Frequently Asked Questions

House Sharing Seniors matches Australian Age Pensioners who want to share a premium property with compatible housemates. Members apply online, complete our vetting process (identity verification, police check and references), and then browse compatible housemates and available properties across Australia. Costs — typically $150–$280 per bedroom per week — are divided equally between housemates. The arrangement reduces rent by 40–60% compared to renting alone, and all housemates remain eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance through Centrelink. HSS handles the matching, safety checks and group formation — you choose who you live with.

Yes. Australian Age Pensioners in shared housing are eligible for Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) provided the rent is above the threshold. For singles the threshold is $74.10/wk and maximum CRA is $73.23/wk. For couples the threshold is $123.10/wk and maximum CRA is $103.40/wk per person.

Commonwealth Rent Assistance (CRA) is a Centrelink payment for Age Pensioners who pay private rent. In shared housing, a single pensioner paying $250/wk per bedroom receives approximately $73.23/wk CRA, reducing net rent to around $177/wk. Couples receive up to $103.40/wk combined. Use our Rent Calculator to find your exact amount.

HSS members typically pay $150–$280 per bedroom per week, compared to $300–$500+ for a solo rental. After Commonwealth Rent Assistance, a single pensioner's effective rent can be as low as $80–$180 per week — saving $150–$300 per week or over $10,000 per year.

No. House Sharing Seniors is an independent private platform. However, members can still claim Commonwealth Rent Assistance (a government payment administered by Centrelink) while using HSS, as long as they meet standard CRA eligibility criteria.

House Sharing Seniors is designed for Australian Age Pensioners who are looking for shared housing arrangements. You must be an Australian resident receiving the Age Pension and be committed to respectful co-living.

Click 'Start Your Application' on our homepage and complete the 8-step application form. You can save your progress and return later. Once submitted, our team will review your application and conduct necessary safety checks.

Most applications are reviewed within 5-7 business days. The process includes identity verification, police check verification, and reference checks. We'll keep you updated on your application status via email.

Our basic membership is currently free. We may introduce optional premium features in the future, but you'll always be notified before any charges apply.

All members undergo a comprehensive vetting process including identity verification, police check verification, and reference checks. We also verify that applicants are genuine Age Pensioners.

Yes, we take data security seriously. Your information is encrypted and stored securely. We never share your financial details or sensitive information with other members. See our Privacy Policy for details.

If you feel unsafe at any time, please contact us immediately at 1300 77 5059. We take all safety concerns seriously and will investigate promptly.

Once approved, you can browse anonymized profiles of other members. You can filter by preferences like location, lifestyle, and housing type. When you find potential matches, you can shortlist them and we'll facilitate introductions.

Absolutely! You have full control over who you connect with. We provide tools to help you find compatible housemates, but the final decision is always yours.

Other members can see your first name, general location (suburb/region), lifestyle preferences, and shared housing preferences. They cannot see your full address, financial details, or contact information until you both agree to connect.

We maintain a database of available properties suitable for shared living. Both our members and external property owners can list properties. We verify all listings before they go live.

This is determined between housemates. Typically, costs are divided equally, but arrangements can vary. We recommend discussing and documenting all financial arrangements before moving in together.

We recommend having a trial period before committing long-term. If issues arise, contact our support team for mediation. We can also help you find alternative arrangements.

Log in to your account and go to the Member Dashboard. You can update your preferences, lifestyle information, and contact details at any time.

Yes, you can request account deletion at any time by contacting our support team. We'll process your request within 30 days and delete your personal information as per our Privacy Policy.

You can reach us by phone at 1300 77 5059, email at newmembers@housesharingseniors.com.au, or through the Contact Us page on our website.