Programs

The First Home Owner Grant (FHOG) is paid by the State Government to eligible first home owners. The payment is made only after an application has been submitted to and approved by RevenueSA or a financial institution authorised by RevenueSA to process applications.

This one off payment of up to $15,000 applies to the purchase or construction of a new residential property, including a house, flat, unit, townhouse or apartment that meets local planning standards anywhere in South Australia. FHOG ceased for established homes from 1 July 2014.

The residential property must be occupied as each applicants principal place of residence property for a continuous period of at least six months commencing within 12 months of date of settlement for contracts to purchase, or the date construction is completed for owner builders or contracts to build.

Full eligibility requirements are available on the website.

Formerly the Seniors Information Service (SIS) is an inclusive and independent organisation seeking to improve the lives of all South Australians in the areas of Ageing, Disability, Lifestyle, Employment, Business and Learning.

The service is available to all seniors, not just low income earners, providing information and material for seniors that may be confused about making a decision in choosing a retirement and aged care facilities. They regularly publish lists of accredited aged care facilities and vacancies, affordable rental accommodation as well as material concerning:

Residential aged care

Home support and care options

Retirement Housing

Legal matters including Wills and Estate Probate

They also provide regular Information seminars on subjects such as:

Financial Planning for Retirement

Estate Planning

Navigating Commonwealth Home Support System

Retirement Housing

New Technologies

Help Line: (08) 8168 8776

SA Country Help Line: 1800 636 368

Address: 149 Currie Street, Adelaide

Parking: Car Parks close to SIS

Mail: GPO Box 1645, Adelaide SA 5001

TIAS is a state-wide service which provides free, independent information and advice to help people on low incomes to sustain their tenancies in private rental, community housing or public housing.

- Education, information and advice about your rights and responsibilities.

- Assistance in the areas of tenancy and landlord disputes, debt and eviction.

- Representation at and assistance with South Australian Civil and Administration Tribunal (SACAT)

- Encouragement and assistance to engage with mediation processes and to advocate directly with relevant housing providers.

- Assistance to access internal avenues of appeal with relevant housing providers.

- Referrals to and information on financial counselling and other services relevant to your circumstances.

Offices at Adelaide, Elizabeth, Port Adelaide and Christies Beach.

The CBS provides tenancy advise for tenants and agents about all the things related to renting any property.

- Lodge or check status of a bond online

- Residential tenancies

- Residential parks tenancies

- Rooming house tenancies

- Domestic violence protections for the tenancy sector

They offer a series of free short residential tenancy information sessions to help tenants, landlords and agents understand their rights and responsibilities relating to private rental tenancies. You can book online via the Sa Government website.

Most of the online information is listed under the SA Government website so it is worth checking out related topics at sa.gov.au first before ringing the advice line.

Adelaide and Regional office available and listed below with appointments available by contacting the helpline number.

Offices in Adelaide, Berri, Gawler, Kadina, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Naracoorte, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie and Whaylla.

The Housing Legal Clinic (HLC) provides free legal advice to people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness and low income earners. Clients are able to make an appointments at the various services.

Clients are able to make appointments at the various services below, appointments are usually 15 minutes and the advice is from lawyers from various firms in Adelaide. The HLC currently operates seven legal clinics in the city and suburbs and in rural South Australia in partnership with other organisations.

After making an appointment by phone, lawyers will talk with clients about their legal queries, and if appropriate provide advice or refer to an appropriate resource.

Clients living in rural or remote South Australia should contact the local UnitingCare Wesley Country SA office or contact Welfare Rights Centre on 1800 246 287 or 08 8223 1338 to make an appointment.

(HLC is part of the Welfare Rights Centre group of services)