A sharehouse within a secured, luxury apartment building with fantastic facilities

There are many different types of sharehouses in Australia, including houses, units and secured apartments. Secured apartments in particular are popular with females. Supertop is one of these such apartments, and provides an environment for a small number of people to share together. This large scale apartment complex has separate entrances for each building. Residents here enjoy perks such as free use of the communal pool and gym. Supertop provide apartments for 2-3 persons and currently manage approximately 6-8 apartments in the complex.

The apartment complex is located in Maroubra Junction, an area concentrated with everything one needs in their daily life including banks, supermarkets, a post office and cafe and restaurants. Buses bound for the city leave right in front of the complex and take approximately 35 minutes to arrive. With Maroubra beach nearby, this is the perfect place for people who wish to live in a relaxed environment away from the hustle and bustle of the city yet still have access to life’s conveniences.

Let’s have a look inside the house!

All sharehouses have a dining area and living room

While the overall layout of the apartments may differ, they all have a dining area and living room. As most of the interaction among sharemates will occur in the living and dining rooms it’s important not to overlook these areas in a sharehouse. Relax and enjoy having a place to hang out like this.

A 100% English language environment at home

This unique property is one we found down in Melbourne. It’s the perfect sharehouse for people wanting to study English with an ‘English Only’ policy written into the tenant agreement. Use of one’s native tongue will result in residents having to complete tasks such as writing a report.

OziHouse operates sharehouses in three different locations in South Yarra, Richmond and Collingwood. Each house has a live-in manager to deal with any problems that may occur. With reasonable rates, quality houses and top service OziHouse boasts many long term residents and returning guests. Josh, one of the house managers, says that if you choose one of these houses as your Australian home you will become like family with housemates who were once strangers. Other sharehouses may just provide a roof over your head, but this sharehouse is popular due to hosting a variety of activities each week such as movie nights and its free English conversation club,

Let’s head on in and have a look inside the three Melbourne properties!

Great mix of nationalities to rival the most diverse language school campuses

OziHouse properties generally have a great mix of nationalities from all over the world, making home the best place for new encounters.

Reserve the type of room that meets your taste and budget

With single rooms and rooms sleeping from 2 to 6 people applicants can choose one that suits their budget. Many long-term residents who start off in a single room eventually change to a shared room during their stay. While in a single you a likely to hole yourself up in your room, the minute you move to a shared room the chatter never stops. It could also be fun to try out all of the different types of rooms! Above is a photo of a twin room with a bunk bed.

An English school connecting students with work through internships and work programs

Access Language Centre is a relatively cozy environment with around 280 students. It is also popular as a school where students can study English among a balanced mix of different nationalities. There are a diverse range of courses, including the conversation-based General English course where students can get plenty of study in without taking any work home in the 25-hour weekly intensive stream.

This school’s biggest selling point is its mini internship programs and its full-time Singapore work program. These programs help students to gain confidence in their English abilities in the workforce after they have mastered the language. Students will become fluent in English and become global individuals who can adapt in foreign environments.

Access has the support system needed for students to learn and master English and advance in their own endeavors.

This is a great school for people who want to use English professionally in the future, or who want to add something extra to their English learning adventure while they are in Australia by gaining work experience.

Programs with a little bit extra

Work and Study Program

This is an internship program for students who want to add something extra to their English learning by gaining work experience in local organizations, or for those who want to test themselves on how well they can adapt in a foreign culture.

• Students will gain 1~8 weeks experience as an intern after completing language training
• Elementary level students may apply, however a certain degree of knowledge of English is a required for different host organizations.
• Main host organizations: Child care center, cafe, pet salon, golf course, flower shop
• There are application date requirements and separate program fees.

Singapore Work Program

This is a program where students first study English in Australia before attaining an employment visa and working in Singapore as a full-time employee. Fulfill your dreams of working overseas in Singapore, one of the economic centers of Asia.

• Referrals for employment in your desired field
• Strengthen one’s interview skills in English
• This program is for upper intermediate English speakers. There are separate program fees.

＜Requirements for Singapore Business Visa＞

• Completion of a 4-year university degree
• A minimum of 2 years of work experience
• A TOEIC score of 700 or above

※Other popular courses include Professional English and exam preparation courses for Cambridge, IELTS and TOEIC.

Class Overview

Here we will look at the most popular courses at Access.

