Going to Australia for university education? Wow! finally, all your preparation, hard work and form filing is over, and you are all set to pave a path for yourself in Australia. However, the accommodation part is still making you nervous! It can be understood that moving to a new country, leaving your home and then finding your comfort zone in a foreign land could be challenging.
Every year the number of international students in Australian universities is increasing. In 2019, about 720,150 students enrolled across various sectors in Australian universities. With so many students and the steep cost of living in bigger cities like Melbourne and Sydney, finding the perfect accommodation might seem like a challenge.
If you are moving to the Down Under and don’t know where to start from when looking for student accommodation? Here are some tips that could help:
- Arrive in Australia at least a week before the orientation.
- Have temporary accommodation arranged before you arrive. There are thousands of students who come here. So, leaving this to the last minute might leave you with no options.
- Work out a bank account beforehand as you cannot be paying cash to book your student accommodation.
- Have a cell phone and a local phone number on you to make house hunting easy and connected.
- Always keep copies of important documents like your university selection letter, proof of nationality, Visa copies, bank certificates, reference letters, etc., ready and handy.
- Never rush and take an impulsive decision. Always know the pros and cons of the choices you have.
- Before you arrive in Australia, do your research online, talk to previous students and be a part of student forums. If you have done enough research and already made a mind map on what kind of student accommodation you would like, you can start house hunting as soon as you are here.
Australia offers different accommodations like an on-campus living, off-campus housing, and homestays. So, it’s great to know which one would you like to pursue. Here are the details about each of these:
On-campus
Approximately all major schools offer on-campus accommodation for the student. Living on campus is convenient and comfortable as you are at a walking distance from your classes. However, living on-campus could be a fairly expensive option. Living on-campus could be a great decision for first-time university students who have not stayed out of their homes before.
While staying on campus, the students have to follow certain rules, which are known as resident assistant (RA) rules that might include compulsory study hours and light-out timings. Moreover, there could be fixed food timings and food choices that might not go with everyone’s’ tastes. In short, it might get a little over-bearing for students who are looking for more adventures in their independent time.
Off-campus
Because of affordability, freedom, and relevant distance from the campus, off-campus accommodations are popular amongst students. If you are someone who has lived out of the house before or if you are someone who likes to be in a lonely setting, living off-campus could be an excellent move.
Off-campus accommodations are not just bare living spaces near the university, they are rather communities that offer almost everything on-campus. Off-campus accommodations can be found on verified websites such as Iglu. Here are some advantages of choosing off-campus accommodation for your university days:
- Freedom and lesser restrictions
- Monthly rent includes utilities like Wi-Fi, water, electricity, sewer, trash, and on-site security
- Spacious
- You can choose the floor plan you like
- Privacy
- Amenities
- Social life
Homestay
In a homestay arrangement, students stay as a paying guest in an Australian household. This arrangement mostly includes meals and furniture. However, homestays could be a closed environment for younger students.
