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Home>Australia>About Heinz Australia>Student Life>Housing>Permanent Accommodation
Permanent Accommodation
Students coming to Adelaide can choose from a range of housing options. Which is most appropriate is a matter of individual preference; however, key factors to consider are cost and location.
Rental costs in Adelaide are quoted on a per week basis and rent is usually paid each fortnight (two-week period). Rental costs for apartments typically do not include utilities (electricity, gas, phone, etc.). All cost estimates in this section are in Australian dollars.
The Heinz School is located in the heart of the city, on Victoria Square. This is close to the tram line and most bus routes. The city of Adelaide is very “walkable” with most places being within about a 15 to 20 minute walk of the school. Adelaide is also quite “bicycle-friendly”.
Selecting housing outside the city centre/downtown (sometimes referred to as the Central Business District or CBD) will require the use of public transportation, bicycle, or car. Be sure you understand the bus, tram, or train schedule because they typically run less frequently and may stop running at a certain point in the evening. How that fits with your personal schedule and preferences is an important consideration. Refer city maps and public transport timetables.
In general housing located in the city centre/downtown will be more expensive than housing further from the city centre. Locations outside the city will require the use of public transportation (buses, trams, or trains) or a bicycle. Full-time students are able to access discounted fares (approximately 50% of the full adult rate) when purchasing public transport tickets. A prepaid “Multitrip” ticket (covers 10 trips anywhere within the city) can be purchased for approximately AU$12 at the full-time student rate. There is also a free “loop” bus that runs within the CBD during the day and into the evening.
Students can select from several types of housing: apartments, houses, hostels and private boarding options. Sharing an apartment or house is popular among Australian students and is less expensive than getting your own apartment. If you are interested in sharing an apartment or house, we can put you in touch with other Heinz School students who are also looking for roommates.
Private Rental Houses / Apartments
A standard house or apartment usually has a lounge (living room) and/or dining room, bathroom, toilet, laundry, kitchen and between one to four bedrooms. Most rental properties are unfurnished, meaning you will need to purchase or lease all furniture and household items. Increasingly however, a number of properties (particularly in the downtown/CBD areas) are fully furnished and cater specifically to international students. This is more convenient but typically more expensive.
Most landlords require a 12-month lease (tenancy agreement). Start-up costs generally include the first two weeks’ rent in advance, together with a security deposit (often referred to as a “bond”) equivalent to 4-weeks’ rent (though the deposit can be greater depending on the weekly cost of the property). A single bedroom fully-furnished apartment in the downtown area could cost $250 per week. Therefore start-up costs would be approximately $1,500, not including fees associated with connection of utilities (gas, electricity, and phone which could add an additional $100 AU).
Sometimes rooms are advertised in existing share-houses, and your cost to move in will be a portion of the overall rent, plus a contribution to the security deposit, as the housemate who has moved out will need to be paid back their share of the bond. This can be a cost-effective method of securing long-term accommodation but again, caution should be applied when choosing. You will be living with people you don’t know and the number of housemates and overall household environment must be taken into consideration.
NOTE: Signing a lease imposes responsibilities as covered by state based legislation (law) - the Residential Tenancies Act 1995. If not clearly understood, such action could have serious implications. If considering a private rental it is essential that you know your rights and responsibilities. A summary can be found at the website of the Office of Consumer Affairs (Tenancies Branch) at http://www.ocba.sa.gov.au/tenancies/. The tenancies branch is located at 91 Grenfell St Adelaide, and can be contacted on 8204 9544.
Student Hostels
Student hostels usually offer single bedroom accommodation. Bedrooms are fully furnished and students have access to a shared bathroom, laundry, lounge and limited recreational/leisure facilities. Most hostels are self-catering with communal kitchens, however some provide meals. A few student hostels in Adelaide offer a mix of both.
Utilities (gas, electricity and water) are generally included in the set weekly fee. Most provide a telephone line in each room however connection and ongoing rental is the student’s sole responsibility. Most student hostels are located in suburban areas meaning students will need to budget for public transportation and also consider convenience if class timetables include frequent night sessions.
Hostels offer different lengths of stay. Most will allow an initial “temporary” stay of up to 14 days at a slightly more expensive rate. This provides students the opportunity to gain a feeling for the accommodation without being tied to a standard 6 or 12-month contract. Student hostels can prove quite cost-effective and convenient, however less privacy is afforded to the individual resident. Undergraduate students tend to constitute the largest body within student hostels.
Boarding
Boarding arrangements tend to vary on a case-by-case basis and tend to be very flexible. In some cases, board only includes a room with the student required to cook their own meals (either in their own small kitchen or a shared family kitchen). Other arrangements can be negotiated whereby telephone, internet and even all meals may be provided. The location of the house / apartment offering board could be anywhere in the city so it is important to thoroughly research the situation in advance.