Since 2005, Australia has seen a surge in demand for rental properties. The demand is even higher for affordable rental property. It has become difficult not just for international students, but Australians in general.
This means that it’s even harder to secure a property particularly for people who aren’t in full-time employment because of the ever increasing rent rises and fewer properties on offer.
However, there are many types of housing options available that all students should consider.
Remember- most rental accommodation comes unfurnished (except in a Homestay).
Finding cheap furniture to furnish your room/flat is relatively easy and readily available in most areas of Australia. Check charity shops and discount home stores.
If you’re an International student, your educational institution can organise temporary accommodation for you before you enter Australia.
This option will give you more time to look for permanent accommodation and get to know the areas you interested in firsthand.
Private Renting / Sharehouse
The most popular solution amongst students is to rent a property/room in the private market. It remains popular because you can live unsupervised and independently.
With freedom comes responsibility, so the onus is you to create the right living environment for yourself.
Things to consider before you look for a place:
- What is your budget?
- Do you want to rent a room in a sharehouse?
- Would you prefer living on your own?
- How far away from university are you willing to live?
Once you have a good idea of what you want, start a search online; visit some real estate agencies in the areas you are interested in; look at your university’s student housing website. Soon you will find what you’re looking for.
Living independently in a sharehouse/flat involves a lot of responsibility, but can be an amazing experience.
Sharehouse
A sharehouse is a flat or house that has more than one occupant. Usually you will rent a bedroom and use of communal areas – such as the kitchen, lounge, bathroom, laundry and garden.
You may be placed on the lease/tenancy agreement – which means that you are liable to the landlord for the rent and all of the terms in the contract.
Alternatively the head tenant may sub-let a room to you – which means that you are liable to the head tenant, but not to the landlord.
Either way, this will be a contract that you will need to honour otherwise there may be legal consequences. Read it carefully before you sign it. More detailed information is available in Tenancy Agreements.
In a sharehouse, utility bills are shared amongst the flatmates. Groceries may also be shared.
Cleaning and maintenance will need to be agreed between you.
Pros: Independence, social environment, you choose your flatmates, freedom to do as you please, cheaper than other options
Cons: Personality clashes amongst flatmates, financial responsibilities must be met.
Renting a place on your own
Preferring to live on your own means that you are in charge of your living space and what happens within it.
- You have sole responsibility and answer to the landlord/rental agent.
- As the sole tenant on your tenancy agreement/lease, you must comply with the terms and conditions listed, otherwise risk being evicted.
- Property options for renting on your own include a bedsit/studio or a one bedroom flat.
- Bedsit/Studios usually consist of one room that has a kitchenette, lounge and bedroom. The bathroom is usually an ensuite. Bedsits may occasionally have shared facilities – such as the kitchen/bathroom.
- One bedroom flat or apartment consists of a living/kitchen/dining area and a separate bedroom and bathroom. These are more expensive than bedsits/studios as they are usually larger.
- House or townhouse
- Prices for both vary significantly according to factors such as location, size, condition, and whether they’re furnished or unfurnished.
Pros: Independence, self sufficient, freedom to do as you please, no clashes with flatmates.
Cons: Financially liable, might feel lonely, you pay for all utilities/groceries, set up costs.
Hotels/Hostels/Guest Houses
Following are other short term accommodation options for all students.
Hotels can cost between AUD$80 to over $150 dollars a night. Not cheap, but an option nevertheless. You would have a furnished room with a television, and an adjoined private bathroom. Breakfast may or may not be included.
Pros: Last minute bookings accepted, cancellations accepted with no notice period, room is cleaned daily, no bond required, breakfast included
Cons: Can be very expensive, no cooking facilities/lounge.
Hostels are a cheaper option than hotels. Prices can range from AUD$15 per night for a bed in a shared dormitory, and up to $90 per night for a private room with bathroom. Hostels usually include breakfast. There is also a communal kitchen and lounge area.
Many hostels offer a cheaper weekly rate – if you book for a whole week or more, the price per night becomes cheaper.
