If you are coming to study in Australia, you can rent a residence similar to this one of the photo above, in the range of A$ 800 per week. Calm down! We are not presuming that you are multi-millionaire, but believe it or not, some students are in houses like that. In a mansion of eight rooms, eight students paying around A$ 100 per persons per week, which includes a swimming pool, pontoon for a boat, sauna and much more. But this could only happen after spending a certain time in your city in Australia, when the student have some knowledge of the area and have made some friends or know how to find people to share an accommodation. Most students however will rent a 2 or 3 bedroom apartments or house and share it with 2 to 3 people with each one still paying about $80 to $ 120 per week. Other than this, it’s better stay in a Homestay or Hostel Backpacker or Au Pair.

Camping in a tent could be the cheapest option of all, but when the winter and rain arrives, you will suffer, beside the fact this type of accommodations is inadequate for students.

In our opinion we consider the homestay an excellent option for the first month when there is always of lot of doubts and adjustments to the new environment. It's much easier when you have just arrived to have an individual room and meals on the table 7 days per week. The family may give you precious tips about the city, and in some cases, even help you to obtain job. For example, this was the case of a student that was looking for a job in restaurant close by but had no luck speaking with the manager. She was almost giving up, when she mentioned the fact to her host family. To her surprise, the family advised her that she was making big mistake, instead of going during the week, she should go during the weekend such as Saturdays morning, when the manager was there for sure. The student went the next weekend, found the manager, and got a job preparing and cleaning tables. The families usually know very well the place where they live and they have a lot of tips that will be able to facilitate the student’s life. In addition and best of all, you will practice your English.

On the other hand Hostels are also a very good option. It is cheaper than a Homestay, but it does not include meals, and to buy meals in restaurants or take away, could be very expensive for a student. A breakfast in the morning plus other meals per day is no less than A$ 15, unless you eat noodles and instant soup everyday. Comparing to A$ 200 per week in a homestay (including 7 days of breakfast and meals) to A$ 140 of the Hostel without food, but adding 7 days of meals for at least A$ 15, will be a total of A$ 255 in the Hostel against A$ 200 of the Homestay, that means the hostel is 20% more expensive than a homestay. The hostel has some very important advantages in relation to individual freedom, not having to follow the home schedules, and to be the self-reliant. But remember however that the room is collective, and in some establishments, you will share with a number between 2 up to 8 people in bunks in the same room who may be coming and going during the day or night.

Renting or sharing an apartment is the natural progression for the students while they get to know more people and are better adapted in Australia. It will also make it a significant  savings considering the whole period of stay. To find people to share, you can consult local newspapers or the best way is to look at the boards in all Universities and courses. There are also companies specialized in connecting people. But pay attention, share accommodation can be a cause of small little problems. The biggest problem is that many students have never lived on their own before. Therefore many students are used to having someone preparing their meals, washing their clothes, making the bed, sweeping the floor and paying the bills. In Australia each person has to do all or share these daily duties, and many students with the novelty of independency, forget certain basic tasks and rules. The result can be a disaster, with a big messy house and a lot of misunderstandings between mates.

The main problems may occur because of: payment delay of the share part of the rent, electricity bill or telephone, dirty dishes in the sink, pots with food remaining forever in the stove, excess of drinks, noisy or loud music, clothes everywhere, not flushing the toilet, the replacement of common items as detergent and toilet paper, leaving the bathroom flooded after shower , using other peoples clothes without authorization, private toiletry and shaving devices, make up and so on. That’s why although sharing an apartment could be the cheapest way to live, it can become a nightmare. Choosing wrong mates and not clarifying the rules and duties to each one could lead into many problems and an unpleasant stay.

Summarizing: A Hostel is a good transitory lodging until obtaining another more permanent. Homestay is one of the best options for staying in the beginning. And to share an apartment is the best option for students staying for long periods. Each one of the situations above, have positive and negative points. In our opinion the ideal situation, if the student could afford, is to Rent an Apartment of 1 furnished room for about A$ 180 to 220 per week by yourself. It is not cheapest option, but it is by far the best.

Another important detail related to any type of accommodation you choose, is the Location. Location, Location! This is how Real State in Australia advertises strategic spots and properties. If you stay about 2 blocks distance from the course, another 3 or 4 from the supermarket, and close to entertainment and night clubs, so that you are to walk or by ride bike to most places, may end up saving you another A$ 70 per week in transports.

Tip: If you plan to rent in Australia, and it is your first time renting, bring from your country a reference letter (in English) attesting that you have financial condictions or a reference letter from your Real Estate Agent.

To read more about that go to How to Save in Australia and also check our Backpackers Hostels Guide to know how you can save in Australia..