Every year, international students lose thousands of dollars to rental scammers. You’re in a vulnerable position — looking for housing from overseas, unfamiliar with local norms, and under time pressure to secure accommodation before your course starts. Scammers know this and target students aggressively.
Here are the 10 most common rental scams in Australia and how to spot them.
1. The “I’m Overseas” Scam
The classic. A “landlord” claims they’re working overseas (usually as a “missionary” or “oil engineer”) and can’t show you the property. They’ll mail you the keys after you wire the deposit.
Red flag: They refuse or can’t arrange a physical inspection. Defense: Never send money for a property you haven’t seen in person. If you’re overseas, ask a friend or use a legitimate PBSA provider.
2. The Fake Listing
Photos stolen from a legitimate Airbnb or sale listing, posted on Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree at an impossibly low price.
Red flag: Price is 30–50% below market rate. Defense: Reverse image search the photos (right-click “Search image with Google”). Check if the same photos appear on other listings.
3. The “Pay Before Inspection” Pressure
“50 other people are interested — send the deposit now to secure it.”
Red flag: Urgency and pressure to pay sight unseen. Defense: No legitimate agent or landlord in Australia demands payment before an inspection.
Legitimate Ways to Find Housing
- Realestate.com.au and Domain.com.au — the two main platforms, with verified agents
- Flatmates.com.au — Australia’s largest sharehouse platform
- UniLodge, Scape, Iglu — verified PBSA providers
- Your university’s accommodation service — free and reliable
Make sure your OSHC is sorted before you arrive.
FAQ
What should I do if I’ve been scammed?
Contact your bank immediately to dispute the transaction. Report to Scamwatch (scamwatch.gov.au) and the Australian Cyber Security Centre. You may also file a police report.
Is it safe to pay bond via bank transfer?
Yes, if the agent or landlord is verified. The bond must be lodged with your state’s rental bond authority — not kept by the landlord personally.
Can I view a property via video call?
Many agents now offer virtual inspections. This is legitimate. The key difference from scam “virtual viewings”: the agent is physically at the property during the call and can show you the street, mailbox, and building entrance in real time.