Q. Where would I be living?
A. It’s important to note that Semester in Australia does not own or operate the housing provided to students and instead we offer a housing service, whereby Semester in Australia pre-arranges and secures suitable fully-furnished housing from the pool of privately and independently owned rental accommodation in the suburbs surrounding your university’s campus. Semester in Australia works closely with local landlords and real estate agents to secure good, affordable student rental accommodation that you can book before coming to Australia.
Students will live in shared apartments with other international students. Semester in Australia inspects and selects each fully-furnished apartment, located within walking distance (10 – 20 minutes) or a within short public transport commute to the university campus. You will be close to the university and its facilities, public transport, cafés and local shopping centers.
Although Australian universities are very much ‘commuter campuses’ and the majority of students live off-campus, the universities are not really in ‘college towns’ like you get in the United States/Canada. Rather, the students live in various suburbs around the university, rather than in concentrated areas, and are mixed in with ‘regular people’ — therefore your neighbors will be other students, as well as local families, workers, elderly residents, etc.
Please note that Semester in Australia does not own or operate the accommodation provided, and instead rents/leases private rental accommodation available to the general public. Therefore any maintenance issues are the responsibility of the landlord/real estate agent.
Q. Who would I be living with?
A. You may choose to live with other friends who may also be studying at the same university. If you don’t have anyone in particular you would like to live with you will be placed with other international students. Living with other international students means you are living with people who understand your study abroad experience. In most cases, students will know the names and email addresses of their housemates before they depart for Australia. In addition, Semester in Australia’s Facebook group <link to Facebook> means that you can connect online before arriving in Australia!
Please note that Semester in Australia takes no steps to ascertain the suitability or otherwise of your co-tentants, therefore you undertake the SiA housing service at your own risk.
Q. What are the apartments like?
Over 15 years of working with international students means that we understand what you like and need in housing! We offer truly liveable fully furnished apartments, getting you off to a good start:
- Fully equipped kitchen: fridge, oven/convection oven, cook top, microwave, pots, pans, cooking utensils, crockery, cutlery, glassware
- Bedroom furniture: single beds, closet and storage space (and in most cases, study desk/chair)
- Common areas: lounge suite, dining table/ chairs, washing machine, clothes dryer or outdoor clothesline
- Gas, electricity, and water are included in the housing fee
- Some apartments have an ensuite bathroom
Q. Will I have a single bedroom or will I have to share?
A. All students will have a single bedroom, although some apartments allow for two students to share one room (at a reduced price per person) with two single beds. Please note: only two people who know each other and request to live with each other will have the opportunity to share a room.
Q. What about telephone, cell phones and internet?
A. There is a telephone connection in each apartment; however the bill must be in the name of a resident, so students/tenants must arrange telephone access through a local service provider with connection and usage fees payable by the tenants. It is a simple procedure and instructions will be provided to tenants upon arrival.
Cell phones and wireless internet can be arranged prior to your arrival as an additional service. To find out more, click here <link to mobile phone/internet information>
Before departing for Australia, you can order an Australian cell phone number as well as a handset if you need it. This will allow you to give your family and friends your new phone number, even before you leave! Upon arrival, your phone will be ready and waiting for you in your apartment. With $10 worth of call credit included, you’ll be able to call your family and friends as soon as you get here.
We can even set you up with wireless internet, which will be ready and activated for you upon arrival, so you can connect with family and friends and get your university work done with ease throughout the semester.
Both the mobile phone and internet services are optional and further information regarding these services are provided to students upon final booking of their Semester in Australia accommodation.
