The Department of Health (DoH) currently leases rooms for contracted staff at the Royal Hobart Hospital and health services in the greater Hobart area, including new recruits from interstate and overseas, locums, agency nurses and other short-term contracted staff.

Homes Tasmania will follow suit, shoring up accommodation for health workers directly supporting the delivery of critical health services in southern Tasmania.

Using former short-stay accommodation allows dwellings that are currently being rented by the DoH for key workers to be released back into the private market for long-term rental accommodation for Tasmanian families.

The move prevents a further squeeze on Hobart’s tight private rental market because the DoH does not need to secure rentals for staff and the facility will not return to tourism accommodation.

Under the Tasmanian Housing Strategy 2023-32, Homes Tasmania will deliver key worker accommodation and increase the supply of rentals to people who provide essential services.

Using the facility for contract staff reduces the impost on the private rental market allowing long-term rentals to accommodate our local community.

It is also one way that Homes Tasmania is supporting the delivery of healthcare services throughout the state and improving access to housing for more Tasmanians.

Read more about key worker accommodation Homes Tasmania - Key worker accommodation