Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Nathalie, or another of our hunters in Brisbane, will take care of your search
The total monthly occupancy cost for a student renting in Brisbane is made up of several components governed by Queensland law:
Brisbane in brief for international student renters: Rent is quoted per week; shared rooms start from ~A$286/week and 1-bed apartments from ~A$522/week (UQ, 2024). A bond of up to 4 weeks' rent is required by law and held by the RTA. No upfront letting fees are charged to tenants under Queensland law. Top student suburbs: St Lucia (UQ), Kelvin Grove (QUT), Toowong, and South Bank (Griffith). Start your search 3–6 months before your intake date.
Finding long-term rental accommodation in Brisbane as an international student requires understanding both the local rental market and Queensland's tenancy laws. Unlike many European countries, Brisbane's rental market advertises prices per week, and leases are governed by the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, administered by the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA). Students can choose between purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) — such as UniLodge, Scape, or on-campus residences — and private rentals found on platforms like realestate.com.au, Domain, or Flatmates.com.au. Private rentals offer more independence and are generally more affordable for students sharing a house, but require a bond (up to 4 weeks' rent) and 2 weeks' advance rent upfront. Starting your search early — ideally 3 to 6 months before your intake — is strongly recommended given the high demand around the February and July university start dates.
Brisbane is one of Australia's most popular destinations for international students, home to major institutions including the University of Queensland (UQ) in St Lucia, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) at Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove, and Griffith University at South Bank and Nathan. The long-term rental market operates on a weekly rent basis, with shared accommodation starting from approximately A$286 per person per week and private 1-bedroom apartments from around A$522 per week (University of Queensland, 2024). Under Queensland's Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, tenants must pay a bond of up to 4 weeks' rent, which is held by the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA) — not the landlord. Popular student suburbs include St Lucia, Toowong, Kelvin Grove, and South Bank, all well connected by Translink buses and the CityCat river ferry. Given the competitive rental market, international students are advised to begin their accommodation search 3 to 6 months before their course start date.
Finding long-term rental accommodation in Brisbane as an international student requires understanding both the local rental market and Queensland's tenancy laws. Unlike many European countries, Brisbane's rental market advertises prices per week, and leases are governed by the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008, administered by the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA). Students can choose between purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) — such as UniLodge, Scape, or on-campus residences — and private rentals found on platforms like realestate.com.au, Domain, or Flatmates.com.au. Private rentals offer more independence and are generally more affordable for students sharing a house, but require a bond (up to 4 weeks' rent) and 2 weeks' advance rent upfront. Starting your search early — ideally 3 to 6 months before your intake — is strongly recommended given the high demand around the February and July university start dates.
Brisbane's rental market operates on a weekly rent basis, so all advertised prices are quoted per week (pw). When budgeting, multiply the weekly rent by 4.33 to estimate your monthly cost. International students should also account for the bond (up to 4 weeks' rent, lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority) and 2 weeks' advance rent at the start of the tenancy — meaning you may need the equivalent of 6 weeks' rent available before moving in. In shared houses, utility bills are split among housemates, which significantly reduces individual costs. Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) providers such as UniLodge and Scape often include utilities in the weekly rate, making it easier to manage a fixed monthly budget.
International students searching for long-term rental accommodation in Brisbane frequently make the following mistakes:
Fantastic, nothing to add. Mathilde managed to find us an apartment that met all our criteria. Thank you so much for your help and professionalism.
Gaëlle provided excellent service. We finally found accommodation that suited us. At first, I was a little pessimistic, but in the end, everything went well.
Justine was an invaluable help. She quickly found us a rental that perfectly matched our requirements. Her availability, kindness, and responsiveness are undeniable. I highly recommend her services!
Thank you to Aude for her availability, follow-up, and smile! A room was found for my daughter very quickly. Thank you for all the information, answering our many questions, and for your support right up to the key handover! I highly recommend her.
Check realestate.com.au, Domain.com.au, Flatmates.com.au and your university's housing portal. St Lucia is next to the University of Queensland, Kelvin Grove next to QUT, and Toowong is well linked by bus to St Lucia.
Never transfer money without a viewing, in person or through a trusted representative: a Home Finder on the spot can do it remotely for you.
Landlords expect proof of identity, proof of ability to pay, a rental history and references. Without an Australian history, bank statements and a letter from an employer or your institution help to make up for it.
No application or admin fee can be charged to you in Queensland. The Home Finder checks that your file is complete before it is sent.
Start your search three to six months before your course begins. The February and July intakes are when competition is strongest.
Allow up to six weeks' rent before you move in: four weeks of bond plus two weeks' rent in advance.
A share in a three-bedroom house starts at about 286 AUD per person per week, or around 1,238 AUD a month. A one-bedroom flat near the centre starts at about 522 AUD a week, or around 2,260 AUD a month.
The bond, capped at four weeks' rent, is held by the RTA. Electricity, water and internet are often extra.
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