What can a rental agent ask in my application in Victoria?

Since 31 March 2026, every private rental application in Victoria has to use one standard form from Consumer Affairs Victoria. An agent or landlord can only ask for what is on that form: who you are, whether you can pay the rent, your rental history and referees. They can't ask about past disputes, your bond history or your daily bank transactions, and they can't charge you to apply.

One form for everyone

Landlords (the law calls them rental providers) and their agents must use the prescribed rental application form. Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV) publishes the official version.

According to Tenants Victoria, an agent can't:

• use a different form, or one that looks similar
• add extra questions
• remove required questions.

The rules cover what they ask verbally, in writing and on the form. Asking for extra information is an offence under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 (section 30C).

Applying with someone else? Each person over 18 who wants to be on the lease as a co-renter fills in their own form.

What they can ask for

The form is limited to what an agent needs to check who you are and whether you can pay the advertised rent.

Your details

Full name, date of birth, current address, phone number and email.

Work and income

Your current or most recent employer, the employer's address and your net weekly income. If you're not working now, they can ask when your last job ended.

To check you can pay, they can ask for no more than two of these:

• payslips from current or recent work
• a bank statement without transaction details
• Centrelink payment statements or letters.

No regular income? If you are unemployed, self-employed, freelance or casual, they may ask for other proof, like savings.

Proof of ID

They can ask for no more than two ID documents from a set list. The list includes a driver licence, Medicare card, Australian passport, a foreign passport with an Australian visa, a tertiary student card, and a utility bill at your current address.

New to Australia and don't have two from the list? Tenants Victoria says you and the agent can agree on what else is acceptable.

Rental history and referees

They can ask for your past rental or home addresses and the contact details of past landlords or agents. Tenants Victoria says this covers up to 2 previous rentals, if you have them.

They can also ask for up to 2 personal referees: name, phone, email and how they know you.

Lease length and who will live there

You can say what lease term you want (for example 6, 12 or 24 months) and when you want to move in. The form also asks how many people plan to live in the property.

What they can't ask

Both CAV and Tenants Victoria list things an agent or landlord can't ask in your application:

• whether you have taken legal action or had a dispute with a landlord or agent, for example at VCAT
• your bond history, including whether anyone ever claimed on your bond
• bank or credit card statements showing your daily transactions
• anything not on the standard form.

On bank statements, CAV says you may still need to give one. But you can remove the transactions you want to keep private.

Tenants Victoria also says an agent can't ask whether you have a pet or plan to get one. Consumer Affairs Victoria also says agents can't ask anything that isn't on the standard form.

Questions about personal characteristics

Some personal characteristics are protected under the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. CAV gives examples like ethnicity, gender identity and disability. If an agent asks about one of these, they must give you the reason in writing.

The application must also include a statement about unlawful discrimination, so you know your rights.

No application fees

You can't be charged to apply. This covers fees for processing your application, ID checks, background checks and tenancy database checks.

The ban came in two steps, according to CAV:

• from 31 March 2026, third-party businesses such as rental apps can't charge you these fees
• from 13 October 2026, landlords and agents can't charge them either.

An agent also can't charge you a fee to view a property.

Fixed rent, no bidding

A property must be advertised at one fixed rent, not a price range. An agent or landlord can't ask for, invite or accept an offer of more rent than the advertised amount. There is also a limit on how much rent in advance they can ask for or accept.

The limit is one month's rent, or 14 days' rent if you pay weekly. There is no limit if the rent is more than $900 a week.

Tenancy databases

An agent can check tenancy databases (sometimes called "blacklists") for your rental history. If they use them, they must tell you the names of the databases on the form.

If they find a listing about you, they have 7 days to tell you in writing. They must tell you what the listing says, who listed you, and how to check, change or remove it.

Choosing a renter and discrimination

A landlord can choose the applicant they think is most suitable. They can look at things like your rental history and whether you can pay the rent.

But they can't refuse you because of protected characteristics. CAV lists examples like age, disability, race, religion, sex, pregnancy and parental status.

Children: generally, a landlord can't refuse you because a child 16 or under will live with you. CAV lists two exceptions: the property is the landlord's main home, or it is unsuitable for children. If you disagree that it is unsuitable, you can apply to VCAT.

If you think you were discriminated against, CAV says you can contact the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Tenants Victoria can help you work out your options.

Holding deposits

An agent may ask for a holding deposit before you sign the lease. CAV says it must be refunded once you both sign. If you don't sign within 14 days, it must be refunded by the next business day.

If something isn't right

If an agent asks for more than the form allows, Tenants Victoria says you can report them to Consumer Affairs Victoria. CAV can fine landlords and agents who break the law.

FAQ

Can an agent ask for my full bank statement?

No. They can ask for a bank statement without transaction details. CAV says you can remove transactions you want to keep private.

Can they ask if I've been to VCAT before?

No. They can't ask whether you've had legal action or a dispute with a landlord or agent.

I'm new to Australia. What ID can I use?

The list includes a foreign passport with an Australian visa and a tertiary student card. If you can't give two documents from the list, Tenants Victoria says you and the agent can agree on what else works.

Can a rental app charge me a fee to apply?

No. Since 31 March 2026, third-party businesses can't charge application, ID check or background check fees. Since 13 October 2026, landlords and agents can't either.