Finding the right home

One of the most important steps in migrating to Australia is finding the right place for you and your family to live in.

The cost of relocating anywhere is always high. There are significant costs involved in travelling to Australia, moving household goods and setting up a new home.

The cost of houses and apartments (often called units or flats in Australia) is relatively high, particularly in Sydney, Perth, Melbourne and Canberra.

Renting or buying a house or an apartment is generally done through a licensed real estate agent. Although property can also be bought, sold or leased privately, it is wise to consult a lawyer before doing so.

Properties for sale or rent are advertised in daily newspapers, usually on Saturdays, as well as various internet sites and through estate agents.

The following is a list of websites that present the latest homes for sale, property news & real estate market data:
• Realestate.com.au
• Domain.com.au
• Myhome.com.au
• Realestateview.com.au
• Property.com.au

There are also a range of privately owned homes on offer for renting or sale. These houses are commonly advertised on websites including:
• Homesales.com.au
• Noagentproperty.com.au
• Gumtree.com.au

Payment of a bond, equal to one month’s rent, plus one month’s rent in advance, is usual practice when renting. The bond is normally returned when tenants vacate, minus any costs for repairs or cleaning if required. Australia has many different property sales and rental agencies to assist you with finding a home.

Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection
http://www.immi.gov.au/

IMPORTANT: This information is accurate only at the time of publication.