Accommodation in Australia for International Students
Australia is home to over 637,000 international students, the country has an advanced list of well-liked study-abroad destinations. Since 2017, there has been an ongoing increase of about 11% in the proportion of overseas students that Australia has attracted. The Australian Government recommends a single spending plan of AU$19,830 per year with day-to-day expenses. Spending on education at one of Australia’s higher education institutions is between 20,000 AUD and 30,000 AUD per year. Keep on reading to know more about accommodation in Australia for International students.
Costs of Student Accommodation in Australia
| Accommodation in Australia | Costs (in AUD) |
| Homestay | 250 and 350 per week |
| Residential Colleges | 200 and 750 per week |
| Managed Student Apartments | 200 and 500 per week |
| Private Rental | 100 and 500 per week |
| Hostel Accommodation | 90 to 150 per week. |
| On-Campus Housing | 80 to 250 per week |
Types of Student Accommodation in Australia
1. Homestay – International students can fully immerse themselves in Australian culture by participating in homestay programs, which involve living with an Australian family. Students in short-term English classes or secondary school are fond of these programs. Students will discover that the housing department of their college maintains a list of licensed and trustworthy homestay hosts. With a local host family, this form of lodging will give you worthwhile cultural experiences. Both short-term and long-term homestays are offered. These include –
- Airport pickup
- A furnished space at your host’s house
- Well-organized meals with every utility
- Greetings and direction
- Assistance for homestay agents
- Exchange of cultures with your host family
| Pros | Cons |
| Homestays are less expensive than other forms of lodging because they just include meals and laundry services.
You won’t miss the luxuries or the sense of family you might be used to at home while staying in homestays. |
When staying with host families, you could miss out on social opportunities.
Some students might even have trouble adjusting to the lifestyle of a different family, especially when it comes to the food or observing household rules. |
Also read: 5 Reasons to Choose Homestay Accommodation While Studying Abroad
2. Residential Colleges – International students frequently choose to live on or close to campus in a residential institution. Additionally, it is among the easiest and most practical ways to stay and study in Australia. Student housing, meals, housekeeping, and a variety of services for social and academic requirements are all provided by residential institutions. They are typically more expensive than residence halls, which provide lodging but fewer additional amenities than residential colleges, due to the large range of services they offer. For students who want a more autonomous lifestyle, self-catering facilities are also available. Halls of residence rooms include certain meals and housekeeping services. These include –
- Every meal
- Weekly cleaning
- A fully furnished bedroom
- Simple access to library resources
- Wifi and tutors
| Pros | Cons |
| Most likely, you may locate a student apartment close to your campus. You may take a quick public transportation ride or you could walk to the campus.
A more independent way of life and private, self-contained living quarters are offered by living in college residences. |
You can miss out on the sense of community that comes with living on campus if you live in student apartments.
You would have to pay extra costs for things like tutoring, food, and internet access. Additionally, you are responsible for organizing these amenities. |
3. Managed Student Apartments – Some colleges allow students to rent residences that are on or near the campus. Under this arrangement, students can live independently while having the security of university-provided housing. Students in Australia have access to a variety of housing alternatives, so they should carefully consider which one best suits their needs. There are many off-campus housing possibilities because, on average, 90–100% of students in Australia live off-campus. However, it also implies that there is a significant demand for accommodation, particularly close to campuses. International students are advised to get settled before classes commence by flying into Australia two to three weeks before the start of orientation. It include –
- A bedroom that is furnished with a bed, mattresses, a chair, and a desk for studying.
- 24-hour protection and on-site staff assistance
- Community laundry rooms
- Equipped kitchen and bathroom
- Study Area
- Recreational spaces include movie theaters, gyms, table tennis courts, gaming consoles, television sets, and BBQs.
| Pros | Cons |
| Managed student apartments feature lower living expenses because more people contribute to paying the bills and rent.
You can build a strong foundation for friendship by sharing housing with others. |
Lack of privacy is one of the biggest drawbacks of living in a shared home. The bathroom, living room, and kitchen will all need to be shared. When you and your housemate need to use the restroom at the same time before leaving for school or work, it might become problematic.
It might be challenging to manage with your housemate if they have a variety of negative behaviors, such as listening to loud music or taking your food. |
4. Private Rental – In Australia, a lot of college students opt to split the cost of a rented home among numerous roommates. For international students who wish to fully experience Australian culture, this is the finest housing option. Depending on your option, you can live with your pals or by yourself. Comparatively speaking to other types of accommodations, these are affordable choices. Rent advance payments and security deposit payments are required by rental agreements. Rent for one month is paid in full as the bond.
| Pros | Cons |
| You are free to choose where you want to reside. It can entail building a home farther out in the suburbs or inside the city.
Compared to other accommodations, private rentals give a lot more freedom. Managing household responsibilities like splitting up cleaning jobs, paying your bills, and even interacting with property managers or landlords, helps you develop self-sufficiency and responsibility. |
You have to interact with landlords and real estate agents.
It might be challenging to share a space with people who lead different lives from your own. Living away from home can be expensive, especially if you choose to live alone. You’ll have extra costs to pay for things like bills and food. |
5. Hostel Accommodation – Hostels or guest houses may be the preferred lodging option for certain overseas students. In this kind of housing, the kitchen and bathroom are shared, and the students prepare their meals. They also give international students a great chance to socialize with one another. This is a well-liked choice for students who are going to study abroad. In the interim, until they locate a more permanent residence, it is a great short-term choice for students.
| Pros | Cons |
| The proximity of a hostel to your college is unquestionably advantageous.
When you stay at a hostel, especially when you’re new to the area, you can meet new people. |
When you have to pay extra for meals, you can find that the cost only seldom equals the value of what you receive.
In a hostel, you must share the facilities with other students. |
6. On-Campus Housing – Even though the majority of students in Australia live off campus, certain institutions in that country do offer the house to their students in the form of residential colleges, halls of residence, or apartments. Before arriving in Australia, overseas students should get in touch with their university to inquire about costs and lodging options since these differ by campus. Students should apply early as well because there are only a few of these in-demand accommodations. International students have access to full-boarding alternatives at several private secondary institutions in Australia. Private or shared rooms are available to students.
| Pros | Cons |
| Building social relationships is possible at boarding schools.
You receive every service, including washing, food, and cleaning. Additionally, you might be able to take part in social events and receive instruction. |
You may have to share the kitchen and bathroom with other boarders in addition to being limited to one room.
On-Campus housing costs can be exceedingly expensive. |
How To Apply For Student Accommodation in Australia?
International students who decide to pursue their studies in Australia have a wide variety of housing alternatives to select from. However, because Australian universities offer little to no university housing, students need to be informed that lodging there is significantly different from what many overseas students may be used to. On-campus accommodation is rare in Australian colleges; instead, most students live off-campus through homestay programs, hostels, or rental homes.
- You should first think about your budget before searching for possibilities given the variety of student housing options in Australia. Both on-campus and off-campus universities are available to you.
- Make sure to examine the financial aid programs offered by your college, including grants, scholarships, and any potential government benefits like rent assistance and relocation subsidies.
When it comes to obtaining accommodations for international students in Australia, there are numerous choices accessible. However, it is crucial to take into account all of your needs and budget while selecting the ideal accommodation in Australia for International students.
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