National Rental Affordability Scheme

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth, States and Territories. The Australian Government component is administered by the Commonwealth Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. The Victorian Government component is administered by the Department of Human Services Victoria.

The NRAS aims to increase the supply of affordable rental dwellings by up to 50,000 nationally by June 2012 and to reduce the cost of rental housing for low and moderate income individuals and families across Australia.

Victoria is funding up to 8,500 new affordable rental dwellings through the scheme.

National Rental Affordability Scheme Round 4 now closed

Round Four of NRAS closed on Tuesday 14 December 2010. At this stage the Commonwealth has not announced plans for further rounds of the NRAS. Providers interested in applying for possible future rounds of the NRAS should check the Commonwealth NRAS website and this website regularly for any announcements.

Approved National Rental Affordability Scheme incentives in Victoria

Victoria has approved to date in excess of 6,000 NRAS incentives for new affordable rental dwellings to a range of organisations through Rounds 1, 2, 3 and 4 of the Scheme.

Approved NRAS incentives in Victoria

National Rental Incentive

Successful applications for the NRAS are eligible to receive a National Rental Incentive for each approved dwelling where they are rented to eligible households at 20 per cent below market rates.

Applying for tenancy

The Department of Human Services Victoria does not manage the allocation of properties in the NRAS. Prospective tenants need to contact the tenancy manager of the appropriate agency to register their interest.

Prospective NRAS tenants

Legislation and Regulations

The Commonwealth National Rental Affordability Scheme Act 2008, the National Rental Affordability Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Act 2008 and the National Rental Affordability Scheme Regulations support the Scheme. Organisations considering applying for the Scheme should refer to the Act and Regulations to ensure compliance.