ACCOMMODATION

A variety of student accommodation is available in Australia to suit different budgets and needs.

Institutions help students in finding accommodation and understanding lease and tenancy conditions. Temporary accommodation can be arranged before you leave your home country allowing you time on arrival to consider where and how you would like to accommodated in the longer term.

Further advice will be available from your prospective institution.

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University accommodation prices and options vary between different institutions. students should contact the accommodation service of their prospective university for full details. Due to the popularity of these choices it is important to apply early.

University Apartments
Some universities also have apartments, either close to or on campus, which students can rent. This provides the security of university based and run accommodation with the increased freedom of share living. Apartments are generally popular with students in the later years of their degrees.

University Residential colleges
University residential colleges provide accommodation along with all meals, cleaning and a wide range of support services for social and study needs. They are generally more expensive than halls of residence because of the large number of facilities offered.

University halls of residence
University halls of residence offer accommodation but with a lesser number of services attached. Some meals and cleaning services will usually be included but students will be expected to look after themselves more, with facilities such as cooking equipment being provided. Only full-time students are accepted. This form of accommodation is very popular, especially with first year students, and has to be booked early because of the high demand for places.

Homestay and farmstay are where you live with an Australian family in their house. Single or shared rooms may be offered and the cost will vary accordingly. Meals are usually included in the cost. Self-catering Homestay is sometimes available cheaply. Homestay is the more common option and is accommodation within a city, and farmstay is accommodation in a rural area.

Institutions maintain a register of families prepared to board international students during the academic year. Educational institutions ensure that Homestay families are reputable and that they offer accommodation of a reasonable standard.

Share accommodation is where two or more people live in a house or apartment and share the costs. Students may have to provide their own furniture. Advertisers will be looking for one or more people to move into a share accommodation house or flat. Many students prefer to move into share accommodation after a year or two of on-campus residence.

Rental accommodation is the same as share accommodation except that it involves finding a house or flat to rent, rather than moving into one that has already been rented and set up. You will generally be expected to supply your own furniture and household goods. When renting a house, apartment or bed sitter, landlords require rent to be paid in advance and will require a security bond equal to one month's rent. Costs depend upon whether you are renting by yourself or planning to share with others. Your accommodation service will be able to help you with finding rental accommodation and your rights and obligations as a tenant.

This option can be cheaper than university accommodation. Residents share kitchen and bathroom facilities and cook for themselves. Hostels are usually run by organizations such as Youth Hostels Australia and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA).

Many private schools offer boarding options. Students are provided with meals, cleaning and laundry services. Boarding students also have access to school facilities to assist with study and social activities. Tuition fees are in addition to the boarding fees shown.