Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01404:clause:2_5
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L01404
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 2 cl 5
Character Range: 5641–11732

5  After section 7.8.5
   Insert:

7.8.5AA Early Eligibility for Rent Allowance Trial
1.  This section applies to a member who has received a posting order to a trial location if they meet all of the following.
    a.                                                                                                                                     They have accompanied resident family or recognised other persons.
    b.                                                                                                                                     They are eligible to occupy a Service residence in their next housing benefit location.
    c.                                                                                                                                     Their posting order was issued between the following days.
                                                                                                                                           i.                                                                                                                                                                                        1 July 2024.
                                                                                                                                           ii.                                                                                                                                                                                       30 June 2025.
    d.                                                                                                                                     Their posting order was issued as a part of the 2024-2025 posting cycle.
    e.                                                                                                                                     They are eligible for a removal to a new housing benefit location in connection with the posting order.
2.  Despite section 7.8.5, the member is eligible for rent allowance if all of the following apply.
    a.                                                                                                                                     On or after 12 September 2024, the member has applied for early eligibility for rental allowance through the Defence Housing Australia (DHA) online services portal.
    b.                                                                                                                                     The decision maker is satisfied that providing access to rent allowance is reasonable having regard to the demand for Service residences for the member's next housing benefit location.
    Note: A member may revoke a request for early eligibility for rent allowance at any time before they start to receive rent allowance.
3.  The member's period of eligibility for rent allowance is the eligibility period that would have applied under subsection 7.8.5.1.
4.  In this section, decision maker means any of the following.
    a.                                                                                                                                     An employee of Defence Housing Australia who performs the duties of any of the following.
                                                                                                                                           i.                                                                                                                                                                                        Team Leader in a Housing Contact Centre.
                                                                                                                                           ii.                                                                                                                                                                                       Housing Specialist in a Housing Contact Centre.
                                                                                                                                           iii.                                                                                                                                                                                      Regional Operations Manager in a Regional Office.
                                                                                                                                           iv.                                                                                                                                                                                       Executive Director Relocations and Housing.
    b.                                                                                                                                     Director Relocations and Housing
    c.                                                                                                                                     Assistant Director Relocations and Housing
    d.                                                                                                                                     Assistant Contract Manager Relocations and Housing
5.  In this section, trial location means any of the following.

Item  Trial location
1.    Defence Plaza Sydney, NSW
2.    Garden Island Defence Precinct, NSW
3.    HMAS Kuttabul, Potts Point, NSW
4.    HMAS Penguin, Balmoral, NSW
5.    HMAS Waterhen, NSW
6.    HMAS Watson, NSW
7.    Lancer Barracks Parramatta, NSW
8.    Randwick Barracks, NSW
9.    Sydney Fleet Base East, NSW
10.   Victoria Barracks, NSW
11.   Lavarack Barracks, QLD
12.   Townsville RAAF Base, QLD
13.   Australian Defence Force Academy, ACT
14.   Australian Defence College, Weston Creek, ACT
15.   Brindabella Park, ACT
16.   Campbell Park, ACT
17.   Fairbairn RAAF Base, ACT
18.   HMAS Harman, ACT
19.   Headquarters Joint Operations Command, NSW
20.   Royal Military College Duntroon, ACT
21.   Russell Offices, ACT