DEFENCE HOUSING AUSTRALIA (DHA)

Australians Unified – Defence Portfolio

Defence Housing Australia provides housing and relocation support for ADF members and their families. DHA ensures Defence personnel have access to safe, stable, affordable homes that support operational readiness, family wellbeing, and national defence capability.

 

1. ROLE & PURPOSE — DEFENCE HOUSING AUSTRALIA

DHA exists to:

  • Provide secure, affordable housing for ADF members

  • Support Defence families during frequent relocations

  • Maintain and modernise Defence housing stock

  • Deliver housing near bases, training areas, and Defence precincts

  • Strengthen retention and family stability across the ADF

  • Partner with industry to deliver high‑quality, sustainable homes

DHA is the backbone of Defence family wellbeing and workforce stability. DHA is the backbone of Defence family wellbeing and workforce stability.

STRENGTHS

Core Strengths

  • National housing network across all Defence regions

  • Strong partnerships with builders, developers, and local councils

  • Deep understanding of Defence family needs

  • Reliable delivery of housing and relocation services

  • Ability to scale support during operational surges

Sovereign Strengths

  • Government‑owned, mission‑driven housing provider

  • Long‑term investment in Defence communities

  • Strong alignment with ADF workforce planning

WEAKNESSES

Structural Weaknesses

  • Ageing housing stock in several regions

  • Limited availability in high‑demand locations

  • Slow maintenance and repair cycles

  • Inconsistent housing quality across states

  • Complex relocation processes for families

Workforce & Family Weaknesses

  • High relocation stress for families

  • Limited access to schools, healthcare, and transport in some areas

  • Insufficient temporary accommodation options

  • Rising cost pressures in rental markets

OPPORTUNITIES

Strategic Opportunities

  • Expand sovereign Defence housing precincts

  • Modernise homes with sustainable, climate‑resilient designs

  • Strengthen partnerships with state housing agencies

  • Improve digital systems for allocation and maintenance

  • Build community hubs around major bases

Operational Opportunities

  • Better alignment with ADF workforce distribution

  • Increase housing near northern and regional bases

  • Improve relocation support for partners and children

  • Expand affordable rental options

THREATS

External Threats

  • Rising construction costs

  • Housing shortages in major cities

  • Climate‑driven damage to housing stock

  • Competition with civilian renters in tight markets

Internal Threats

  • Budget constraints limiting new builds

  • Maintenance backlogs reducing satisfaction

  • Workforce shortages in construction and trades

 

BETTER INTEGRATION WITH ADF OPERATIONS

Housing aligned with Defence workforce needs

Key Actions

  • Housing built near training and operational hubs

  • Northern Australia housing expansion

  • Data‑driven workforce‑housing planning

  • Integrated Defence–DHA forecasting

Outcome: Better alignment with ADF operational readiness.

 

5. A COMPETITIVE EDGE IN DEFENCE RECRUITMENT & RETENTION

Housing as a strategic capability

Key Actions

  • Modern, affordable homes

  • Reduced relocation stress

  • Stronger family stability

  • Improved quality‑of‑life outcomes

Outcome: A Defence workforce supported by stable, high‑quality housing.

 

THE FUTURE‑READY DHA — STRATEGIC PLAN

A national blueprint for Defence family stability and sovereign housing capability

 

1. FASTER HOUSING DELIVERY

Accelerating builds, repairs, and allocations

Key Actions

  • Rapid‑build housing programs

  • Digital maintenance tracking

  • Priority repairs for high‑demand regions

  • Faster allocation and relocation systems

Outcome: Faster, more responsive housing support.

 

2. STRONGER SOVEREIGN HOUSING CAPABILITY

Building Australian homes for Australian Defence families

Key Actions

  • Expand Defence‑led housing precincts

  • Increase local construction partnerships

  • Develop climate‑resilient building standards

  • Build sovereign supply chains for materials

Outcome: A more self‑reliant, resilient Defence housing system.

 

3. A MODERN, RESILIENT DEFENCE COMMUNITY

Supporting families through stability and wellbeing

Key Actions

  • Community hubs near major bases

  • Better access to schools and healthcare

  • Expanded temporary accommodation

  • Family‑centred relocation support

Outcome: A modern, resilient Defence community.

DEFENCE HOUSING AUSTRALIA

Strategic Roadmap Future‑Ready DHA: Homes, Stability & Community Colour: Deep Navy

 

TILE 2 — PHASE 1: FOUNDATION (Years 1–2)

Stabilise & Modernise

  • National housing audit

  • Urgent repairs & safety upgrades

  • Temporary accommodation expansion

  • Transparent allocation processes

  • Housing demand modelling Delivers: Faster housing support Colour: Sage Green

 

TILE 3 — PHASE 2: ACCELERATION (Years 2–4)

Expand Capacity & Improve Quality

  • New builds in high‑demand regions

  • Modernisation of ageing homes

  • Energy‑efficient upgrades

  • State housing partnerships

  • Improved relocation support Delivers: Better ADF integration Colour: Blue‑Grey

 

TILE 4 — PHASE 3: EXPANSION (Years 4–6)

Grow Sovereign Housing Capability

  • Defence housing precincts

  • Regional & remote expansion

  • Local council partnerships

  • Affordable rental options

  • Community hubs Delivers: Stronger sovereign capability Colour: Sand / Gold

 

FUTURE‑READY (Years 6–10)

Modern, Sustainable, Resilient Housing

  • Climate‑resilient standards

  • Smart‑home integration

  • Sustainable materials

  • National housing pipeline

  • Fully modernised portfolio Delivers: Recruitment & retention advantage Colour: Deep Teal

 

TILE 6 — FAMILY & COMMUNITY WELLBEING

Supporting Defence People

  • Reduced relocation stress

  • Better access to services

  • Family‑centred support

  • Community‑building programs

  • Partner & dependant support Delivers: A resilient Defence community Colour: Olive Green

 

TILE 7 — OUTCOME TILE

THE FUTURE‑READY DHA

  • ✔ Safe, modern, affordable homes

  • ✔ Stronger family wellbeing

  • ✔ Sustainable, climate‑ready housing

  • ✔ Better alignment with ADF needs

  • ✔ A stable foundation for Defence capability Colour: Navy + Gold Accent