Check your eligibility

Applications for Rent Choice open on 1 July 2024!

Rent Choice has been specifically designed to meet the Affordable Housing requirements of Key Workers essential to the growth and development of the NT’s economy and community.

To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must meet the following circumstances:

They are living in the NT or moving to the NT
At least one household member (main applicant) is working in a Key Service Industry occupation including not-for-profit organisations, private enterprises, and Government.
They are a citizen of Australia or New Zealand, a permanent resident of Australia or have a current visa with work rights in Australia.

In addition to meeting eligibility requirements, prospective households must not

own property in the Northern Territory
receive a rental subsidy from their employer
be directly employed in the resources sector
exceed the income limits for the scheme

Key Service Industries:

Key Workers must be working in a key service industry as their primary source of income or relocating to commence work in an eligible key service industry as their primary source of income.

A key service industry is an area identified as having hard-to-fill jobs in the NT, which is determined by the Northern Territory Government Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade. The Key Service Industry areas are subject to change when the NT Skilled Occupation Priority List is updated annually by the Northern Territory Government.

At the date of publishing, the Key Service Industry areas are*:

tourism and hospitality
retail
trades
education and childcare
health and emergency services
public service front-line positions only
community and social services
transport and logistics
agriculture and fisheries
construction
manufacturing
real estate and property management
telecommunications
media and advertising
sales and marketing
recreation, arts and entertainment.

_{*Please refer to the NT Government web page for the latest information.}

Locality

Rent Choice is available to people who wish to rent in the following locations*

Darwin
Palmerston
Katherine
Tennant Creek
Alice Springs.

Engagement with Real Estate Agents and Community Housing Providers has only occurred in the locations listed and therefore Rent Choice vouchers may not be accepted outside these areas. However, any applications received for locations outside those listed will be assessed*, and if eligible, the voucher will be issued for the location provided by the applicant.

_{*Applications received for locations other than those listed will be assessed using the subsidy calculation for the nearest listed location.}

Income Limits

Applicants’ gross household income must fall under certain income limits to be considered for the scheme: