Bonds must be lodged with Bonds Administration as soon as possible and no later than 14 days after a tenant/s pay.  All tenants on the tenancy agreement must be named on the bond, regardless of who paid it. 

Bonds Administration will send a record of payment of security bond directly to the tenant. If the tenant doesn’t receive a record of payment within one month of paying the bond, they can check their bond has been lodged by calling 1300 853 829 or email.

The bond cannot be used by any person unless by written agreement from all parties to the bond or by a court order.

How to lodge a bond guide provides more information on lodging bonds. 

Personal information is managed in accordance with the Bonds Administration management of personal information policy.

Private lessors/landlords

Lodging a bond

Private landlords can choose to lodge a bond in one of the following ways:

• BondsOnline  lets you lodge, change or release a bond electronically. You will need to create a My Account and then lodge your application to access BondsOnline, which will then be assessed by Bonds Adminstration. Once your access is granted, you will be able to access the BondsOnline portal.
• Bonds e-form lets you make a PDF to print and sign. Then submit from one of the options below.
• Download a PDF to fill out offline. Then submit from one of the options below.

Bond receipts

When a tenant pays a bond, the lessor must issue a receipt immediately when the payment is received.

Residential tenancy bonds

Where a bond relates to a residential tenancy agreement the lessor must issue a receipt to the tenant which includes:

• name of the person who paid;
• amount paid;
• date on which it is paid; and
• address of the rental premises.

Residential park bonds

Where a bond relates to a residential parks long-stay tenancy agreement the park operator must issue a receipt to the tenant which includes:

• name of the tenant;
• amount paid;
• date on which it is paid;
• particulars of the agreed premises; and
• amount of the pet bond if a pet bond is paid.

Real estate agents and property managers

Bonds must be lodged using the BondsOnline system.

Real estate agents and property managers must manage bonds receipts and records according to legislation. A written record of the bond paid must be readily accessible and be kept for at least six years. Failure to issue a bond receipt (even if the bond was paid electronically) could attract a $2,000 infringement notice.