What happens to your bond money?
When you pay a rental bond in Australia, the money does not go to the landlord — it is held by a government authority for the duration of your tenancy. This is one of the most important protections for tenants in Australian law. The landlord or agent is legally required to lodge your bond with the relevant state authority within a specific timeframe after receiving it. Until the bond is lodged, you should have a receipt confirming payment.
Bond authorities and lodgement timeframes by state
Each state and territory has its own bond authority. The agent or landlord must lodge your bond within the period specified by law — failing to do so is an offence:
The ACT is the only jurisdiction in Australia where the landlord or agent holds the bond in trust rather than lodging it with a government authority. You should still receive a written receipt, and the landlord must hold the money in a trust account — not their own bank account.
| State | Bond authority | Lodgement deadline | Tenant receives |
|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | NSW Fair Trading (Rental Bond Board) | 10 business days | Bond lodgement receipt via MyBond |
| VIC | Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) | 10 business days | Signed bond lodgement form and receipt |
| QLD | Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) | 10 days of receiving bond | Receipt of lodgement from RTA |
| WA | Bond Administrator (Dept. of Communities) | 14 days of receiving bond | Bond reference number and receipt |
| SA | Consumer and Business Services (CBS) | 7 days of receiving bond | Bond lodgement receipt |
| ACT | No separate authority — landlord/agent holds in trust | Must be held in trust immediately | Written receipt within reasonable time |
| TAS | Residential Tenancy Commissioner (Consumer Building and Occupational Services) | 2 weeks of receiving bond | Bond lodgement receipt |
| NT | Director of NT Consumer Affairs | As soon as practicable | Receipt from Director |
Maximum bond amounts
All states cap the maximum bond a landlord can charge. Charging more than the legal maximum is an offence and the excess must be refunded to you on request:
| State | Maximum bond | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 4 weeks rent | Residential Tenancies Act 2010 s 159 |
| VIC | 1 month's rent (if rent ≤ $900/wk) | No limit if rent > $900/wk — Residential Tenancies Act 1997 s 32 |
| QLD | 4 weeks rent | Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 s 146 |
| WA | 4 weeks rent (unfurnished, under $1,200/wk) | Up to 6 weeks for furnished or rent > $1,200/wk |
| SA | 4 weeks rent | Residential Tenancies Act 1995 s 61 |
| ACT | 4 weeks rent | Residential Tenancies Act 1997 s 20 |
| TAS | 4 weeks rent | Residential Tenancy Act 1997 s 17 |
| NT | 4 weeks rent | Residential Tenancies Act 1999 s 27 |
How to confirm your bond has been lodged
After paying your bond, you should receive a receipt. But you can also independently verify lodgement through your state's bond authority portal:
If you have not received a bond receipt within the agent's required lodgement period, contact your state's tenancy authority immediately. An unlodged bond is a serious breach — and if the agent has taken your money without lodging it, you need to act quickly.
- •NSW — log in to MyBond at rbo.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au to view your bond record
- •VIC — check via the RTBA online portal at rentalbonds.vic.gov.au
- •QLD — check with the RTA at rta.qld.gov.au using your bond lodgement number
- •WA — contact the Bond Administrator through the Department of Communities
- •SA — contact Consumer and Business Services (CBS) to verify lodgement
- •ACT — request written confirmation from your landlord or agent that bond is held in trust
- •TAS — contact Consumer, Building and Occupational Services (CBOS)
- •NT — contact NT Consumer Affairs to confirm lodgement with the Director
Key rules about bond
There are several important rules about bond that apply in all Australian states:
- •Bond cannot be used as the last month's rent — it is a security deposit, not prepaid rent. Using bond as rent is a breach of your tenancy agreement.
- •The landlord cannot ask for more than the legal maximum — any excess must be refunded
- •Bond is fully refundable at the end of the tenancy, minus any lawful deductions
- •Always get a receipt when you pay your bond — before the agent lodges it with the authority
- •The bond authority holds your money neutrally — neither party can access it without agreement or a tribunal order
- •Pet bonds are only lawful in Western Australia (maximum $260) — in all other states, additional security deposits above the statutory bond maximum are unlawful
Getting your bond back at the end of the tenancy
At the end of your tenancy, you and the landlord must agree on how the bond is to be disbursed. If you both agree on a full refund (or a particular split), you submit a joint bond claim to the authority, who processes the refund — usually within a few business days. If there is a dispute, either party can apply to the state tribunal to have the bond disbursed by order.
Keep your bond lodgement receipt and reference number for the entire tenancy. You will need it when you claim your bond back at the end — without it, the process takes significantly longer.
This guide provides general information based on current Australian tenancy legislation. It is not legal advice. Always verify with the relevant state tenancy authority or a qualified professional for your specific situation. Last verified: January 2026.