The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

3.8.1.120 Examples of assessment - RA sharers provisions

Examples of assessment

This topic outlines a number of scenarios for different types of accommodation, and whether or not the RA recipient would be assessed as a sharer. The following types of accommodation are covered:

  • flat/apartment/house
  • board and lodging in private homes
  • refuge, short term emergency accommodation, youth hostel or similar
  • private hotel/hostel/boarding style accommodation
  • nursing home or aged care
  • retirement village/home
  • government housing
  • granny flat, and
  • caravan, mobile home or boat.

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.1.110 Sharers provisions for RA

Flat/apartment/house

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
A single recipient who shares one or more major areas of accommodation with one or more other people including wage earners or other Centrelink recipients or other non-dependent family members. Yes

Board & lodging in private homes

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
Single recipient living in a privately owned house who has the right to receive regular meals as part of their accommodation arrangements as a 'boarder and lodger'. No
Single recipient living in the same situation as described above who shares a major area of accommodation with others as a lodger but does not receive meals on a regular basis as part of their accommodation costs. Yes

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.1.70 Board & lodging for RA

Refuge, short term emergency accommodation, youth hostel or similar

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
Single recipient residing in a refuge/hostel where the refuge/hostel provides regular meals as part of their accommodation arrangements. No
Single recipient residing in a refuge/hostel where the recipient shares a major area of accommodation with others but does not receive meals on a regular basis as part of their accommodation costs. No

Explanation: They live in exempt accommodation (1.1.E.168).

Private hotel/hostel/boarding style accommodation

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
A single recipient residing in a private hotel and using communal facilities.

Example: Sharing a communal bathroom.

 No

Explanation: They live in exempt accommodation.

Nursing home or aged hostel

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
A single recipient residing in a nursing home or aged care hostel who uses some communal facilities. No

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.1.60 Payments that may be treated as rent

Retirement village/home

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
A single recipient residing in a self-contained unit in a retirement village/home who may use communal facilities. No
Two or more single people residing in a self-contained unit and sharing a major area of accommodation. Yes

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.1.102 Special RA rules for people in accommodation for older people (life interest rules)

Government housing

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
A single recipient who sub-lets a room in an SHA house, flat or apartment, who shares at least one major area of accommodation. Yes

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.1.80 Government rent & RA

Granny flat

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
A single recipient in a granny flat attached or detached from the house and:
  • not using a major area of accommodation in the house
 No
  • using a major area of accommodation in the house, or
 Yes
  • living with one or more other people in the granny flat.
 Yes

Policy reference: SS Guide 3.8.1.102 Special RA rules for people in accommodation for older people (life interest rules)

Caravan, mobile home or boat

Scenario Is the RA recipient a sharer?
A single recipient in a caravan, mobile home or boat who is:
  • using the park or marina's communal facilities or where located in a backyard or similar, not using a major area of accommodation in the house
 No
  • using a major area of accommodation in the house, or
 Yes
  • living with one or more other people in the same caravan in a caravan park, or one or more people in the same boat.
 Yes

Last reviewed: