The Queensland Government will introduce a new Public Housing Antisocial Behaviour Policy from 1 July in a bid to empower housing officers to manage public housing tenancies with clear and fair expectations.
Under the new policy, tenants who receive three behaviour-related breach notices within a 12-month period for substantiated disruptive or aggressive behaviour risk having their tenancy ended.
Where behaviour is severe — including violence, serious property damage, or illegal activity such as drug manufacturing — action will be taken immediately to end the tenancy.
Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O’Connor said the Government was working to ensure fairness to the public housing system.
“The overwhelming majority of public housing tenants are good neighbours but when someone repeatedly, deliberately damages property, harasses neighbours, or brings crime into their community, they shouldn’t be protected by a broken system,” Minister O’Connor said.
“All Queenslanders have a right to feel safe in their homes.”
Key changes include:
- Progressive enforcement: Tenants who engage in serious or nuisance behaviour will be exited from public housing on their third breach within 12 months.
- Zero tolerance: Tenants who engage in severe or illegal activities, including assault, drug manufacturing or dangerous behaviour will be exited immediately and banned from accessing social housing for 2 years.
- Mandatory Acceptable Behaviour Agreements: Tenants who receive written warnings must commit to improving their conduct or face formal action to end their tenancy.
- Partnership with Queensland Police: Stronger local coordination and real-time information sharing.
- Support where needed: Discretion remains for tenants with complex needs, including disability, mental illness or domestic violence.
Tenants exited will also need to demonstrate a sustained period of good tenancy in the private market — 12 months for serious behaviour and 24 months for dangerous or illegal activity — before being considered for future social housing.
The new policy will ensure the behaviour of public housing tenants, their household occupants, visitors, or other persons allowed by the tenant to be at the property complies with their tenancy agreement and community expectations, Minister O’Connor said.
The Government revealed that the number of social homes damaged has increased by almost 25% with more than 12,000 homes affected last financial year.
