For most international students, moving to Australia means finding a new place to live.
Often, this may be in a sharehouse with people they have only just met, and while sharing a home can be a great way to grow connections with people and keep living costs manageable, unfortunately, sometimes problems can arise.
Recent news has once again highlighted the serious issue of household violence in Australia. While violence is an extreme example of household problems, issues at home can range from relatively minor disagreements to situations that leave someone feeling unsafe in their own space.
The important thing to remember is that you don't have to deal with difficult housing situations alone.
Common problems with housemates
Sharing a home with other people always involves an element of compromise from everyone. People have different expectations around cleanliness, noise, visitors and schedules. This is normal, but can lead to tension if boundaries are not properly spoken about and agreed upon.
One housemate might prefer a quiet home, while another regularly hosts loud social gatherings. There might be disagreements around how often the shared living spaces should be cleaned and who is responsible for particular jobs in those spaces. Problems can also arise when housemates smoke inside, have pets without agreement, or don't respect each other's privacy and personal boundaries.
Money is another common source of conflict. There may be disagreements over rent, shared bills, or who purchased certain grocery items. If one person is repeatedly failing to contribute their share of the bills, this can have a massive financial impact on everyone else in the household. Youth Central recommends clear communication and, where necessary, mediation or dispute resolution for larger household disagreements.
It's also important to understand your rental arrangement. If you are a co-renter, for example, you may share responsibility for rent and the condition of the property with the other people named on the lease, as opposed to being sub-let the property.
When a problem becomes more than just a disagreement
Household disagreements are common in most living situations, and most are hopefully not going to lead to safety issues. However, behaviour such as threats, intimidation, harassment or violence should not be dismissed as simply a ‘disagreement’ between housemates.
If you feel frightened or unsafe at home, seek support rather than trying to manage the situation by yourself. In an emergency or if someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero (000).
Most share-house disagreements can be resolved through communication and compromise. But if something doesn't feel right, you don't have to wait until a situation becomes serious before asking for help. Whether the problem is an unpaid bill, an ongoing disagreement with a housemate or concerns about your safety, support is available.
Where international students can get help
Your education provider should be one of your first points of contact if you’re experiencing problems with your living situation. International student support services are available through all Australian education providers, and should offer support for both housing/accomodation, as well as general wellbeing.
You can also seek advice about your rights as a renter. International students have the same rights as any other renter in Australia, although the exact rules vary between states and territories. Study Australia provides information about rental rights and links to relevant tenancy services across Australia.
For higher-level disputes between housemates, mediation can sometimes help. In Victoria, for example, Consumer Affairs provides free dispute resolution services, while other states and territories have their own tenancy and dispute-resolution services. It’s worth ensuring you know who can handle disputes in your state.
In cases of domestic, family or sexual violence support, you can contact Australia’s national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service – 1800RESPECT
- Phone 1800 737 732
- Text 0458 737 732
- Access online chat or video call services.
The service operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Interpreters are also available through the telephone service.
