Australia
has a large selection of accommodation options. Most education
providers have accommodation services especially designed to help you
find the best accommodation choice for you.Help with finding accommodation
Universities,
TAFE institutes and other large education providers have accommodation
services to help students find accommodation. They will be able to help
you with what is available, how much it will cost, and any other
information you need.
The accommodation service may also be able to arrange temporary accommodation for you when you first arrive. You need to organise this with them before you arrive.
There may be a fee for the provision of accommodation, either temporary or permanent, which you will need to check with the accommodation service.Availability and cost
The
type of housing you choose determines how much you will have to pay and
how early you will have to arrange it. University halls of residence
are generally very popular and require students to apply for a room at
an early stage, but rental accommodation can generally be organised
upon your arrival.
Types of accommodation available include: Cost: A$80–A$250 per week Boarding schools
Cost: A$8 000–A$11 000 per year
Many
private schools offer boarding options. Students are fully catered for
whilst they board, meaning that meals, cleaning and laundry services
are provided. 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.Homestay or farmstay
Cost: A$110–A$270 per week
Homestay
and farmstay are where you live with an Australian family in their
house. Generally some or all meals are included. It can be an easy
entry to Australia, especially for young students and is a popular
choice with high school and ELICOS students. Homestay is the more
common option and is accommodation within a city, and farmstay is
accommodation in a rural area. Your accommodation service will be able
to help you find a homestay or farmstay family.University accommodation
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 also but with a lesser number of services attached. Some meals and cleaning will usually be included but students will be expected to look after themselves more, with facilities such as cooking equipment being provided. This form of accommodation is very popular, especially with first year students, and has to be booked 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. Cost: A$80–A$135 per week This
option can be cheaper than university accommodation and shares many of
the attractions. It is available for both tertiary and non-tertiary
students. Residents share kitchen and bathroom facilities and cook for
themselves. Cost: A$50–A$160 per week Share
accommodation is when two or more people live in a house or apartment
and share the costs. Rooms are advertised on student notice boards, in
accommodation services and websites, and in the 'share accommodation'
section of newspapers. Advertisers are 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. You are generally expected to provide some (or all) of your
own furniture.Private or church-owned boarding hostels
Share accommodation
Rental accommodation
Cost: A$70–A$350 per person per week
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. Rental agreements
usually require payment of rent in advance and a security payment
called a 'bond' (usually one month's rent) to be paid at the start.
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. Study cost range and information taken from AEI – International Education Network 2004, Department of Education, Science and Training, viewed 23 May 2005.
Please note: the range of costs shown
above are a guide only. Prior to arrival you should contact the
accommodation service at the institution where you will be studying and
ask about the accommodation options available and the costs involved.
