Finding Accommodation in Australia
Finding the right accommodation is crucial for your Australian experience. This guide covers all your options from temporary stays to long-term rentals.Types of Accommodation
Rental Properties
- Private rentals: Entire apartments or houses
- Unit/Apartment: Purpose-built residential buildings
- House: Standalone properties with yards
- Townhouse: Multi-level properties sharing walls
- Studio: Single room with kitchenette and bathroom
Share Accommodation
- Share house: Room in shared house with common areas
- Share apartment: Room in shared apartment
- Master bedroom: Larger room, often with ensuite
- Single room: Basic room with shared facilities
- Granny flat: Self-contained accommodation in backyard
Temporary Accommodation
- Hotels: Full-service accommodation
- Motels: Basic roadside accommodation
- Hostels: Budget accommodation with shared facilities
- Serviced apartments: Hotel-like with kitchen facilities
- Airbnb: Private accommodation rentals
Student Accommodation
- University housing: On-campus accommodation
- Student apartments: Purpose-built student housing
- Homestay: Living with Australian families
- Student share houses: Shared accommodation for students
Rental Process
Finding Properties
- Real estate websites: Domain.com.au, realestate.com.au
- Real estate agents: Local agents in desired areas
- Social media: Facebook groups, local community boards
- Word of mouth: Networking through friends/colleagues
Application Requirements
- Rental application: Detailed personal and financial information
- Identity documents: Passport, driver’s license, visa
- Employment verification: Payslips, employment contract
- Bank statements: 3-6 months of financial records
- References: Previous landlords, employers, character references
- Rental history: Previous rental agreements
- Credit check consent: Authorization for credit assessment
Bond and Rent
- Bond: 4-6 weeks rent (refundable security deposit)
- Rent in advance: 2-4 weeks paid upfront
- Application fee: $200-500 for processing
- Lease signing: Legally binding rental agreement
Lease Agreements
- Fixed-term lease: Usually 6-12 months
- Periodic lease: Month-to-month arrangement
- Break lease: Early termination penalties may apply
- Renewal: Options to extend at lease end
Share House Accommodation
Finding Share Houses
- Flatmates.com.au: Largest share accommodation website
- SpareRoom: UK-based platform popular in Australia
- Facebook groups: City-specific share house groups
- Gumtree: Classified advertisements
- University boards: Student accommodation listings
Share House Arrangements
- All bills included: Rent covers utilities and internet
- Bills separate: Split utilities among housemates
- Cleaning arrangements: Roster or paid cleaner
- House rules: Guidelines for common areas and guests
- Lease responsibility: Individual or joint lease agreements
Viewing Properties
- Arrange inspection: Contact agent or landlord
- Group inspections: Multiple applicants viewing together
- Private inspections: One-on-one viewing
- Online inspections: Virtual tours becoming common
- Questions to ask: Rent details, lease terms, included amenities
Location Considerations
Distance to City Centers
- Inner city: Walking/cycling distance to CBD
- Inner suburbs: 10-20 minutes to city center
- Middle suburbs: 20-40 minutes commute
- Outer suburbs: 40+ minutes, often cheaper
Transportation Access
- Train stations: Properties near stations command premium
- Bus routes: Check frequency and reliability
- Cycling infrastructure: Bike lanes and safety
- Walking distance: Proximity to shops and services
Neighborhood Characteristics
- Safety: Crime rates and well-lit streets
- Amenities: Shops, restaurants, gyms, parks
- Demographics: Age groups and lifestyle
- Noise levels: Traffic, nightlife, construction
- Future development: Planned infrastructure changes
Costs and Budgeting
Weekly Rent (Major Cities)
Sydney Inner Suburbs:- Share room: $200-350/week
- Studio: $450-600/week
- 1 bedroom: $550-750/week
- 2 bedroom: $700-1,000/week
- Share room: $180-300/week
- Studio: $350-500/week
- 1 bedroom: $450-650/week
- 2 bedroom: $600-850/week
- Share room: $150-250/week
- Studio: $300-450/week
- 1 bedroom: $400-550/week
- 2 bedroom: $500-700/week
Additional Costs
- Bond: 4-6 weeks rent deposited with bond authority
- Utilities: $20-50/week (electricity, gas, water)
- Internet: $15-25/week for shared connection
- Contents insurance: $10-20/week
- Moving costs: $200-800 depending on distance
Money-Saving Tips
- Suburbs: Live further from city center
- Share accommodation: Significantly reduces costs
- Negotiate: Especially in quieter rental markets
- Timing: Avoid peak rental seasons (Jan-Mar)
- Utilities: Compare providers for better rates
Temporary Accommodation
Short-Term Options
- Hotels: $100-400/night in major cities
- Motels: $80-150/night, mainly in suburbs
- Hostels: $25-60/night in dormitories
