One part of the educational exchange process is to define where to live at. Is usually leave this part for the end but certainly is one of the most important decisions to make.

There are some types of accommodation which you can choose for. Below you will find the most important, defined in order of demand. In order words, it’s organized by the accommodation types preferred by students.

The Hello Australia strongly recommends the first option, Homestays. We recommend this option not because is the most requested by students but because is the most safe and comfortable of them. See below accommodation types and bring your questions to us.

Homestays

This will be your home away from home, when you’re in Australia. The selected families (which is registered and monitored by the school that you choose) are responsible for the student’s welfare. The registered families receive trainings and are used to receive exchange students from all parts of the world. Most of them usually host two students at time. This is an advantage for those who are traveling for the first time once they will be able share experiences. This program is offered by schools to overseas students and the school is also responsible to manage any incidents that may happen in Australia.

Benefits:  The package includes three daily meals at weekends and two during the week. Living with a local family is an enriching experience, once you are able to learn local habits, culture and food.  By staying at Homestays, your English classes go beyond school. The programs offer options of staying only 1 month at homestays, so you can decide if moves to another accommodation type or just  a change of family, in case that you find any problem.

Conditions: You must notify the family of every step, once they are fully responsible for your welfare. As you are not at your own house, you must follow family’s habits.

Average cost: between AU$ 200 and AU$ 240 per week.

Share house

This option usually is the students’ second address in Australia. Since the house is rented, there is nothing better than being already living in the city in order to choose the best house, neighborhood and, most importantly, the flatmates. That’s the reason why the share house only becomes an option after arriving in Australia. Finding a house is not a problem. Of course that demands certain language knowledge, at least to understand what is allowed and forbidden. But is also a task to be done in group. The rental process is not complicated in Australia. Through Real State companies you can find the house and sign the contract. In order to rent the house a bond is required. The amount represents a month rent. At the end of the contract, which usually is signed for six months, renewable, the money is returned if the house is in the same conditions as it was when rented. Another way to find houses is looking at school boards. Its usual students moving from one place to another, so there will always some house available.

Benefits: Sharing a house or apartment with other students is always the cheapest alternative. The cost difference between homestays and share houses is due to the meals, so it may be cheaper the weekly cost depending on how much you spend with food. You’re free to go wherever you want but you’re also responsible for your acts. Parties are allowed.

Conditions: Choosing good flatmates can be as hard and casual as the house’s selection. Do a lot of research. Bad choices may cost you nights of sleep. You should also avoid living with people who speak same native language. This may retard your English learning and prevent you to have contact with students with different cultures, which is one of the reasons for the educational exchange.

Average cost: houses with 2 or 3 rooms, which can accommodate up to four people, in good areas of Australia may cost between AU$ 90 and AU$ 190 per week (costs can vary if you choose for individual or shared room).

Student house

Some schools offer this accommodation option. This is an alternative where the student can decide to stay in a room alone or with a roommate. Most of the time does not count with meal, but you can eat at campus restaurant or at the communitarian kitchen at the Student house.

Benefits: That is a great manner to get in touch with lots of people in similar conditions. It’s a great opportunity to make friends from all over the world.

Conditions:  It’s not possible to choose your roommate, when you opt for shared rooms

Average cost: between AU$ 110 and AU$ 300 (costs can vary if you choose for individual or shared room).

Backpackers

This is traveler’s most common option. It costs you more than sharing a house and you must pay in a daily basis, as a hotel. Perfect for those who love to travel and visit the different Australian tourism attractions. The accommodations can be in share rooms, with berths but you can also choose for an individual room. For more information about this accommodation option, visit our link about Travel

Benefits: It’s a happy environment and you’ll make lots of friends. It’s great talking about travels and places with tourists who are just passing by Australia.

Conditions: Be careful with your belongings as there is a high amount of people coming and going. Be careful to not party too much, it may never ends.

Average Cost: daily rates may vary between AU$ 65 and AU$ 140