General English

The conversation-focused General English course boasts a diverse range of classes. Master the skills you need to speak freely by repeating role play exercises according to your level. One popular teacher always starts his classes by telling the students that he love mistakes, guiding his students to proficiency through their errors.

• 25 hours of class time per week
• 6 levels from Beginner to Advanced

BusinessEnglish

Karen is the teacher in charge of Business English and is a women with experience in business management. It’s a very popular course with students requesting Karen’s classes. Students will learn not only how to compose business letters and emails, but also about negotiation and management, expressing oneself during interviews, and the cultural differences that emerge in international business dealings.

• Intermediate level 5 is required.
• Courses length is 4 to 8 weeks.

※Other popular courses include Academic English and exam preparation courses for Cambridge, IELTS and TOEIC.

The Campus

The Access Language Centre campus is approximately 5-minutes from Central Station on foot. Stylish shops and cafes popular with the locals share the neighborhood. The campus is in a very convenient location with a supermarket and bank nearby.

The largest English school in Australia welcomes students from over 100 different countries each year

Navitas English is a big company with 7 campuses set up around Australia. The school offers top quality courses and support to its students with over 30 years of experience behind them. Today we will look at the large-scale Sydney city campus which is host to roughly 600 students.

Navitas English is known as being a school centered on preparing students to get into university with ties universities and vocational schools around Australia. After completing the appropriate English course here students can gain direct entry into one of these schools. Navitas English shares a campus with a vocational school attended by Australian students, and one of the attractions of this English school is the opportunity to interact with locals. It is also possible to transfer to different campuses, meaning it’s entirely possible to continue one’s study at the Perth campus after first enrolling at the Sydney campus.

This is a great school for people who are serious about studying English.

Class Details

The following are a few popular courses at Navitas.

General English

What sets this General English course apart from the rest is that between first and third period, in which normal classes are taught using a set textbook, comes an elective called myStudy™. myStudy™ is a system where students choose what to study across different platforms based on their own learning styles, incorporating the use of movies, computers and conversation. A teacher is stationed in each myStudy™ classroom to answer any questions you may have while studying.

• 20 hour per week + 5 myStudy™ hours
• 6 different levels from elementary to advanced

Academic English1&2&3

This is a course suitable for students thinking about studying at an Australian university. Navitas English has ties with as many as 50 vocational schools and universities to which students gain direct entry. In this course students will gain skills such as note taking, essay and report writing, presentations and group discussions to prepare them for university lectures. There are 3 Academic English levels, each a 10 week course.

• Intermediate level course
• 10 weeks per Academic English level / 20 hours a week + 5 myStudy™ hours

Students can gain direct entry to the following schools.

※Other popular courses include Professional English and exam preparation courses for Cambridge, IELTS and TOEIC.

The Campus

The school is located in a building a 2-minute walk from Wynyard station in the center of Sydney. Reception is on the 4th floor. There is a cafe and rest area on the 1F that gives students the opportunity to interact with the students of other vocational schools.

Well-established English school popular with long term students and people who wish to study at an Australian university

ELS has 83 campuses throughout 11 different countries, and the Australian schools are located in Sydney and Melbourne. This article will explore the Sydney campus.

ELS Universal English College (ELS UEC) is known for its direct entry to 40 vocational schools, universities and TAFEs, and students aiming to enter these schools do not need to sit an IELTS and TOEFL examination. Students who have not chosen or who are unsure of which higher education institution they should go to can relax with access to career consultations at ELS UEC.
The popular General English course is broken down into 12 levels to suit language ability and students can improve their skills while learning the basics.

This is a school suitable for people who are serious about learning!

Classes

Let’s take a look at some of the popular courses at ESL UEC.

General English

What sets this course apart from the rest is that it is broken down into 12 different language levels. Considering that other schools usually offer around 5 to 7 levels, students can really study at the most suitable level for them at ESL UEC. Elementary and Intermediate levels aim to improve conversational ability focusing on speaking and listening.

• 12 levels of English Proficiency
• 4 week sessions / 20.8 class hours per week

Intensive English (EAP)

This course is suitable for students considering undertaking a university or vocational school degree through the pathway program. As the regular Academic English class is aimed at Intermediate and Upper Intermediate students, this course has classes starting at Beginner 101. Students can begin to learn Academic English skills from an Elementary level in this course. Students who successfully complete up to Level 108 students can proceed to the Academic English 3 program.

