Accommodation Options

International Students

Before you arrive in Tasmania

Plan your accommodation as early as possible because it may become harder to find a place as your course start date gets closer. You need to have a place to stay when you arrive in Tasmania, so make sure this is arranged before you travel. Keep reading to learn about your options.

We recommend you plan your arrival at least one week before your course start date to allow time to settle into your accommodation, or use this time to look for a longer term option.

Please note the University does not currently provide accommodation for couples or families. If your family will be living with you in Tasmania, your best option is to find your own house or unit to rent.

University accommodation options

The University of Tasmania provides individual students a range of shared and single occupancy accommodation options that are available on and around the University of Tasmania campuses.

A description of each accommodation option, including costs and inclusions are available on our website: Accommodation | University of Tasmania (utas.edu.au) .

Jane Franklin Hall (Hobart students only) is fully catered and supported student accommodation with a free bus to the University. For information and application please visit: https://jane.edu.au/ .

There is high demand for University accommodation so you should apply as early as possible to secure your place before you arrive.

Jane Franklin Hall

Temporary accommodation

If you do not wish to stay in University accommodation, or you are arriving with your family, you will need to find a unit or house to rent or look for share house accommodation. If you have not arranged this before you arrive we recommend you book at least 7 days of temporary accommodation before you leave your home country, or if you are flying in from another Australian State or Territory.

Your time in temporary accommodation can be used to look for your own place or a share house.

Temporary accommodation options:

Backpacker hostels are an affordable temporary accommodation option located close to the University of Tasmania campuses. Private rooms are limited, and bathroom facilities are shared, however they are a great way to meet new people from all over the world.

Please note that Backpacker Hostels cannot ask you to pay a security deposit or bond, even if you arrange to stay as a long term resident – see http://tutas.org.au/factsheet/board-premises/

Motels, hotels and Airbnb properties offer private and secure accommodation but can be an expensive option. One night may cost the same as several nights sharing a room in a backpacker hostel.

Searching online is often a good way to find what type of accommodation you are looking for – for example, searching for “Backpacker hostels in Hobart” will bring up a range of possibilities. You could also look at accommodation booking websites such as www.airbnb.com.au or www.booking.com .

Mount Wellington, Hobart

Students with families

The University does not currently provide accommodation for couples or families. If your family will be living with you in Australia, you need to find your own unit or house to rent in the private rental market.

When deciding on a suitable place you will need to consider:

How close it is to schools, childcare, or other services such as shops
Will the property be sunny in winter?
What type of heating does it have?
Is it furnished?
Is there enough room to hang washing out to dry (especially in winter)?
Do you want space on the property for children to play outside?

There is more to consider when looking to accommodate a family, so it usually takes longer to find a suitable place. Students with families need to allow for this in their travel plans and temporary accommodation arrangements.

Private rental accommodation

Private rental accommodation is advertised by local Real Estate Agents or online at www.realestate.com.au/rent and www.domain.com.au .

Things to consider:

There is high demand for private rental accommodation, and you will be required to apply through the Real Estate Agent so it requires more time and paperwork than moving into share house accommodation;
Inspect the properties and talk to the real estate agent about your application;
If your application is not successful, ask the agent what information is missing so you can improve your chances with future applications.

Inveresk, Launceston

Applying for private rental accommodation

Find properties on www.realestate.com.au/rent and www.domain.com.au .

Visit during the inspection times listed or contact the Real Estate Agent to arrange a private inspection. View the property and check that it is clean and safe and meets your requirements. Do not hesitate to ask the Real Estate Agent if you have any questions. They are there to help.

To apply for a property, you will need to submit an application. The Real Estate Agent will provide an application form to you.

You will be asked to fill out the application form and you will need to show evidence of your identity and ability to pay the rent regularly. For example, you will be required to show evidence of a regular income or evidence of access to sufficient funds to pay for the rent.

Agents will also ask for contact details of people who can provide rental or personal references for you (For example, previous landlords or employers, but not relatives).

International students can obtain an enrolment confirmation letter from an International Student Adviser to include in their application. However, they cannot provide personal references. Please email ISA@utas.edu.au to request a letter.

Before signing a lease or contract, you must read it carefully to make sure you understand what you are committing to. Rental contracts have very strict conditions about moving out before the end of the contract period. This is called ‘breaking the lease’, and usually you will still need to pay rent for the full period unless another tenant moves in.

Rental deposit (bond)

If you rent a private house or apartment, or share a rented house with other students, you will usually be asked to pay a deposit before you move in. This is called a bond, and it is usually the same amount as two to four weeks’ rent. It cannot be more than four weeks rent and cannot be increased during the tenancy.

The bond is used after you leave the property to cover the cost of any damage you may have caused while living there. If you have not caused any damage, you can claim the bond back.

In Tasmania, it is illegal for the property owner or another tenant to ask you to pay the bond directly to them. All bond is managed by a government office (the Rental Deposits Authority), and it must only be paid to this office online via a secure payment system called MyBond, or to a real estate agent or by visiting a Service Tasmania shop. Visit www.cbos.tas.gov.au/topics/housing/renting for more information on bonds and renting.

Tenants living in share houses should pay their contributions separately under the one bond record. This will assist if tenants wish to transfer in or out of the lease.

Who can help me if I have problems with my accommodation, including experiencing an unfair rental arrangement?

The first person to talk to is your International Student Adviser by sending an email to ISA@utas.edu.au or booking an appointment via www.utas.edu.au/appointments . Depending on the kind of accommodation you have arranged, they can help you find the best way to resolve the situation, or help you contact other support services such as the Tenants’ Union of Tasmania (www.tutas.org.au) and the Tasmanian University Students Association Housing & Accommodation – TUSA .

Visa condition 8533 Inform provider of address

A condition of a Subclass 500 Student Visa is to let your education provider know your residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia.

As soon as you have started living in a property, or have moved to a new address, you should update your residential address details using eStudent. See How do I update my contact details for instructions.