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Anohedge(Newbie)Newbie
3 June 2026

Hi Community

I have read a few posts and been confused with the domestic arrangements term. My cousin is a uni student; she moves out of her parents' house interstate to live with me in my own unit (heavily mortgaged) to go to uni. She's asked me to sign a form for her to receive Rental Assistance while she is studying. Saying she pays me $300/week. Would I be charged for taxable income from what she gets from Centrelink? She declares it as "Lodging Only" but it does include all the bills around the house and some household amenities. I would not want to treat my PPOR as an investment or get CGT tax later. Would the lodging amount be shown on my tax return?

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3 replies
65 views
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Taxduck(Taxicorn)Taxicorn
3 June 2026

If she's paying you $300 per week then this may well be rental income. Rental income is assessable income and there are CGT consequences when renting out part of your home.

A domestic arrangement is one where household expenses are a shared responsibility. Is $300 per week more than what the shared household expenses are? Only you can say.

See below for the meaning of domestic arrangements.

Rental income you must declare | Australian Taxation Office

Would the lodging amount be shown on my tax return?

Only if you enter it.


Liked by TaxFree and Anohedge
Anohedge(Newbie)Newbie
3 June 2026

Thank you very much.

I think lodging only is not very close to our arrangement because I have provided her with meals and cleanings. I checked on the website, boarding and loding is an accurate type.

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"Lodging only" for Rental Assistant - Would it be tax assessible income? | ATO Community