be required within two days to provide proof of your eligibility in the form of recent payslips, identification and visa status. 

The tenancy manager will verify the following:

• Your income falls under the gross income threshold but is not so low you would be put into rental stress (defined as spending more than 30% of your gross household income on rent)
• All income stated on the application form is correct through verification of supporting documents such as payslips
• 100 points of identification 
• Referee details
• Proof that all household members are Australian citizens or have Australian residency 
• Proof all household members are Victorian residents 
• That you do not own property. 

If successful, you will be invited to inspect the home.

Like a private rental, you will be notified by the tenancy manager if you are successful in getting a new home. 

Once you accept the home, you will need to:

• Sign the new lease  
• Pay 2 weeks rent in advance 
• Pay bond.