- Airbnb: $50-200/night depending on location
- Serviced apartments: $120-300/night
Extended Stay Options
- Apart-hotels: Weekly/monthly rates available
- Corporate housing: Furnished apartments for business travelers
- House-sitting: Free accommodation in exchange for property care
- Caretaking: Rural properties offer accommodation for work
Transitional Accommodation
- Boarding houses: Weekly accommodation with shared facilities
- Backpacker hostels: Long-term stay discounts
- Caravan parks: Cabins and powered sites
- Subletting: Temporary rental from existing tenants
Legal Rights and Responsibilities
Tenant Rights
- Quiet enjoyment: Right to peaceful accommodation
- Privacy: Landlord must give notice before entry
- Repairs: Landlord responsible for property maintenance
- Bond protection: Bond held by government authority
- Rent increases: Limited to once per year with notice
Tenant Responsibilities
- Rent payment: Pay rent on time as agreed
- Property care: Keep property clean and undamaged
- Neighbor consideration: Avoid excessive noise
- Lease compliance: Follow all lease terms
- Notice periods: Give required notice when leaving
Bond Recovery
- Bond authority: Government holds bond money
- Condition report: Document property condition at start/end
- Cleaning: Return property in same condition
- Damage claims: Landlord must prove tenant responsibility
- Dispute resolution: Tribunal services available
Regional Considerations
Major Cities vs Regional Areas
- Rental availability: More options in major cities
- Prices: Generally cheaper in regional areas
- Transport: May need car in regional areas
- Employment: Consider job opportunities
- Services: Medical, education, shopping access
Climate Considerations
- Air conditioning: Essential in hot climates
- Heating: Important in cooler southern cities
- Insulation: Affects comfort and utility costs
- Natural disasters: Flood, fire, cyclone risks
- Seasonal demand: Tourist areas have seasonal variations
Special Considerations
International Students
- Overseas Student Health Cover: Required health insurance
- University services: Student accommodation offices
- Homestay programs: Living with Australian families
- Purpose-built student accommodation: Modern facilities
- Temporary accommodation: While searching for permanent housing
Temporary Visa Holders
- Shorter lease terms: 6-month leases more common
- Higher bonds: Some landlords require larger deposits
- Guarantor requirements: Local references may be needed
- Furniture: Consider furnished vs unfurnished options
- Flexibility: Month-to-month arrangements preferred
Families with Children
- School zones: Research local school quality
- Safety: Proximity to parks and safe streets
- Space requirements: Number of bedrooms needed
- Family amenities: Playgrounds, childcare, medical services
- Transport: School bus routes and family-friendly transport
Red Flags to Avoid
Rental Scams
- Upfront payments: Avoid paying before viewing property
- Overseas landlords: Be cautious of properties managed remotely
- Too good to be true: Suspiciously low rent for the area
- Pressure tactics: Rushed decisions without proper inspection
- No inspection: Insistence on renting without viewing
Problem Properties
- Poor maintenance: Signs of ongoing issues
- Mold problems: Health risks and comfort issues
- Noise problems: Traffic, neighbors, construction
- Overcrowding: Too many people in small spaces
- Illegal modifications: Unsafe building alterations
Useful Resources
Government Websites
- Fair Trading: Each state has consumer protection agencies
- Tenants’ unions: Advocacy and advice organizations
- Bond authorities: State government bond management
- Legal aid: Free legal advice for housing disputes
Property Websites
- Domain.com.au: Major property portal
- Realestate.com.au: Largest property website
- Flatmates.com.au: Share accommodation specialist
- Gumtree: Classified advertisements
Support Services
- Community housing: Affordable housing organizations
- Crisis accommodation: Emergency housing services
- Multicultural services: Support for new migrants
- Student services: University accommodation offices
Moving Tips
Before Moving
- Research areas: Visit neighborhoods at different times
- Budget calculation: Include all costs and deposits
- Reference preparation: Organize employment and rental references
- Documentation: Gather all required identification and financial documents
During the Move
- Professional movers: Compare quotes for large moves
- Inventory list: Document belongings for insurance
- Utilities connection: Arrange electricity, gas, internet
- Address updates: Notify banks, employers, government agencies
After Moving
- Condition report: Document property condition with photos
- Insurance: Arrange contents insurance
- Local registration: Update address with relevant authorities
- Neighborhood integration: Introduce yourself to neighbors