Housing Stress in Tasmania: Where to Get Help

If you have nowhere safe to sleep tonight, call Housing Connect on 1800 800 588 (24 hours, 7 days). For family violence support, call the Family Violence Response and Referral Line on 1800 633 937 (24 hours). In an emergency, call 000.

If rent, mortgage repayments or bills are getting on top of you, you're not alone, and there is free help in Tasmania. This guide lists the main services for renters and families, checked on official websites on 22 October 2026. Services and rules change, so always check the linked page or call the service for your situation.

If you're homeless or at risk of losing your home

Housing Connect (1800 800 588) is Tasmania's front door for housing help. If you don't have somewhere safe to sleep tonight, call any time, 24 hours a day. For other housing help, such as social housing applications or help keeping a private rental, call Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (Homes Tasmania: Housing Connect).

Family and domestic violence

The Family Violence Response and Referral Line (1800 633 937) is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and connects you with Safe at Home support services (Safe at Home).

Help with bond, rent and arrears

Homes Tasmania's Private Rental Assistance can give eligible people on low incomes one-off help with bond, rent in advance, rent arrears, and removal or storage costs for people escaping family violence (Homes Tasmania). Apply through Housing Connect on 1800 800 588.

Free tenancy advice and your rights

The Tenants' Union of Tasmania gives free advice to public and private renters on (03) 6223 2641 or 1300 652 641, Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm (Tenants' Union of Tasmania). Official renting information is now with Consumer Affairs Tasmania (1300 654 499), which took over from CBOS in October 2026.

A few rules worth knowing (Consumer Affairs Tasmania: rent increases):

Your landlord must give you written notice at least 60 days before a rent increase.
In most cases, rent can't be increased mid-lease.
If you think an increase is unreasonably high, you can ask the Residential Tenancy Commissioner to review it.

Help with energy and water bills

Concession card holders can get an annual electricity concession by contacting their electricity retailer, and TasWater offers a water and sewerage concession (Tasmanian concessions). If you're struggling with bills, ask about Aurora Energy's Your Energy Support program or TasWater Assist (13 6992).

National help, wherever you live

Rent Assistance: an extra Centrelink payment if you get an eligible payment and pay rent above a certain amount (Services Australia).
National Debt Helpline: free financial counselling on 1800 007 007 (ndh.org.au).
Ask Izzy: a free directory of local food, housing and money help (askizzy.org.au).

Help in other states and territories is listed on our national housing help page.

About Nhanya Foundation

Nhanya Foundation is a registered charity based in Melbourne's west, Victoria. We can't provide direct support in Tasmania, so please contact the services above. If you're in Melbourne's west, call us on 03 8595 9012 or make a referral.

Live somewhere else? See housing help for every state and territory.

Frequently Asked Questions About Housing Stress in Tasmania

Who do I call if I'm at risk of homelessness in Tasmania?

Call Housing Connect on 1800 800 588. If you have nowhere safe to sleep tonight, it's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In an emergency, call 000.

Can I get help with bond or rent in Tasmania?

Homes Tasmania's Private Rental Assistance can help eligible people on low incomes with bond, rent in advance and rent arrears. Apply through Housing Connect on 1800 800 588.

How often can rent be increased in Tasmania?

Your landlord must give at least 60 days' written notice of a rent increase, and in most cases rent can't go up mid-lease. The Tenants' Union of Tasmania can advise on 1300 652 641.

Is there free financial counselling?

Yes. The National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 offers free, confidential financial counselling across Australia.

Can Nhanya Foundation help me in Tasmania?

Nhanya Foundation is based in Melbourne's west, Victoria, and can't provide direct support in Tasmania. Please contact the services listed on this page.