Not a government website · Summarised from Australian government information — the official source always prevails
NewBee
All guides 中文
Sign in

Renting in Australia: finding a place, signing, bond, condition report, utilities and getting your bond back (NSW, VIC, QLD)

Based on 3 verified guidesLast verified Official pages checked daily

When you rent in Australia, watch out for rental scams first (never pay before you have inspected and signed). Bonds are capped, and the landlord or agent must lodge your bond with the state bond authority within a set time — they cannot keep it. Fill in the condition report carefully and take photos when you move in, set up electricity and gas through the official comparison site, and follow the bond refund process when you leave: a landlord who wants to keep part of the bond must give reasons and evidence. Rules differ by state; this page covers NSW, VIC and QLD. Each step links to a verified guide and the official source.

What should I watch out for before signing?

  1. Scams in Australia: common scams, how to spot them and where to report

    Never transfer a bond or rent before you have inspected the place and signed; anyone asking for payment in gift cards or cryptocurrency is a scammer.

    • Rental scams: Fake online listings use real addresses and photos. The 'landlord' says they are overseas or gives another reason why you cannot inspect, but asks you to transfer a deposit or rent first, or to fill in a 'tenant application form' that collects your personal information. Scamwatch's advice: insist on inspecting the property in person (driving past outside does not count); avoid paying by money transfer, which is very hard to recover; and keep the advertisement, your chat history and payment records.↗
    • First steps after being scammed: Contact your bank or card provider immediately, report the scam and ask them to stop the transaction. If you are not sure whether it is a scam, stop sending money first: scammers keep asking for money until you stop. Then change the passwords on all your devices and accounts (bank, email, government services, shopping).↗

  2. Rental bonds and basic tenant rights: how much, who holds it, how to get it back

    Each state limits what a landlord or agent can charge before you sign.

    • NSW: fees that cannot be charged before you sign — A fee for preparing the lease, more than 2 weeks' rent in advance, a bond above 4 weeks' rent, the cost of the first set of keys, a pet bond, or background check fees.↗
    • QLD: limits on rent in advance and rent bidding (from 6 June 2024) — At the start of a new tenancy, rent in advance is limited to 2 weeks for a periodic agreement and 1 month for a fixed-term agreement. Rent bidding is banned (the landlord cannot accept an offer above the advertised rent). From 1 May 2025, the notice the landlord must give before entering the property changed from 24 hours to at least 48 hours.↗

How much bond do I pay, and who holds it?

  1. Rental bonds and basic tenant rights: how much, who holds it, how to get it back

    Bonds are capped and must be lodged by the landlord or agent with the state bond authority within a set time; you receive confirmation.

    • NSW: maximum bond and rent in advance — Bond up to 4 weeks' rent; rent in advance up to 2 weeks; a holding fee before you sign of up to 1 week's rent, which must be credited against your rent once you sign.↗
    • NSW: who holds the bond — NSW Fair Trading holds the bond. Agents and self-managing landlords must offer Rental Bonds Online (RBO) as the first option so you can pay the bond online; you can also ask to use the paper form. Fair Trading sends you a receipt when it receives the money. RBO helpline 1800 990 724.↗
    • VIC: maximum bond — Usually no more than 1 month's rent. A higher bond is allowed only if the weekly rent is above A$900 or VCAT has made an order for that property.↗
    • VIC: who holds the bond and when it must be lodged — The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) holds the bond. If you pay it to the landlord, they must lodge it with the RTBA within 14 days (not counting public holidays). The RTBA sends a receipt with the bond number to the landlord and all renters within 7 days of receiving it.↗
    • VIC: confirm your bond is lodged — When the landlord starts the lodgement on the RTBA website, you get an email link to check the details and confirm; you must confirm within 14 days. You can check on the RTBA website under Look up your bond. If no receipt arrives within 15 days, call the RTBA on 1300 137 164.↗
    • QLD: maximum bond — Up to 4 weeks' rent, whatever the weekly rent is and whatever the payment is called (a pet bond counts towards the limit). Charging more is illegal.↗
    • QLD: who holds the bond and when it must be lodged — The Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) holds the bond. The landlord or agent must give you a receipt as soon as they receive the bond and lodge it with the RTA within 10 days. You can also pay the RTA directly through its online Bond Lodgement service. The RTA sends an Acknowledgement of rental bond when it receives the money. RTA phone 1300 366 311 (Monday to Friday 8:30 am–5:00 pm); a free interpreter is available.↗

What do I do when I move in?

