Building your dream home is a major milestone, but for many Defence members, it also comes with a unique set of financial considerations. Between postings, relocations and entitlements, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming — especially when acronyms like DHOAS, HPAS and HPSEA start flying around.

The good news? With the right builder and a Defence-experienced specialist by your side, it doesn’t have to be complicated.

At Simonds, we’ve helped countless ADF members and their families turn Defence housing benefits into real, lasting homes. Here’s how these schemes work — and how to make the most of them.

Understanding Your Defence Entitlements

DHOAS – Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme

DHOAS helps current and former ADF members reduce the interest on their home loan through a monthly subsidy. This can significantly lower repayments, helping you own your home sooner or improve cash flow if you’re renting it out as an investment.

Your eligibility and subsidy tier are based on your length of service, so the longer you’ve served, the greater the potential benefit.

HPAS – Home Purchase Assistance Scheme

HPAS provides a one-off lump sum payment to assist with upfront costs such as deposits, stamp duty or legal fees. It’s designed to make that first step into homeownership more achievable — particularly for families looking to settle during or after a posting.

It’s worth noting that HPAS can often be used alongside DHOAS, maximising the financial advantages of building with your Defence benefits.

HPSEA – Home Purchase or Sale Expenses Allowance

For those facing a posting or relocation, HPSEA helps cover some of the expenses related to buying, selling, or even terminating a lease. This ensures that moving between bases doesn’t mean losing your hard-earned progress toward owning a home.

How Simonds Makes It Simple

We know that translating these entitlements into a real build can feel complex — that’s where our Defence Home Specialist, Prue Dowsey, steps in.

Prue works directly with Defence members to:

• Guide you through eligibility and documentation.

• Liaise with brokers who understand ADF lending requirements.

• Match you with home designs and locations that fit your posting and lifestyle.

• Ensure your entitlements are applied efficiently, saving you time and stress.

With Simonds, you get more than a builder — you get a trusted partner who understands the Defence lifestyle.

Combining Benefits for Maximum Value

The most successful Defence home builds often use multiple entitlements together. For example:

• HPAS can help with your deposit.

• DHOAS reduces your ongoing repayments.

• HPSEA supports you when you’re posted again.

And to stretch your investment even further, you can take advantage of Simonds Homes’ latest offers and promotions — designed to deliver exceptional value and premium inclusions across a wide range of home designs.

Build with Confidence — and Support

Every Defence journey is unique, but the goal is the same: a home you can call your own. With over 75 years of experience and a Lifetime Structural Guarantee, Simonds gives ADF families the quality, security and service they deserve.

Ready to Make Your Move?

Take the first step with personalised support from our Defence Specialist, Prue Dowsey.