Aussie Calculators

VIC · 1 month of rent Consumer Affairs Victoria

Rental Bond Calculator — Victoria

In most cases a Victorian bond cannot be more than one month’s rent. A rental provider can only ask for more if the weekly rent is over $900, or if VCAT has set a higher bond.

1 Enter the weekly rent2 See the maximum bond

$

Per fortnight the rent is about $0, and per calendar month about $0.

Step 2 · your result

Maximum bond

$0

the most that can legally be charged

Bond works out as
—
Bond as a share of a year’s rent
—

Bond limit from Consumer Affairs Victoria, checked 12 October 2026. General information only — not legal advice.

The rule in full

In most cases, a bond can’t be more than one month’s rent.

Source wording, Consumer Affairs Victoria. Checked 12 October 2026.

What else you may have to pay upfront

VIC caps the bond, but other upfront costs depend on what the agreement says.

Only pay a bond that is properly receipted and lodged. The bond is not the landlord’s money — in VIC it is held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority. If someone asks you to hand over a bond in cash with no lodgement, that is a warning sign.

Where the bond goes, and how it comes back

  1. You pay the bond at the start of the tenancy, or the rental provider lodges it on your behalf.
  2. It is lodged with Consumer Affairs Victoria and held in trust — the provider must lodge it within 14 days, not counting public holidays.
  3. At the end of the tenancy the bond is repaid once the parties agree on how it should be split.
  4. If you cannot agree, a claim is made and the dispute is decided by VCAT.

Frequently asked questions

How much is the rental bond in VIC?

In most cases a Victorian bond cannot be more than one month’s rent. A rental provider can only ask for more if the weekly rent is over $900, or if VCAT has set a higher bond. On a rent of $650 a week that is a maximum of $2,817.

Can the landlord ask for more than the maximum?

Yes, but only in two situations the law sets out: when the weekly rent for the property is more than $900, or when VCAT has set a higher bond because of the character of the property or the quality of the fittings and furniture. Outside those, the one month limit applies.

What is the bond actually for?

It is security for the rental provider if the property is damaged or left owing money. It is still your money — it is held by the government authority rather than the landlord, and it is refunded to you at the end of the tenancy once the parties agree (or a tribunal decides).

When do I get the bond back?

At the end of the tenancy, once the rental provider and renter agree on how it should be repaid. If you cannot agree, a claim can be made and the dispute goes to the tribunal — the VCAT.

Is the bond the only upfront cost?

The bond is the main one, but you may also be asked for rent in advance — check what the agreement says before you pay anything.

Can I be charged a pet bond?

It depends on the state. VIC does not list a separate pet bond on the page this calculator is based on, so check with Consumer Affairs Victoria before paying anything described as a pet bond.

How current is this?

The limit is taken from Consumer Affairs Victoria, checked 12 October 2026. Rent caps and bond rules do change — the source link is at the bottom of this page so you can check it yourself.

Other states