Housing

If you've decided to move to South Australia from overseas, organising the move may appear to be a daunting task.

There are lots of immigration details to sort through, items to pack and decisions on what to leave behind and what to take. Advising people and/organisations of your move and managing the paperwork will take an organised approach.

We've included some general information below as well as in the links to the left. However, for the most up-to-date information it is suggested that you use the site Services SA at which contains a ton of information to help you make the move.

Home Ownership

By international standards, there is a high quality of housing in South Australia. On average, there are less than 3 people per home. Two-thirds of houses have 3 or more bedrooms and almost 80% of households live in detached houses on their own allotments.

Home-ownership is very common - with almost 70% of people owning or buying their own homes. In December 2004, the median price of houses sold in metropolitan Adelaide was AU$255,000.

Public Housing

Though less significant than in parts of Europe and South East Asia, public housing plays an important role in South Australia - more so than in other Australian States. The Housing SA provides housing and related services for those in need so as to contribute, as far as possible, to the social well-being and economic development of the State.

Eligibility for public housing is based on income, assets and need. Applicants are placed in 4 categories:

• Category One
  For applicants in urgent housing need or tenants who need to relocate urgently
• Category Two
  For applicants who have high housing needs and who are unable to access other housing in the long term and for Housing SA tenants whose current housing is unsuitable
• Category Three
  Applicants who pass the income and asset test but do not have a high housing need
• Category Four
  Housing SA tenants (for at least 3 years) requesting a transfer to another property for personal preference reasons

Most Housing SA dwellings are detached or semi-detached single story units with allocation depending on tenants' housing needs.

Market rents for public housing vary depending on location and type. A typical weekly market rental for a five-roomed detached house in the metropolitan area is around AU$148.00 per week, excluding utilities.

Concessions are given to those on low incomes.

The Housing SA can also provide assistance to some people to gain access to the private rental market, through the provision of a bond guarantee and rent in advance payment.

More information is on the website: www.housingtrust.sa.gov.au

Private Rental

Private rental is the other major form of accommodation available in South Australia, housing about 17% of households. Private tenants and landlords are protected by the Residential Tenancies Act, which sets out the rights and obligations of both parties.

Community Housing

The Government of South Australia is encouraging the development of community housing to provide housing for low income and special need groups.

There are currently approximately 140 community housing organisations (Housing Co-operatives and Housing Associations) in South Australia, which are supported by the South Australian Community Housing Authority (SACHA), a statutory body established in 1992 to administer the South Australian Co-operative and Community Housing Act 1991. SACHA is responsible for the regulation, administration, development and financing of all State community housing programs.

Information is on the SACHA website: www.sacha.sa.gov.au

Community housing provides choice and diversity for tenants whilst encouraging self-help, self-management and volunteer community involvement.

Special need groups housed by community housing organisations include the aged, people with disabilities, survivors of domestic violence, people from a non-English speaking background and those who have difficulty accessing the private rental market. These groups, where it is necessary, are provided with both housing and support services.

There are currently approximately 4,000 homes under the management of community housing organisations. Housing co-operatives are not-for-profit organisations comprised of people with similar interests who work together to manage and maintain their housing on an ongoing basis. Housing associations are also not-for-profit organisations but are managed by community volunteers or paid staff that work on behalf of tenants.

First Home Buyers

For people buying their first home in South Australia, there is no Stamp Duty payable on homes under AU$80,000. There are also Stamp Duty reductions on homes between AU$80,001 and AU$130,000.

First home buyers are also eligible for a $7,000 grant under the Commonwealth Government’s ‘First Home Owner’ Scheme. Please see the “First Home Buyers’ Scheme and Stamp Duty Concession Fact sheet to find out more.

The Real Estate Institute of South Australia

The Real Estate Institute of South Australia (REISA) is an industry body representing more than 2,200 real estate professionals in South Australia. REISA operates an Information Service that provides responses to enquiries from the public. The Information Service is available Monday to Friday from 9am to noon and 1pm to 4pm. It can be accessed by calling: +61 8 8366 4345.

The REISA website outlines products and services, as well as other areas of interest such as hints for buyers and sellers. A membership directory is on the website to enable you to search for a REISA member agent or conveyancer.

To find out more, contact:

Real Estate Institute of South Australia

249 Greenhill Road
DULWICH SA 5065
Telephone: +61 8 8366 4300
Email: reisa@reisa.com.au
Website: www.reisa. com.au

South Australian Property Search

The Real Estate Institute of South Australia also operates a State-based internet property listing service located at: www.propertyview.com.au.

Through this website, you can:

• Search and preview property listings and rental accommodation.
• Arrange loans.
• Purchase a range of goods and services.

A similar commercial website that allows users to search by State for a property to buy, rent, lease or sell is: www.realestate.com.au