Searching for new accommodation in Australia can be a challenging task for many international students who are looking to study there. The thought of moving to another country to study is troublesome enough without the challenge of finding good and affordable accommodation in Australia.
Fortunately, there are a lot of options from which you can select a comfy place to stay within your budget. So, if you are one of those students who is looking for great student accommodation in Australia, here are a few pieces of information that may be beneficial to you.
Important tips regarding student accommodation in Australia
As mentioned earlier, choosing the right kind of student accommodation can be vital to making a smooth entrance into your new country, so let us discuss a few tips that you need to consider while choosing the right student accommodation in Australia.
1. Manage your expectations
If you are new to Australia, you are possibly not familiar with how some things, like when to check in, when to pay rent, etc., work here. The services you can get here include several responsibilities and rights that are both cultural and legal. So, you need to learn all the rental issues and procedures before committing to a specific accommodation.
You should understand the procedures, like signing a lease paying, placement fees, paying a security deposit, paying advance rent, and cleaning fees, and many more.
2. Find a reliable provider as per your budget
There are different types of accommodations to select from in Australia. If you are a student, you can choose one among the following options:
- PBSA, or purpose-built student accommodations.
- Homestay, where you need to live with a family.
- On-Campus Housing.
- Rental Properties, such as apartments and houses.
- Serviced Apartments.
- Residential Colleges.
- Hostels.
Among these options, which one you choose to live in will depend mainly on the duration of your stay, what kind of accommodation you prefer, and of course, your budget.
3. Plan the length of your stay
The lease term that you are required to sign in Australia will be heavily influenced by the sort of housing that you choose. The following are some examples: almost all PBSA providers and On-Campus Colleges need their students to sign long-term leases. However, not all foreign students can complete their stay in these types of accommodations.
So, before choosing your room, you will have enough time to search and even select a new room after you arrive in Australia. However, you need to remember that in those initial weeks, you should know about the place and start to feel familiar and comfortable within the new environment of this new country.
4. Arrive before your course starts
Once your course starts, you need to focus on your studies. Thus, you need to arrive in the new place a few days before the start of your course. Within those days, you can get used to your new accommodations, new city, public transport, new surroundings, etc.
5. Protect yourself against scams and illegal providers
Australia is a relatively secure country, but tourists should be wary of scams and unlicensed service providers. It’s important to remember to stay away from generic websites and foreign booking sites when selecting a hotel. Understand that you have certain legal protections as a renter. If you arm yourself with the right information, you can identify illegal service suppliers and steer clear of them.
So, these are some tips with which you can find great accommodation in Australia. Now, let us go through some of the good accommodation options in Australia.
Student accommodations in Australia
- Managed student accommodation
Managed student accommodations are built around almost all significant colleges, and university campuses are a purpose-built and convenient staying option for foreign students. These rooms are furnished, and you can live here with several fellow students. However, these types of staying options can be a little bit costly.
- Homestay
It is one kind of cultural exchange that allows foreign students to stay in the house of a local family for the first few weeks of their stay in Australia. A comfortable homestay will give you a chance to learn about the culture of the area and meet new people.
- Private rental
Shared houses or private rentals are housing options that you can rent from a landlord. In this kind of accommodation, you can live a more independent life. Also, if you can share it with your roommates, then it can be a more affordable option.
Therefore, if you want to discover the best student housing in Australia, you need to plan carefully and continue to educate yourself on the subject.