Accommodation
You can choose where you live in Australia. IDP counsellors
can provide information and help you find accommodation. Your
choice may depend on your level of education, personality, study
style and financial situation.
The accommodation options for international
students are:
When you first arrive, you may stay in a
hostel or guest house while you are working out your accommodation.
Institutions often have links with local hostels which may provide
discounts to students. Hostels and guest houses are about $80 to
$135 a week and hotels are $50 to $100 a night.
On-campus residences or
colleges
These are offered at universities and some
vocational institutions. Depending on the level of services, they
cost between $100 to $400 a week. You’ll usually have a separate
bedroom but share other facilities such as the bathroom, recreation
area and laundry. Some residential colleges provide three meals a
day in a common dining room, while others have a shared kitchen
where students cook their own meals. Some are single-sex, while
others are co-educational. Some have a religious affiliation.
School boarding
houses
Most primary and high school international
students live in boarding houses on the school grounds. You're
likely to share a room with other students. Bathroom, dining and
recreation areas are shared. You’re provided with three meals a
day. Students are supervised at all times. Boarding fees range from
$10,000 to $20,000 a year.
Homestay with a local
family
Homestay means living with an Australian
family and immersing yourself in the Australian way of life.
Homestay can be either a “room only” arrangement or “full board”
where the host family provides meals. For many parents of
international students, homestay means security as their children
are living at home with responsible adults. Homestay is often
arranged through the education institution to ensure that students
are placed with an appropriate family. This is often a good option
for younger students including high school students and English
language students. Homestay fees are from around $110 to $270 a
week.
Rented
apartments and houses
In Australia, students often share an
apartment or house with others. There are usually two to four
students in a share house. You have your own bedroom but share
living areas, kitchen and laundry. Rent, electricity, gas and
telephone costs are shared. You can live alone if you prefer. This
is also a great option for students with families. Universities
often have an accommodation office to help with finding a rental
home. Rental costs depend on the area, city or regional location
and style of house or apartment. For a single person in a shared
house, costs are from $70 to $250 a week. To rent out an entire
apartment or house can cost from $100 to $600 depending on the size
and location.
To find out more about accommodation options,
talk to your IDP counsellor.
