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Office of Registrar
A Regulatory Framework commenced in 2009. An Office of Registrar – Not for Profit Housing Providers has been established to administer the Regulatory Framework.
Registration Tiers
The ACT Regulatory Framework has two tiers and the Housing Assistance Act 2007
(S 25A) specifies what organisations are eligible for registration as affordable or community housing providers. The Registrar is responsible, on behalf of the Commissioner, for assessing the suitability of organisations against the eligibility criteria set out in the ACT.
A central goal of regulating the not for profit housing sector in the ACT is to enable the sector to grow sustainably. There is substantial government investment in the sector which needs protection. So does the image of affordable and community housing as viable providers for potential investors. Because private investment will be an important factor in the sector’s growth, it is important that investors are assured that risk mitigation measures are in place.
The Register
Registrations are notified on the ACT Legislation Register under Housing Assistance (Affordable and Community Housing Providers) Registration Notice at ACT Legislation Register, in accordance with the Housing Assistance Act 2007 (S 25A(6)).
Further detail on the organisations that have been registered can be found in Notifiable Instruments NI2010-203 , NI2010-342 , NI2010-622 , NI2010-683, and NI2011-184 on the ACT Legislation Register.
How will we Regulate?
The Regulatory Framework was established to ensure that not for profit housing providers comply with eligibility criteria, operate within acceptable levels of risk and meet minimum performance standards.
The Commissioner for Social Housing (the Commissioner) or her/his Delegate will use “light-touch” regulatory oversight, assessing a provider’s eligibility and monitoring their ongoing compliance.
The Commissioner will take a risk based approach to regulation, targeting areas of greatest risk. The assessment and monitoring of a provider’s compliance will be proportionate to the level of risk involved to the organisation, to tenants and to the ACT Government.
The ACT Regulatory Framework incorporates the powers in the enabling legislation (Housing Assistance Act 2007 ), with regulatory processes detailed in subordinate legislation.
The subordinate legislation includes four Disallowable Instruments. They describe the:
Key Documents
The Practice Manual provides information on requirements of providers seeking to register.
Practice manual [RTF 2.9MB]
Practice Manual [PDF 325KB]
An Application to Register Form must be completed by all providers seeking to register. Providers should refer to the Practice Manual for further information on what evidence needs to be included with the application at the time of submission.
A Financial Report is a mandatory requirement for all providers seeking registration. The below spreadsheet needs to be completed by providers and submitted to the Registrar at time of registration. The Registrar will use the spreadsheet to assess the financial solvency, capital structure and viability of affordable and community housing providers.
Financial Report [XLS 534KB]
Financial Report [PDF 73KB]
Further information
Further information can be obtained from the Office of Registrar, Not for Profit Housing Providers on (02) 6205 3177 or (02) 6205 5202 or Housing.RegistrarNFP@act.gov.au
