Accommodation in Australia

Australia is a popular expat destination, and if you’re looking to live in a close-knit expat community, you can certainly do so. Australian society is also famously friendly and welcoming, so you will have no problems fitting into a predominantly Australian neighbourhood.

Although renting accommodation in Australia is a fairly simple process, it will help you to learn the local lingo or enlist the services of a real estate agent who can masterfully navigate the local rental market. Rental prices in Australia’s larger cities like Sydney and Melbourne can be quite pricey, so we recommend adjusting your budget accordingly.

Types of accommodation in Australia

Australia has plenty of housing options available, from furnished or unfurnished apartments and condominiums to freestanding houses.

The standard of accommodation in Australia depends on area and type but is generally excellent. Houses in Australia often have family-friendly features such as garages, big gardens and swimming pools. Newer, more upmarket houses are usually equipped with air conditioning, although ceiling fans are far more common. Indoor heating is rare since it is completely redundant for most of the year.

Home security is not a major issue for expats relocating to Australia. Although minor break-ins occur in some neighbourhoods, more often than not, installing a simple alarm system should be enough to deter potential intruders. Most expats report feeling safe in their homes, no matter where they live in Australia.

Furnished vs unfurnished

Many rentals in Australia are unfurnished, particularly in the capital cities. Unfurnished properties in the country will typically include basic cabinetry, blinds or curtains, and, in some cases, air conditioning units. They will also have cooking appliances. You will need to bring your own bed, couches, cutlery, and dishes.

Unfurnished rentals are often cheaper than their furnished counterparts, so you’ll have to consider if buying your own furniture and appliances is worth the lower rental cost. Those who choose to go this route will be delighted to find that Australia has a robust second-hand furniture market, making it easy and affordable to furnish your new home.

In contrast, furnished rentals frequently include everything from couches, beds, and white goods to cutlery and sometimes bedding. These will be suitable if you are staying in Australia for the short term and are not looking to invest in any new large items.

Short lets

Short-term rentals are a great option for when you’re initially moving to Australia, as they allow you to explore your city’s different neighbourhoods before signing a long-term lease. You’ll have plenty of short-let options in Australia, including hotels, cottages, and city apartments that are available for rental on platforms like Airbnb.

It’s also easier to book a short-term rental without much paperwork, so this can be an option while you are still sorting out your paperwork. These rentals are often fully furnished, and the cost will include utilities, making them more affordable than traditional hotels.

Finding accommodation in Australia

If you’re relocating to Australia on a short-term basis, you’ll likely choose to rent a property. Although you may have to do the initial research and enquiries, renting accommodation in Australia is reasonably straightforward. Internet portals, social media, and word of mouth can be helpful in this regard. When searching, note that prices are typically quoted per week. Rent is paid either every two weeks or every four weeks.

You should ensure you arrive on time for property viewings, as these are usually well attended. Viewings during working hours tend to have fewer attendees than on weekends, so you should opt for weekday viewings, if possible, to get a jump on the competition.

Useful links

• Real Estate
• Domain
• Australia’s Private Rental Group

Renting accommodation in Australia

The rental market in Australia moves fast, leaving little time to deliberate or prepare documents. Applications are looked at on a first-come, first-served basis, and we recommend that you have all necessary documents ready beforehand.

Making an application

Australian real estate agencies and landlords use a system known as the 100-point check to verify identity. This process is used for everything from applying for a driving licence to opening a local bank account. Primary proof of identity documents (such as a passport, visa, or Australian residency status certificate) earn more points than secondary proof of identity documents (such as a health insurance card or local bank card).

Prospective tenants must submit various identity documents, each allocated a certain number of points. These include proof of identity (passport/driving licence), proof of income, and bank statements for the last three months – one of the most important parts of the application.

Ideally, these would be from previous landlords, but this can be problematic for those moving from overseas. In such cases, your employer can act as a reference instead. That way, when the ideal home pops up, you can submit their application immediately.

Leases

Although shorter or longer leases can sometimes be negotiated with the landlord, the typical lease length in Australia is 6 or 12 months. Before signing the lease, ask the managing agent if accounts are set up with any utility providers. If there are, it might save having to pay a connection fee.

Deposits

When signing a lease, a deposit (or ‘bond’) of four to six weeks’ rent must be paid. Sometimes, you might be asked to put down a deposit with your application, which is returned if you do not get the property.

Termination of the lease

Each state in Australia has its own specifications for terminating a fixed-term lease agreement, but landlords must generally give at least 30 days’ notice, while tenants are obliged to give 14 days. Both the landlord and the tenant cannot terminate a lease during a fixed term without justifiable cause. Notices must be given in writing and clearly specify when you will vacate the property.

The deposit protects against any damage beyond normal wear and tear caused by the tenant during their stay, so you should inspect the property well before moving in. At the end of the lease, costs of any damage repair are deducted before the deposit is returned to the tenant.

Utilities in Australia

In most cases, the tenant pays all utilities separately. This includes electricity, water, gas, and internet connections. Some landlords cover the cost of water, but this varies, so be sure to check.

Each state has a tenant’s association that aims to protect renters’ rights and provide additional support with tenant issues.

Electricity and gas

The electricity and gas markets in Australia are deregulated, so you’ll have plenty of providers to choose from. Some of these companies provide both electricity and gas connections, while others specialise in green energy. You’ll need to do comprehensive research about the available utility providers in your area and their rates and service offerings.

AGL, Diamond Energy, and Origin Energy are some of the country’s most popular providers. Some providers will even offer bundle packages for electricity and gas, making your utilities more affordable. We recommend submitting your connection requests at least two weeks before moving in.

Setting up your connections will be fairly simple; you can simply contact your preferred provider via phone, online or by visiting a customer centre. You’ll need to provide your new address, your move-in date, and your personal details, such as identity documents and contact numbers. Some new arrivals may be required to pay an initial deposit.

Water

Australia’s individual state territories and local councils manage the water supply in the country. In New South Wales, Sydney Water and Hunter Water oversee water services, and in Melbourne, this will be Melbourne Water. To set up water services in your new home, you can contact your local council a few weeks before moving in and supply them with your rental agreement or proof of ownership, as well as identity documents.

It’s a good idea to enquire about billing processes. Your local council will be able to tell you how often bills are issued and whether the water is charged at a flat or metered rate.

Bins and recycling

Similarly to water, the local councils oversee waste management in Australia. Depending on where in Australia you live, your local council will provide different coloured bins for general waste, recycling, and organic waste. Some councils also offer additional services for bulk or hazardous waste.

We recommend visiting your local council’s website to learn more about collection schedules and recycling programmes in your community.

Internet

Keeping in touch with your loved ones back home will be fairly easy in Australia, thanks to the country’s advanced internet infrastructure. NBN connections are the most popular in the country. These offer several internet speeds based on your needs. You can check whether NBN, cable, ADSL, or satellite connections are available in your neighbourhood by entering your address on your chosen provider’s website to find out what services they offer in your area.

To reduce your expenses, you can bundle your internet, phone, and TV services with one provider. Some of Australia’s top internet service providers (ISPs) include Telstra and TPG Telecom.

Useful links

• AGL
• Diamond Energy
• Origin Energy
• Local councils – Find your council
• Telstra
• TPG Telecom