Help to find and keep a home
For most people living in Australia, accommodation is the largest weekly expense. In addition to rent, there can be a broad range of challenges that come with living in rental accommodation.
This page shares support that can assist you to find a place to live, manage some of costs and to protect your rights at all stages of the tenancy.
On this page
Engaging external services
Valuable community services exist to help with cost of living. Some are shown below with a grey background and black button.
Finding somewhere to live
Learning where to live while studying, and how to find accommodation.
Griffith accommodation
Find information on accommodation options and supports for students of Griffith University.
Need short-term accommodation in Brisbane or Logan?
If you are new to Brisbane or between rental agreements, you may need to find temporary accommodation.
The SRC has compiled a list of short-term options near the northern Griffith campuses.
Need accommodation on the Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast Student Guild has information about student and private accommodation on the Gold Coast.
Moving to study at Griffith? Wondering where to live?
International Student Experience has developed this website about accommodation options and support in Queensland.
It is useful for anyone who is moving to study.
Guides for accommodation while studying
Insider Guides aims to answer your questions about moving to Australia, such as what accommodation options exist, what to consider, where to go for help, plus tips on how to do this on a budget.
Student accommodation in Queensland
Study Queensland provides a brief summary of student accommodation, homestay and rental options available in Queensland.
Need tenancy advice?
The Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS) is a free advice and referral service for Queensland tenants. It is funded by the Queensland Government and is managed by Tenants Queensland.
QSTARS aims to provide all Queensland renters with high-quality, free, independent advisory services to manage and sustain their tenancy.
They have information for every stage of your tenancy, including dispute resolution, which is clearly outlined and includes factsheets translated into many languages. You can call their advice line on 1300 744 623.
The information provided by QSTARS relates to The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (the Act), and the policies and practices that extend from this Queensland legislation.
QSTARS has translated their general factsheet into a range of languages: Your renting rights and responsibilities.
Queensland Statewide Tenant Advice and Referral Service (QSTARS)
General tenancy
These fact sheets explore key topics that are relevant to the many types of tenancies. Topics include:
- starting a tenancy
- rental bonds
- repairs and maintenance
- ending a tenancy
- resolving tenancy disputes.
Rooming residents
Rooming accommodation such as student accommodation is where you live with other people and share facilities with them. These fact sheets cover topics including:
- moving into a room
- while you are a resident
- rooming rent
- moving out of your room.
Share house fact sheets
There are a number of ways share houses can be structured under The Act and your rights and responsibilities may change as a result.
These fact sheets explore how The Act relates to share housing and have been developed by Tenants Queensland, who manage QSTARS.
Information, rights and advocacy
Discover your rights as a tenant and who can help you if problems arise.
Having issues with your tenancy?
The Queensland Statewide Advocacy and Referral Service (QSTARS) provides high quality, free, and independent information and support to help you manage and sustain your tenancy. This includes referrals, advice and assistance navigating tenancy issues.
Discover your rental rights and how to protect them
The Residential Tenancy Authority (RTA) is the state government statutory body that oversees Queensland's rental laws and processes. The RTA provides tenancy information and support, bond management, dispute resolution, compliance and enforcement, and education services.
Are you LGBTIQ+ and having issues at home?
Open Doors Youth Service has youth workers, case managers and counsellors across several programs who can provide a range of support to LGBTIQ + young people aged 12 to 24.
This includes assistance with homelessness or unstable accommodation.
Changes to rental laws in Queensland
New laws are commencing in Queensland that give new rights to tenants. These relate to rent and increases in rent, balancing privacy and access, rental bond processes and others changes.
Are you in an emergency situation and need accommodation?
Students requiring short-term accommodation due to an unexpected or unavoidable disruption to their existing accommodation may be able to access support from the Gold Coast Student Guild and Student Representative Council (SRC).
Resources are very limited and so there is firm eligibility criteria.
Contact the Guild and SRC to request support or to find out more.
Financial assistance with accommodation
Where to look for help with the costs of renting.
Rent Assistance payment
Rent Assistance is an extra payment the Federal Government provides eligible people on welfare payments.
While Rent Assistance is applied automatically, it is important you notify Centrelink if your circumstances change to prevent underpayment or the accruing of debt.
Renting in Queensland
This page by the Queensland Department of Housing is the home of information and services for people renting in Queensland.
Moving in with your partner?
Who you are living with can have a major impact on your eligibility for different welfare payments. It is important you inform Centrelink of any changes to ensure you are not over or underpaid.
No-interest loans
Need an essential service or item and don't have the money? With a no-interest loan, you only pay back what you borrow—nothing more.
While still a form of debt, the loan is interest free with no fees and flexible repayment plans. See the Department of Social Services' Financial Resilience program for more information.