Accomodation & Housing
Moving out of home for the first time? Wondering what you need to know?
Look here for helpful tips.
The Accommodation Office
The Student Accommodation Office is located on Hughes plaza behind the Staff Club.
Ph: (08) 8303 5220
Email: student.housing@adelaide.edu.au
Web: www.adelaide.edu.au/accommodation
They have many resources that can make looking for housing easier.
You can make use of the University's database for private accommodation, or the friendly staff can provide you with information about the range of accommodation options offered by the University.
This includes the affiliated Colleges and the recent exciting University accommodation developments, CITI Townhouse and The Village.
In addition the University offers a Subsidised Accommodation scheme that provides limited places to students who meet the stipulated criteria. For detail contact the Accommodation Office or the Education and Welfare Officers
Where to find Accommodation
Here are some basic steps to get you started:
STEP 1
If you have no place in particular to move to you firstly need to work out what your budget can afford. Living on your own is often more expensive than sharing but has its up sides particularly if you like your privacy.
STEP 2
Having determined whether you will live on your own or you will share, do you want to share a flat or house? Houses often have a back yard, possibly allow pets, and rooms can be spacious. Flats tend to be smaller, have little if any back yard but can be cheaper to heat and cool, and can be found fairly close to campus.
STEP 3
What furniture do you have? What do you need? Refrigerators, washing machines, bed, desk, chairs and tables, cooking equipment, linen, lounge furniture etc etc. What is essential to getting set up? e.g. do you really need a TV ? is there a fridge already in the place? are there built-ins you can use?
Second hand furniture can be very useful and is much cheaper than new. Places like the Salvation Army and St Vinnie's can be of real help in getting basic furniture which you can later add to. What might the relatives have in their sheds they no longer use or can loan you?
STEP 4
Finding a place that is suitable may take some time. Places to look for listings include The Advertiser newspaper especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ask friends and family who may know of somewhere suitable. Noticeboards around the uni often have accommodation notices. Also, the Housing Trust of SA has a Student Accommodation Scheme. For further details, see the Accommodation Officer or one of the EWOs in the Lady Symon Building.
STEP 5
Having found a place you will live in you may be eligible for bond and rent assistance from the South Australian Housing Trust. Centrelink also provide rent assistance to people on payments. The SAHT office is at 45 Wakefield St in the city. The nearest Centrelink office is at 55 Currie Street, Adelaide.
Eligibility criteria change so please ask the Accommodation Officer or check directly.
Tips on How to Survive on a Low Income
If you have never needed to work out a budget before, now is the time to start.
When renting there will be additional costs you need to make allowance for. These can include electricity, gas, phone and water. Known as utilities, if they are not paid you lose the use of the service and have to pay reconnection fees on top of the overdue account. When budgeting build in a weekly figure to allow for these bills which come quarterly, unless you negotiate them to arrive monthly or even two monthly, which can be done.
You may also be eligible for Rent Assistance if you qualify for Youth Allowance.
EXAMPLE BUDGET
Income (weekly) |
($) |
| Youth Allowance | 163.00 |
| Part Time Work | 60.00 |
| Total Income | 223.00 |
Expenses (Weekly) |
($) |
| Rent | 80.00 |
| Utilities | 20.00 |
| Food | 50.00 |
| Bus Fare | 10.00 |
| Photocopying/Computing | 10.00 |
| Phone | 10.00 |
| Total Expenses | 180.00 |
There appears to be an excess of $43 per week based on these budget figures. Note however that there has been no money put aside for clothes, furniture, going to the movies or out for drinks, health needs, hair cuts, travel home for holidays etc. There are always unexpected costs eg birthday gift for a friend, which need to be factored in.
Budgeting is an art, and if managed well can free your mind from concerns about how you'll pay the next bill, where you'll eat your next meal and whether the landlord will kick you out.
The EWOs will happily give assistance helping people work out a manageable budget and if you get to us before you actually get into debt it might save you a few sleepless nights.
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