Insider Guides International Student Guide to Melbourne | Page 11

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Option

Overview

What you get

Cost

Benefits

Negatives

Private
Rental

This is true
independent
living - renting an
apartment or a
house either alone
or with housemates.

Furnished = Major
furniture and
appliances.

$100 - $400/
week depending on
how many you
share with and
where you live.

Meeting new people
and greater control
of your living
arrangement. Can
be cheaper than the
alternatives.

Paying for
everything. It can
also get lonely if
you’re living by
yourself.

These large
centres are full
of apartments of
varying sizes (1 to 5
bedrooms).

- Fully furnished
bedroom

$200 - $500/
week

They are safe
and there is a
real emphasis on
community - some
house over 400
students!

It can be quite
expensive and
Internet speeds
can be quite slow
at night when
everyone is on at
the same time.

$285- $410/
week

Meet lots of different
people and have
access to great study
facilities. You also
get fed if you don’t
like cooking!

Sharing
bathrooms can
be frustrating
and you’re often
locked into a
yearly contract.

$250 - $300/
week

You’ll get most of your
meals provided, as
well as Internet and
you won’t have to
worry about setting up
utilities.

Sharing with a
family might be
frustrating, you
may live quite
far from your
institution.

Student
Apartment

Unfurnished = You
will have to supply
everything for
yourself.

- Internet
- 24 hour support
- Often in excellent
locations

Residential
College

Located a short
distance from
major universities,
residential colleges
take care of all of
the basics for you.

- Furnished bedroom
(cleaned weekly)
- Meals
- Internet
- Shared kitchen
- Shared bathroom

Homestay

A homestay involves
living with a family
in their home.

- Furnished bedroom
- Meals
- Internet
- Utilities

How do I arrange managed accommodation?
For residential colleges, we recommend you check with your institution to see which
ones they have associations with and which ones have availability. You will then need to
apply and agree to their fee schedule. For student apartments, talk to your institution
to determine which ones are close by. You can often apply online or in person. As it is a
significant expense, we recommend you take a tour of the facility, talk to some residents
and talk to the staff. For more information see:
urbanest.com.au

How do I arrange a private rental?
Many international students find it hard to take out the head lease of a property as it
is very difficult to show references to the agent. Rather, they rent a room in an already
rented place. You can find these rooms on flatmates.com.au as well as gumtree.com.au.
Never provide any deposit until you have seen the place! Make sure you fully inspect the
property before signing a contract, taking note (even dated photos) of any existing damage.
Sharing with housemates can be cost effective but make sure you learn as much as possible
about your potential housemates before you agree to move in. You also need to pay close
attention to any contract you enter into. For more information see:
tuv.org.au (find rental advice)
flatmates.com.au (find a room in a place, very popular with international students)
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