Defence subsidies the cost of accommodation. A member who occupies a Service Residence or Surplus Service Residence must make a contribution toward that cost as well. Your contribution is based on the Service Residence Classification (SRC) of the property at the time of reservation/lockdown. The contribution rates for SRs and Surplus SRs are broadly based on:
- your rank
- the SRC of the Service Residence
- if the property is Rent Band Choice
- if the property is above or below entitlement
- if you were allocated the SR or if you elected the SR
- if you are MWOD or MWD(U) and if you are sharing the residence with another eligible member.
Where your spouse is also a serving member only one contribution is payable, based on the senior rank.
You pay a contribution towards the cost of your SR on a fortnightly basis. If you choose an SR from a higher rent band than your GRE, you will pay a higher contribution. In a Surplus SR, selection of a higher rent band will result in higher contribution if you are not sharing the property.
The fortnightly rate of the contribution is detailed in PACMAN chapter 7 and can be worked out from the below tables. Upon lockdown, you will receive an email from DHA confirming the details of your proposed tenancy, including the contribution amount.
Water charges
Water contributions are also payable for SRs and Surplus SRs, this charge is included as a separate entry on your DHA Residential Agreement (DRA), under the GRS contribution. The rate of this contribution is detailed in PACMAN Chapter 7.
DHA will arrange for your SR contributions to commence being deducted from your pay
When you move into your new residence, your contributions will start from the date of occupation. Contributions are deducted fortnightly from your normal pay and DHA will arrange to have these deductions commenced.
Please note - you should allow up to two pay periods for your contribution to commence deduction from your pay. If you have any questions about when Defence will deduct your SR contributions, you can contact the Defence Call Centre on 1800 DEFENCE – (1800 333 3623).
Note: The Department of Defence reviews Contribution rates periodically.
Table 1. Group Entitlement
Rank Group (E) |
Group Rank Entitlement |
Service Residence Classification |
CPL and below |
RB1 (CPL and below) |
RB1 |
SSGT, SGT, LT and 2LT |
RB1 | RB1 |
CAPT, WO1, WO2 |
RB2 |
RB2 |
LTCOL and MA |
RB3 |
RB3 |
BRIG and COL |
RB4 |
RB4 |
MAJGEN and above |
RB5 |
RB5 |
Table 2. GRS contribution - rent per fortnight
Group Rank Entitlement of Member |
RB1 |
RB2 |
RB3 |
RB4 |
RB1 |
$504.91 |
$504.91 |
$504.91 |
$504.91 |
RB2 |
$504.91 |
$625.67 |
$625.67 |
$625.67 |
RB3 |
$504.91 |
$625.67 |
$725.37 |
$725.37 |
RB4 |
$504.91 |
$625.67 |
$725.37 |
$1,033.29 |
RB5 |
$504.91 |
$625.67 |
$725.37 |
$1,033.29 |
Group Rank Entitlement of Member |
RB1 |
RB2 |
RB3 |
RB4 |
RB1 |
$506.84 |
$506.84 |
$506.84 |
$506.84 |
RB2 |
$506.84 |
$623.96 |
$623.96 |
$623.96 |
RB3 |
$506.84 |
$623.96 |
$706.05 |
$706.05 |
RB4 |
$506.84 |
$623.96 |
$706.05 |
$979.84 |
RB5 |
$506.84 |
$623.96 |
$706.05 |
$979.84 |
Table 3. Higher Contribution Scheme (HCS) contribution - rent per fortnight
In accordance with Defence policy where a member chooses
to live in a house classified above their entitlement when houses
within their entitlement are available, the member will be required to
pay HCS contributions.
Group Rank Entitlement of Member |
RB1 |
RB2 |
RB3 |
RB4 |
RB1 |
N/A |
$746.43 |
$945.86 |
$1,561.67 |
RB2 |
N/A |
N/A |
$825.07 |
$1,440.91 |
RB3 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
$1,341.21 |
Group Rank Entitlement of Member |
RB1 |
RB2 |
RB3 |
RB4 |
RB1 |
N/A |
$741.08 |
$905.26 |
$1,452.84 |
RB2 |
N/A |
N/A |
$788.14 |
$1,335.72 |
RB3 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
$1,253.63 |
RB4 |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
Table 4. Surplus Service Residence - Not Sharing
Group Rank Entitlement of Member |
RB1 |
RB2 |
RB3 | RB4 |
RB5 |
2 bedrooms
|
$454.42
|
$563.11 |
$652.84 |
$929.97 |
$1,462.82 |
3 bedrooms
|
$504.91 |
$625.67 |
$725.37 |
$1,033.29 |
$1,625.35 |
Group Rank Entitlement of Member |
RB1 |
RB2 |
RB3 |
RB4 |
RB5 |
2 bedrooms
|
$456.16
|
$561.57 |
$635.45 |
$881.86 |
$1,387.16 |
3 bedrooms
|
$506.84 |
$623.96 |
$706.05 |
$979.84 |
$1,541.28 |
Table 5. Surplus Service Residence - Sharing
In accordance with Defence policy where a member chooses
to live Surplus Service Residence and is sharing, the member will be
required to pay the contribution relevant to the group rank and living
arrangement.
Group Rank Entitlement of Member |
RB1 |
RB2 |
RB3 |
RB4 |
Share with 1
|
$227.21
|
$281.56 |
$326.42 |
$464.99 |
Share with 2+
|
$168.31 |
$208.56 |
$241.79 |
$344.43 |
Group Rank Entitlement of Member |
RB1 |
RB2 |
RB3 |
RB4 |
Share with 1
|
$228.08
|
$280.79 |
$317.73 |
$440.93 |
Share with 2+
|
$168.95 |
$207.99 |
$235.35 |
$326.62 |