On Arrival Accommodation

The On Arrival Public Accommodation service offers temporary accommodation to independent skilled migrants wishing to settle permanently in South Australia.

This unique service is provided on a once-only basis when you arrive in Adelaide and MUST be organised prior to your arrival in South Australia. We need at least 6 weeks notice.

Public Accommodation

Furnished, rental accommodation is provided by Housing SA, on behalf of the Government of South Australia.

You will receive a 12 week (maximum) tenancy in public housing, giving you time to settle in South Australia while you make more permanent accommodation arrangements.

All properties are situated in the Adelaide metropolitan area (Adelaide and suburbs) and charged at Housing SA standard weekly rental rates.

The properties are not necessarily close to the city centre, but usually have easy access to local shops, schools and public transport.

Providing clean and basic accommodation, the properties consist of one, two and three bedroom units, flats and houses. They will be allocated according to the size of your family and availability.

Rental Payments and Tenancy Agreements

You will be required to:

• Enter into a 12 week lease agreement with Housing SA.
• Pay a refundable security deposit equal to the value of two weeks rent to secure your accommodation (you will lose this deposit if you choose alternative accommodation prior to your arrival).
• Make a bond payment equal in value to one week's rent.
• Pay rent at least one week in advance.
  

Give Housing SA two weeks notice of termination (if not requiring the full 12 week lease). When applying, it is essential to inform us of how many family members are arriving so we can assign an appropriately sized property.

This lease cannot be extended beyond 12 weeks.

Rental costs depend upon the location, size and age of the property, but generally range between $140 and $260 per week (subject to change). Rent covers the cost of water, electricity and gas.

You will need to take out insurance for personal items such as jewellery, cameras and appliances. We recommend you do this before you leave your home country. A cover note can usually be arranged through an Insurance Broker.

Furnishings available

• Beds/mattresses (cots for infants)
• Wardrobe and chest of drawers
• Dining table and chairs
• Refrigerator
• Crockery and cutlery
• Vacuum cleaner (for properties with carpets)
• Washing machine (or shared laundry facilities)
• Toaster and kettle
• Basic cooking equipment
• Lounge suite
• Cleaning equipment
• Portable heating can be provided on request during the cooler months

Please note that Housing SA accommodation does not include:

• Linen (eg blankets, sheets, pillows) or soft furnishings
• Telephone
• Television set
• Coolers/fans
• Central heating

You will need to obtain these at your own expense upon arrival.

As part of the Meet & Greet Service you will be met by a volunteer on arrival in Adelaide. They will give you details of your accommodation including address, keys, lease details and a nominated time when the Housing SA Housing Manager will visit you to sign the lease.

If the meeting time allocated is not convenient, you will need to arrange an alternative time directly with the Housing Manager.

Once you have occupied the property, you become a tenant of Housing SA. Any communication, regarding the property or the Lease Agreement, should be made with the Housing SA Housing Manager.

Housing SA accommodation is very popular and housing is allocated subject to availability.

Private Accommodation

If you would prefer private rental (furnished or unfurnished) accommodation, you should contact real estate agents around Adelaide.

Private rental accommodation is generally more expensive and requires:

• Bond equal to four week's rent
• Two week's rent in advance
• 6 month lease (generally).

In addition, utility costs (electricity, gas) are not included in your rent. You will need to discuss with your real estate agent what furnishings are in the house.

Other Accommodation Options

You may prefer to stay in serviced apartments, a motel or caravan park.

If you would like to explore other accommodation options, visit the websites below.

SA Central: www.sacentral.sa.gov.au
SA Tourism: www.southaustralia.com
Yellow Pages: www.yellowpages.com.au

If you are booking alternative accommodation but still wish to use the Meet and Greet Service, you must provide Immigration SA with the full address prior to your arrival.

How do you book for OAA?

In order to use OAA you will need to:

• Contact Immigration SA requesting an OAA form.
• Complete, sign and return the Form to Immigration SA six weeks in advance of the date the accommodation is required (Immigration SA will confirm in writing receipt of your form and availability of accommodation).
• Confirm the request with Immigration SA between 7 - 10 days prior to the date of your arrival, or your accommodation will be cancelled.

Due to the high demand for OAA, this service can only be provided if the proper procedure is followed and if suitable accommodation is available.

What else do you need to know?

• You are responsible for all costs associated with the accommodation.
• Once you have entered the property and used any of the facilities, you are liable for the rental costs.
• Alternative accommodation cannot be arranged through the Immigration SA Program after arrival.
• All costs/prices are correct at time of printing and subject to change.
• Please advise if infants require a cot, or if you have pets that need a fenced garden. Every effort will be made to meet these requests.
• Bond payments - both public and private - are refunded to you on the termination of your tenancy, provided you have met the conditions of tenancy and the property is in good order. Housing SA and/or your landlord will advise you how to claim your bond.

Contact Us

Immigration South Australia

GPO Box 1264
ADELAIDE SA 5001

Telephone: +61 8 8204 9250
Facsimile: +61 8 8204 9244
E-mail: immigration.sa@state.sa.gov.au
Hours: 9am-5pm Monday -Friday
(excluding public holidays)