|
Australia
offers a high standard and variety of accommodation to suit
different budgets and needs.
Help
with Accommodation
Most institutions have an accommodation officer who is able
to advise you and your family on accommodation options and
expenses. Student notice boards often advertise rooms, apartments
and houses for rent or to share with other students.
You should
contact the accommodation office at your chosen institution
to arrange temporary accommodation before leaving home. This
will allow you time to consider where and how you would like
to be accommodated in the longer term.
Types
and Cost of Accommodation
Here is a brief description of different types of accommodation
available to you and approximate costs:
| Homestay
or Farmstay |
A$150
- A$200 per week |
|
| Full
Board |
A$50
- A$150 per week depending on services provided |
|
| Hostels
and Guest Houses |
A$80
- A$120 per week |
|
| Share
Accommodation |
A$70
- A$120 upward per week |
|
| Rental
Accommodation |
A$100
- A$150 upward per week |
|
| Boarding
Schools |
A$8000
- A$9000 per year at a private school |
|
| University
Apartments |
A$130
- A$215 per week |
|
| University
Residential Colleges |
A$150
- A$250 per week |
|
| University
Halls of Residence |
A$80
- A$150 per week |
|
| Self-managed
On-campus Housing |
A$40
- A$80 per week |
|
| Own
Home |
|
Homestay
or Farmstay
Homestay or Farmstay means boarding with a local family during
the academic year. Institutions maintain a register of families
prepared to board international students. Meals are usually
included in the cost. Single or shared rooms may be offered
and the cost will vary accordingly. Homestay is popular with
younger students and those studying short-term English courses.
Self-catering homestay is sometimes available cheaply. Farmstay
offers exactly the same services in a rural setting.
Australian
institutions ensure that homestay and farmstay families are
reputable and that accommodation is of a reasonable standard.
This type of accommodation would give you access to the Australian
lifestyle in a natural and friendly way. In many cases you
are treated like a member of the family.
Full
Board
Full board is similar to homestay or farmstay but less formal.
You can negotiate personally with the landlord the standard
of accommodation and meals you require.
Hostels
and Guest Houses
Hostels are usually run by organisations such as Youth Hostels
and Young Men and Young Women Christian Associations. You
will share kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Boarding
School
Many private secondary schools provide accommodation, meals
and laundry services for international students.
Share
and Rental Accommodation
Houses and apartments can be rented from a real estate agent
or from private owners. They can be either furnished or unfurnished.
Many students choose to share a house or apartment with other
students. They advertise on student notice boards and in the
classified advertisement section of newspapers. In this arrangement
you would have your own bedroom but share communal areas as
well as responsibilities for keeping house.
Rents
vary dramatically across the country as do costs of many other
living requirements. When renting a house or apartment landlords
require rent to be paid in advance and the payment of a security
bond equal to one month’s rent. The bond is used to repair
any damage done to the property by the tenant. If no damage
is incurred, the bond is returned when the lease expires.
If you
decide to rent a house or apartment a legal document usually
has to be signed between the owner of the house and the tenant
(yourself). This document called a lease sets down the obligations
of the owner and the tenant. The lease requires the owner
to make sure all utilities are properly installed and working
and the tenant must keep the house or apartment in a good
condition.
University
Apartments
Postgraduate and married students have access to this type
of self-contained, fully furnished accommodation available
at universities.
University
Residential Colleges
Residential colleges are generally owned and managed by organisations
which are independent from the universities although many
of them are on campus while others are nearby. Colleges provide
accommodation with meals. Cleaning and household tasks are
undertaken by the college. They also provide sporting and
social facilities, tutoring and libraries.
University
Halls of Residence
Halls of residence are located on or near university campuses
and are cheaper than residential colleges. You may find them
an attractive alternative. Although meals and some cleaning
services are usually provided they can also be self-catering.
Only full-time students are accepted They do not provide all-round
service like the residential colleges.
Self-managed
On-campus Housing
These are generally associated with universities outside the
bigger cities. They generally contain between six and 20 single
rooms plus communal kitchen, bathroom, laundry and lounge
areas. The premises are maintained and cleaned by the university.
You will find more independence than at a residential college
and lower costs.
Own
Home
The families of some international students own homes in Australia.
Students in these cases often choose this option. A few international
students own their own homes in Australia. Some international
students also live in a home which includes some or all members
of their immediate family who come to live in Australia while
their children are studying.
|
