HOUSING

Student Housing

Short-term accommodation on arrival

Unless notified otherwise, the university will automatically arrange short-term accommodation for AusAID-sponsored students which, per the scholarship conditions, will be paid by the student. All other students are able to make their own arrangements according to their needs and budget. Students wishing for advice and assistance can contact us and we will provide guidance on house hunting:

Hayden MacGinnes
Director of Programs
Email: hayden@andrew.cmu.edu
Tel: +61 +8 8110 9904
Fax: +61 +8 8211 9444

Students may wish to consider some of the following options for the first few days. All are located in the downtown area within walking distance of the campus:

Hostels – these are typically less expensive than hotels and range from dorm style to single rooms:

Hotels / self-contained

A number of the student hostels listed in the following sections also offer short-term accommodation options and could be worth consideration (most however are located outside of the downtown area and will require use of public transport).

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.

Student Accommodation Links – further information

It is recommended you search through a range of sites listed below prior to coming to Adelaide. Please note that Carnegie Mellon University does not own or operate these facilities, does not provide any oversight of the property or property manager and does not accept any liability in relation to the property and property manager. Contact the managers direct for further information. For location information / maps refer to www.whereis.com. Public transport information including maps and routes can be found at www.adelaidemetro.com.au.

Student Hostels / Residential Colleges

The following accommodation providers will generally permit short-term stays upon initial arrival in Adelaide. Most can be reserved online from outside of Australia via homepage links.

City (CBD / Downtown) / North Adelaide (within walking distance of campus)

Greater Metropolitan Area (public transport / bicycle required)

Self-contained – City (CBD / Downtown)

Self-contained – Greater Metropolitan Area / Suburbs

Miscellaneous Student Accommodation websites

Private Rental Accommodation

The following sites provide multiple listings from real estate agents. Students should be aware that it is generally not possible to secure private accommodation whilst outside of the country. These sites will however provide an indication of current market rates (letting costs).

Note: As your signature is required for any contract (lease), the University can only assist and not arrange this type of accommodation.

Adelaide City Real Estate Agents

General Real-Estate Sites

Utilities – Gas/Electricity/Telephone/Water

Organising utility connection can seem daunting. Due to privacy laws the University is not able to arrange connection of utilities on your behalf. You need to ring utilities companies and arrange new connections a few days before moving to your new home (unless other arrangements are in place with your landlord – ask if unsure). Ring and let each provider know the date and time you would like the connections to be made. This is particularly important with electricity (and gas if you have a gas connection) to ensure you are not left without light and heating/cooling etc.

It should be noted however that increasingly landlords/agents are providing tenants with contact details for companies which will arrange all utility connection for you. It is in your best interest to do your own research before proceeding with this. There is a wide range of service providers and service plans which you will be responsible for choosing. Based on your input the company will then arrange connection i.e. these types of companies are not responsible for advising which option(s) you should select.

Telephone

There are two carriers of home telephone services in Australia – Telstra and Optus. Telstra is the company that owns the infrastructure. There are two types of connection – check with your landlord/agent when inspecting a property for rent:

  • An existing (in place) connection – this is where a service can be connected without a technician visiting your home and costs between $59 and $125.
  • New Service connection – this is where there is no phone point (quite uncommon) and where a technician is required to visit your home to install one. A standard single connections costs approximately AU$210.

You will need to meet Telstra’s credit rating to receive full access (local, interstate or overseas). Until then, you can purchase a Phone Away card (from Telstra shops, Post Offices and most newsagents) to enable you to phone overseas. This pre-paid card calling card works from virtually any phone in Australia. Note: you may find that using calling cards (see the General Information section) will ultimately be cheaper for your international calls.

Handsets are available from a Telstra shop or Post Office for rent (AU$3 per month plus a one-off fee of $20). Handsets can alternatively be purchased at Telstra, department stores and electrical stores. Service plans, including local calls vary in cost, and depend on your level of usage, so you will need to ask your service provider for information. Contact:

Once Telstra has connected your telephone, you can choose from a number of companies to carry your local, interstate (STD) and international (ISD) calls. As noted earlier, you might find that using phone cards is cheaper for international calls. It’s a good idea to ‘shop around’ to find a service provider with good rates that suit your telephone usage pattern.

