On this page:
When the review starts and ends
How it works
Defence conducts a Rent Allowance (RA) review every year. This is to make sure everyone who receives RA is getting the amount they are eligible for. We manage the review through Online Services.
Who needs to participate
You must take part in the review, unless:
- you moved into your RA property not long before the RA Review
- you will move out of your RA property within 2 weeks after the review starts
Ask someone else to complete it for you
You can authorise another person to complete the review for you. Log in to Online Services and click 'Nominate a delegate'
What you need to do
The review should only take minutes to complete. You must do it you must do it before the due date which is at the top of this page.
You can use Online Services to participate in the review. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it here.
You need to answer 8 questions and upload a current rent receipt or tenant payment history.
The receipt or payment history must show the:
- address of the rental property
- amount and period of rent payment
- name of the agent or owner you pay rent to
If you rent privately, you can upload a signed statement from the owner or landlord. It must show all the details above. Or, complete a Member/Owner statement form (PDF 487KB).
If your rent amount has changed
If your rent amount has changed, upload a receipt or tenant ledger that shows the new amount.
You also need to upload 1 of these:
- A copy of your signed lease with the new amount
- A signed letter from your landlord or agent with the rent change details and when it started (to cover increase and decreases in rent).
If you make a mistake
If you make a mistake, raise an enquiry in Online Services under 'my account'.
What happens if you do not participate
If you do not provide the information by the due date, we may suspend your RA.
You can raise an enquiry in Online Services under 'my account' to complete the review.
If you’re still eligible for RA after we review it, we will restart your RA and backdate it to the date it was suspended.
After you upload information
We’ll review your information within 12 weeks, and email you the outcome.
If your situation has changed, we may ask for more information. Your Online Service dashboard will show what you need to upload.
After we receive this information, we assess your RA. If the amount you receive will change, we’ll email you.
Generally, these changes can affect your RA amount or eligibility:
- Change in categorisation
- Property purchase
- Move to a new location
- Change in how many people share with you
You can use the Rent Allowance calculator to estimate your new RA amount.
If your categorisation has changed
Any change to your RA amount will start from the date your categorisation changed.
If you are now a member with dependants, you may wish to see available Service Residences.
You may wish to see Member Choice Accommodation if you are now a:
- member with dependants (unaccompanied)
- member without dependants
If you buy a property
You are not eligible for RA if you or your dependants own a home that we assess as “suitable”. This means it could accommodate your family and is in or near your posting location.
If you own a property, we will ask you for details. A delegate will assess it, and we will tell you the outcome.
If it’s not suitable, your RA won’t change.
If it is suitable, you’ll be eligible for RA until either of these dates (whichever happens first):
- 1 week after settlement
- 3 months after the date the contract was signed
If you know you’ll be away during the review, let us know via an enquiry in Online Services under 'my account'. We’ll arrange for you to do it before you leave.
If you do not have internet access, we can extend the due date of your review until after you return. Advise us of your return date via an enquiry in Online Services under 'my account'.
The policy on RA and property ownership is in Chapter 7, part 2 of the Defence Pay and Conditions Manual (PACMAN).
Section 1.3.55.1.b (PACMAN) explains how we decide if a posting location includes a greater area.
Where to find the policy on RA reviews
The policy on RA reviews is in 7.8.38 of PACMAN.