Australia Student Accommodation

Following is an introduction to what accommodation is available for overseas students.

There is a housing shortage across Australia which has caused rent to increase, therefore accommodation costs will be your main concern with your budget and you may need extra funds to cover rental increases.  It is wise to contact the international staff of your eduction institution for information on accommodation options in your area, both on and off campus.  Check out various websites to gain an idea of the type of accommodation available in your budget.

Get references from people you have rented accommodation off back home.  Show this, along with something to prove that you have enough funds for the accommodation (if asked), to the real estate agent to help secure a place.

Types of Accommodation

Rented accommodation, except homestays, does not include electricity bills, as well as furniture, bedding and utensils.  These can be purchased from second-hand/charity shops.  Accommodation options include homestays, hostels, boarding schools, on-campus and shared renting.

Homestay is a good option for those studying english and short term stays.  It will cost from $110 to $270, varying with location and whether it is single or shared bedroom.  This can include meals or be self catering, which can be cheaper.  Check with you educational institute to find respectable families who board international students.

A deposit of four weeks rent will be required on arrival as well as the first weeks rent.  You will need to get a receipt for this and every time you pay rent.  The deposit will be returned to you when you leave, if you leave the place the same way you found it.

As you will be living with other people you will be required to clean up after yourself.  It is best to get some issued cleared up at the beginning of you stay to insure that a good relationship is maintained between everyone. 

These include:

• When to pay rent?
• Rules about using the kitchen, washing clothes, having friends over and going out?
• How late at night should I stop receiving calls?
• What is the latest I can return home after school?
• How much notice do I need to give if I want to move out?
• When do I get my deposit back?

Also, ask the host family before installing electrical equipment, etc,a television in your room.  Talk with your host family and if problems occur that can not be resolved, then contact your educational institution.  If you are not getting along with the host family, talk to your educational institution.

If studying at a private school they may offer you to board there, this will cost $8,000 to $11,000, plus the tuition fees.  Here you will be staying a dormitory room with students of the same sex, your meals are provided along with a laundry service.  The rooms will be supervised.  The two above options are the most likely long term accommodation options for international high school students.

Hostels and guest houses should be a short term option, as there will be a lot of people coming and going.  Expect them to cost between $80 and $135 a week.  Youth Hostels Australia and Young Man’s Christian Association are two hostel organisations in Australia.

Another option is shared or rented accommodation.  This is not usually an option for high school students as a real estate agent will require references from other places you have rented and you will need to prove you have the funds to cover the rent and other living costs.  It is also the most costly option as rent starts at $160 plus your living expenses including food, electricity, water, etc.  However, if you think it it an option for you, here are some tips:

Inspect the property- arrange with the real estate agent to see the property.  Make sure you look neat and tidy.  Consider if there is enough space for your needs, transport to and from school, as well as things that might be broken and write them down.

If successful in your application to rent the property- read the tenancy agreement and all the clauses regarding rental payment, bond, condition the property is in, maintenance, inspections, charges and ending the tenancy.

Paying the bond- the bond is a security payment at the beginning of the tenancy agreement to cover any loss of property that may have occurred while you were staying there.  If there is no damage to the property at the end of the tenancy then you will get the whole of the deposit back.  It is equivalent of either four or six weeks rent.

Rent- the amount of money paid each week or month, stated in the conditions of the tenancy.  Discuss with the real estate agent how the rent is to be paid before signing the agreement.
Period of tenancy- two types of tenancy agreements in Australia, fixed-term and periodic.  Fixed-term is when you sign on to say that you will be staying there for six or twelve months and periodic is a month by month basis.

Condition report- once the tenancy agreement has been signed the real estate agent will hand you a condition report.  Here you thoroughly check every floor, wall, light, switch, supplied appliance, etc to make sure it is working and is not damaged in any way.  If there is something wrong with it, write it on the report and take a photo of it.  You will have three days to do this and hand it back to the real estate agent.

End of tenancy- You can decide to leave by giving four weeks notice to the real estate agent or the owners can end the agreement either because you are being evicted for breaching the conditions of tenancy, or the owners want to move back in. They will give you six weeks notice.

Disputes- By maintaining a good relationship with the real estate agent makes it easier to sort out problems that may arise.  However, if things are not being fixed to you liking you can contact the Residential Tenancy Tribunal in your state who will be able to assist you with information.