Accommodation
Where to start
Many institutions have a housing service to help you find accommodation. Enquire there first. The housing service can arrange for airport pick-up and temporary accommodation. A month of homestay or student accommodation is a good temporary option. This gives you time to settle in and look for more permanent accommodation.
Check websites such as www.domain.com.au,www.realestate.com.au, www.realestateview.com.au and www.flatmatefinders.com.au for share accommodation. The Monash University website has a good explanation of common abbreviations used in rental advertisements.
Pick up rental property lists from real estate offices or download these from the internet. This is a good option if you get together with friends to rent a house or flat independently. Great properties go fast, so check regularly and respond quickly.
Explore different areas of Melbourne and Victoria on the Live in Victoria website.
Accommodation options
Home stay
Students under 18 years old are usually required to live with a local family. If you are over 18, homestays are still a great way to get to know your new community and culture, and to improve your English.
Your institution may run a homestay service, or you can access home stays through an agency. Many websites also have home stay listings. Search for 'homestay Melbourne'. Be aware that many websites are listing services only, and do not inspect accommodation or interview the host family.
Your homestay service should include:
- your own bedroom (with bed, desk, lamp and wardrobe)
- three meals a day (self-serve breakfast and lunch, plus a cooked dinner)
- electricity, gas and water bills
- involvement in family activities
- a written set of guidelines or obligations for both the host family and the student
Cost is from $200 to $300 a week. Phone and internet use will normally cost extra.
Hostels and guesthouses
Students share a bathroom, kitchen and laundry. Cost is from $150 per week and meals are not included.
University accommodation
Most universities offer accommodation on campus or nearby. Some residential colleges/apartments are self-catering; others include meals. Cost: $140 to $540 per week.
Share accommodation
Many students join together to rent a flat or a house. Accommodation rented this way is usually not furnished. You will usually need to sign a lease for 6 to 12 months, and organise to connect utilities (gas, water, electricity) yourself. You may also join an existing share household. Cost can range from $80 to $350 per week, per person. It is not practical to arrange share accommodation before you arrive.
Boarding schools
Boarding schools may be a temporary option for younger students transitioning from school to college. Many independent schools provide on-campus accommodation for international school students. Cost ranges from $9,000 to $22,000 per year, excluding school fees. Visit www.boardingschools.com.au or www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au for more details.
Questions to ask
Check where a suburb is located using Google maps and ask:
- How far is the accommodation from the city, or your educational institution?
- Is it in public transport zone 1 or 2?
- How far is it to the bus, tram or train? Which train line is it on or near?
- Is it within walking distance of supermarkets, etc?
- How much is the bond?
- If it’s a share household, is there a regular cash collection for basic items like sugar, toilet paper and cleaning products?
- Is food shared or does everyone buy their own?
- How are domestic tasks like cleaning allocated?
Next steps
Found your accommodation? What next? You'll need documents to prove you are a good tenant or flatmate. You'll need to pay some rent and bond in advance and you'll need to know your rights and responsibilities under the law. And if gas, electricity and water are not already connected, you'll need to organise these as well.
