The Government awarded 36,807 NRAS incentives to 133 NRAS approved participants Australia wide.

• As at 30 June 2017; 34,173 NRAS dwellings have been delivered into the Scheme with a further 2,634 NRAS dwellings yet to be delivered. (Source: NRAS Quarterly Performance Reporting for June 2017)

In Victoria there are:

• 18 Approved NRAS Participants, including Loddon Mallee Housing Services Limited t/as Haven Home Safe (“HHS”).
• As at 30 June 2017; 5,895 NRAS dwellings have been delivered into the Scheme with a further 211 NRAS dwellings yet to be delivered. (Source: NRAS Quarterly Performance Reporting for June 2017)

• The Scheme is administered by the Government through the Department of Social Services (“DSS”).
• The Government works with NRAS Approved Participants to administer the compliance, reporting and payment of the NRAS incentive for each property that meets the condition as prescribed under NRAS legislation.
• NRAS approved Participants include not-for profit community housing providers and universities through to ASX listed property companies.

• NRAS provides an investor with an annual incentive for up to 10 years.
• The current NRAS Incentive amount is $11,114.33 (2017/18 year)
• The NRAS Incentive is received annually in arrears in two components:

  1. Federal component paid as a Refundable tax offset (“RTO”) or Cash payment (currently $8,335.75)
  2. State component paid as a Cash payment (currently $2,778.58)

  The NRAS Incentive amount is fixed per dwelling and indexed annually on 1 May. To receive the NRAS Incentive, an investor must:
  1. Purchase an NRAS approved property and enter into an agreement, with the NRAS Participant for the dwelling;
  2. Lease the property at a rental of no more than 80% of market value rent to an eligible tenant.
  3. Ensure the property does not exceed the vacancy provisions and complies with all other conditions as prescribed under NRAS legislation.

Further details of the NRAS scheme can be found on the Australian Government Department of Social Services website:

• To rent under NRAS you must be an “eligible tenant”.
• Eligibility is based on the gross annual household income prior to entering into a lease; eligibility is re-assessed annually for continuing tenancies.
• “Eligible tenants” receive the benefits of a discounted rent of at least 20% below market value rent.
• The provisions of the Residential Tenancy Act apply to NRAS tenants.
• Income limits are set by the Government and is indexed annually on 1 May. Income limits for 2017/18 are noted in the table below: