FAQs

1. How do I apply for residency?
2. What type of accommodation is offered?
3. What does it cost to live at International House?
4. How do I make payments?
5. Are there any extra charges?
6. Is there any financial assistance available?
7. May I stay in the House over the vacation periods not included within the Contract?
8. Is there a time limit on my stay in the House?
9. What happens if I am away during the academic sessions as outlined in the Contract?
10. What is the food like?
11. If I wish to cancel my Contract before its conclusion, how do I go about it?
12. What are the rules?
13. What facilities are available at International House?
14. May I bring a car and/or a bicycle?

1. How do I apply for residency?

Application for residency is made on the Application Form that is available online or from the International House office. An application should be accompanied by a AU$50 non-refundable Application Fee and four (4) passport size photographs OR a digital photograph to be e-mailed to .

Applications are processed immediately and receipts for the AU$50 sent by return of post or held here for you. It has to be appreciated that the demand for accommodation at International House is very high.

If you are offered a place, you will receive two copies of a residential agreement for your residency. You keep one copy and send back the other with your Room Deposit. When you arrive you should make an appointment for an interview with the Director.

Each resident at International House signs a residential agreement that covers the academic year or semester that the student is enrolled. This is a legally binding document setting out the conditions and obligations attached to residence.

2. What type of accommodation is offered?

The majority of residents occupy single-study bedrooms [approximately 3m x 3m or 10' x 10'] with shared bathroom facilities, but there are also some twin-share rooms and five rooms with private bathroom facilities. There are sixteen self-catering units for family groups or postgraduate students. All accommodation is fully furnished [including bed linen] and apart from the self-catering units, fees include all meals and room cleaning [once a week].

3. What does it cost to live at International House?

Check the tables in the accommodation section.

4. How do I make payments?

Personal cheque/bank cheque/bank draft in AU$, Visa or MasterCard only and EFTPOS are accepted for payments. We do not accept American Express, Diners Club or CASH payments.

Payments may be made:-
(a) in advance for the entire year. When payment is made in the first week of semester a discount of $100 is granted,

OR

(b) in two instalments which are due in the first week of each semester. When payment is made by the due dates, a discount of $50 is granted on each occasion.

In special cases, application may be made to pay in advance for shorter periods, but not less than four weeks. Before the beginning of the contractual period, residents should apply in writing to the Director of International House setting out all relevant information, e.g. financial resources, dates of scholarship or stipend, etc.

5. Are there any extra charges?

Life membership of the Alumni Association is AU$55 and is part of the Fee for all new residents.

A yearly registration fee of AU$35 fee is charged to cover administration expenses such as contracts, postage, etc.

The International House Members Association [IHMA] charges all residents an annual fee which is AU$140 OR $70 per semester.

Room Deposit: Students offered a place at International House are required to pay a room 'security' Deposit. The Deposit should accompany the signed Contract and the above administrative fees.
This Deposit is refunded:
(a) if you are not admitted to the University;
(b) if the Contract is cancelled four weeks prior to the commencement date of the Contract;
(c) after you have finally vacated International House. The balance of the Deposit will be refunded with any outstanding expenses deducted.

The Room Deposit is kept separate from all other transactions. You may not draw on it to pay your last weeks' fees before you leave. Upon final departure from the House, the Deposit is returned to the resident, less any outstanding amounts due, such as telephone, damage to room, etc. In the event of someone who remains in the House, or returns for a period over the vacation even though they are not returning for the following academic session, the Deposit will be returned after their final departure. The refund can be paid into an Australian bank account or by a cheque made out by The University and not by International House. It will be issued in Australian dollars to those who reside or who are visiting Australia: or in the currency of the country to which the resident is returning. [There are one or two exceptions caused by political requirements]. The Business Manager should be informed of the requirements including address or bank account details. The processing can take up to four weeks depending upon the time of year and the speed with which The University issues the refund.

Telephones [IDD and STD, with voicemail] are installed in each room. There is no connection fee, or rental fee. Local calls are not timed. Upon payment of an initial sum [not less than $20], a resident receives a six figure PIN number which allows incoming and outgoing calls to be made. All calls made are charged against that PIN rather than an extension number. The PIN is deactivated once credit runs out. Renewing credit reactivates the PIN.

Extra charges include the coin-operated laundry facilities within the House ($1 per wash).

6. Is there any financial assistance available?

Bursaries and Scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial assistance and proof of participation in and contribution to the life of the House.

Bursaries and Scholarships

7. May I stay in the House over the vacation periods not included within the Contract?

During recess residents are welcome to stay or vacate their room so it may be made available to a visitor. The income earned from our visitors subsidises maintenance and services for the House and keeps residents' fees at an affordable level.

