Accommodation in Australia

Some people make the mistake of thinking that after shifting to a different country, they can find a place to live in quickly. This could get very expensive because students would have to stay in a hostel or a hotel for an extended period. It’s always a good option to have a rental place or a temporary arrangement to stay in before your arrival in Australia.

The institution that you will be studying at, in most places, will offer on-campus housing as a long-term/ short-term option for international students. Most of the institutions have accommodation available, especially for those who are pursuing their undergraduate program. Most of the universities also offer on-campus accommodation options for their postgraduate students as well.  

Either way, you should always go to the university first before finalising your options even if they don’t offer on-campus accommodation, they usually have a list of options for you that you may not be able to explore from the other sources.

Australia offers a wide range of accommodation options. Taking into consideration that more than 80% of the population lives near the coast of Australia, it is likely that you will love the accommodation options they will offer. However, the cost of accommodation is not always constant since it depends on where you will be living, the size of the flat (if you will be renting), the location (urban areas are often more expensive), and whether you will be sharing a flat or not, and so on. 

Rent an apartment or house: Students can rent fully furnished or unfurnished accommodation and should do their research and be aware of their rights and responsibilities while renting. It is recommended that you familiarise yourself with the Residential Tenancies Act if you are looking to rent accommodation. When renting, students should inspect the property and sign a rental agreement before paying the upfront money. The University will not endorse the facilities of the property or the standards of landlords. Students are strongly encouraged to check with the individual provider as to its facilities, terms, and conditions. 

Students can rent or ‘lease’ a property by themselves or with friends. This can be processed through a Real estate agent or through private channels. Always check for billboards/ local newspapers/ share house websites at the university or the public places nearby to find the options for rental and shared house options.

If students are planning to rent a property a ‘bond’ money or security deposit (Usually four weeks) and a month’s rent in advance has to be paid.  

Student Campus Accommodation: Purpose-built student accommodations are residences specifically for students. The options range from studio apartments to shared rooms with shared communal areas and facilities.

Living on campus is the best option for international students. Universities offer accommodation across all campuses with various lease lengths available. Life at on-campus accommodations is both affordable and secure. It is the perfect place to make new friends while saving time to travel for your studies. Students can also save money if they’re living on campus. Most of the on-campus accommodations have Utility bills and internet included in the fee, and there is no accommodation bond. University-managed accommodation will be fully furnished and include bills as well as provide integrated university-managed support.

Homestays: Homestay is an option for usually under-18 students to stay with an Australian family. Sometimes these families have a spare room or even an apartment-type area for international students to reside in during their time in the country. Many times, you will have amenities such as cleaning, and meals included in a homestay program. Everyone who offers homestay to international students has to go through several types of screening (including accommodation inspection).

Homestays are a great way to cut costs and make new connections while adjusting to a new country. If you are considering doing a homestay, the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) covers homestays throughout the country.