• 8 levels of proficiency (Level 101~108 ※see chart above)
• 4 week sessions / 25 class hours per week

Academic English 3&4

This course is suitable for students who are seeking direct entry into an Australian TAFE or university. There are two levels, AE3 and AE4. Classes are divided by student proficiency level and the school students wish to enter. Students will improve their academic reading abilities by learning about essay and report writing, lecture-note taking and strengthening their presentation skills.

• AE3：Prepares students for further study at TAFE or a vocational college
• AE4：Prepares students for further study at a university that requires an IELTS score of above 6.0.
• The classes in this course are fast-paced. Many different topics are discussed and individual review and revision will be necessary.
• 8 week course / 22.5 class hours per week

From this course students can gain direct entry to the following schools.

The Campus

The campus is minutes away from Circular Quay in the center of Sydney. It is located on a street lined with both traditional and modern buildings, and students can enjoy campus life smack bang in the middle of Sydney’s business district.

This school has the best environment in which to enjoy student life, hosting exchange students from 35 different countries throughout the year!

English Language Company maintains such a great balance of nationalities that it is often associated with having many European students. The campus has a constant international atmosphere with students in attendance from 35 different countries around the world. At this school there is no need to stress over being lumped together with people from your own country when you’ve made the effort to come all the way to Australia! There is no doubt that student life here will be a blast when you have the opportunity to meet people from other countries and easily make new friends every day!

ELC was established by the experienced English language educator owner not only in Australia but also in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Russia, Poland and China. The school understands the needs of its students by drawing on their experience in each country. The Sydney campus is located in the center of the city easily accessible by bus or train, and with many restaurants and cafes to be found near by students are sure to enjoy their Sydney lifestyles to the fullest. The school also provides original support services for job seekers, helping students to find employment amidst the difficult overseas job market.

ELC has received numerous awards and guarantees top quality classes. The school constantly maintains an international environment and is known for its high level of student satisfaction. In this article we will look more closely at why this school is so popular, and also have a sneak peak into the campus.

「English Language Company」School details page

Point ①：SWAP, the free job seeker support service for all students

Many students worry about finding a job after graduation. ELC provides their own work program called SWAP(Student Work Assistance Program) preparing students for work in Australia by helping students with opening a bank account, applying for a tax file number and informing students on topics such as the working environment and pay systems in Australia. Students also receive advice on their resumes, interview techniques, and act as an employment agency that helps students find work.

There is also a paid program available, called the Work and Travel program, that is open to applications only before arrival, which gives students access to a list of jobs all around the country for a 12 month period. A 24-hour support service and social activities program is also included in the package.

Point ②：Tailor your course to fit your personal objectives

The ELC system works with general English classes in the morning, followed by 1 hour of an elective class after lunch, known as Special Focus Modules, which students can choose every four weeks to fit their individual needs or interests.

・SLV (Speaking, Listening&Vocabulary)
・International Business English
・Writing
・Survival English
・English for Hospitality and Tourism
・Grammar
・IELTS Preparation

The last class of the day is English Extras, an optional class focusing special interests. There are many unique classes, such as Australian Wildlife, that will make you want to study even though the classes are entirely optional.

・Fluency Fastrack
・Pronunciation
・Work OZ
・TV and Media Studies
・Australian Studies
・Songs
・Film Club
・Social Soccer
・Excursions

A prestigious school with a heavy emphasis on the cultivation of global-minded talented individuals

International House Sydney (hereafter IH) was opened as a training school for English teachers. The school has a unique environment where international exchange students, as well as native English speakers studying to become English teachers, come together on one campus.

IH Sydney is conveniently located close to Wynyard and Town Hall train stations. The school buildings are historical architectural structures, giving students a kind of exclusive, European-style atmosphere within which to study. The school is bright and cheerful with its yellow and blue interior. There is also a high level of student satisfaction, with a great balance of different nationalities studying within its walls and experienced, easy to understand teachers in employment as the school is also a place of training for would-be teachers.

Students who enroll with little confidence in their English abilities will graduate as fully-fledged English teachers before moving on to take on the world. The school has many strong, assertive students who actively participate in class.
This article will look into why IH Sydney is so popular, as well as show you around the campus itself.

