Studying in Australia - Finding Accommodation
When you arrive in Australia, one of the first problems you will face is finding a roof over your head. Finding affordable and decent housing in the larger cities like Sydney or Melbourne can be quite challenging.
Here are 6 quick tips.
1. If this is your first year, try hard to get a spot in residential collage (hostel), or on-campus housing.
This is often the more expensive of housing choices. However, it is the easiest for a first year student to manage. Some residential collages even provide meals, which is a good choice if you have no idea how to cook. Residential collages also have facilities for you to do your own laundry - it's like to be coin operated. Also, most of the time, utility bills are included.
2. If you don't have a spot in residential collage or on-campus housing, try to arrange short term (2-4 weeks) before you leave your home country.
Your university International student centre might be able to recommend some short term accommodation near the University Campus. This is likely in the form of a motel or bed and breakfast. This will give you a roof over your head when you first arrive, and buy you sometime before you are able to find long-term private housing.
3. Do not go into a long-term contract or put money down before you see any private housing.
There have been reports of trickery by people acting as real estate agents and asking for money before the student has seen the place. Often these places are too good to be true.
4. It is easier to rent a room than rent an apartment.
Most of the time, you would be able to find a furnished room near the university for rent. Often, another student rents a whole apartment/ house from a real estate agent, and sublet rooms individually. Some families rent out their spare room too. Often room rental will come with an agreement if the utility bills are covered in the rent, or is split up between the residents. If you rent an apartment, you often have to find your own furniture and handle all the maintenance of the apartment.
5. When renting a room, beware of overcrowding.
Some unscrupulous main tenants start splitting up rooms in to smaller rooms, or allow a single room to have 3-4 residents. Sometimes the living, dining or even garage are made into bedrooms for rent. This is often illegal. It is also illegal to rent out rooms to backpackers. I personally have seen a 3 bedroom apartment with 14 people residing in it.
6. An alternative to renting a room is Home Stay.
Home Stays are like a private furnished room rental from a family with utility bills covered. Meals also can be negotiated. You can find Home Stays from various Home Stay websites/ agencies. Home Stay is a good way to pick up more English and to learn the local culture. In home stays, you are expected to help out with the house hold duties. Sometimes you can negotiate your rent with helping with baby sitting.
Other related topics
Studying in Australia - 9 Social Etiquette Tips
Studying in Australia - Mobiles, Internet, Calling home, etc.
Studying in Australia - What to do when I get sick?
To support my blog, please click on one of my sponsor's advertised links :)
Here are 6 quick tips.
1. If this is your first year, try hard to get a spot in residential collage (hostel), or on-campus housing.
This is often the more expensive of housing choices. However, it is the easiest for a first year student to manage. Some residential collages even provide meals, which is a good choice if you have no idea how to cook. Residential collages also have facilities for you to do your own laundry - it's like to be coin operated. Also, most of the time, utility bills are included.
2. If you don't have a spot in residential collage or on-campus housing, try to arrange short term (2-4 weeks) before you leave your home country.
Your university International student centre might be able to recommend some short term accommodation near the University Campus. This is likely in the form of a motel or bed and breakfast. This will give you a roof over your head when you first arrive, and buy you sometime before you are able to find long-term private housing.
3. Do not go into a long-term contract or put money down before you see any private housing.
There have been reports of trickery by people acting as real estate agents and asking for money before the student has seen the place. Often these places are too good to be true.
4. It is easier to rent a room than rent an apartment.
Most of the time, you would be able to find a furnished room near the university for rent. Often, another student rents a whole apartment/ house from a real estate agent, and sublet rooms individually. Some families rent out their spare room too. Often room rental will come with an agreement if the utility bills are covered in the rent, or is split up between the residents. If you rent an apartment, you often have to find your own furniture and handle all the maintenance of the apartment.
5. When renting a room, beware of overcrowding.
Some unscrupulous main tenants start splitting up rooms in to smaller rooms, or allow a single room to have 3-4 residents. Sometimes the living, dining or even garage are made into bedrooms for rent. This is often illegal. It is also illegal to rent out rooms to backpackers. I personally have seen a 3 bedroom apartment with 14 people residing in it.
6. An alternative to renting a room is Home Stay.
Home Stays are like a private furnished room rental from a family with utility bills covered. Meals also can be negotiated. You can find Home Stays from various Home Stay websites/ agencies. Home Stay is a good way to pick up more English and to learn the local culture. In home stays, you are expected to help out with the house hold duties. Sometimes you can negotiate your rent with helping with baby sitting.
Other related topics
Studying in Australia - 9 Social Etiquette Tips
Studying in Australia - Mobiles, Internet, Calling home, etc.
Studying in Australia - What to do when I get sick?
To support my blog, please click on one of my sponsor's advertised links :)
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