Accommodation:
Renting and Sharing
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Accommodation Guide
The Swinburne International Accommodation Guide is a comprehensive resource featuring useful and important information on accommodation for international students.
Share Accommodation
Sharing a house or apartment with other students or local residents is a popular option for many students.
Students and local residents advertise vacant rooms and properties on the Swinburne Student Housing Database.
Rooms may become vacant at any time during the year, but most regularly at the end of each semester. If you find accommodation that seems to suit you, be sure that you understand the terms of the arrangement and what you will be paying for and what your responsibilities will be.
Renting
This means renting a vacant house or apartment through a real estate agent.
The easiest way to find vacant rental properties is by using the Internet:
We recommend that international students live close to their campus as this allows them easy access to the campus facilities and to other students. Although these may not be the cheapest areas, the advantages and the reduced travel cost/time are worth the extra expense.
Properties in Melbourne are advertised with a weekly rent, which is then due as a monthly payment (pcm). To calculate, multiply your weekly rent by 52 and then divide by 12.
Bond payments are normally required in advance and are usually equivalent to one month’s rent.
It is your responsibility to make your payments on time. Keep copies of all your receipts. Many real estate agents can provide you with a rent card so you can pay your rent at a post office or by telephone. Sometimes you can arrange for monthly deductions from your bank account, but check to see what fees are associated with this service.
It is important you understand fully what is expected of you as a tenant and what rights and responsibilities you have, as well as those of your landlord. The Rights and Responsibilities booklet at your real estate agent office will tell you what you need to know. Read it carefully.
For more information and advice on renting:
Accommodation Help Desk
Swinburne International's a free Accommodation Help Desk can provide you with face-to-face information on all accommodation topics, including renting and sharing.