Housing & accommodation
Staying in student accommodation takes the stress out of finding a place to live. VU offers convenient, safe and friendly university accommodation in fully furnished apartments.
Learn about housing options across Melbourne, and how to find advice and support when you need it.
Explore your housing options
Choosing the right type of housing can be challenging, especially if you are moving from interstate or overseas, or leaving home for the first time.
Read about some of the options available to you.
If you have never lived out of home or wish to live in a University environment with planned social, recreational and academic activities, then the student accommodation at UniLodge Victoria University may be a great option.
UniLodge VU offers fully-furnished single or shared apartments designed for student living. You’ll have access to pastoral care, academic support, and facilities such as study rooms, games rooms, and a cinema room.
UniLodge VU is located just across from our Footscray Park Campus, and a 15-minute walk to Footscray Nicholson. The apartments are within easy reach of other campuses and the city by bus or train. Residential Advisors are on site 24/7 to support new students while they settle in and ensure they have the best experience whilst living in university accommodation.
See the UniLodge website for the full product range and pricing.
Homestay provides a cultural exchange between you and a local family or individual (called a host). You live in the host’s home as a guest. Hosts offer ongoing support and orientation to the local area and facilities such as banks, post office, shops, and public transport.
You are provided with a clean furnished room (this includes items like a bed, wardrobe, desk, and chair), access to bathroom and laundry facilities and meal services. Utilities (electricity, gas, water, and internet) are also included. You do not need to pay a bond or sign a rental agreement. The minimum stay is 4 weeks.
Homestay rates vary. Costs generally start from $350 per week. The rate will depend on whether the host is offering a single or shared bedroom, meal plan option and your age. There is a placement fee of $350, plus a $190 airport pick up fee if this is required.
To find out more please visit Australian Homestay Network, the preferred homestay provider for Victoria University.
There is strong competition for affordable accommodation in Melbourne. It is advisable to allow yourself at least 6-8 weeks to find suitable housing, especially at the start of semester when many students are looking to secure affordable housing. You may want to consider staying in short term accommodation while searching for suitable housing.
There are many short term accommodation options to consider. Costs can vary between different accommodation providers, so it is worth calling a few different options and asking about their rates. It’s a good idea to read online reviews of short term accommodation options before deciding to stay there.
Accommodation types
Hostels
Hostels can be an affordable short-term option while searching for suitable long-term accommodation. In a hostel, you would usually rent a single bed in a shared room with other people. Some hostels also offer private rooms. You might have the option of staying on a nightly, weekly or monthly basis, and the rate is often reduced for longer stays.
Hotels
Hotels are similar to hostels whereby you pay per night, but you generally rent out a whole room or apartment rather than only a bed. The cost of a hotel is generally more expensive than a hostel. Many hotels have very minimal kitchen facilities.
Short-stay accommodation
Short stay accommodation (for example, Airbnb) can be a room or a whole apartment or house. It looks similar to private rental accommodation, however, there is no formal lease agreement. You can pay for short-stay accommodation on a nightly or weekly basis. It is often more cost effective than hotels and more flexible than a private rental.
Holiday/caravan parks
Holiday parks or caravan parks are a type of holiday accommodation that can be booked on a nightly or weekly basis. Caravans or units are generally part of a larger complex that may include a reception, communal cooking areas, and shared bathroom and laundry facilities.
Rental laws
Short term accommodation options usually do not count as rental accommodation and do not fall under Australian rental laws or regulations.
Visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria webpage for more information about short term holiday accommodation.
Rooming houses are generally not student-specific and residents can include people from all walks of life.
It is important to visit the rooming house before moving in to ensure it is a safe environment; however, you should also be aware that other residents can move in or out during your stay. Bedrooms may be furnished and you may share the kitchen, dining room, laundry, and other facilities. Utilities are normally included in the rent.
Each resident has an individual agreement with the property operator. This makes it different to a share house where everyone in the property signs the same agreement.
Visit the Consumer Affairs Victoria webpage for more information about rooming house rental agreements.
On your own
Renting a property on your own can be an excellent option for privacy, autonomy and lifestyle independence. However, it can be expensive as you are solely responsible for paying the full rent and utilities bills, purchasing furniture, kitchen utensils, groceries, and household cleaning products. You are also solely responsible for all the daily chores associated with living in a house.
In a share house
Living in a share house can be a great way to meet new people. It can also be a more affordable alternative to renting on your own, as rent and bills are shared with other people in the household. When considering moving into a share house, it is important to check what is included and what you will need to bring into the house. It’s also important to consider what qualities will be important in potential house mates. For example, do you want to live in a social household where housemates are open to spending time together regularly? Do you prefer a quieter household where you can study? What level of cleanliness are you used to?
