Housing Allocation Information

AHV’s tenants tend to maintain long term, stable tenancies. This means the number of houses that become vacant in any given year is very low. When a property does become vacant, AHV consults the Victorian Housing Register and matches the appropriate applicant with the property details. There are a number of factors that are taken in to consideration when we allocate a property. When an application does reach the top of the list and a suitable property becomes available in the applicant’s preferred area, they are contacted by letter to confirm their eligibility for the property. For more information on how we allocate properties please see the below FAQs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for housing?

All applicants applying for housing with AHV should complete a Victorian Housing Register application form and lodge with the Victorian Housing Register (VHR), administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Applications will be assessed through one of two categories:

  • Priority access – for people who have an urgent housing need and meet low income and asset eligibility limits.
  • Register of interest – for people who do not have an urgent housing need but may benefit from social housing and meet higher income and eligibility limits.


Download the application form at https://housing.vic.gov.au/apply-social-housing, and complete an online application or have an application form posted to you. For more details you can contact your local DHHS office: https://dhhs.vic.gov.au/locations-dhhs-offices-victoria

What documents do I need to provide with my application?

Documents required are outlined in the application forms, found at - https://housing.vic.gov.au/apply-social-housing.

To be eligible for housing with AHV you will need to meet additional criteria by providing additional documentation; Confirmation of Aboriginality for at least one permanent household member.

How do I know my application was approved?

Aboriginal Housing Victoria no longer process housing applications. When you lodge your application with the VHR, you will be sent an acknowledgment letter from DHHS when your application is received. If more information is required, you will be contacted.

Your application will be assessed against the VHR eligibility criteria.

If your application is approved you will receive a letter with a reference number, called a service ID number. You will need to provide this number when speaking to DHHS staff about your application.

If your application is not approved, you will receive a letter explaining why.

How are properties allocated to applicants?

When a property becomes vacant, AHV consults the Victorian Housing Register and matches an applicant with the property details, confirming that it has a suitable number of bedrooms and is in the applicant’s requested suburb, or as close as possible.

How will I be notified when a property becomes available?

If an appropriate property becomes available, a letter of offer will be sent to you, to which you have three days to respond. If you do not respond within this three-day period, you may be removed from the Victorian Housing Register. Please ensure your contact details are up-to-date.

How will I be approved to move into the property?

Once you have responded to a letter of offer, you will be required to provide 13 weeks of pay slips or equivalent evidence of your income, and provide banking details for all occupants who earn an income. Your details will be reviewed again by AHV, and once it is approved, the address details of the property will be provided.

At this stage, you are able to view the property and accept or decline the offer. You are able to refuse a property twice and remain on the Victorian Housing Register if the reason for refusal is reasonable. If the reason is not considered reasonable, you will be removed from the waitlist.

If you accept the property, any required maintenance works will be carried out, and your application will be given to a Housing Officer to organise signing you up as a tenant.

What is priority access?

The 'Priority Access' category is intended to identify a person who is deemed to have a higher urgency for housing than a general application.

Priority Access: In broad terms this might be for people:

  • Who are homeless and receiving support;
  • Are escaping or have escaped family violence;
  • With a disability or significant support needs;
  • With special housing needs;
  • Priority transfer; and
  • Emergency Management

For detailed information on priority access eligibility criteria https://www.housing.vic.gov.au/social-housing-eligibility#priority-categories

Why have I been removed from the waitlist?

Aboriginal Housing Victoria doesn’t administer the Victorian Housing Register, if you have been removed from the Register you will need to contact your local DHHS housing office. Contact details can be found at: https://dhhs.vic.gov.au/locations-dhhs-offices-victoria