The Iglu Guide | Blog
How to find the best student accommodation in Australia
Now you’ve decided you’re coming to study in Australia, it’s time to find yourself some student accommodation. Understanding what will suit you best is going to take a little bit of research and organisation, and you can start that process by jumping online and investigating your options. Here’s 3 tips to get you on your way.
1. Start your research
Once your university place has been confirmed, you can start researching the best student accommodation options here in Australia. The earlier you begin this, the more chance you will have of success! We recommend starting this around six months out from when you move. Make sure you know exactly where your course is going to be located because not all campuses are based in the city centre, and then think about how far you are prepared to travel in and out of university every day. Ask yourself whether you want to live close to campus and near to transport options, or whether you are prepared to compromise on location and potentially save some money on rent. Talk to your university and see if they have any recommendations, and discuss with family and friends what you want to get out of your student accommodation experience in Australia. Combine this with your budget limitations and use that as your search criteria for finding the best student accommodation to suit you. It’s a good idea to check out some student forums and get some honest opinions about university accommodation as well.
2. What type of Australian student accommodation suits you best?
Have a look through the many types of student accommodation on offer and understand the pros and cons of each one before finally taking the plunge. Options range from purpose-built student accommodation through to university-owned and college accommodation as well as private rentals. Each has advantages and disadvantages, and much of it will depend on how you like to live. For students that prefer independent living in a safe and secure environment, well-located purpose-built student accommodation is the perfect solution. Students that prefer accommodation within university grounds or very close by may prefer university-owned residential accommodation. Students that are prepared to compromise on modernity and location in return for cheaper rent will likely prefer a private rental option. Once you have decided on your preference, it’s time to check through your budget and narrow down your search to find your new student accommodation.
3. Finding your student accommodation in Australia
The most popular way to find student accommodation in Australia is by jumping online. This is a fast moving market so availability can change quickly. Check out what’s available on these popular student accommodation websites.
Student.com
A leading marketplace for international student housing founded back in 2011, this website specialises in the student experience. Every provider on this site is thoroughly vetted and approved before they can list properties, giving students complete assurance and peace of mind that they can find the best room for their needs. Compare and contrast different accommodation options before deciding what suits you best.
Flatmates
This peer to peer listing site is a great way to find private student accommodation options. As Australia’s biggest share accommodation website, Flatmates is guaranteed to have some options that will suits all needs and budgets. As well as browsing potential accommodation options, you can create a ‘room wanted’ profile to let others know you’re looking for a property. Don’t worry if you don’t succeed with your first choice, availability changes quickly and more options are listed all the time.
Uniplaces
Discover the perfect Australian student accommodation online, and book yourself in from anywhere in the world. As well as offering private student accommodation rentals, Uniplaces also has Uniresidences on offer that are specifically designed for the student community, and all located close to city centres.
Casita
This handy portal makes booking your student accommodation super easy. It only lists buildings that are designed and managed for university students to live in, so all properties are curated specifically to meet student needs. Browse the accommodation options available online and talk to an expert for information. Once you have decided on your accommodation, they will help you fill in the application and ensure availability before the process is completed.
Gumtree and Roomi are also quick ways to find student accommodation, and it pays to keep an eye on Facebook to see what might pop up in your feed.