  1. Rental bonds and basic tenant rights: how much, who holds it, how to get it back

    Fill in the condition report carefully and keep photos — it is the evidence for your bond refund when you leave.

    • NSW: condition report when you move in — The landlord or agent must give you a completed condition report before or when they give you the lease to sign. Return one copy within 7 days of getting the property and keep one yourself; take time-stamped photos. NSW Fair Trading enquiries 13 32 20 (Monday to Friday 8:30 am–5:00 pm).↗
    • VIC: condition report when you move in — The landlord must give you 2 copies of the condition report before you move in (1 copy if it is electronic). Within 5 business days of moving in, check it, correct it, sign it and return it; if you did not get one, you can make your own and return it. If you think the report is inaccurate, you can apply to VCAT within 30 days of the lease starting. At the end of the lease, the landlord must complete the exit section within 10 days.↗
    • QLD: condition report when you move in — The landlord must give you an Entry condition report (Form 1a) at the start of the tenancy. Sign and return it within 7 days of receiving it or moving in, whichever is later; if you do not return it, you are taken to agree with the landlord's description. The landlord must give you a signed copy within 14 days and keep it for at least 1 year after the tenancy ends.↗

  2. Electricity and gas bills: comparing plans, saving money and getting rebates

    Choose an electricity and gas plan on the official comparison site and connect it yourself; give notice when you move.

    • Official comparison site: Energy Made Easy — A free, independent government comparison service run by the AER for residents of NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and the ACT. Start by entering your suburb or postcode. To compare plans using your actual usage, enter the NMI (National Meter Identifier) printed on your bill.↗
    • VIC: Victorian Energy Compare — The Victorian Government's independent comparison website for electricity and gas. A comparison takes about 5–10 minutes and you need your most recent bill. Helpline 1800 000 832.↗
    • Moving house: connecting and transferring — Tell your retailer early that you are moving and give your new address, or you may keep paying for electricity at the old address after you leave. If you can take your plan with you, ask the retailer to read the meter at both addresses, ideally the new one before you move in. A newly built home needs a new connection: contact an electricity or gas retailer yourself; a new meter may be needed and it can take months, so start early. Renters must open their own account with a retailer. If you need a new plan at the new address, check what plans are available there on Energy Made Easy.↗

How do I get my bond back when I leave?

  1. Rental bonds and basic tenant rights: how much, who holds it, how to get it back

    Apply for your bond refund through your state's process; a landlord who wants to keep part of it must give reasons and evidence, and you can take a dispute to the state tribunal.

    • NSW: bond refund process — After you move out, claim your refund in RBO. The landlord or agent has up to 14 days to accept your claim; once accepted, the money reaches your bank account in about 2 business days. If you used the paper form and the landlord does not sign, Fair Trading pays you if they do not dispute within 14 days.↗
    • NSW: rules for landlord deductions — If the landlord claims part of your bond without your agreement, they must give you the final inspection report and quotes or invoices within 7 days. After you receive the Notice of Claim you have 14 days to dispute it; the other party must then apply to NCAT within 14 days. Either side can still apply to NCAT within 6 months after the bond is paid out.↗
    • VIC: bond refund process — After the lease ends, the landlord must start the claim on the RTBA website within 14 days (you can start it first, after verifying your identity through Service Victoria). Before claiming any deduction, the landlord must notify you at least 3 business days in advance and give evidence. You have 14 days to accept or dispute. Once everyone agrees, the RTBA usually pays within 1 business day. If you cannot agree, go to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) first, then VCAT.↗
    • QLD: bond refund process — After the tenancy ends, apply with the Refund of rental bond form (Form 4) or through RTA Web Services. If both sides agree, the RTA processes it the same day and the money arrives within 3 business days (only into an Australian bank account). If you disagree, the RTA first refunds the undisputed part and sends a Notice of claim; the party who receives it has 14 days to lodge a Dispute resolution request (Form 16), otherwise the bond is paid according to the first claim received.↗
    • QLD: landlords must give evidence for deductions — Within 14 days of making a claim on the bond or disputing one, the landlord must give the tenant their evidence, or face a fine of up to 20 penalty units. If RTA conciliation does not resolve it, you can go to QCAT.↗

  2. Rental bonds and basic tenant rights: how much, who holds it, how to get it back

    If the landlord wants to end the tenancy, each state sets notice periods and, in some states, required reasons.

