Renting in Australia — A Practical Guide for New Indian Migrants

Finding rental accommodation is one of the most stressful parts of arriving in Australia, particularly in cities with tight rental markets like Sydney and Melbourne. Indian migrants face an additional challenge: no Australian rental history and no local references when they first arrive.

This guide explains how the rental process works and what you can do to maximise your chances of approval.

How Australian Renting Works

Most rental properties in Australia are managed by real estate agents on behalf of landlords. The process is:

1. Properties are listed on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au (the two major portals)
2. You attend an inspection (open for inspection) in person
3. You submit a rental application
4. The property manager assesses all applications and selects a tenant
5. A lease agreement (residential tenancy agreement) is signed
6. You pay a bond (security deposit) and the first rent payment
7. You move in

Understanding Rent Prices

Rent in Australia is quoted as a weekly amount, not monthly. This surprises many Indian migrants.

• A property listed at "$650 per week" costs you approximately $2,817 per month (650 × 52 ÷ 12)
• You will pay rent weekly or fortnightly, transferred via bank transfer to the property manager

Check if rent is affordable for your income: → Rent Affordability Calculator

Approximate weekly rents in 2026 (median, 2-bedroom apartment):

City	Approx. median weekly rent
Sydney	$700–$800
Melbourne	$550–$650
Brisbane	$550–$650
Perth	$600–$700
Adelaide	$450–$550
Canberra	$550–$650

Prices vary significantly by suburb. Indian migrant communities tend to concentrate in specific suburbs where rents may differ from city medians.

The Rental Application

You will need to provide:

Identity:

• Passport
• Visa / ImmiCard
• Australian driving licence (if you have one)

Income:

• Employment letter or payslips (last 3 months)
• Bank statements showing regular income
• If self-employed or contracting: tax returns

References:

• Previous rental references (property manager contact details from previous tenancies)
• Personal references (employer, professional contact — not friends or family)

Rental history:

• Details of previous addresses (Australian and overseas)

TICA check: Property managers may run a TICA (Tenancy Information Centre Australasia) check — this is like a credit check for tenants, showing any previous defaults or serious breaches. As a new arrival, you will have no record, which is different from a bad record.

The Bond (Security Deposit)

The bond is a security deposit held by the relevant state authority (not the landlord or agent directly). It is returned at the end of your tenancy if there is no damage beyond fair wear and tear and no rent owed.

Bond amount: Varies by state — typically 4 weeks' rent. In NSW it can be higher for higher-rent properties.

Bond lodgement: The agent must lodge your bond with the state tenancy authority within a set number of days. You receive a bond receipt. At the end of your tenancy, you apply to the tenancy authority to have your bond released.

Tenant Rights in Australia

Tenant rights are protected by state legislation. Key rights:

• Rent increases — must be in writing, with the required notice period (60 days in most states for periodic leases)
• Repairs — landlords must maintain the property in good repair. Urgent repairs (burst pipes, no hot water) must be fixed promptly. You can request repairs in writing and follow up formally if ignored
• Entry — landlords and agents must give you written notice before entering (typically 24 hours, more in some states) except in emergencies
• Bond — can only be deducted for damage beyond fair wear and tear, unpaid rent, or cleaning if the property is not left clean
• Discrimination — landlords cannot discriminate against you based on race, national origin, religion, or other protected characteristics

Tips for Getting Approved as a New Indian Migrant

Challenge: No Australian rental history, possibly no local references, new to Australian employment.

Strategies:

1. Offer to pay multiple months' rent in advance — this reassures landlords about your reliability. Some property managers ask for this; others will accept the offer
2. Provide Indian rental references — a letter from your Indian landlord (in English) confirming your tenancy and that you left in good standing
3. Provide an employment letter — a letter from your Australian employer confirming your position, salary, and permanent (or indefinite) employment status is very powerful
4. Strong bank statements — Australian bank statements showing your salary deposits reassure the agent about your ability to pay rent consistently
5. Professional character references — a reference from your Australian employer or manager (separate from the employment letter) adds weight
6. Apply promptly — in competitive markets, delays of even one day can result in another applicant being selected. Complete your application within hours of the inspection
7. Present well at the inspection — property managers often form impressions at inspections. Arrive on time, introduce yourself, and ask relevant questions

Temporary Accommodation While You Search

Having a base while you search is important. Options:

• Short-term rental (Airbnb, serviced apartments) — flexible but expensive for longer stays
• Indian community WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups — many Indian migrants advertise rooms or short-term stays within the community. Search for "[City] Indian migrants" or "[City] Indian community" groups
• Student accommodation — if you arrived for study, on-campus housing while you search
• House shares — websites like Flatmates.com.au list rooms in share houses. Moving into a share house first is a fast way to build local references

Renting Suburbs with Strong Indian Communities

Sydney: Parramatta, Harris Park, Westmead, Blacktown, Merrylands, Auburn, Liverpool, Baulkham Hills Melbourne: Dandenong, Clayton, Springvale, Box Hill, Doncaster, Point Cook, Roxburgh Park Brisbane: Eight Mile Plains, Calamvale, Sunnybank, Forest Lake Adelaide: Woodville, Hindmarsh, Modbury, Elizabeth Perth: Cannington, Cloverdale, Thornlie, Bassendean

Find Indian businesses and services in your suburb: → Browse Directory by Suburb

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my family in India act as a guarantor for my Australian rental application?

Generally no — landlords want someone who can be held liable under Australian law. Some agents accept additional advance rent payment in lieu of a local guarantor.

My landlord wants cash rent. Is that normal?

No — Australian landlords and agents collect rent via bank transfer or payment gateway. Cash rent creates no paper trail and is inadvisable. If a private landlord insists on cash, be cautious.

I was asked to pay a "holding deposit" to secure the property before signing a lease. Is that legitimate?

A holding deposit is sometimes taken to hold a property for you while the landlord decides. It should be a small amount (typically 1 week's rent maximum), and it should be refunded or applied to your bond if you proceed. Get a receipt and clarify the terms in writing before paying.

My landlord is refusing to do urgent repairs. What can I do?

Document the issue in writing (email to the agent). If no action after the required notice period, you can apply to the relevant state tribunal (VCAT in Victoria, NCAT in NSW, QCAT in Queensland). AustraliaWasi recommends contacting your state's tenants' union for free advice.

Tenancy laws vary by state. Check the relevant state authority's website (Fair Trading NSW, Consumer Affairs Victoria, etc.) for state-specific rules.