How to find affordable student accommodation in Australia? 

Australia has been a popular choice amongst international students lately. With the move to a new country, one of the main concerns for the students is finding affordable accommodation. However, your options for accommodation can range according to your budget.  

There are numerous living alternatives available to students, ranging from homestay to university housing and from self-catered apartments to share houses. However, as a student, you might want to look at your options wisely.  

Finding suitable accommodation can be stressful for international students who are studying in Australia. Some of the concerns you have are the pricing, location, facilities, comfort, surroundings, and others. 

It might seem quite difficult at first, but you will get hold of it in no time. Read the article below, which might help you to find your very first accommodation.  

 

[ez-toc]

 

Data of International Students in Australia as of 2022

 

Students studying on a student visa are counted as international students. International student numbers have been available since 2002. In addition, it can be broken down by state and nationality.  

For the period January through April 2022, the overall number of overseas students in Australia is 456,811. When compared to the same period last year, there was a -13 percent change.  

The report shows that Australia has the highest number of students from China, while India becoming second and third in Nepal.  

 

• Private Rental Accommodation

 

You can choose this option if you have figured out how things work in Australia and are confident in your ability to figure things out on your own.  

There are various real-estate websites where you can search for and apply for a home. Because you are renting an entire flat, it may be the most expensive option of all. 

This is also a viable alternative. If you don’t want to share an apartment with other people or live with the host family, you can always choose private rental housing. You have the option of living alone or with a roommate.  

However, because some rentals may not have furnishings, you may be required to bring your own. In such cases, you must pay the first month’s rent in advance, as well as the security deposit. 

The rent for such units is not consistent and varies from time to time. Meanwhile, you should budget between AUD $100 and AUD $500 per week. In this flat, you will also be responsible for your own food and utilities. 

 

• Hostel

 

Hostels are particularly inexpensive for international students. It allows you to frequently socialize with other students because you will be sharing communal areas such as kitchens and toilets.  

To protect the safety and security of the students, hostels are normally regulated by a staff committee and subject to curfews. 

Hostels are particularly inexpensive for international students. It allows you to socialize with other students on a regular basis. It is a fantastic temporary alternative for students until they find permanent housing. There are two kinds of hostel lodgings.  

You can choose between backpackers and traditional hostels based on your interests. The price you pay is determined by the sort of hostel you choose. The total amount per week can range between AUD $90 and AUD $150. 

 However, you will be sharing shared areas such as kitchens and baths. To protect the safety and security of the students, hostels are normally regulated by a staff committee and subject to curfews. 

 

Types of Hostels

 

You can choose from two types of hostels that you can make your choice from.  

 

• Classic One

 

Traditional Australian hostels are regarded for delivering excellent service. These hostels offer a variety of services ranging from poor or average to exceptional or excellent. 

Students in hostels will have furnished dormitories as well as access to a shared kitchen, bathroom, laundry, recreation facilities, and a sitting area. Students must cook for themselves in these types of accommodations, and this type of housing is far less expensive.

 

• Backpackers

 

Backpacker hostels are like second homes. This lodging choice provides students with a calm and dynamic party atmosphere. You can find several types of backpacker hostels.  

Some provide more amenities, such as free breakfast, freebies, and airport pick-up. While others merely provide basic services. 

 

• Residential College

 

It is an on-campus residence where students and faculty live together. The institution will provide necessities such as on-time meals, room cleaning, and laundry.  

Along with their stay, the student receives meals, a weekly clean room, a fully equipped bedroom, and access to library facilities, tutors, and Wi-Fi. Because pricing is a big concern for students, it is critical to understand how much it costs. You may have to spend between AUD $200 and AUD $750 each week, including utilities. However, the pricing varies depending on the college housing. 

So you may stay, study, and spend your free time more comfortably. This is especially advantageous for first-year students who want to form strong bonds with their peers. You will also have access to the university libraries, the internet, and study rooms while on campus. 

 

• Homestay

 

You can book your homestay provider through the school institution’s recommendation. If you choose this option, you will gain significant cultural exposure while staying with a local host family.  

You can stay for a short or extended length of time in such accommodation. Along with your stay, you will be picked up from the airport by the host family.  

Similarly, they provide you with a furnished room in the house, meals, utilities, agent support, and a warm greeting.  

Furthermore, by staying with a host family, you may learn about a new culture while sharing your own. In terms of pricing, you may have to pay between AUD $250 and AUD$ 350 every week. The payment schedule varies according to the meal type, room type, and utilities used. 

 

• Halls of Residence

 

If you are looking forward to finding a place to stay near your college/university or inside the premises of the university itself, Halls of Residence might be the best option for you. It is not only safe but also affordable for students who usually have a fixed budget for their rent.  

