Accommodation

Renting in australia

Renting property in Australia is similar to most other countries in that Rental Properties are advertised in the press and through Real Estate Agents. Occasionally a Landlord himself might advertise privately.

In all States there are strict guidelines and policy to protect both Tenants and Landlords. Generally there is a legal obligation to hand to prospective tenants the relevant guidelines for that State and Tenants are advised that they should not sign a lease unless they have fully understood the terms and conditions contained therein.

The general rule of thumb is that a Security Deposit of between 2 – 4 weeks Rent will be paid up front and kept in trust by the relevant State’s Tenant Association. This Security Deposit will be refunded at the end of the term on condition that the property has been handed back in a clean state. Tenants will also have to pay the first month’s rent in advance. In the case of New Migrants some landlords might ask for additional rent to be paid as extra security. This is because they are unlikely or unable to show references or credit checks from persons within Australia.

To contact the relevant State Authority or find out more about Tenants’ rights, please see below.

Australian Capital Territory
Tenants Advice Service	+61 2 6247 2011	www.tenantsact.org

New South Wales
Office of Fair Trading	+61 2 9895 0111	www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

Victoria
Residential Tenancies Board Authority	+61 1300 137 164 +61 3 9627 6143	www.rtba.vic.gov.au

Queensland
Residential Tenancies Authority	+61 1300 366 311	www.rta.qld.gov.au

Western Australia
Tenants Advice Service	+61 1800 621 888 +61 8 9221 088	www.taswa.org

South Australia
Office of Consumer and Business Affairs (Tenancies)	+61 8 8204 9533	www.ocba.sa.gov.au

Northern Territory
Consumer and Business Affairs - Tenancy Unit	+61 8 8999 5187 +61 8 8982 1781	www.caba.nt.gov.au