Housing & Accommodation Archives | Barwon Community Legal Service
Adjust font size

A Decrease font size. A Reset font size. A Increase font size.

Quick exit

Housing & Accommodation

Knowing the basics about housing and accommodation in Victoria can help you make informed decisions, understand your rights, and navigate challenges if they come up.

If you don’t have a safe place to stay, are at risk of homelessness, or are having difficulties with your housing, there are steps you can take.

You can get help from a youth worker, a support service, or a legal centre.

For emergency housing assistance, contact 1800 825 955, available 24/7.

Topics

If you do not have a safe place to stay, help is available 24/7.

You do not need to be sleeping rough to access support, being unsafe at home, couch surfing, or about to lose your accommodation all count.

Call | 📞 1800 825 955 — 24/7, free, statewide housing crisis line. They will connect you to local emergency accommodation and support closest to you.

For emergency housing or if you are at risk of homelessness contact:

  • Meli | 📞 1800 825 955 | 🌐 meli.org.au/housing
    Youth housing and homelessness support in the Geelong and Colac region for ages 16–24.

Or drop-in at 📍 Meli – 54C Bromfield St COLAC or 📍 Meli – 222 Malop Street GEELONG

  • Crisis phone line | 📞 1800 825 955
    Free 24/7 statewide crisis and emergency accommodation helpline – Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre.

Ask Izzy: FREE directory to find local housing, food, and support services near you | 🌐 askizzy.org.au

In Victoria, most young people rent privately through a landlord or real estate agent.

Private rentals are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (Vic), which gives you legal rights to a safe, secure and well-maintained home. Your landlord must meet minimum standards, give proper notice before entering or ending your tenancy, and cannot evict you without a valid reason.

New changes to rental laws
Find out what’s changed from 25 November 2025 and what it means for you here:
https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/new-changes-to-the-rental-laws

If you are on a low income, you may be eligible for social housing through the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH) – this includes public housing and community housing.

You can apply through Victorian Housing Register at Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
For social housing application visit | 🌐 housing.vic.gov.au

For detailed information about your rights as a renter, contact:

  • Tenants Victoria | 📞 03 9416 2577 | 🌐 tenantsvic.org.au
    Free advice for all Victorian renters.

Bonds

When renting privately, your landlord can ask for a bond of up to 4 weeks’ rent. This must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) — your landlord cannot hold it themselves.

You can apply to have your bond returned at the end of your tenancy at | 🌐 rtba.vic.gov.au

Minimum age to sign a lease

Young people under 18 can sign a lease in Victoria but may face practical barriers — such as needing a guarantor — because of rules around minors’ contracts.

For advice contact:

Repairs and maintenance

  • Your landlord must carry out urgent repairs as soon as possible and non-urgent repairs within set timeframes
  • If they don’t act you can apply to the Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) for free — call | 📞 1300 01 7378 or visit | 🌐 rdrv.vic.gov.au.

Rent increases

  • Your landlord must give you 90 days’ notice of a rent increase
  • If you think the increase is excessive, you can challenge it at Consumer Affairs Victoria within 30 days of receiving notice — visit | 🌐 consumer.vic.gov.au

Rooming houses

  • Many young people live in rooming houses, which are regulated under similar laws to private rentals
  • If you live in a rooming house and have concerns about your rights or conditions, contact Tenants Victoria for free advice | 📞 03 9416 2577 | 🌐 tenantsvic.org.au

Rent assistance

  • If you receive a Centrelink payment such as Youth Allowance or JobSeeker, you may also be eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance to help cover your rent
  • Contact Services Australia | 📞 13 24 68 or visit | 🌐 servicesaustralia.gov.au to find out more.

If you can’t pay your rent

If you’re struggling to pay rent, get advice early.
For advice contact:

They can help you understand your options and your rights before the situation escalates.

Family violence and housing

  • If you are experiencing family violence, the law provides specific protections — including the right to remove a co-tenant or rental provider from your agreement
  • See the Safety at Home section for more or contact Tenants Victoria for housing-specific advice call | 📞 03 9416 2577 or visit | 🌐 tenantsvic.org.au

Excessive rent increases

  • From 25 November 2025, if you receive a rent increase notice you believe is excessive, you must apply to Consumer Affairs Victoria within 30 days to challenge it call | 📞 1300 55 81 81 or visit | 🌐 consumer.vic.gov.au

If you need urgent assistance or feel unsafe right now, call 000.

Legal advice: Do you think you may have a legal issue and would like advice? Free and confidential help is available.

Contact:

 

For detailed information about your rights as a renter, contact:

  • Tenants Victoria | 📞 03 9416 2577 | 🌐 tenantsvic.org.au
    Free advice for all Victorian renters

 

For emergency housing or if you are at risk of homelessness, help is available 24/7.

  • Meli | 📞 1800 825 955 | 🌐 meli.org.au/housing
    Youth housing and homelessness support in the Geelong and Colac region for ages 16–24
    Or drop-in at: 📍 Meli – 54C Bromfield St COLAC or 📍 Meli – 222 Malop Street GEELONG
  • Crisis Phone Line | 📞 1800 825 955
    Free 24/7 statewide crisis and emergency accommodation helpline – Safe Steps Family Violence Response Centre

 

If you need to speak to someone urgently please call:

  • Lifeline (Free 24/7) | 📞 13 11 14 | 🌐  Webchat | 📱 Text 0477 131 114
    Crisis support and suicide prevention
  • Kids Helpline (Free 24/7) | 📞 1800 551 800 | 🌐 kidshelpline.com.au
    Counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25
  • 🌈 Rainbow Door (10-5pm every day) | 📞 1800 729 367 | 📱 Text 0480 017 246 | 🌐 rainbowdoor.org.au 
    Free helpline and specialist support service for LGBTIQA+ Victorians, their friends and families
  • 🖤💛❤️ 13YARN (Free 24/7) | 📞 13 92 76 | 🌐 13yarn.org.au
    Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander crisis support line developed and run by community in partnership with Lifeline

 

Other helpful resources:

  • Ask Izzy | 🌐 askizzy.org.au
    FREE directory to find local housing, food, and support services near you
  • Quick Help Guide (BAT Force) | 🌐 batforce.org.au/quick-help-guide
    A practical guide connecting you to support for food, housing, mental health, family violence, financial stress and tenancy
  • YouthNav (Youth Central) | 🌐 youthcentral.vic.gov.au/youthnav
    A life skills and information hub for young people aged 12 to 25 that helps build knowledge, confidence, and independence into adulthood

Check out the videos, fact sheets and resources below for more information or try our Legal Health Check Here!