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| Today students have a variety of options for accommodation.
One of the best ways to experience the Aussie lifestyle and
practise English everyday is to live with local Australians.
This is why we recommend that students try Homestay accommodation,
at least for part of their stay.
We can advise students on other types of accommodation to suit
their needs and budget.
Please click on the headings above to view more about each
option.
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Homestay
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| Living with a friendly Australian family in
their home is a unique way to learn about the Australian way
of life and possibly form lifelong friendships. We aim to select
host families that have a genuine interest in other cultures
and people. All Homestay families are inspected and interviewed
by our Homestay Officer and must complete a detailed security
check.
Each student will have a private room, which contains a proper
bed, a wardrobe, a study desk with a chair and appropriate lighting.
Host families provide three meals per day. Students of the same
nationality are not placed in the same Homestay (unless this
is requested).
When you enrol and select Homestay accommodation you will be
asked questions about your Homestay requirements, for example
you can choose a family with or without children. It is important
that you provide accurate information so that we can find the
best match possible between host family and student.
The intended benefits for the students are:
• To be part of a family environment where he/she can
participate in family events and social activities
• To be supported and cared for, meet new people and make
friends, especially when first becoming familiar with the Australian
culture
• To improve their everyday English skills
The intended benefits for host families are:
• To gain insight and understanding about a culture other
than their own
• To enjoy the company of and interaction with an international
student
Homestay relies on the willingness of both the family and the
student to spend time together, to communicate and interact.
Students who are under 18 years of age are required to have
a guardian if they travel to Australia on a Student Visa. QCE
Brisbane also has special procedures and expectations for Homestay
families that host younger students. The host family must be
aware of the Guardian’s identity and work with this person
to ensure the general well being of the younger student.
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Backpacker
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| QCE Brisbane can arrange hostel accommodation.
Located in the inner-city suburbs, these hostels are within
walking distance of the college and experienced in hosting international
students.
The hostels provide single, twin-share and double rooms. Students
have their own room, but they share the kitchen, bathroom and
recreation facilities. Most have an on-site manager and can
provide additional services such as laundry and phone connection
at extra cost.
For an example of the type of hostel used by QCE Brisbane students
check out the Kookaburra
Inn
For short term stays Brisbane has many “backpacker”
hostels. The closest one to the college opened in 2002 and it
is two minutes walk away. For
further information
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Au Pair
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| Au Pair is a program that places students with
local Brisbane host families that seek help with childcare or
household tasks. In exchange for working 12 hours per week with
the family, a student receives accommodation and meals.
To be eligible for the au pair program students must:
• Be between 18 and 30 years old, in good health, mature
and responsible
• Speak English at a minimum of Intermediate level
• Be able to show that they have some experience in childcare
and household duties (such as cleaning, ironing and cooking)
• Provide references
(An international driver’s licence, though not compulsory,
would be an advantage)
QCE Brisbane aims to match au pair students and host families
according to the requirements of both parties. The student is
expected to participate as a member of the family and assist
with the tasks as required. The host family ensures that the
student has a private room, with a proper bed, a wardrobe, a
study desk with a chair and appropriate lighting. Host families
also provide three meals per day and the opportunity for the
student to participate in their family events and social activities.
Full details of this program may be obtained by contacting
the Homestay Officer
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Rent a Flat
or Share House
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| If students want to live independently they
can find share accommodation. The price for a room in a flat
or house varies, depending on the location and quality of the
place. The prices can range from AU$70 to $120 per week. Students
must expect to pay four weeks’ bond and at least two weeks’
rent in advance before they move in. The bond is returned to
you when you leave the place clean and undamaged. Students must
also budget for electricity, food, gas, telephone and public
transport costs.
Sometimes finding a place to live can be difficult. Here are
some hints about how to find a place to live.
QCE Brisbane Reception
In the Reception we have a list of rental flats, houses and
share accommodation. We also have maps and more hints about
where to look.
Student services:
• Can provide information about Queensland rental laws
• Assist you with what to say when you make an inquiry
• Help you to make phone calls to check rental flats and
houses
QCE Brisbane Noticeboard
On the first floor at college, in the recreation room, is our
noticeboard with advertisements for share accommodation.
Universities
Brisbane universities, located close to the city centre, such
as Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University
of Queensland (UQ), also have noticeboards for accommodation.
They often have signs for cheap flats and houses so it is a
good idea to walk around their campus and look at the noticeboards.
The Courier Mail
In the Accommodation section of this daily newspaper is a list
of houses, flats and units to rent, as well as to share. The
places are listed under each suburb. Saturday’s paper
is the best one to check as it has more ads – but be early
because everyone knows this!
Real Estate Agents
You will find advertisements at Real Estate agents for flats
and houses to rent. If you do not understand the ads bring a
copy to the Student Services and we will help you.