Local calls are not timed in Australia - they are set at a fixed (‘flat’) rate. There are peak and off-peak times for STD, ISD and mobile (cell) calls. Calls you make during off-peak times will cost you less than calls made during peak times (for most countries). Ask you carrier and/or service provider for details.

Telephone bills can be paid on a 1, 2 or 3 month billing cycle. New customers are usually placed on a monthly billing cycle. Each bill lists the total cost of local calls, calls to mobile phones and details of STD and ISD calls. This helps to ‘split’ or apportion the bill if sharing a house. There are a number of ways you can pay – details will be listed on your bill.

Electricity and Gas

South Australia has a deregulated energy market, which means that you can choose a provider for these services. There are five providers in the domestic market:

  • Origin – offers gas and electricity – default* provider for gas. Tel: 13 24 63
  • AGL SA – offers gas and electricity – default* provider for electricity. Tel: 13 1245
  • TXU – offers gas and electricity. Tel: 13 3466
  • Energy Australia – offers gas and electricity. Tel: 13 8808
  • Power Direct – offers electricity only. Tel: 8357 7511

* This means that if you or a previous tenant has not selected a provider, this company will provide your gas or electricity service.

When you are choosing your energy provider(s), you need to know that most providers will want you to enter into a ‘market contract’, which means that you are agreeing to use their service for a fixed period (usually at least one year). If you break the contract you will be charged a penalty. The contract is between you and the provider therefore if you move house the contract moves with you. Following is a series of questions you need to consider before signing a market contract:

  • What price will you pay?
  • Is a security deposit required?
  • How and when will you be billed?
  • When must you pay?
  • What is the length of the contact and what are the penalties for breaking it?

Ensure that your energy retailer explains to you exactly how much you have to pay and whether there are any other costs before you agree to a contract.

Origin Energy (gas) and AGL (electricity) are ‘default providers’. Before the South Australian energy market was deregulated, they were the only providers of these services. Default providers are obliged to offer a ‘standing contract’ for their default service – this is a contract that has no fixed term, so you are not tied to them for a particular period of time.

To help make a decision about which is the best provider for you, you can call the Energy Choice Comparison Service on 1800 226 100 and ask for assistance. You can also do your own research on their website at www.escosa.sa.gov.au. In both cases you will likely be asked about previous energy consumption so you will need to explain that you are new to South Australia. Another good website for information is www.energy.sa.gov.au/home/competition/faq.htm.

Your electricity and gas costs will vary for each season, and your bill will depend on how many appliances you use, and for how long. Your average bill may AU$50 – AU$70 per month, and as you will receive your bill each quarter, you will need to budget for AU$150 - AU$210. You will use most electricity in the winter and summer months when you are either heating or cooling your accommodation so you should budget accordingly. Good advice on saving energy can be found at www.energy.sa.gov.au/home/index.htm or by contacting the Energy Advisory Service on 8204 1888.

Water

Water should be already running at any property you are considering leasing. A landlord may, by agreement, pass any part or all of the charges associated with the supply of water onto the tenant. Sewerage charges are always the responsibility of the landlord.

Often landlords and tenants agree to share the costs of the water, with the landlord responsible for the charges for an agreed amount of kilolitres per year and the tenant then responsible for the rest. The landlord could however be responsible for all the water charges or conversely the tenant could be responsible. The agreement you reach with the landlord should be included as an additional condition in the residential tenancy agreement (lease agreement). Do not sign the agreement if it is not.

In the absence of an agreement, the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 sets out responsibilities. If no agreement exists the landlord is responsible for all charges for the first 136 kilolitres of water per year, including the quarterly water supply charge. The tenant is responsible for the charges relating to water usage over the first 136 kilolitres.

It is important that the water meter at your accommodation is read at the beginning and end of the tenancy agreement if you are going to be responsible for any or all of the water charges.

