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The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS)

The National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS or the Scheme) is a partnership between the Australian Government and the states and territories to invest in affordable rental housing.
 

The Scheme seeks to address the shortage of affordable rental housing to low and moderate income households at a rate that is at least 20 per cent below the market value rent. St Catherine’s College has 235 Studio Rooms built under NRAS. The Scheme has a number of terms and conditions relating to admission and eligibility that the College must adhere to.

To be eligible you must have an annual income (in Australian Dollars) below AU$50,489 for the 12 months prior to your lease commencement date.

Please note, that these are set and reviewed by the Housing Authority, together with the Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities (Federal).

To be eligible to become a resident in an NRAS approved dwelling, your annual gross income must not exceed the income limit of AU$50,489. To enable St Catherine’s College to assess your eligibility, you are required to:

• Complete an estimate of your gross income for the 12 month period prior to your lease commencement date;

• Provide relevant supporting documentation/ evidence to prove your declared income amount (where applicable);

• Complete a Tenant Demographic Assessment form

These forms will be provided to you prior to your arrival via email. It is a requirement that we receive this information before you move into your room.

If we are unable to satisfactorily determine your income based on your completion of the Income Notification Form and the supporting documentation that you provide, you may be required to complete a Commonwealth Statutory Declaration.

Your continuing eligibility in an NRAS approved dwellings will be assessed on the 12 month anniversary of your lease commencement date. If at this time your annual gross income exceeds AU$50,489, you will cease to be eligible.

When admitting students to reside in rooms built under NRAS, St Catherine’s College allocates these rooms based on the conditions of the agreement with the Government which are to prioritise accommodation for students aged between 18-30 years along with:

• Students with low socio-economic status

• Indigenous Australian students and/or

• Students who are located in rural and isolated areas of Western Australia relocating to Perth and/or

• Students with disabilities and within the context of overcoming educational disadvantage associated with gender and/or

• Women enrolled in non-traditional disciplines such as IT, engineering, architecture and postgraduate study.

St Catherine’s College gives priority to the above-listed students. First year and gap year students are traditionally housed in Single Rooms to enable them to take full advantage of the Transition to University programs and increased mentoring and pastoral care. International students are housed in Single Rooms except at the discretion of the College.