「International House Sydney」School details page

Point ①：Learn how to teach English to children

The 6 week J-SHINE intensive course is available in both Japanese and English and is perfect for students who wish to teach English to children (age 4-12) in Japan. Classes are fast-paced and easy to understand, making this a very popular course among students. Check out this linkto see a video of the English language class. If you’re interested in seeing the Japanese-language class, clickhere.

Point ②：Aim to teach English anywhere in the world with TESOL

TESOL(Teaching English to Speakers of Other Language) is an accredited professional qualification recognised on an international level. It enables you to teach adults over the age of 13 all around the world and is an extremely useful certification for people who want to teach at English Conversation schools, or even open their own English language schools in the future. Click
this linkto check out a TESOL class in action.

A house strengthening cultural exchange between sharemates from all over the world

Sharemates from all over the world like Italy, Brazil, England, Poland, Japan gather together in this house. I wonder if they all lived in similar accommodation before coming overseas? They might have even imagined that they would be living with Australians over here. The truth is that Australia is an international environment. Sydney in particular is a popular city, always a gathering place for people from around the world. Having the house in which you live as a small world in itself is an amazing thing, don’t you think?

Today we are looking at Come2stay, a large company in the sharehouse industry looking after 75 properties around Sydney as of April, 2015. The company’s great support system and friendly owner results in many long-term residents, and guests also enjoy a close relationship with the staff who are always on hand to help out in times of need. Come2au don’t want people to live in cramped, illegal living conditions with a million other residents just because rent is expensive in Australia. They are intent on providing clean and comfortable accommodation in an above board environment.

This house is in Kogarah, a convenient town with shops and facilities such as cafes, restaurants, a large supermarket and also a library near the local train station, and a beach located 15-minute walk away. The house itself is a 5-minute walk from the station, from which you can take a train to the city in 20 minutes. It’s the perfect property for people who want to live on the cheap away from the city center.

Let’s have a look at the house!

Enjoy a spacious environment in a penthouse-style secured apartment

The front door opens to a spacious living and dining area which continues out onto a balcony. This 2-storey property is penthouse-style living.

The fully-equipped open kitchen is a place to cook and interact

The living, dining and kitchen are situated in an open plan area, so residents can enjoy chatting with others while cooking at the same time.

The drawing point of the property is its large, L-shaped balcony

Standing out on this balcony makes one feel as though they’re close to the sky. This apartment is on the 7th floor and with such a great view residents can relax with a book outside when the weather is fine or even enjoy a BBQ among sharemates. The balcony is a place for resident interaction and is a must-see itself.

Interact with different cultures at this international sharehouse

The perfect environment for people wanting to live in a sharehouse in Australia is one where people gather from all over the world as students or on working holidays, a place where people from Europe, South America and Asia live together and speak English everyday.

I’m talking about Cozzy Stay, a successful brand of sharehouses by the 2stay Group. All of their properties are top quality with each house having been remodeled in the same design, with each place even having the same furniture. We’ll be looking at three of these houses today. One house is in North Sydney, a popular area among the Japanese. Close to a bus stop with the city a 15-minute bus ride away, it’s in the perfect spot for people particular about location. There is also another house in Kingsford, a suburb nearby UNSW, in a quiet residential area. This house is close to the main street with the convenient for shopping with many Asian supermarkets and restaurants in the area. It takes approximately 25 minutes by bus to the city. Randwick, like Kingsford, is another popular Eastern suburb. The property in this area has a wonderful antique-style exterior. Nearby is a street with restaurants and a cinema, and close to the beach it’s a great house for people who want to enjoy the beach lifestyle. The city is a 25-minute bus ride away.

Let’s have a look inside!

Living and dining area for mingling among housemates

Timber floorboards offset the white color-scheme. Australian houses usually tend to be carpeted, so it’s great to see some wooden floorboards here.

Sharehouses have become quite popular in Japan, although there still aren’t many privately owned properties in the mix. In Australia many properties are sublets, meaning people renting a 2 or 3 bedroom house rent out unused rooms to other people. For this reason you often find cheap houses that aren’t properly controlled, or places where sharemates are sharing the same key. In this article I will show you how to figure out the best house for you while touching on areas of which you should be careful.

How do I look for a sharehouse?

