Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme
The Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme (DHOAS) is a home loan subsidy scheme for eligible current and former ADF members.
A major objective of the DHOAS is to improve current ADF retention and recruitment rates.
This is achieved by offering you:
- Subsidy payments that help you to achieve home ownership in today's housing market;
- Progressively higher levels of assistance if you have served beyond critical career points.

You can access DHOAS if you have served on or after 1 July 2008, completed a qualifying period of service and you have accrued sufficient entitlement to gain a Service Credit.
Members in the Permanent Force need to complete four consecutive years of service to qualify, and then complete at least one month of service to accrue entitlement to DHOAS.
Reservists need to complete eight consecutive financial years of effective service to qualify, and then complete at least another 20 days of Reserve service within a financial year to accrue entitlement.
DHOAS Subsidy Tiers 2010-2011
Subsidy Tier Level | Minimum Permanent Service | Minimum Reserve Service | Maximum Loan Limit | Maximum Monthly Subsidy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 4 years | 8 years | $197,773 | Up to $282 |
2 | 8 years | 12 years | $296,659 | Up to $423 |
3 | 12 years | 16 years | $395,546 | Up to $564 |
- Monthly subsidy amounts can fluctuate each month based on changes to interest rates.
For further information, contact DVA on 1300 4 DHOAS (34627). If calling from overseas ring +61 +7 3815 9450.
Latest News
New Subsidised Loan Limits for 2010-11
24-June-2010
The Subsidised Loan Limits in each of the three subsidy tiers have been amended for 2010-11 and will be used to calculate subsidies that commence from July 2010. The limits are reviewed each year to ensure DHOAS continues to provide subsidies that are relevant to today's housing market.
DHOS to Close 30 June 2010
4-May-2010
Ex-service personnel (and Standby Reserves) who have any outstanding entitlement to the old Defence HomeOwner Scheme (DHOS) are advised to submit an application for a DHOS Entitlement Certificate before the Scheme closes on 30 June 2010. Important: This notice refers to DHOS. DHOAS is NOT closing.
Review of Reservists' Service 2009-10
22-April-2010
A review will soon be conducted into the service of Reserve members who have received DHOAS subsidy payments during the 2009-10 financial year. This is to determine if you have completed the Scheme's effective service requirements, which can affect your DHOAS entitlement.