If you are moving accommodation

Follow the checklist below when moving accommodation:

  • Advise the university of your new address (details to the Director of Programs – International students note: this is a visa requirement)
  • Notify family and friends of your new address
  • Notify the Consulate or Embassy of your address details if you have previously registered
  • Advise utility providers and arrange disconnections / connections as appropriate
  • Find out your local garbage and recycling collection days
  • Advise your bank of your new address details

Accommodation Cost Comparison Matrix

All prices listed are in Australian dollars (AU$1.00 equals approximately US$0.80). Costs listed are estimates and subject to change. Refer to www.xe.com for currency exchange enquiries. Note that rent is charged on a weekly basis.

City / Downtown (CBD)

One bedroom furnished inner-city student rental apartment Two bedroom furnished inner-city student rental apartment Share house/apartment (city) 2-3 bedrooms - general rental (real estate agency)
Location Adelaide (Central Business District) / downtown Adelaide (Central Business District) / downtown Adelaide (Central Business District) / downtown
Weekly cost (rent) $200+ $270 - $450 (or $135 - $225 per person if sharing) $250 - $450 or $125 - $150 per person depending on number sharing
Distance to Victoria Square campus Walking distance (less than 1.0 km / 15 mins) Walking distance (less than 1.0 km / 15 mins) Walking distance (less than 1.0 km / 15 mins)
Public transport Not required Not required Not required
Accommodation style Self-contained. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry Self-contained. Private bedroom. Shared Kitchen & bathroom Self-contained. Private bedroom. Shared Kitchen & bathroom
Facilities Fully furnished. Internet and phone connection at own expense. Fully furnished. Internet and phone connection at own expense. Usually unfurnished. Furnished possible at a higher cost
Meals provided No No No
Utility costs (electricity/water/gas) $15 per week or up to $30 monthly fee charged by agency $15 per week or up to $30 monthly fee charged by agency $15 per week plus connection fees
Period of stay (contract) Usually 12 months fixed Usually 12 months fixed Usually 12 months fixed
Commencement (start up costs) Usually bond equivalent to 4 weeks’ rent. Other administrative fees may be charged up to $200 Usually bond equivalent to 4 weeks’ rent. Other administrative fees may be charged up to $200 Usually bond equivalent to 4 weeks’ rent

Greater Metropolitan Area / Suburbs

One bedroom furnished suburban rental apartment - general rental (real estate agency Share house/apartment (inner suburban) 2-4 bedrooms Student Hostels Full Board (within a private residence)
Location Kensington, Prospect, Westbourne Park, Brooklyn Park Kent Town, Mile End, Wayville Highgate, Rose Park, North Adelaide Various - usually in the suburbs
Weekly cost (rent) $180 - $240 $200 - $400 or approximately $100 per person $150 - $220 $180 - $200
Distance to Victoria Square campus Within 7 km (public transport required 10 - 25 mins) Within 4 km (public transport required 10 - 20 mins) 2-6 km (public transport required 10 - 20 mins) Various
Public transport Minimum $12 per week Minimum $12 per week Minimum $12 per week Usually required (minimum $12 per week)
Accommodation style Self-contained. Bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry Self contained. Private bedroom. Shared kitchen and bathroom Dormitory. Private or shared bedroom. Ensuite or shared bathroom. Communal kitchens. May include a dining hall. Family house. Private bedroom. Shared/private bathroom depending on individual house
Facilities Fully furnished. Internet, phone Depends on the individual property. Furnished is more expensive Furnished but quite basic. Usually computers, recreation equipment, lounge Fully furnished
Meals provided No No Depends on the individual hostel. Meals provided subject to individual arrangements
Utility costs (electricity/water/gas) $15 per week plus connection fees $15 per week plus connection fees $0-$10 per week (may be included in price) Included in weekly fee
Period of stay (contract) Usually 12 months fixed Varied but usually 12 months Varied. May be possible to stay short-term at a slightly higher cost Each family has its own arrangements
Commencement (start up costs) Usually bond equivalent to 4 weeks’ rent Usually bond equivalent to 4 weeks’ rent. $0 Up to $250 (may be partially refundable) Usually nil

© 2008 Heinz School Adelaide

APPAM website 
 Member of the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management