Students in Australia have plenty of options when it comes to housing. Whether short or long term, these are the types of accommodation you can choose.
Short term accommodation
Short term accommodation is often chosen by students when they first arrive in Australia. Examples of these include hostels, hotels, temporary housing and Airbnb. You have the option of staying in a room by yourself or sharing a dorm with other students and travellers.
Hostels and hotels etc. are great for getting to know your new city. You can choose somewhere in the heart of the action with all the major attractions on your doorstep!
However, this type of accommodation is short term for a reason…price. The cheapest option could still set you back $200 a week, and you would be sharing all facilities. It’s best to secure a longer-term residence after a while.
Private rental
A private rental is housing that you rent from a landlord. This could be an entire house or apartment or a single room in a share house. When you choose a private rental, you may sign a lease and pay a bond (deposit). Make sure that you read the lease thoroughly before signing.
Private rentals offer greater flexibility with where you live. For example, you could live in a quiet suburb or the middle of the CBD. Furthermore, by renting a house or room, you will pay less than you would in a hotel or holiday property. Private rental becomes even more affordable when you live with housemates.
Renting a room in a share house is a great option because it is affordable and allows you to socialise with housemates.
When looking for a rental property, you can speak to local estate agents or use property search websites such as realestate.com. However, be aware that you may need to attend a group viewing and go through an application process to secure a rental.
If you would like to rent a room in a share house, you can apply through sites such as Flatmates.com.au and Fairy Floss Real Estate.
Managed student accommodation
Purpose built for students, these apartment blocks are equipped with everything you could need while you’re away from home. By staying in a student residence, you will have a furnished room, access to all necessary amenities and you’ll be living with people just like you.
However, these services do not come cheap. Most rooms are $300+ per week, but they do include all bills and they may include additional extras. A couple of popular options are Unilodge and The Student Housing Company, but you can find more with a quick Google search.
Sublet
Subletting is when a tenant leases their room to someone who is not named on the lease. The current tenant may be going away for a few months and needs to rent their room to cover costs until they return. If you choose to be a ‘subtenant’, make sure that the landlord approves this and that you know what is entailed in a subletting arrangement.
Prices for subletting should be the same as the private rental price for that room or property.
Homestay
Homestays are an excellent way to ease into a new country and culture. By staying with a host family, you can gain valuable cultural experiences, improve your language skills and enjoy additional support in your first few months in Australia.
The price will vary depending on the homestay you choose, but it could be between $250-$350 per week including meals and bills.
You can speak to your educational provider about recommendations for homestays. Or you can check out these popular homestay websites: Homestay Network and Homestay.
Your rights
As an international student, you have EXACTLY THE SAME RENTAL RIGHTS as an Australian resident. You have the right to safe and secure housing, including fair pricing and protections.
For more information about your rights, please refer to the relevant Fair Trading government agency in your area:
- Fair Trading New South Wales
- Consumer Affairs Victoria
- Access Canberra (Australian Capital Territory)
- Queensland Government
- Consumer Affairs Northern Territory
- Tasmanian Government
- South Australian Government
- Government of Western Australia
At CAC, we want all our students to feel happy and comfortable in their Australian homes. But if you encounter an issue or need any help, our student support team is here to help.