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Share House
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Sometimes finding somewhere to live can be a difficult task.
Here are some hints about how to find a place to live.
Accommodation File, Student Services
The file has a list of available flats/units/houses to rent
or share (usually quite near to St Mark’s), as well as details
of some Real Estate Agents to contact, and other rental information.
Student Services also have advice about Western Australian rental
laws and much more. We can help you make telephone calls to
owners and real estate agents too.
The West Australian Newspaper
There is a Real Estate section in the Classified Advertisements
every day. Wednesdays and Saturdays are the best days to look.
Look under the sections which say To Let or To
Let - Shared Accommodation. The houses are listed alphabetically
by suburb.
The Sunday Times Newspaper
It doesnt have as many properties for rent as The West
Australian, but it’s still worth looking in the Real Estate
columns in the Classified Advertisements. Look under To
Let or Shared Accommodation.
St Marks
The noticeboards around the school often have advertisements
for shared accommodation, like this example:
I’m a Japanese girl and I’m looking for sharemate.
Nice House in MT Lawley - 5 minutes walk from St Marks
Its only $65 per week, plus expenses.
Call Yuko on 234 5678
Universities
If youre having trouble finding somewhere cheap to live,
go for a walk around one of Perths university campuses
(Edith Cowen - Mt Lawley or Churchlands, and University of Western
Australia in Nedlands are the closest) and have a look on the
noticeboards. They often have signs for cheap flats to rent
or share.
Real Estate Agents
There are several Real Estate Offices quite close to St Mark’s.
Some of those are listed in the Accommodation File. It is easy
to find a Real Estate Agent just by walking along Beaufort Street.
If you don’t understand an advertisement, come to Student Services
and ask what it means. If you arent very confident about
your telephone skills, Student Services can assist you.
The Student Services staff are always willing to help you
with your accommodation problems.
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Local Youth
Hostel/Backpackers
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The star rating is the opinion of St Mark's International College
Student Services department, and is simply a comparative rating
for these FIVE options.
Underground Backpackers
20 minute walk to St Mark's
2 minutes walk to the city (free bus across the road).
Central to all bus and train stations
Swimming pool
Air conditioning and very clean and comfortable rooms
Separate entertainment and sleeping areas
24 hour check-in
24 hour e-mail
flat desk
Licensed bar
Free lockers, linen, tea and coffee
Beatty Lodge
20 minute walk to St Mark's
5 minutes by bus to city
Very close to restaurant/nightclub area of Perth
Security key to front door/bathroom
Very clean
Very comfortably furnished rooms
Shared bathroom - very clean - security door
Laundry facilities very good
TV in all rooms
Restaurants/Cafe open for all meals at reasonable prices
No alcohol/no smoking on premises
Full bed linen provided - serviced weekly
Recreation rooms, swimming pool, mini gym, TV, Reading lounges
Coin operated e-mail/internet access
Jewell House
25 minute walk to St Mark's
10 minute walk to city centre
7 minutes by bus to St Mark's
24 hour reception
Comfortable furnished rooms
Rooms available with TV for $2.00 extra per night
Shared bathroom - basic
Laundry facilities good
TV lounges
Cafe available for breakfast/dinner
Coin operated e-mail/internet access
Townsend Lodge
30 minute walk to St Mark's
7 minutes by bus to St Mark's
5 minute walk to city centre
Security code access to front door
Basically furnished rooms
TV lounge, Games room
Shared bathroom - basic
Fully equipped laundry facility
Kitchen, cooking, BBQ facilities available
Coin operated e-mail/internet access
Bed linen supplied - serviced weekly
Britannia YHA Backpackers
20 minute walk to St Mark's
5 minutes by bus to St Mark's
Basically furnished rooms and shared bathroom
Very clean
Kitchen, cooking facilities
TV lounge
Fully equipped laundry
Coin operated e-mail/internet access
24 hour reception/ security code access to front door
Bed linen for hire
No alcohol in room/ no smoking YHA
Usually maximum 2 weeks stay
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Enrol Now at GEOS QCE Brisbane. Download our Enrolment
form and fax or email to GEOS QCE Brisbane and we will get back to
you.
Or if you would like to know more about the Queensland College of English
download the latest GEOS
QCE Brisbane brochure |
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Cost
of Living |
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Brisbane is one of Australia's less expensive
cities. We enjoy a good quality of life at a very reasonable
cost.
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Price
Comparison |
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Milk 1 litre - $2.00
Bread 1 loaf - $2.60
Movie ticket - $12.00
Local phone call - $0.50
Burger and fries - $4.50
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Culture Shock
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You may experience this when you first arrive.
It is understandable as Australia may be different from
some students' home country. Here
are some tips to help with culture shock. |
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