Study Move - Study in Australia Guide

Temporary accommodation vs. Long term accommodation

When you first arrive in Australia, you may need to book temporary accommodation until you find and secure permanent accommodation. Your family and friends who have travelled to Australia with you may also require short term accommodation close to you. 

It is also important for you to decide if it is better to live for a few weeks or months in temporary accommodation like a hostel, motel/hotel, guest house and serviced apartment or to arrange accommodation for a longer period in advance (many institutions offer both options).

The advantage of taking temporary accommodation is that you will have accommodation when you arrive in Australia and you will also have some time to decide where you would like to live. It gives you flexibility of choice and the opportunity to see various accommodation options in person. On the other hand, some students find this time difficult because they are living in a temporary place and sometimes they do not feel settled. You also need to consider that on some occasions it is harder to find accommodation after the semester starts so you should start your searching for a house before the semester starts and with some time.

Your university or school will be able to recommend temporary accommodation options to you including places which are affordable and close to your university or institution. Some universities have facilities for you to book temporary accommodation online. We recommend you visit your institutions website for further information.

If you would like to find and book your own temporary accommodation which may include hostels, hotels, motels, guest houses and serviced apartments, you can do so via various accommodation websites. Some of the larger accommodation websites in Australia are listed below: