Financial assistance for renters

NSW is in the midst of a housing crisis and many renters are struggling to afford the rent. However, paying rent is a fundamental obligation of the tenancy agreement. Not paying your rent puts you in breach of the agreement and can lead to eviction. Unfortunately, the Tenants' Union and network of Tenants Advice and Advocacy Services are unable to provide financial assistance. This page contains links to other services and organisations which may be able to help.

If you are struggling to pay your rent, start by trying to negotiate with the landlord:

If you are homeless:

Contact Link2Home on 1800 152 152
See more services that offer emergency accommodation
Use AskIzzy to search for shelter, food, health and other critical support services

Support during disasters – fire, flood etc

Services Australia:

Services NSW:

NSW Council of Social Services – NCOSS

Flood Assistance Resources (list of resources, compiled by NCOSS)

Australian Taxation Office and Revenue NSW

The Australian Taxation Office and Revenue NSW may also be able to assist people affected by disasters, for example by deferring debt payment.

Your rights as a tenant during a disaster

For information on your legal rights as a tenant, see our disaster resources.

General government support

Government support for private renters

Social housing and affordable housing

Social housing is a term than includes both public and community housing. Social housing is secure, lower-cost housing for people on low incomes with housing needs. Public housing is managed by the NSW government through Homes NSW. Community housing is managed by non-government organisations known as social housing providers.

Affordable Housing is housing for people on low to moderate incomes, and is priced so that they can afford other basic living costs. Affordable Housing in NSW is usually managed by not-for-profit community housing providers, and/or by private organisations.

Renting affordable housing

The Aboriginal Housing Office works to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have access to affordable, quality housing. The NSW government also provides low cost and culturally appropriate housing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Aboriginal Housing Office
Housing for Aboriginal people (NSW government)

Other support for rent, bills and debts

Certain non-profit organisations, charities, neighbourhood and community centres may be able to provide support for renters. Find your local neighbourhood and community centre via:

Local Community Services Association

The Sydney Water Payment Assistance Scheme (PAS) provides emergency relief to customers struggling to pay their water bill. If you are a tenant, who pays your own water usage (you have your own meter), you can enquire about this scheme by calling 13 20 92. There is more information on their website. You will need to provide a copy of your tenancy agreement. You can also visit one of Sydney Water's community agencies for a confidential chat about your circumstances. Sydney Water can assist with one of its qualified case coordinators, or accredited community agencies, who will talk to you about your situation and apply PAS credits directly to your Sydney Water bill if you're eligible.

If you are having trouble paying your energy bills the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) has useful information about hardship and your rights and what you can do to seek help from your energy provider. You may be eligible for an Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) payment for help with your energy bills.

If you are having trouble paying loans, you can contact your own financial institution regarding hardship arrangements.

The Australian Banking Association has information about banks providing customers with emergency assistance.

Financial Difficulty (Australian Banking Association)

If you find yourself in dispute regarding your claim with a bank you can contact the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

Australian Financial Complaints Authority

Financial information and advice

You can get free financial advice from a financial counsellor. You can find a service near you and get other useful information via the Financial Rights Legal Centre.

Financial Rights Legal Centre

You can call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 for free and confidential advice from professional financial counsellors. The hotline is open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

National Debt Helpline

Economic Justice Australia has many useful resources including about JobSeeker and other Centrelink payments.

Economic Justice Australia

The Moneysmart website published by the Australian government, has information about support and services for making financial decisions.

Moneysmart

This resource is intended as a guide and should not be used as a substitute for legal advice. It applies to people who live in, or are affected by, the law as it applies in New South Wales, Australia.
© Tenants’ Union of NSW.

Updated May 2025.