 Being a student, it is hard to manage the financial part. That is why international students often worry about the rent or the expenses that must be incurred for accommodation. Your cost while staying in halls of residence might come between $165 – $440 per week. 

 

• Temporary Accommodation

 

When you first arrive in Australia, you can also look up some temporary options before finding a place to stay.  

You can arrange for temporary or short-term housing for at least 3 to 4 weeks while looking for a permanent home and getting acquainted with the new city.  

Do not arrange for private or permanent housing until you have seen the property. Before renting a home, you must thoroughly inspect it from the inside. 

You can see the options like guesthouses, hostels, some temporary places that the institution offers, and low-cost hostels.  

The cost for such places can come to 90-150 AUD per week. While such places can give you the flexibility to move in a brief period, the rental cost is higher than for long-term rentals.  

 

• Free Accommodation

 

If you have childcare expertise, working as an au pair (babysitter) may be a fantastic alternative for you. Many Australian families seek childcare services in exchange for food and lodging.  

This option may be suitable for you if your job hours do not conflict with your class schedule. You may have to put in extra effort to match the working hours. 

 However, it will provide you with free housing. Overall, this is an excellent choice, especially if you are helped on a tight budget.  

While staying a babysitting job helps you get regular meals, accommodation, and some amount of money too, you will have to adapt to the culture and rules of a new family.  

Sometimes you may also have to put your plan aside and prioritize the family plan you are staying with. Overall, this is the cheapest option for international students to live in Australia.  

 

• Move in with your relatives or friends

 

Having some known ones when you arrive in Australia can be an immense help in the initial days.  

If you already have trusted links in Australia, such as family or relatives who have a place for you, it is always a promising idea to stay with them.  

This is an excellent opportunity to make social ties outside of the academic campus while also living independently. You may, however, miss the enjoyable and sociable aspects of living in student housing. 

You will get to enjoy the home-cooked meal, the comfort of living with the people you know, and having your own space. However, you might miss your independence and sometimes lack privacy.  

 

Some of the leading agencies help international to get a place to stay after they arrive in Australia.  

 

It is not possible for you to find a place to stay without having the agencies. You may be wondering how to find the mediator as soon as you arrive here.  

 

List Of Agencies

 

Here is a list of a few agencies that will help you with your search.  

 

• Rentals

   

Australia, like most other countries, has many real estate agents. They might be able to assist you in finding a rental property. You can rent a private property with your friends if you cannot afford it alone. You will be expected to pay a security deposit (typically four weeks’ rent) and rent in advance when renting a home. 

 

• Urbanest  

 

Urbanest is one of Australia’s largest student housing companies. They have extensive experience in developing, building, and managing student housing. They choose amazing student-friendly sites that are close to transportation, universities, and social centres. They plan, organize, and manage living environments in ways that promote and support your lifestyle. 

 

• Unilodge

 

UniLodge Australia has long provided purpose-built student accommodation. Unilodge properties are famous for quality, creativity, efficiency, and outstanding student living across Australia and New Zealand, with over 60 properties and 14,000 beds under administration.

They collaborate with educational institutions in Australia and New Zealand to manage assets on campus or near universities, colleges, and other educational organizations. 

 

Do Your Research

 

Don’t forget to do your research before you move to Australia. Investigate each lodging option thoroughly. Speak with housing consultants at the institution and tour on-campus housing options. Conduct thorough offline and online research. If you choose an off-campus site, ensure that it is close to your university or institution. 

Look for the benefits and drawbacks of each lodging after analyzing each alternative. For example, you may get a share house with friends, but it may not be beneficial to your academic performance. Furthermore, on-campus housing might be pricey and may not provide you with a sense of freedom.

 

Keep your options open

 

Australia provides a wide range of student housing alternatives, from on-campus to off-campus. As an international student, you may have difficulties finding suitable accommodation that meets your needs and budget. 

You might want to keep your options open while looking for places that fall into your budget plans. With so many student accommodation possibilities in Australia, the first thing you should consider is your budget and then hunt for solutions that fit inside it. 

 You have the choice of attending on-campus or off-campus colleges. 

 

Student Visa for Australia

 

In general, overseas students who are citizens of other countries must get a valid student visa, which establishes their legal standing in Australia.  

Students with a Student Visa (subclass 500) can stay in Australia for up to five years. Each student visa applicant must demonstrate that they have sufficient financial means to cover their tuition, books, and daily living expenses while studying in Australia. 

The English language competency exam score criteria will differ based on the institution they choose and their country of citizenship. Nevertheless, whether they are prepared to enrol in an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) course. 

 The minimal scores accepted for each test for student visa applicants are stated in the table below. It is advised that overseas students take English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) to advance their language abilities if they do not meet the English language test criteria.