About the National Rental Affordability Scheme
The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS or the Scheme) was introduced in 2008 by the Australian Government to help increase the supply of affordable rental dwellings.
Dwellings gradually exited the scheme as their 10-year incentive period ended.
NRAS properties were managed by organisations known under the NRAS legislation as approved participants. Approved participants were involved in managing NRAS properties, liaising with the department and ensuring compliance with the Scheme. NRAS provides an annual financial incentive to approved participants who rent dwellings to eligible people at a rate at least 20% below market rent.
In the 2014–15 Budget, the government announced there would be no further funding rounds for new allocations. Current allocated dwellings, which are held by approved participants in the Scheme, will continue to receive incentives as agreed.
Our responsibilities include:
- administering the NRAS legislative framework. This comprises the National Rental Affordability Scheme Act 2008(Opens in a new tab/window) and the National Rental Affordability Scheme Regulations 2020(Opens in a new tab/window). We do this in partnership with state and territory governments
- processing statements of compliance for rental dwellings and calculating and distributing financial incentives. This includes issuing cash incentives
- making decisions on the transfer of NRAS dwellings between approved participants or to another rental dwelling
- publishing and maintaining guidelines and approved forms for NRAS participants. This includes guidance on regulatory and administrative requirements.
Managing NRAS dwellings
Learn more about NRAS incentives, Statements of Compliance requirements and NRAS performance reporting at management and compliance of NRAS dwellings.
More information
Approved Participants can find the NRAS Portal and Quick Reference Guides on the NRAS portal.
Approved Participants, investors and tenants can find NRAS approved forms, factsheets and a Glossary of Terms at NRAS resources.
For questions about the actions of an NRAS tenancy manager or approved participant, email nras@dss.gov.au. For other NRAS advice, please contact an approved participant in your state or territory.