Whilst we hope that our international residents, in particular, take the opportunity to see more of Australia during the vacation periods, a resident may occupy his/her room throughout the year. With the exception of a few weeks between December to January (when meals are not available), room rates remain the same as the semester period.

8. Is there a time limit on my stay in the House?

Residents who aim to stay for less than one year are seldom accepted unless they are at The University of Sydney on a one-semester course. Residents are generally accepted for the length of their initial degree but may apply to stay if accepted by the University to do a further degree. Because of the different academic years in different parts of the world, some residents stay for one semester in one calendar year and one in the next.

9. What happens if I am away during the academic sessions as outlined in the Contract?

A refund will be given under the following circumstances:

(a) The House will provide the Resident with a full refund of fees for any period the Resident is hospitalised provided the period of hospitalisation is for seven or more consecutive days and a medical certificate is provided.

(b) The House will provide the Resident with a 50% of fees to a maximum of 10 days if the Resident is required to be away from the House on official University fieldwork for seven to 10 consecutive days, provided written notice is given to the Director by the Executive Officer of the relevant Faculty/Department at least two weeks in advance, and provided the room is cleared of the Resident's personal effects and room keys are returned to the House.

10.What is the food like?

The modern dining room at International House provides a 'weekly package' consisting of three meals per day, including vegetarian meals, seven days per week. Our menus feature an extensive variety of international dishes as well as modern Australian cuisine to cater for all nationalities. Special dietary requirements are available on request. Formal dinners and theme dinners are held throughout the year, as well as an International Food Fair which is catered by the residents.

With so many cultures in residence, every effort is made to provide a large variety of food (including vegetarian meals). Our Food Committee and caterers are always willing to receive constructive suggestions.

11. If I wish to cancel my Contract before its conclusion, how do I go about it?

Residents are financially responsible for the entire Contract period as specified in their Contract. It is appreciated, however, that circumstances may arise which make it difficult or impossible for residents to adhere to their Contract. Should any circumstances arise which make it necessary for residents to cancel their Contract before the final date, the Director must be notified in writing.

Under such circumstances the following points should be noted:

(1) a cancellation charge of one week's fee is payable regardless of the reasons for the termination;

(2) residents are required to give at least four [6] semester weeks notice [this does not include vacation weeks]. Otherwise, they are financially responsible for the full six-weeks period of notice;

further

(3) residents are required to give at least nine [9] semester weeks notice if they wish to cancel earlier than the end of the academic year. Failure to give this notice results in their being financially responsible for the full nine week period of notice.

Separate conditions apply to the Maze units and all self-catering flats.

Representation may always be made to the Director in writing for special consideration.

12. What are the rules?

Residents are generally mature and independent, so there are few rules beyond the payment of fees on time and the requirement to avoid disturbing others more than is inevitable. The House is a caring environment, with help available, both academic and personal. There is a marked lack of formality, dining is cafeteria style and there is no segregation within the House nor any curfew. Smoking and pets are not permitted.

13. What facilities are available at International House?

As indicated, residents in the main building pay, as an integral and compulsory part of the fees, for food in the dining room. It is here that most of the social interaction takes place and the mixing of the cultures and the understanding which hopefully emanates from this is really what International House is all about. There are also kitchenettes on each floor level for some personal cooking.

There are various other recreation spaces and facilities within the House. These include: a large circular room [Wool Room] which is used for lectures, social events, International Night, various minor functions and is available for individuals to sit quietly or to hold non-private meetings; a small library and a meeting room; a music room; a room each for billiards and table tennis; open sitting areas and a foyer; a party room with its own kitchen for private functions and special religious festivals; a contemplation room; a "coffee room" where daily papers are provided by the Members' Association and where there are microwave and tea/coffee making facilities; and a computer access lab with a laser printer, scanner and photocopying facilities.

Two upright pianos [one in the music room and one in the dining room] are available for residents' use and one concert grand in the Wool Room for those who are genuine musicians. There is also a photographic darkroom and a pleasant garden with Australian native shrubs outside the coffee shop and dining room.

The rooftop garden is another recreation area with sheltered seating, barbecue and washing up facilities, and an amazing view of the city. The Members Association runs a small "necessity" shop. The House owns a mini-bus and also a cabin in a national park south of Sydney.

14. May I bring a car and/or a bicycle?

There are 25 spaces in the International House car park. Application for a place should be made at the time of applying for residence. If there is any reason why special priority should be given [physical handicap, University field work, etc.] this should be stated. There is an annual rental fee for parking cars and motorbikes. There is also a bicycle rack available for bicycles. A resident may have a motorbike and keep it in the car park, but motorbikes are not permitted on the University campus.