Looking for a Place to Rent in Australia: Our Experience and Tips for New Immigrants
Finding a place to rent was one of the biggest challenges we faced when we first started our new life in Australia.
At the time, we were staying with my sister-in-law and her family, which helped us in the beginning. But once we started looking for a place of our own, we quickly realised how unfamiliar and competitive the rental process could be.
One of the biggest surprises was the number of requirements involved, especially the need for rental history. We did not have local rental history yet, and as new immigrants, that made the whole process feel even harder. We were attending inspections, trying to understand how applications worked, and doing our best to present ourselves well in a system we were still learning.
It took us weeks of searching, multiple inspections, and a lot of perseverance.
I still remember the moment a real estate agent finally called to tell us we had been approved. My first reaction was, “Are you sure?” because after so many rejections and so much uncertainty, it was hard to believe it was finally happening.
When the agent said yes, it felt like we had won the lottery.
That moment brought so much relief. Not just because we had found a rental, but because it felt like one of the first real signs that life in Australia was starting to come together.
If you are in this stage now, I want you to know that you are not alone. Looking for your first rental in Australia can feel stressful and discouraging, especially when you are still adjusting to everything else at the same time.
Here are some of the things that helped us.
How We Found Our First Rental Property
The day we secured our first rental is something I still remember clearly.
We were running late from another inspection and arrived at the next property with only a few minutes left to look around. The agent was in a rush, and so were we. We quickly went through the two-storey townhouse, moving from room to room without really having enough time to take everything in properly.
What surprised us most was that this was the property we least expected to get.
It was one of the best homes we had seen, and because of that, we assumed there would be many strong applicants. We did not walk away from that inspection feeling confident. If anything, we thought our chances were slim.
So when the call came and we were told we had been approved, I was genuinely shocked.
That experience stayed with me because it reminded me that the rental process can be unpredictable. Sometimes the property you think you have no chance of getting becomes the one that works out
7 tips that helped us when looking for a rental in Australia
1. Explore the area before deciding
As a new immigrant, it helps to look beyond the property itself and think about the area around it.
A place may look good online, but daily life can feel very different depending on access to shops, schools, public transport, work, parks, or places of worship. If possible, visit the area at different times so you can get a better feel for what it may be like to live there.
The property matters, but so does the life you will be building around it.
Pro Tip: Walk or drive through the neighbourhood if you can. It helps you notice things you may not pick up from photos alone.
2. Be financially ready for the upfront costs
One of the practical realities of renting in Australia is being financially ready before you apply.
Landlords and agents want to know that you can manage the rent, and in many cases you may need to prepare for the rental bond, rent in advance, and other setup costs that come with moving.
This can feel heavy in the early months, especially when so many other expenses are happening at once.
Pro Tip: Keep your funds organised and be ready to show evidence of financial stability if needed, such as bank statements or proof of income.
3. Use real estate websites consistently
Most of our search happened online, and this is one of the best places to begin.
Websites like realestate.com.au and domain.com.au can help you filter by suburb, budget, and property type. Local real estate agency websites can also be worth checking, especially if you already know which area you want to live in.
The search can feel repetitive, but checking regularly matters because listings can move quickly.
Pro Tip: Set up alerts for your preferred suburbs and budget range so you do not miss new listings.
4. Prepare your documents early
Having your documents ready can make a big difference when the rental market feels competitive.
Common requirements may include identification, payslips, bank statements, Medicare details, or any supporting documents that help show you are a reliable applicant. Being prepared early means you are less likely to scramble when you find a property you want to apply for.
Pro Tip: Keep both printed and digital copies of your key documents in one folder so they are easy to access when needed.
5. Complete your application form in advance if you can
One thing that helps in a competitive market is being ready to apply quickly.
If the forms are available online, it may help to complete as much as you can in advance so that when you attend an inspection, you are already one step ahead. This can make the process feel less rushed and may help you submit sooner.
Pro Tip: Bring a completed application or have your details ready so you can move quickly if you find a property that feels right.
Rental application forms can usually be downloaded from real estate websites or obtained during inspections. Fill these out before you attend a viewing so you can submit them immediately if you like the property. This shows agents you’re proactive and ready to commit, which can set you apart from other applicants.
Pro Tip: Bring completed application forms with you to inspections. This could give you a head start and give a positive impression on the agent.
6. Always attend inspections in person
Even if a property looks great in the photos, it is still important to inspect it in person if possible.
Photos do not always show the full condition of a property, the feel of the space, or what the surrounding area is really like. Being there yourself helps you notice details you may miss online and gives you a better sense of whether the property genuinely suits your needs.
Pro Tip: During inspections, pay attention not just to how the property looks, but to how it feels. Light, layout, cleanliness, noise, and general condition all matter.
7. A short application letter may help you stand out
One thing we did that may have helped us was writing a short application letter to the landlord.
We introduced ourselves, shared why we liked the property, and expressed that we would take care of it well. It was simple, but personal. In a stack of applications, that extra touch may help agents or landlords see you as more than just a set of documents.
It does not guarantee approval, but it may help your application feel more human.
Pro Tip: Keep the letter short, respectful, and genuine. You do not need to say too much. Just enough to show who you are.
One unique strategy we used was writing a short application letter to introduce ourselves to the landlord. We highlighted why we loved the property, how it suited our family’s needs, and assured them we would take great care of their home. This personal touch can make you stand out among other applicants and demonstrate your commitment and reliability.
Pro Tip: Keep your letter brief but heartfelt. Let the landlord see who you are beyond the standard application form.
Final Thoughts
Finding a place to rent in Australia can feel discouraging, especially when you are new, still adjusting, and trying to prove yourself in a system that may already feel hard to understand.
Rejections can feel personal, but often they are simply part of the process.
Please do not let that make you think you are doing something wrong.
For us, it took time, patience, and many inspections before we finally got that yes. But when it happened, it felt like one of the first real pieces of stability in our new life here.
If you are in this stage now, keep going.
The process may feel slow, but the right place can come when you least expect it.
If you are still in the early stages of settling in, you may also find these guides helpful:
And if money feels like one of the hardest parts of this season, the New Immigrant Money Roadmap can help you understand what to focus on first.
