You have four main options when it comes to finding a place to stay during your studies in Australia.

Depending on what you need – and your budget - you might choose to live in a hostel, rent a flat, live on campus or live with a local family (homestay).

No matter which option you’re looking at, you should keep in mind:

  • How much you want to spend. Don’t forget to include extra costs like a rental bond or bills for electricity, gas or water

  • How far away you want to be – and how easy it is to travel between home and campus

  • What you might want close by, such as shopping centres, restaurants and health services

If you’re ready to start looking or need help finding accommodation, get in touch with your university, TAFE or student union.

Accommodation on campus

Traditional halls of residence inside universities are a popular option for international students coming to Australia for the first time. Depending on the campus, these usually range from AUD$100 to AUD$700 per week. Students wanting on- campus housing should apply well in advance. Living on-campus conveniently places you near everything you need. Meals, computer facilities, laundry and cleaning services are sometimes also included in the package. Plus, if you do need any other form of assistance, your accommodation is part of a broader university community.

Homestay

A homestay might be a good option if you’re younger, as you get all the comforts of living with a local family Homestay programs are a popular accommodation option for foreign students enrolled in short-term courses that give them the opportunity to stay with an Australian family. Homestays can have single or shared rooms, with costs that vary from AUD$110 to AUD$370 for each room per week. This cost typically includes three meals a day, laundry facilities, cleaning services, and utilities such as internet and phone.

Private accommodation

Living in a privately-rented property can be very attractive, especially as a student in a new country! It enables you to decide who you would like to live with and where. Students who choose this type of accommodation may either move into pre-furnished houses on a room-by-room basis, or apply to lease the place as a whole with friends they already know.