Cost of Renting in Australia: Bond, Rent in Advance and Move-In Budget
Moving into a rental in Australia costs far more than the first week's rent. This film walks through the bond, rent in advance, utilities, contents insurance, moving costs and paying rent, with a worked move-in budget from Migratio's guide (last updated July 2026). Figures as at September 2026.
Read the full guide, with official sources →
Watch
Chapters
- 0:00 Moving in: typically
- 0:14 Worked example, not a market rent:
- 0:31 The bond: typically
- 0:43 Your bond is held by
- 0:59 Rent in advance:
- 1:14 Utilities connection:
- 1:31 Landlord insurance covers the building.
- 1:44 Moving costs depend on
- 1:57 Paying rent needs an
- 2:11 The move-in budget,
- 2:26 Rent drops as you move
- 2:39 Bond back: typically
- 2:54 Some upfront costs
- 3:09 Averages go stale.
- 3:23 Where to read more
Transcript
Moving into a rental in Australia typically takes 5 to 6 weeks' rent upfront, not just the first week. That gap is the part most new arrivals underestimate.
Here's the worked example from our guide, last updated in July 2026. It's an illustration, not a market rent. At 400 dollars a week, the bond plus rent in advance comes to roughly 2,000 to 2,400 dollars before you get the keys.
The biggest piece is the bond, a security deposit of typically up to 4 weeks' rent. New South Wales and Queensland cap it at 4 weeks. Victoria generally caps it at 1 month's rent.
The bond doesn't sit with the landlord. It's lodged with a government authority, such as NSW Fair Trading, the RTBA in Victoria or the RTA in Queensland, and it comes back at the end if there's no unpaid rent or damage beyond fair wear and tear.
Separate from the bond is rent in advance, paid before you move in. It's commonly 1 to 2 weeks, and 2 weeks is the usual national pattern. Each state sets a legal maximum, and the state tenancy authority publishes it.
Then the utilities. Electricity, gas, water and internet are set up separately and aren't included in rent. The guide budgets roughly 100 to 300 dollars for connection, and some providers ask new customers for a deposit when there's no Australian credit history.
The landlord's insurance covers the building, not your things. Contents insurance for your own belongings is optional, and the guide's rough budget is a few dollars a week, depending on what you own and the cover you choose.
Moving costs swing the most. Shipping household goods from overseas varies widely with volume and destination. Arrive with only hand luggage, and this line can be close to nothing.
Rent is usually paid by bank transfer or direct debit, which means an Australian bank account. Opening one is usually quick: bring your visa and passport to a branch. Some banks offer accounts for temporary visa holders.
Put it together the way the guide does. Take the weekly rent and multiply by 5 to 6. Add around 100 to 300 dollars for utilities, a few dollars a week for contents insurance, and moving costs if they apply.
The weekly rent itself depends on where you live. Inner-city Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are generally the most expensive, outer suburbs and nearby regional cities sit in the middle, and rural areas are cheaper.
At the end of the tenancy, the bond is refunded if all rent is paid and the place is in reasonable condition. The guide puts that at typically 7 to 14 days. Disagreements over deductions go to the state tenancy tribunal.
Can any of this be negotiated? The bond is capped by law at up to 4 weeks, though asking for less is allowed. Rent in advance is limited by state law, and strong references or proof of income can help when asking for a smaller amount.
The most common mistake is budgeting from an average. Rent levels change often and differ by property type, whether it's an apartment, a house or a share. Current listings for the suburb you want show the real advertised rents.
The full guide, with the official sources, is on migratio.com.au. The link is in the description.
Short versions
- What it actually costs to move into a rental (0:29)
- Your rental bond isn't held by the landlord (0:30)
- The renting costs that aren't in the rent (0:32)
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