Accommodation

There are several types of accommodation available to international students.

Homestay

Local families provide accommodation in their homes for international students. This may be 'full board homestay' :

• in which the householder provides all meals or 'part board homestay'
• in which the student provides and prepares his/her own meals
• using facilities in the home in which he/she is living.

In either full board or part board homestay you will have a bedroom with linen provided, a place to study (which may be in the bedroom), and access to a bathroom, kitchen and other facilities in the home.

Each homestay family is different. There may be a number of family members living in the home, a couple or a single person. Households may be all male or all female. Most Australian households include a pet. Some householders will not accept smokers; others will accept smoking outdoors only.

Sharehouse or Flat (apartment)

A student may rent a room in a house or flat but live independently of the other residents and may pay a basic rent plus a share of the cost of electricity, gas and water.

Student House

Students share a house but may live quite independently of each other. The owner does not live at the house, but will visit regularly.

Hostel

There are private, off-campus hostels which students may use. They offer a choice of short-term or long-term accommodation. Private and shared rooms are available. Contact the International Office for more information.

In all Homestay Accommodation there are a few basic and generally accepted rules:

• students will be expected to pay for their own telephone calls
• if a student is to move from the accommodation, or the accommodation provider wishes the student to move from the accommodation, it is common courtesy for either the student or the householder to give two weeks notice of their intention
• students may be responsible for tidying their own room and are expected to treat all facilities in the home with care.

Most students find accommodation in the Box Hill area and travel to the Institute using public transport (train, tram or bus).

Not all types of accommodation are available at any particular time, so students may have limited choice of accommodation.

Accommodation can be booked prior to arrival. Two weeks advance notice is required before you depart for Australia. Further details can be obtained from the International Student Welfare Officer.

Cost of accommodation (note: subject to availability)

• Full board homestay from $AUD230 per week. (Meals included)
• Part board homestay from $AUD190 per week, plus share of gas, electricity etc. (meals not included)
• Student House from $AUD160 per week, plus share of gas, electricity etc. (meals not included)
• Hostel can be arranged on request.