If you live and work in a remote area you could save by salary packaging your housing repayments or rental costs.

Who can package remote area housing?

You can salary package interest on your mortgage, purchase costs of your house or rent repayments if you live and work in a designated remote area and your employer offers this as part of your workplace benefits program.

If you're still not sure whether you can package remote area housing? 

What exactly can I package?

You could package a range of remote area housing expenses including:

• rental costs (employer provided)
• Housing purchase cost
• half your private rental costs - without incurring Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT)
• the interest on your remote area property mortgage (this will incur 50% FBT)
• your electricity or gas expenses if you rent or mortgage as a remote area benefit (this will incur 50% FBT)

How to claim your remote area housing expenses

To claim your remote area housing expenses from your salary packaging account, please send us:

• a claim form and
• proof of the expense - typically an invoice and payment receipt

You'll then receive a quarterly printed statement of all your transactions, and an email notification whenever your payments are processed.

Things you need to know: The above information is not intended to constitute taxation or financial product advice. Your benefits and savings will vary depending on your personal objectives, financial situation and needs. We recommend you obtain independent financial advice before making any financial decisions.
Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. All salary packaging proposals are subject to the requirements of your employer. Administration fees will apply. The actual administration fee that applies to you may vary depending on your employer. ITCs (refund on GST) are excluded. Maxxia may pay and receive commission or rebates in connection with some services and products it provides or arranges to be provided by third parties. Maxxia Pty Ltd ABN 39 082 449 036 Authorised Representative (No. 278683) of McMillan Shakespeare Limited (AFSL No. 299054).