Are you an international student looking for accommodation in Australia? Are you confused by all the housing options available and the rental process? Hopefully, this post can help untangle that complicated mess for you!

One of the first decisions you will need to make after enrolling is to decide what type of place you want to live in, and where. Melbourne offers a wide variety of accommodation options to suit your needs. You can choose to rent your own apartment, townhouse or house; you can even share a flat or house with other people, or you can even rent a space within a special-purposed student accommodation facility!

What is the difference between a Student Accommodation facility, a private apartment, a townhouse and a house?

We have compared properties within 5km of our Reservoir campus (which were mostly found on realestate.com.au‘s website) for you!

Student accommodation 

Cost: Between $280 – $415 per week

Included:

• Private room with single or double bed
• Furniture
• Air-conditioning and heating unit
• Telephone and internet access
• Electricity and water bills
• Weekly room clean
• Swimming pool and gym access

Advantages:

• Electricity and water bills included
• Short-term and long-term leases available
• Various amenities and services generally unavailable with private properties
• Live amongst other students also usually from overseas

Disadvantages:

• You may not get the opportunity to experience what it is like to live amongst the local population

Private apartment

Cost: Between $200 – $340 per week (prices based on 1-bedroom apartments)

Included:

• Private room
• Car spot (garage / building parking)

Advantages:

• Able to choose the type of apartment and location
• May be able to find a larger apartment to share with friends
• Really experience what it is like to live amongst the local population

Disadvantages:

• You will have to factor in additional costs for furnishing the apartment, as well as bills such as electricity and water bills
• The bond for international students is usually higher – this will depend on the owner of the property and may vary on the amount they choose to charge
• International students may have a hard time finding suitable apartments due to lack of references

Townhouse

Cost: Between $380 – $625 per week (prices based on 3-bedroom townhouses)

Included:

• Private room
• Car spots (garage / car port)

Advantages:

• Able to choose the type of townhouse and location
• May be able to find a larger townhouse to share with friends
• Really experience what it is like to live amongst the local population

Disadvantages:

• You will have to factor in additional costs for furnishing the townhouse, as well as bills such as electricity and water bills
• The bond for international students is usually higher – this will depend on the owner of the property and may vary on the amount they choose to charge
• International students may have a hard time finding suitable apartments due to lack of references

House

Cost: Between $300 – $750 per week (prices based on 3-bedroom houses)

Included:

• Private room
• Car spots (garage / car port)
• Backyard

Advantages:

• Able to choose the type of house and location
• May be able to find a larger house to share with friends
• Have a backyard for exercise and fresh air, or even barbecues and get-togethers
• Really experience what it is like to live amongst the local population

Disadvantages:

• You will have to factor in additional costs for furnishing the house, as well as bills such as electricity and water bills
• The bond for international students is usually higher – this will depend on the owner of the property and may vary on the amount they choose to charge
• International students may have a hard time finding suitable apartments due to lack of references

Please note that what is included in the rent may vary from one property to another, the above is an overview of what is generally included. Please confirm with your landlords or providers as to what is specifically included in your agreement.

What we suggest

Moving hundreds and thousands of kilometres away from home to study in a foreign land can be pretty daunting. Especially if it is your first time.

After speaking to many real estate agents and international students, here is our advice, prior to leaving your home country, organise your temporary accommodation such as flexible student accommodation facility, as far in advance as possible. By doing this, you might be able to secure a better rate and certainty that there is a place for you to live in Australia when you arrive.

Once you are in Australia, you can start exploring and find out which suburbs you might like to live in, what types of homes best suit you and your financial needs, and what amenities you need nearby.

Dolph Business School has special rates for our students with student accommodation facilities – contact us to find out more.

What is included in my rent?

With BellCity’s Student Accommodation facility, you can choose between a single bed studio apartment or a double bed studio apartment. A single bed studio apartment starts from $280 per week and a double bed studio apartment starts from $350 per week (prices are not inclusive of the discount).

If you are a Dolph Business School student, we have negotiated an attractive rate specially for our students – you are eligible for a 5% discount off BellCity’s student accommodation rates!

BellCity is located approximately 4km from our campus in Reservoir, Melbourne. You can hop on a bus or a train within walking distance from BellCitry straight to the front of our Reservoir campus. BellCity also offers a free shuttle service on weekdays – subject to availability. Click here to find out more.

Your rent includes:

• a private room with single or double bed (depending on your choice)
• flat screen TV
• bar fridge
• microwave oven
• air-conditioning / heating unit
• telephone and internet access
• work desk and chair
• built-in wardrobe
• ensuite bathroom
• weekly room clean
• bed linen
• all electricity and water bills
• free shuttle bus services on weekdays – subject to availability
• access to BellCity’s hotel facilities such as:
  • laundry and dry cleaning services
  • swimming pool
  • gym and sauna
  • games room
  • restaurants and bars
  • BBQ area
  • secure undercover parking

How long is my lease for?

With a flexible student accommodation facility, you may choose to stay for 1-month, 2-months, or even for the entire duration of your studies! The longer you choose to stay with them, the cheaper the rate will be for you.

We usually recommend for students not to commit to a long lease until they have arrived in Australia, explored a little to find out what type of accommodation best suits them and which suburb they would like to live in. Once they are familiar with their surroundings, then we advise for them to make their decision.Where else can I find information about available properties for rent in Australia?

You can head to the following websites to get an idea of what properties are available, how much they cost, where they are located, how far they are to supermarkets and train stations:

www.realestate.com.au

www.domain.com.au

www.flatmates.com.au

www.sharehouses.com.au

If you are a student with Dolph Business School and need help with finding suitable accommodation nearby the campus once you are in Australia, you can contact the Residential Leasing Managers from Barry Plant Preston who will be more than happy to assist you with your accommodation needs in Australia.

What are my rights as a tenant?

Please note that your responsibilities and obligations vary if you were to live in a Student Accommodation facility and if you were to rent out a private property. It is best to check out Consumer Affairs Victoria’s website which gives you plenty of information on your rights when it comes to your tenancy: www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/

Be sure to read your rental agreement or student accommodation agreement thoroughly and ask questions to the rental manager or the student accommodation manager before signing the agreement. Once it is signed, you are legally bound by the terms and conditions of the agreement.

If you are unsure about anything, it pays to seek clarification before diving in and committing yourself!

Good luck in your accommodation search and don’t hesitate to get in touch with us if you have any questions or need some guidance!