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.

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.

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

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

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.

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 doesn’t 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 Mark’s
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 Mark’s
It’s only $65 per week, plus expenses.
Call Yuko on 234 5678

Universities
If you’re having trouble finding somewhere cheap to live, go for a walk around one of Perth’s 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 aren’t 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.

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.