Finding a rental property
There are a few different ways of finding a rental property in the private market. Try searching:
- real estate websites, such as: domain.com.au/rent or realestate.com.au/rent
- share accommodation websites, such as flatmates.com.au or flatmatefinders.com.au
- student accommodation one for accommodation near major university campuses
- groups for rental housing on social media, such as Fairy Floss Real Estate on Facebook.
Your rights & responsibilities
Consumer Affairs Victoria has a Renters Guide available to download on their website.
It is important to read through this guide prior to inspecting a rental property or signing a lease agreement, so that you understand your rights and responsibilities as a renter. This guide includes rental application checklist, as well as information about what to do if issues arise during a tenancy.
Sometimes disagreements and disputes arise between housemates. Common areas of conflict include friends visiting or staying over, cleaning habits, noise levels, food preferences, different cultural needs or lifestyle habits. Before moving into a share house, consider what will be important to you.
It is always a good idea to discuss and agree upon the living arrangements with your housemates prior to moving into a house. It is also a good idea to have regular meetings with your housemates to discuss chores, bills and social activities.
If you find yourself in a disagreement with your housemates, remember that good communication is essential. Try to focus on the issue rather than making judgements about another person (i.e. ‘I’ve noticed that there are often dirty dishes left out’ rather than ‘you’re so messy!’). Remain open to the other person’s perspective and try to work with them to find areas of commonality to resolve the disagreement.
The Residential Tenancy Act 2021 does not differentiate between the rights and responsibilities of co-renters (housemates) in relation to each other. If something goes wrong, a rental provider can pursue any one or all of the co-renters for damages. This means that you can be held responsible for the wrongdoings of your housemates. For this reason, it is important to ensure that you meet potential housemates and discuss living arrangements prior to moving into a shared household.
Free mediation service
The Dispute Settlement Centre of Victoria (DSCV) provides a free mediation service to help resolve disputes.
Visit disputes.vic.gov.au
Phone: 1300 372 888
You have the right to feel safe at home. While disagreements in share houses can be an uncomfortable, but normal part of shared living, it is never okay for someone to use violence against you or make you feel unsafe. Violence can include behaviours that restrict someone’s freedom and make them feel scared or threatened.
In a share house setting some examples of this could include:
- threatening to, or actually damaging or destroying another housemate’s property
- controlling access to living spaces (e.g. taking your keys, locking you in or out of your room/the property)
- physical violence or threats of physical violence against you, a family member or a pet
- stalking behaviour
- making or threatening to make false claims about you to your real estate agent or landlord
- recording or taking pictures of you without your consent
- sexual harassment or assault.
If you have experienced violence, threats of violence or harassment from someone in your household, know that you are not alone and support is available.
- If you are concerned about your immediate safety, call the police on 000
- For legal advice, find your local community legal centre
- To report the violence and discuss what is involved in applying for a personal safety intervention order, attend your local police station.
- If you need counselling and support domestic, family or sexual violence, try services such as 1800 RESPECT
- If you are experiencing sexual violence you can contact Full Stop Australia for support by calling 1800 385 578 (24/7)
Housing resources & support
Student Welfare at VU can assist you with understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in Victoria and advise you on housing supports and homelessness services if you are in crisis.
For more information about VU support services:
Visit: VUHQ in person
Phone:
+61
3 9919 6100
Visit: Advice & support at VU
There are some excellent housing resources available online to help you find information about rental properties and share housing:
- Consumer Affairs Victoria
The governing body responsible for the Residential Tenancies Act and provides information about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. - Tenants Victoria
Releases publications in multiple languages and provides free and confidential advice on tenancy issues. - Study Melbourne
Provides information and resources for international students - Ask Izzy
An online tool that you can use to find support services near you, including homelessness services - Moneysmart
Free online resources to help you make confident money decisions and prepare for moving out of home - Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)
VCAT makes decisions in cases of rental property disputes between renters (tenants) and rental providers (landlords) - Residential Tenancies Bond Authority
The RTBA is a statutory authority of the Victorian Government, established by the Residential Tenancies Act 1997 to hold all residential tenancy bonds. The RTBA provides renters (tenants) access to bond information
- Consumer Affairs Victoria
It is important to understand the cost of studying and living in Melbourne and your personal budget. If you need advice about budgeting or are having difficulties paying your rent, utility or other expenses, contact Student Welfare so we can help.
You may be eligible for rent assistance, relief schemes, bond loans and other financial help:
- Rent Assistance– Students receiving a Commonwealth Support benefit or pension and living away from home and paying rent may be eligible for Rent Assistance - contact Centrelink for more information.
- Bond Loan Scheme- Australian resident students on low income may be eligible for a Bond Loan from the Victorian Government for a rental property or as a resident in a rooming house. Students living in student accommodation are generally not eligible for a Bond Loan.
- Utility Relief Grant Scheme– Australian resident students having difficulty paying a large utility bill (e.g. gas, electricity) can apply to the Victorian Government for a one-off utility relief payment.
