Defence Accommodation Australia
Furnished extended stay accommodation for ADF personnel, defence contractors, government employees and public servants on posting or assignment across Australia.
Defence accommodation in Australia serves a population that the mainstream accommodation market is poorly designed to support. Australian Defence Force members are posted to new bases typically every 2–4 years — with timelines that are frequently compressed, changed or extended with minimal notice. Defence Housing Australia (DHA) provides purpose-built housing for many serving members, but DHA allocation is not instant and bridging accommodation gaps between postings, during construction periods, and for short-notice postings are a recurring reality for ADF families.
The defence accommodation picture extends well beyond serving ADF members. Defence industry contractors — the thousands of engineers, project managers, software developers and specialist tradespeople working on major capability programs including the AUKUS submarine program, the Army's LAND series projects, the Air Force's F-35 program and the Navy's Hunter class frigates — are frequently posted to cities where major defence industry activity is concentrated: Canberra (Defence headquarters, CASG), Darwin (Army, RAAF, growing strategic significance), Perth (HMAS Stirling, submarine program), Adelaide (Naval shipbuilding, ASC, BAE Systems), and Edinburgh/Williamtown (RAAF).
For APS employees and government contractors on secondments, short-term project roles and inter-agency placements — particularly in Canberra — the accommodation challenge is similar: short notice, uncertain duration, and the need for furnished, all-inclusive housing that does not require a residential lease commitment.
ExtendedStays.com.au arranges defence and government accommodation across all major posting locations — from RAAF Williamtown (Newcastle) and Holsworthy (Sydney) through to Robertson Barracks (Darwin), Lavarack Barracks (Townsville) and HMAS Stirling (Rockingham). We provide direct billing to defence employers, managing contractors and APS agencies, and accommodate the posting changes and timeline uncertainties that are inherent to defence life.
Who uses Defence Accommodation?
ADF Personnel on Posting
Australian Defence Force members posted to a new base who need furnished bridging accommodation while ADFHMS housing is being confirmed, during transition periods or between postings.
Defence & Government Contractors
Contractors, consultants and specialist providers working on ADF or government contracts who need extended stay accommodation near bases, defence precincts or government offices.
Public Servants & APS Employees
Federal and state government employees on temporary assignment, secondment or relocation who need furnished accommodation in Canberra, capital cities or regional posting locations.
How it works
Share Your Posting Details
Tell us the base or precinct, arrival date, family size and expected duration. We respond promptly — we understand ADF posting timelines are tight and often change.
We Source Near Your Base
We find furnished apartments as close to your base or government office as possible — with secure parking, laundry, all-inclusive utilities and family-friendly options.
Government & Defence Billing
Invoiced to defence employers, managing contractors or APS agencies. GST-compliant invoices provided. Extensions and early departures accommodated.
The Defence accommodation advantage
Near Your Base From Day One
We source furnished apartments as close as possible to your posting — Rockingham for HMAS Stirling, Darwin CBD for Robertson Barracks, Symonston/Barton for Russell Offices. No commute while waiting for DHA housing allocation.
Flexible for Posting Changes
Posting timelines change — often at 72 hours' notice. Defence accommodation through us accommodates extensions, early departures and base changes without penalties where reasonable notice is given. Built for how defence actually works.
Family-Ready Options
ADF postings move entire families, not just individuals. We source 2–4 bedroom furnished apartments suitable for families — with schools nearby, family amenities and enough space for children to settle in while permanent housing is confirmed.
Defence & Government Billing
Invoiced to ADF employers, prime managing contractors or APS agencies with GST-compliant documentation. CASG, DHS, DSA and major defence industry prime contractors all accommodated with appropriate billing formats.
12 cities & regions covered
We source defence & government options across all major Australian cities and key regional hubs.
Frequently asked questions
Can you arrange accommodation near military bases?
Yes. We source furnished apartments and extended stay housing near major Australian bases including Holsworthy Barracks (Sydney), Gallipoli Barracks (Brisbane), Robertson Barracks (Darwin), Lavarack Barracks (Townsville), HMAS Stirling (Rockingham/Perth), RAAF Edinburgh (Adelaide) and RAAF Williamtown (Newcastle).
Is defence accommodation available in Canberra?
Yes. Canberra is one of our most active markets for government and defence accommodation. We have strong coverage near Russell Offices, the Brindabella Business Park and major ACT government precincts.
Can accommodation be billed to a defence employer or managing contractor?
Yes. We invoice accommodation to ADF, prime contractors (including CASG managing contractors) or directly to government agencies, depending on your employment arrangement.
What if my posting is extended or cut short?
We build flexibility into all defence accommodation arrangements. Postings change — we accommodate extensions, early departures and base transfers without penalty where reasonable advance notice is provided.
I'm a defence contractor, not an ADF member — can I use DHA housing?
No. Defence Housing Australia (DHA) exclusively provides housing to serving ADF members and their families. If you are a private-sector contractor, subcontractor, or defence industry employee — even if you work on-base every day — you are not eligible for any DHA service residence or temporary accommodation. You are responsible for sourcing your own housing. That is exactly what ExtendedStays.com.au provides: furnished, flexible-term apartments near Australian defence bases, with no long-term lease required and no bond complexity.
I'm an ADF member and my DHA property isn't ready — what are my options?
During peak posting periods (typically November to January), DHA temporary accommodation and on-base Living-In Accommodation can be stretched. In 2025–26, DHA managed over 9,000 housing services across the peak posting window. If your DHA allocation isn't available, a furnished apartment through ExtendedStays.com.au provides family-appropriate, fully equipped bridging accommodation on a week-by-week or month-to-month basis — until your permanent DHA property is confirmed. We understand ADF posting timelines and build flexibility in from day one.
Which defence bases and cities does ExtendedStays.com.au cover?
We cover all major Australian defence hubs: Darwin (Robertson Barracks, RAAF Darwin), Townsville (Lavarack Barracks), Brisbane and Ipswich (RAAF Amberley, Gallipoli Barracks), Sydney and Liverpool (Holsworthy Barracks), Newcastle (RAAF Williamtown), Canberra (HMAS Harman, Russell Offices, ADFA), Adelaide and Edinburgh (Edinburgh Defence Precinct, RAAF Edinburgh), and Perth and Rockingham (HMAS Stirling, RAAF Pearce). We also cover the Canberra government precinct — Russell Offices, Brindabella Business Park — for APS and defence industry employees. Contact us if your posting location isn't listed.
Ready to find your defence & government options?
Tell us your requirements and we'll respond with curated options within 2 business hours. No booking fees, ever.
Commercial disclosure: ExtendedStays.com.au is a commercial accommodation broker remunerated by accommodation operators, not guests. Accommodation options are presented based on fit for your requirements. Government subsidy eligibility and scheme amounts should be verified directly with the relevant authority before making accommodation commitments.