Rental advice and support

Know your rights and responsibilities when renting, sharing or living in student accommodation.

Tenancy advice

To ensure you have stable accommodation while you’re studying, it’s important you understand how leases, bonds, inspections, maintenance and repairs work in Victoria.

If you’re having tenancy issues or have questions about your rights, Student Welfare Advisors at Student Connect can help. The RMIT Student Legal Service also provides free, confidential advice on renting and tenancy issues.

Tenants Victoria provides free and confidential advice on renters’ rights via phone and email. They also produce guides for renters in multiple languages. These guides provide information about:

For information and advice on common tenancy issues, explore other Tenants Victoria guides.

Consumer Affairs Victoria also provides information and advice on renting, including how to avoid rental scams.

Financial assistance -rebates

If you are experiencing housing difficulties or are at risk of becoming homeless, talk to a Student Welfare Advisor about your options, including Hardship Assistance Grants.

The Australian and Victorian governments also offer relief schemes and loans to people experiencing financial hardship, including:

Rent Assistance – students already receiving a Centrelink payment who live away from home and pay rent may be eligible
Utility Relief Grant Scheme – people on low incomes who are having difficulty paying an overdue utility bill may be eligible
Utility concessions – concession card holders may be eligible for electricity and gas concessions and rebates, and water concessions
Bond Loan Scheme – Australian residents on a low income who want to rent may be eligible.

Crisis accommodation support

If you are experiencing housing difficulties or are at risk of becoming homeless, talk to a Student Welfare Advisor about your options, including Hardship Assistance Grants.

If you are experiencing homelessness or need urgent help, call the Victorian Statewide Homelessness Line on 1800 825 955 (free call number, open 24-hours). Your call will be directed to the housing service closest to you. If the call is outside business hours, you will be directed to an after-hours service.

If you are experiencing family violence, contact Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre for advice and support, including emergency accommodation.

Ask Izzy is a resource that connects people in crisis with services close to them. It is free and anonymous.

Australian residents may be eligible for Centrelink payments and services, including crisis support. Community Engagement Officers assist people experiencing homelessness or housing crisis in accessing Centrelink payments and services.