🇦🇺
Tenant rights in Australia
Australian tenant rights are governed by state and territory Residential Tenancies Acts. While specifics vary, there are strong protections common across Australia.
Eviction rights
- ✓Your landlord must give minimum 90 days notice to end a periodic tenancy without grounds in most states.
- ✓Eviction always requires a Tribunal order — self-help eviction is illegal.
- ✓Common grounds for eviction include non-payment of rent, property damage, and landlord selling or moving in.
- ✓You can apply to your state Tribunal (VCAT, NCAT, QCAT etc.) to dispute an eviction notice.
- ✓Retaliatory eviction — evicting you for exercising your rights — is prohibited.
Bond (security deposit)
- ✓Your bond must be lodged with the relevant state bond authority within 10 days of receipt.
- ✓Your landlord cannot access the bond without your agreement or a Tribunal order.
- ✓Deductions must be evidenced — normal wear and tear cannot be charged.
- ✓If your landlord did not lodge your bond with the authority, this is a breach that can be reported.
Repairs and maintenance
- ✓Your landlord must maintain the property in a reasonable state of repair.
- ✓Urgent repairs (broken heaters, burst pipes, security breaches) must be addressed immediately.
- ✓You can apply to your state Tribunal for a repair order if the landlord refuses.
- ✓Some states allow tenants to arrange urgent repairs and claim reimbursement.
Landlord entry
- ✓Landlords must give 24 hours written notice before entering for inspections.
- ✓Routine inspections are limited — usually 4 per year maximum.
- ✓Entry must be at a reasonable time, typically between 8am and 6pm on weekdays.
Rent increases
- ✓Rent can only be increased once every 12 months with proper notice (typically 60 days written notice).
- ✓You can apply to the Tribunal to dispute an excessive rent increase.
- ✓Rent cannot be increased during a fixed-term lease unless the agreement specifically allows it.
Where to get help in Australia
Tenants' Union (your state)
Each state has a Tenants' Union offering free advice — search your state + tenants union
State Residential Tenancies Authority
RTBA (VIC), NSW Fair Trading, RTA (QLD) etc. handle bond and dispute matters
VCAT / NCAT / QCAT
State tribunals that resolve tenancy disputes at low cost
Legal Aid (your state)
Free legal advice for eligible tenants
Got a message from your landlord?
Generate a firm, legally-aware reply in seconds. Analyse the threat level and get a professional response ready to send.
⚠️ This guide provides general information only and is not legal advice. Laws change and vary by region. For serious disputes, consult a qualified solicitor, lawyer, or tenants union in Australia.