Accommodation

Finding Accommodation

We recommend booking into a Hostel prior to arrival and waiting until you are in Australia to find accommodation. Some useful websites to get you started include:

Once you have established yourself, you might start looking for something a bit more permanent. You could meet people at the Hostel or at your college who need a housemate.

Many institutions also offer students with advice and assistance in finding accommodation, so we recommend contacting your college/university for assistance.

You have several options in Australia when it comes to accommodation. Be sure to choose the correct option to suit your needs and budget. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common options.

Student Accommodation allows students to live in a fully furnished shared house/apartment with other students, and the cost of internet and electricity is usually included in the price. Other services usually included in the price are housekeeping and activities.

You will live in a facility with other students, and you can choose the type of student accommodation you want based on how much you want to pay.

Melbourne

Sunshine Coast

Gold Coast

Sydney

Brisbane

Perth

2stay
Campus Perth
The Boulevard (managed by The Student Housing Company)
The Switch

Homestay

Homestay allows students to experience real Australian life, as they would be boarding with an Australian family. Many students decide to use Homestay when they first arrive in Australia, as it provides them with an opportunity to discover their surroundings, experience more of the local culture, and practise English a lot more. It is also a very popular option for younger students.

All Homestay families are thoroughly screened by institutions before they are allowed to accommodate students. Many institutions and homestay providers also match their students with their families based on their preferences. So students can specify with whom they would most like to stay.

Throughout the stay, students will be provided with a room and some meals. The family and other students will share the rest of the house, such as the bathroom, living room and kitchen.

If you are interested in organising a homestay arrangement, contact your school counsellor as soon as possible and he/she will be able to assist. It is advised that you do this as early as possible, as Homestay arrangements take considerable time to organise.

Shared Accommodation

This is by far the most common living arrangement for students in Australia. Many students choose this option, as it provides them with greater freedom than a homestay, and it is usually the cheapest option.

Under shared accommodation, students will rent a room either by themselves or with another person. All occupants will then share the rest of the house. The students will split the bills such as electricity and internet. However, it is not uncommon for these costs to be included in the overall rent.

The following websites are great sources that have listings of Share Houses that are available, as well as ads for like-minded people looking for house & roommates:

Gumtree & Flatmates

You will need to create an account to use them. You can refine your search by location and price.

Once you find a few places you like, contact the advertisers. We recommend viewing a few properties before agreeing to move in.

Facebook

Facebook Market and Facebook Groups have also become a great place to find shared accommodation. People are constantly sharing available rooms on social media, so it is recommended to keep an eye on these groups. Some examples of Facebook groups are:

Accommodation Groups

International students

Renting

Renting may be a good option for any student planning to stay in Australia for more than 6 months. One major issue with renting is that it requires students to sign a lease for at least 6 months, so they are locked into the terms of the agreement. All rental leases require students to put down a security deposit or bond upon the commencement of the lease. Some places to look for rentals are: