Finding Housing After You Arrive in Australia or New Zealand

Start from temporary lodging — and search safely

Many students land into temporary accommodation — a hostel, short-stay rental, university arrival housing or a friend's place — and then search for something longer-term. That is a sensible approach: it lets you inspect places in person and understand neighbourhoods before you commit.

Use it as a base for a focused search rather than rushing into the first option. Visit areas near your campus and public transport, talk to your university's accommodation service, and never pay money for a property you have not been able to verify is real and available.

Where students typically find rooms

There are several common routes, and most students combine them:

• University accommodation services and noticeboards — often the safest starting point
• Purpose-built student accommodation providers near campus
• Private rentals listed on established letting platforms and agency websites
• Flatmate / share-house listings where you rent a room in a shared home
• Community and student groups — verify any private listing carefully before paying

Inspections and applying for a rental

For private rentals you usually attend an inspection (a viewing) before applying. Check the condition, heating, water pressure, mould, security and what furniture or appliances are included. Ask who pays for utilities such as electricity, gas, water and internet.

To apply, landlords and agents typically ask for identification, proof you can pay (such as evidence of funds, a scholarship letter or part-time income), and references. Competition can be strong in popular areas, so have your documents ready. Read everything before signing and ask questions about anything you do not understand.

Bond, tenancy agreements and guarantors

When you sign a lease you normally pay a security deposit — called a bond in Australia and New Zealand — plus rent in advance. In both countries, your bond should be lodged with the official government tenancy authority, not simply held by the landlord, and you should receive a receipt or lodgement confirmation. The amounts, lodgement process and rules differ by state, territory or country, so confirm them on the official tenancy authority before you sign. Always complete a condition report at move-in, with photos, so you can recover your bond at the end.

Some landlords ask for a guarantor — someone who agrees to cover unpaid rent or damage. International students without a local guarantor may be offered alternatives by some providers. Tenancy laws set out your rights and the landlord's obligations; learn them through the official tenancy authority for your state, territory or country before you sign.

• Get a written tenancy agreement and keep a copy
• Confirm your bond is lodged with the official tenancy authority and get a receipt
• Complete a condition report with dated photos at move-in
• Understand notice periods, rent-increase rules and how to end a lease

Sharing a flat and living with flatmates

A flatshare or share house is often the most affordable option: you rent a room and share kitchen, bathroom and common areas, splitting rent and bills. Clarify before moving in how rent and utilities are divided, whether you are on the lease or sub-letting, what the bond arrangement is, and the house rules.

Being on the official lease gives you stronger legal protection than an informal arrangement. If you sub-let or join an existing household, get the terms in writing and understand who is responsible for what, so disagreements later are easier to resolve.

Avoiding rental scams

Rental scams target new arrivals who do not yet know the local market. Be cautious of any listing that pressures you to pay a deposit or rent before you have seen the property in person or verified it, asks for money by untraceable methods, or refuses a proper viewing and written agreement.

Never transfer a bond or rent for a place you have not confirmed is genuine. Lodge bonds only through the official tenancy authority, use established platforms and licensed agents where possible, and ask your university's accommodation service to sanity-check anything that feels off. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.