Housing Affordability Fund (HAF)

The Housing Affordability Fund (HAF) is a Government initiative to streamline development approval processes and reduce infrastructure charges and regulatory costs.

www.fahcsia.gov.au

First Home Owner Grant (FHOG)

The First Home Owner Grant Scheme (FHOGS) is a joint Australian and State Government initiative to help first home owners. The grant provides a $7000 benefit to eligible applicants. Each State and Territory Revenue Office is responsible for administering the grant in their respective jurisdiction. This site includes links to the various revenue offices.

www.firsthome.gov.au

First Home Saver Accounts (FHSA)

First Home Saver Accounts (FHSA) are part of the government's election commitment to provide a simple, tax effective way to help first home buyers kick start saving for a first home. These accounts are available from financial institutions (including banks and super funds) on 1 October 2008.

www.ato.gov.au

Housing and Homelessness Services

The Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs helps support and strengthen communities and families directly or through programs by assisting low and moderate income households to access appropriate and affordable housing, and supporting people to move out of homelessness.

www.fahcsia.gov.au

Links to Useful Information for Individuals and Communities on Housing

Community.gov.au is a portal to information relevant to individuals and community organisations across Australia. On this part of the Community Portal you will find links to housing related information including the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program (SAAP) and emergency accommodation.

www.community.gov.au

Managing your Mortgage

Provides some practical steps for home owners to take if they are experiencing difficulty meeting mortgage repayments and may consider selling their home.

www.accc.gov.au

My Environment

My Environment provides a window onto the environment and heritage around your place. Enter your address details and create a report that includes vulnerable and endangered plants and animals that may live near your place; where your nearest heritage sites and important wetlands are; and where your nearest waste oil disposal depot is.

www.environment.gov.au

Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS)

The Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme enables the design of a home to be assessed by skilled professionals using sophisticated computer modeling programmes to improve the quality of design and as a means of achieving building approvals.

www.nathers.gov.au

Your Home - Design for lifestyle and the future

Your Home is Australia's guide to environmentally sustainable house design and construction. Includes 300 pages of practical technical solutions for builders and designers and a 32 page consumer magazine.

www.yourhome.gov.au