Accommodation
There is a wide range of accommodation options for international students living in Brisbane, including:
» Temporary accommodation
» Homestay with Brisbane families
» On-campus accommodation
» Share accomodation with other students
Finding the right accommodation is one of the most important tasks you will be faced with.
» Questions to ask yourself when looking for accommodation
» Signing a Tenancy Agreement
Temporary accommodation
Temporary accommodation can include hotels, Youth Hostels and Backpackers. You will pay for basic accommodation (often a bed in a dormitory) and share a bathroom, lounge and sometimes a kitchen. You can specify a shared room which is single sex (all male or all female) and private rooms may also be available. This can be a good, cheap, short-term option for when you first arrive.
Homestay with Brisbane families
Homestay is popular with students who are new to Brisbane and want to settle in and make friends before they look at other accommodation options. Homestay is a safe and easy option for new students. It is an opportunity to experience Australian life by living with an Australian family. Southbank Institute works with two Homestay Providers:
» Australian Homestay Network
» International Student Care Australia
When you request a Homestay placement, the Homestay Provider will match you with a suitable Homestay family. The host family will take the time to help you settle in and will usually provide your meals. Our Homestay Providers are also trained in providing accommodation and welfare for students under 18 years.
On-campus accommodation
Urbanest is a brand new student accommodation located next door to our campus, giving Australian and International students the opportunity to live close to campus while studying.
Share accomodation with other students
In a shared house, you will usually have your own room and will share the kitchen, bathroom and living areas with the other members of the household. A weekly fee (rent) is charged for the whole house and you will pay your own portion of that rent. You may also pay additional costs for electricity or gas. You will find that “Share accommodation” can be organised in many different ways. For example, you may sign a Tenancy Agreement and pay rent directly to a Real Estate agent or, you may pay your rent directly to another member of the household. Whatever the arrangement, make sure it is clear how much rent you will be paying and how long you will be allowed to stay. Always insist on a receipt for any payments that you make.
Share accommodation can be found in many different ways: through websites, on campus notice boards and in local newspapers.
Questions to ask yourself when looking for accommodation
- Do I want to live with other students?
- Do I want to share a bathroom with someone else?
- Am I prepared to compromise to get along with people in a share house?
- Do I want to live alone?
- How much is the weekly rent?
- Does the rent include everything?
- Will I have to pay extra for electricity bills?
- What is my budget?
- How long will I stay there?
- Is it close to a bus or train or ferry?
- How much will it cost me to travel to Southbank?
- Is it in an area where I feel safe?
Signing a Tenancy Agreement
- If you are renting through a Real Estate agent you will usually be asked to sign a Tenancy Agreement. This is the contract that lists your responsibilities; how much you will pay and how long you will be allowed to stay.
- Make sure you have read and understand the terms and conditions of any Tenancy Agreement before you sign.
- You will usually be asked to pay a deposit (“bond”) in advance. This may be equal to 4 weeks rent. Bond money must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority by the provider/agent and you must be provided with a receipt.
- A “condition report” on the accommodation will be completed before you move in. The condition report lists the condition of the property. It is important that you check the report carefully, as it could affect how much of your bond is refunded to you at the end of your tenancy agreement.
- If you are unsure about signing a tenancy agreement or have any questions regarding rental properties the Residential Tenancies Authority is the organisation that can help you.