    • NSW: landlords must give a reason to end a lease (from 19 May 2025) — For all leases, including those signed before 19 May 2025, the landlord must end the tenancy on a legal ground, such as sale, major renovation, moving in themselves for at least 6 months, or a breach, and must provide supporting documents. Using false documents is illegal.↗
    • NSW: take your bond with you when you move — Smart Rental Bonds: transfer your existing bond to your new home through RBO for a A$25 fee. It must be completed within 4 weeks of moving into the new home, and the tenants on the new lease must be the same. You cannot use it if the bond is in dispute or you owe a RentStart loan, among other cases.↗
    • VIC: take your bond with you when you move — Portable Rental Bond Scheme: transfer your existing bond to your new home through the RTBA for a A$25 fee. Taking part is voluntary.↗

Common questions

How does renting work in Australia?

Inspect, sign, pay the bond (which the landlord lodges with the state bond authority), fill in the condition report and connect utilities; apply for the bond refund when you leave. NSW: who holds the bond — NSW Fair Trading holds the bond. Agents and self-managing landlords must offer Rental Bonds Online (RBO) as the first option so you can pay the bond online; you can also ask to use the paper form. Fair Trading sends you a receipt when it receives the money. RBO helpline 1800 990 724. NSW: condition report when you move in — The landlord or agent must give you a completed condition report before or when they give you the lease to sign. Return one copy within 7 days of getting the property and keep one yourself; take time-stamped photos. NSW Fair Trading enquiries 13 32 20 (Monday to Friday 8:30 am–5:00 pm). NSW: bond refund process — After you move out, claim your refund in RBO. The landlord or agent has up to 14 days to accept your claim; once accepted, the money reaches your bank account in about 2 business days. If you used the paper form and the landlord does not sign, Fair Trading pays you if they do not dispute within 14 days.

How many weeks' rent can a bond be in Australia?

Each state sets its own cap. NSW: maximum bond and rent in advance — Bond up to 4 weeks' rent; rent in advance up to 2 weeks; a holding fee before you sign of up to 1 week's rent, which must be credited against your rent once you sign. VIC: maximum bond — Usually no more than 1 month's rent. A higher bond is allowed only if the weekly rent is above A$900 or VCAT has made an order for that property. QLD: maximum bond — Up to 4 weeks' rent, whatever the weekly rent is and whatever the payment is called (a pet bond counts towards the limit). Charging more is illegal.

My landlord won't return my bond. What can I do?

The bond is held by the state bond authority; a landlord who wants to keep part of it must give reasons and evidence, and you can dispute it at the tribunal. NSW: rules for landlord deductions — If the landlord claims part of your bond without your agreement, they must give you the final inspection report and quotes or invoices within 7 days. After you receive the Notice of Claim you have 14 days to dispute it; the other party must then apply to NCAT within 14 days. Either side can still apply to NCAT within 6 months after the bond is paid out. VIC: bond refund process — After the lease ends, the landlord must start the claim on the RTBA website within 14 days (you can start it first, after verifying your identity through Service Victoria). Before claiming any deduction, the landlord must notify you at least 3 business days in advance and give evidence. You have 14 days to accept or dispute. Once everyone agrees, the RTBA usually pays within 1 business day. If you cannot agree, go to Rental Dispute Resolution Victoria (RDRV) first, then VCAT. QLD: landlords must give evidence for deductions — Within 14 days of making a claim on the bond or disputing one, the landlord must give the tenant their evidence, or face a fine of up to 20 penalty units. If RTA conciliation does not resolve it, you can go to QCAT.

Does the condition report matter?

Yes — it and your photos are the evidence when you claim your bond back. NSW: condition report when you move in — The landlord or agent must give you a completed condition report before or when they give you the lease to sign. Return one copy within 7 days of getting the property and keep one yourself; take time-stamped photos. NSW Fair Trading enquiries 13 32 20 (Monday to Friday 8:30 am–5:00 pm). VIC: condition report when you move in — The landlord must give you 2 copies of the condition report before you move in (1 copy if it is electronic). Within 5 business days of moving in, check it, correct it, sign it and return it; if you did not get one, you can make your own and return it. If you think the report is inaccurate, you can apply to VCAT within 30 days of the lease starting. At the end of the lease, the landlord must complete the exit section within 10 days. QLD: condition report when you move in — The landlord must give you an Entry condition report (Form 1a) at the start of the tenancy. Sign and return it within 7 days of receiving it or moving in, whichever is later; if you do not return it, you are taken to agree with the landlord's description. The landlord must give you a signed copy within 14 days and keep it for at least 1 year after the tenancy ends.

