Assessing caravans, boats and park homes 108-04070080

Single customers living alone in a caravan, boat or park home are exempt from the sharer's provisions for RA, even if they are sharing a major area of accommodation in the park or marina.

If a customer lives in a park home they own, they are treated the same as if they live in a caravan they own, that is they are homeowners but may be paid RA when they do not own the land the dwelling is situated on and pay site fees.

If a customer decides to travel around Australia and leaves their principal home temporarily for up to 12 months, RA is not payable. They are a homeowner of their principal residence which they have temporarily vacated. However, if they are absent for more than 12 months, RA may be payable. The home is then classed as an asset as it is no longer their principal home. The customer may then be eligible for RA for site or mooring/marina fees paid in respect of their caravan, mobile home or boat, which would then be classified as their principal home.

For more details see Rent Assistance (RA) for travellers.

A caravan park, mobile home (transportable home) park, or lifestyle village may promote itself as a retirement village by using a name which gives this impression. Although it may restrict occupancy to residents aged over 50 or 55, and have similar facilities to a retirement village, there are other factors that need to be considered to determine the correct accommodation type. In most cases the home is owned and there is a lease for the use of the land it sits on and rent or site fees may be paid. Rent Assistance (RA) may be payable for the site charges paid by the customer.