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Department of Human Services

Home wise: appliance and infrastructure grant

The Home Wise grant helps concession card holders who can't afford to repair or replace an essential faulty appliance currently at their home.

The appliances covered include:

  • hot water service,
  • wall furnace/space heater,
  • faulty toilet,
  • upright stove/wall oven/cooktop,
  • water tank,
  • generator,
  • leaking gas or water pipes.

A qualified contractor will be sent to your home to assess the faulty appliance. Faulty appliances will be repaired rather than replaced. If the appliance cannot be repaired, the relevant size and model of the replacement appliance will be selected by DHS.

Eligibility

You must hold at least one of the following concession cards:

    Pensioner Concession Card; Health Care Card; DVA Gold Card

Holders of a Health Care Card for Child Disability and Foster Care issued in the name of the child are not eligible. For fixed appliances, such as heaters or hot water services, the applicant must own or be buying the property. Holders of DVA Gold Cards marked "dependant" are not eligible to apply.

Applicants are eligible to apply for two grants within a ten year period.

How to apply

Contact the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

More information

For information contact the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

Frequently asked questions

  • When will I receive my grant?

    Please allow 2-4 weeks for processing upon receipt in the Concessions Unit, Department of Human Services. You will be notified of the outcome in writing.

  • I'm renting and my fixed appliance is faulty, can I get a replacement?

    No. You need to own or are in the process of buying your property if you are applying for a fixed appliance. You need to submit a copy of your rates notice with your application. Tenants are not eligible for assistance with fixed appliances.

  • I don't have any savings to buy a new appliance, can the Department give me a grant for a new fridge?

    You need to show that you do not have any savings to repair or replace your faulty appliance. To check that you meet all of the eligibility criteria, contact the Concessions Information Line on 1800 658 521.

  • Do I need to get quotes to replace my faulty appliance?

    Not if you are applying for a non-fixed appliance, however if you are applying for a fixed appliance you should obtain a quote for the supply and installation of the faulty appliance in the event that after the DHS Service Provider has inspected the appliance, they recommend replacement.

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