How do I avoid rental scams?

Never pay before you have inspected and signed, and treat any request for gift cards or cryptocurrency as a scam. Rental scams: Fake online listings use real addresses and photos. The 'landlord' says they are overseas or gives another reason why you cannot inspect, but asks you to transfer a deposit or rent first, or to fill in a 'tenant application form' that collects your personal information. Scamwatch's advice: insist on inspecting the property in person (driving past outside does not count); avoid paying by money transfer, which is very hard to recover; and keep the advertisement, your chat history and payment records. First steps after being scammed: Contact your bank or card provider immediately, report the scam and ask them to stop the transaction. If you are not sure whether it is a scam, stop sending money first: scammers keep asking for money until you stop. Then change the passwords on all your devices and accounts (bank, email, government services, shopping).

How do I set up electricity and gas for a rental?

Pick a plan on the official comparison site and connect it yourself; Victoria has its own comparison site. Official comparison site: Energy Made Easy — A free, independent government comparison service run by the AER for residents of NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and the ACT. Start by entering your suburb or postcode. To compare plans using your actual usage, enter the NMI (National Meter Identifier) printed on your bill. VIC: Victorian Energy Compare — The Victorian Government's independent comparison website for electricity and gas. A comparison takes about 5–10 minutes and you need your most recent bill. Helpline 1800 000 832. Moving house: connecting and transferring — Tell your retailer early that you are moving and give your new address, or you may keep paying for electricity at the old address after you leave. If you can take your plan with you, ask the retailer to read the meter at both addresses, ideally the new one before you move in. A newly built home needs a new connection: contact an electricity or gas retailer yourself; a new meter may be needed and it can take months, so start early. Renters must open their own account with a retailer. If you need a new plan at the new address, check what plans are available there on Energy Made Easy.

Answers are based on the verified content of this page — the official source always prevails.

Which guides and official sources is this based on?

Scams in Australia: common scams, how to spot them and where to report

The most common scams in Australia include callers pretending to be police, an embassy or a courier from your home country (for example the 'Chinese authority' scam), callers pretending to be a government department or debt collector who threaten arrest or deportation, investment and cryptocurrency scams, and fake jobs and fake rental listings. Scamwatch's rule is simple: any call that threatens arrest or deportation is a scam, so hang up. Ignore anyone who asks you to pay by gift card, wire transfer or Bitcoin. If you have been scammed, contact your bank first, then call IDCARE (1800 595 160) and report it to Scamwatch; if you lost money, report it to the police through ReportCyber. Scamwatch also publishes scam information in languages other than English.

Rental bonds and basic tenant rights: how much, who holds it, how to get it back

When you rent a home in Australia, the landlord cannot keep your bond. It must be lodged with the state government's bond authority: in NSW with NSW Fair Trading through Rental Bonds Online, in VIC with the RTBA, and in QLD with the RTA. The maximum differs by state (NSW and QLD up to 4 weeks' rent; VIC usually 1 month's rent). Complete a condition report with photos when you move in, claim the bond back through the official system when you leave, and the other side has 14 days to dispute. If you cannot agree, go to the state tribunal (NCAT, VCAT or QCAT). This page covers NSW, VIC and QLD.

Electricity and gas bills: comparing plans, saving money and getting rebates

In Australia you buy electricity and gas from a retailer. At the same address you can switch freely between retailers and plans, and prices vary a lot. In NSW, QLD, SA, TAS and the ACT, compare plans on the AER's official site Energy Made Easy; in VIC use Victorian Energy Compare. Every three months your bill must tell you whether a cheaper plan is available. If you cannot pay a bill, your retailer must by law offer you a payment plan and hardship help. If you hold a concession card, you can apply for your state's energy rebate.

Spotted a mistake or something out of date? Tell us →

Still have a question? Ask

The AI answers using this guide and official Australian government websites.