Hostels near campuses are available for students only. Accommodation can be booked a semester at a time. This can be cheaper than on-campus accommodation.
Hostels are great places to meet people but can be very noisy, particularly at night. They usually have an onsite bar, cheap drinks and loud music – so they’re not the ideal place for a student.
Please note that some rural hostels may still have a curfew in place – this means that after a certain time at night, the front doors are locked and you will not be able to enter until the following morning.
They may also have lock-out periods where the hostel is cleaned. You won’t have access to the hostel during this time – usually an hour or two.
In the cities, you will likely have 24/7 access. Double-check with the hostel.
Pros: Last minute bookings accepted, meet lots of people, cheap(ish), breakfast included and minimal bond required, utilities included
Cons: Shared cooking facilities/lounge/bathrooms, shared dorms, noisy, limited privacy and space, unsecured dormitories.
Guest houses are usually private residences that offer a bedroom for paying guests. Breakfast is usually included, along with private bathroom facilities. Prices start at AUD$30 (for shared bathroom, no breakfast) and reach more than $145 per night.
Pros: Well equipped room, breakfast may be included, homely environment
Cons: shared cooking facilities/lounge/bathrooms, can be very expensive, deposit required – sometimes non-returnable.
Homestay
Homestays can range roughly between AUD$110 to $370 per week.
A bond is also required equal to four weeks rent, and must be paid for prior to arrival. It must be returned in full at the end of the homestay if there are no damages.
This option is available specifically for students studying short term.
You will be living with an Australian host family and get to experience the Australian lifestyle firsthand.
The home is typically clean, tidy, and safe, and should have reasonable access to public transport.
A single room with study area is the basic arrangement.
There is full board – 3 meals a day or part board – 2 meals a day; however utility bills such as electricity may need to be shared.
Telephone and internet will be at your cost. Each homestay is different, so particulars will need to be discussed with the host family.
Safety is of the utmost importance, so all homestay host families must be registered and approved by the Australian government. In order to be approved, the host family must have numerous police checks and comply with homestay requirements.
Pros: Meals usually included, instant family member, cheap, support and advice available from family.
Cons: Shared cooking facilities/lounge/bathrooms, deposit required, house rules, short term, cost of utilities shared, phone/internet at your cost.
Campus Accommodation
Campus accommodation can range from AUD$100 to $700 per week.
There is very high demand for this type of accommodation as it’s usually very close to the educational institution.
There are two types of campus accommodation: University Halls of Residence and Private Halls of Residence.
University Halls of Residence
Available mainly for first year students, university halls of residence are owned and operated by the educational institution itself.
Along with housing, many provide pastoral care – food, personal support and academic assistance.
Usually on campus or very nearby, you will be allocated a room in a shared apartment along with other students.
The variety of apartment depends on what kind of rental option you choose – some have full board (all meals included) or part board. Self catering apartments mean you will be placed in an apartment with cooking facilities.
Entering a hall of residence can be a very competitive process and costly.
Prices vary significantly according to university, typically starting at AUD$120 to $630 per week.
Halls of residence may be great for your social life, but you may find it is too social. Many students find that their grades improve once leaving this type of residence.
Living here beyond your first year of university is possible, however keep in mind that you may be sharing your apartment with first years, every year.
Pros: Academic and social support, walking distance to classes, immediate access to university facilities, social environment.
Cons: Shared cooking facilities/lounge/bathrooms, costly, house rules, noisy, too many distractions.
Private Halls of Residence
Private Halls of Residence are not owned or operated by the university. However they model themselves on University Halls of Residence, with similar apartment layouts and communal facilities.
There is usually staff onsite, communal areas are cleaned, utilities are included in the rent and there are social activities are organised.
You can choose to rent a whole apartment with some friends, or simply one room and have flatmates allocated.
In this set up, each flatmate is liable for their own tenancy agreement, so if someone leaves prematurely the responsibility does fall on you.
Pros: Short distance to classes, social environment, utilities included in rent, not responsible legally for other housemates breaking their tenancy agreements.
Cons: Shared cooking facilities/lounge/bathrooms, costly, house rules, noisy, too many distractions.
