Accommodation options and costs

From on-campus residences to shared Homestay with an Australian family, you’ll find room to grow in accommodation to suit your budget and needs.

Your institution can give you advice on your accommodation options and understanding tenant and lease conditions. Temporary accommodation can be arranged for you before you leave home so that when you arrive you have some time to consider your long-term options.

Accommodation options	Approximate cost
Homestay	A$110–270 a week
Homestay is a great way for younger international students to immerse themselves in Australian life, and benefit from the safety and supervision of adults. Meals are usually included in the cost, but self-catering Homestay is sometimes available. Single or shared rooms are available. Institutions maintain registers of families who board international students during the academic year. Institutions check that these families are reputable and offer accommodation at a reasonable standard.
Hostels and guest houses	A$80–135 a week
Hostels are usually run by organisations such as Youth Hostels Australia and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). Students share kitchen and bathroom facilities.
Shared accommodation Rental accommodation	A$70–250 a week A$100–400 a week
Sharing off-campus accommodation is very popular with international students. You should look for advertisements on campus noticeboards and local newspapers. Expect that you will have to provide your own furniture. When renting a house, apartment or bed sitter, landlords require rent to be paid in advance, and will require a security bond equal to one months’ rent.
Boarding schools	A$10,000–20,000 a year
Many private secondary schools provide accommodation, meals and laundry services for international students. Note: Tuition fees are in addition to the boarding fees.
Campus accommodation	A$80–250 per week
Most universities and some vocational institutions offer a variety of accommodation on or near campus, such as apartments, residential colleges or halls of residence. The cost varies on the type of accommodation. Residential colleges are slightly more expensive and provide accommodation with meals. They may also have sporting and social facilities, tutoring, libraries and computer facilities. Halls of residence are located on or near institution campuses. Students usually have meals and some cleaning services provided. Students need to apply early because demand for places is high.