Arriving in Sydney, without the scams
Plain-language guides for international students renting in NSW — what a bond really is, how to inspect a room, what to set up in your first week, and how to make share-house life work. Written to keep you one step ahead of the scammers.
Rental bonds and your rights in NSW
How bonds work in NSW — the four-week limit, Rental Bonds Online, condition reports, the boarder vs tenant difference, and how to get your bond back.
Read the guideInspecting a room and spotting rental scams
The golden rule of never paying before you inspect, an inspection checklist, day-one photos, the classic scam scripts, and what to do if you're targeted.
Read the guideYour first week in Australia: TFN, bank, SIM, Opal and OSHC
The first-week setup for international students in Sydney — tax file number, bank account, phone SIM, Opal transport card and health cover, plus the scams to dodge along the way.
Read the guideShare-house life: bills, rules, notice and conflict
How to split bills fairly, set house rules that stick, give proper notice when you leave and resolve conflicts — plus when to bring in NSW Fair Trading or the Tenants' Union.
Read the guide