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Australia at a Glance

Housing and Education in Australia

Don't go house hunting too early, as the rental and property market moves fast in Australia.

Housing

There is not much point in looking for a place before you arrive in Australia, as rental and property markets move fast in Australia´s big cities. Furthermore, it is neither advisable nor legal to sign a rental agreement (never mind purchasing property) without viewing the place beforehand. Temporary furnished accommodation, especially in serviced apartments, is widely available in most cities.

Real estate agents are required by law to rent apartments on a first-come first-served basis, and competition, particularly for big apartments, can be fierce. Once a viewing has been arranged, be sure to bring the application form together with photocopies of your required documents, so you can act immediately if you like the place.

Both you and the landlord/estate agent should complete the condition report, which records the physical state of the property before you move in. Together with your security deposit, this document will be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bonds Authority until the termination of your contract.

House Hunting

Most people start their search by checking the daily local newspapers or by asking an estate agent for a list of rental properties available. The real estate agent will then arrange a viewing of the accommodation. The internet is also a popular source when looking for your new home.

A helpful online starting point is the BCL Australian City Life Site, which offers guides to all major cities including a section on property for rent or sale in the area. When browsing the internet for housing, be aware of the Australian use of the word suburb. It does not necessarily denote a residential neighborhood on the outskirts of town, but may simply refer to an area defined by one postcode.

School System

If your children are joining you for your expat experience, you will be pleased to read that the Australian school system is very good by worldwide standards. School is compulsory for children between the age of 5 and 15 or 16, but most children stay in education or vocational training until they finish year 12 or reach the age of 17. Parents can choose to send their offspring to pre-school when they are 4 years old, but as this is a popular choice, waiting lists can be long.

Approximately two thirds of Australian school children go to public schools, which are government-funded and thus charge no tuition fees. Families living in the Australian Outback can arrange for tuition via distance learning or opt for home schooling.

Private Schools

There is also a variety of private schools, either independent or with religious affiliation. Most of them are listed in the Private Schools Directory. Among them are several International Schools, most of which use English as their language of instruction. In Sydney and Melbourne, however, you can find some bilingual French, German, and Japanese schools, too.

Due to the general high quality of teaching in Australia, many expat families don´t bother with international schools and send their children to normal schools instead. Some government schools and many private schools attract such high numbers of international students that they offer courses in English as a second language, or even the International Baccalaureate. You can search for an International Baccalaureate Organization-approved school in your area on ibo.org. However, many universities across the world also recognize the Australian Senior Secondary Certificate of Education.