Check the internet
In Australia there are quite a few websites on which you can search for sharehouses in English or even Japanese. Gumtree is said to be the best website for this, however recently Flatmates has been a firm favourite. As these are English websites, exchanges between the property owner will be in English. People who do not feel confident in using English should check out this article →＜Link＞How to find a sharehouse in Sydney：【Useful Words and Phrases】
We showcase a number of properties on our website. The greatest advantage to using the site is that our staff inspect the properties ourselves. Have a look at this site, too, as we post safe and sound sharehouses.

Things to make note of during inspection

As well as the overall atmosphere, it’s important to check out a few other things when inspecting a room for rent.

①How many sharemates are there?
This is the most important point. Be wary of houses awkward or uncomfortable living arrangements. Kitchen and bathroom cleanliness is of course also important, however take note of how many people you would have to share with. According to NSW regulations up to 5 people may share 1 bathroom, however there are properties that do not abide by these rules. I have personally shared a bathroom with 6 other people myself, and even though we scheduled our shower times it was difficult to control the toilet of a morning. Always make sure you check the number of toilets in a sharehouse.

②Will you get your own house key?
However obvious it may seem, always check to see if you will get your own house key. There are many cases of key sharing among large numbers of people, and you might not be able to get inside when you return of a night without someone having to let you in. If you live in a secured apartment, you might get a house key but not a key that lets you into the building as these keys cannot be copied. Your sharehouse will be your home, and being aware of this point will ensure you will not stress over such a small thing.

③What is the minimum length of stay?
A 3 month contract is generally the norm. Some people, such as the Japanese, may prefer an initial 1-month contract with the option to extend, however because this is hard on the owners having to find new tenants, it is necessary to check everything thoroughly before deciding to sign the contract. It is important to do so because the bond you pay will not be returned if you break a contract longer than 3 months.

④Is there a washing machine?
This is also something you may take for granted, but not all sharehouses have washing machines. Some buildings may not have washing machines inside the apartments, and you may have to use a communal coin laundry shared with others in the building. Other houses may have washing machines but are coin-operated, so make sure to check the laundry situation out before signing the lease. Australia has a shortage of water and with the water service being expensive, house rules usually dictate that washing must be done once a week. Please understand that circumstances may be different in Australia than your own country.

⑤Are the house rules suited to you?
Each house has its own rules. There are houses where inviting friends over is prohibited for security reasons, or where parties are only okay until 10pm. On the hand, there are also houses where friends of residents can come and go as they please, resulting in a ‘party house’, so you could say that having some house rules makes everything run smoothly. Be proactive in keeping the house clean as doing so is the responsibility of everyone in the house.

⑥Avoid night inspections as much as possible
Avoid walking around unfamiliar areas at night. I have lived here for 8 years and even I avoid going to new places by myself at night. Should the owner of a property only be available to open the place for inspection at night because of work commitments, ask a friend to accompany you. One must protect themselves overseas.

⑦It’s never too late to decide on a house
Some people might be anxious to find a place to live in as soon as possible, however over here it’s not unheard of to find a place 1 week in advance because a statement of departure is able to be lodged from 2 weeks to 1 month beforehand. It’s actually uncommon to begin looking for a house 3 months in advance, and starting too soon is actually more difficult as the owner often doesn’t know about residents leaving until one 1 month beforehand.

Things to make note of when signing contracts

①There might not necessarily be a contract
There are cases in which privately owned properties do not have contracts. This means that you might not receive a formal receipt, however if you are paying a large sum of money like the bond make sure you get one.

②Bond is usually 2-3 weeks rent
2 weeks rent is generally the norm, however you might be asked for 4 weeks rent depending on the property. As Australian regulation state that up to 4 weeks rent may be asked for in bond, be wary of places that ask for more.

Summary

The thing you notice about living abroad is that while the norm in Japan is to tear down old houses and build new, overseas there is a culture to protect old homes and there are many properties that seem old in appearance. The important thing is not if a house is new or old, but if it has basic things like personal keys or if there are enough bathrooms. What will determine if you can live somewhere for a long time is whether or not the house is comfortable, if you can relax there and if sharemates can respect each others privacy. Make sure to check all of these points when looking for a place to live. Another thing to think about is if you get along with the owner of the property! I’m always here if you want to talk about Sydney or Australia. →Sharehouse Australia

/Author:Kaori