The Complete Guide to Finding Flatmates in Australia (2026)
Last updated: March 2026 | Reading time: 11 min | Pillar: Moving
This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, contact a tenancy advocate or solicitor in your state.
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Finding the right flatmate can make a share house feel like home. Finding the wrong one can make it feel like a slow-motion disaster. The difference usually comes down to how carefully you screen, what you agree on upfront, and how clearly you document the arrangement.
This guide covers everything you need to know about finding flatmates in Australia — where to look, how to screen, what to agree on, and how to protect yourself legally.
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Quick Answer
To find a good flatmate: advertise on Flatmates.com.au, Facebook Groups, and SpareRoom; screen candidates with a video call before meeting in person; check references from previous flatmates or landlords; agree on house rules in writing before they move in; and make sure your lease arrangement is clear — whether they're on the lease or a sub-tenant.
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Where to Find Flatmates in Australia
### Online Platforms
| Platform | Best For | Cost | |----------|----------|------| | Flatmates.com.au | Australia's largest flatmate platform — best overall | Free (basic) / ~$20/month (premium) | | Facebook Groups | Local share house groups in every city | Free | | SpareRoom | Good for inner-city areas | Free (basic) | | Gumtree | Broad reach, especially for budget rentals | Free | | Roomies.com.au | Alternative to Flatmates | Free | | UniLodge / student platforms | Students and young professionals | Varies |
### Word of Mouth
Don't underestimate your network. Post on your personal social media, ask friends and colleagues, and mention it to people you trust. A flatmate who comes recommended by someone you know is lower risk than a stranger from the internet.
### Workplace and Community Noticeboards
Many workplaces, universities, gyms, and community centres have noticeboards (physical or digital) where people post room listings. These reach a more targeted audience.
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Writing a Flatmate Ad That Attracts the Right People
Your ad is a filter. A vague ad attracts everyone — including people who aren't a good fit. A specific ad attracts the right people and saves you time.
### What to Include
About the property: - Suburb and distance to public transport, CBD, shops - Number of bedrooms and bathrooms - Shared vs. private spaces (living room, kitchen, laundry) - Outdoor space (balcony, garden, courtyard) - Parking availability - Furnished or unfurnished room - Weekly rent (including or excluding bills) - Bond amount required
About the household: - Who currently lives there (age, occupation, lifestyle — without being discriminatory) - Household vibe (quiet professionals, social, mixed) - Pets in the household - House rules (smoking, guests, noise)
About the ideal flatmate: - What you're looking for (lifestyle compatibility, not discriminatory characteristics) - Move-in date and minimum lease term
### What NOT to Include
- Discriminatory requirements (no children, no specific nationalities, etc.) — these may breach anti-discrimination law
- Overly restrictive rules that will put off good candidates
- Vague descriptions that tell people nothing
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Screening Flatmates: The Process That Protects You
### Step 1 — Initial Message Exchange
Ask a few basic questions in your first response: - What's your occupation? - What are your working hours / lifestyle like? - Why are you looking for a new place? - When are you looking to move?
The quality of their response tells you a lot. Detailed, thoughtful answers are a good sign. One-word replies or no answers to your questions are a red flag.
### Step 2 — Video Call Before Meeting
Before inviting anyone to inspect the room, do a 10–15 minute video call. This lets you: - Confirm they are who they say they are - Get a sense of their personality and communication style - Ask more detailed questions - Save time by filtering out poor fits before they visit
### Step 3 — In-Person Meeting
Invite shortlisted candidates to see the room. Show them the whole property — not just the bedroom. Watch how they interact with the space and with you.
Questions to ask in person: - What does your typical week look like? - How do you feel about having guests over? - What's your approach to cleaning and shared spaces? - Have you lived in a share house before? How did it go? - Why did you leave your last place? - Do you have any pets? - Are you a smoker?
### Step 4 — Check References
Always check references before offering the room. Ask for: - A reference from a previous flatmate or landlord - Contact details you can actually call (not just email)
Call the reference. Ask: "Would you live with them again?" The answer — and the hesitation before it — tells you everything.
### Step 5 — Trust Your Gut
If something feels off, it probably is. A great flatmate on paper who gives you a bad feeling in person is still a bad choice. You're going to share your home with this person.
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The Legal Arrangements: What You Need to Know
This is the part most people skip — and it's the part that causes the most problems.
### Option 1 — Co-Tenants (Both on the Lease)
Both you and your flatmate sign the lease with the landlord. You're both equally responsible for rent and the property.
Pros: - Both parties have equal rights and responsibilities - Both are protected by tenancy law - Landlord deals with both of you directly
Cons: - If your flatmate doesn't pay rent, you're still liable for their share - Removing a co-tenant who won't leave requires tribunal action - Both parties must agree to any changes
### Option 2 — Head Tenant and Sub-Tenant
You're on the lease (head tenant) and your flatmate rents from you (sub-tenant). You're responsible to the landlord; your flatmate is responsible to you.
Pros: - You control who lives in your home - Easier to remove a sub-tenant who breaches the arrangement
Cons: - You're liable for the full rent even if your flatmate doesn't pay - You need your landlord's permission to sublet (check your lease) - Sub-tenants have fewer protections in some states
⚠️ Important: Check your lease before taking on a flatmate. Most leases require landlord consent for subletting. Subletting without consent can be grounds for lease termination.
### Option 3 — Boarder or Lodger
If you own the property or have a specific arrangement, your flatmate may be a boarder or lodger rather than a tenant. Different rules apply — seek advice if you're unsure.
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The Flatmate Agreement: What to Put in Writing
Even between friends, a written flatmate agreement prevents misunderstandings. It doesn't need to be a legal document — a clear email or shared document works.
### What to Cover
Financial: - Weekly rent amount and due date - How rent is paid (bank transfer, split app, etc.) - Bond amount and how it's held - How bills are split (equally, by usage, included in rent) - What happens if someone can't pay rent one week
Household: - Cleaning responsibilities (who does what, how often) - Kitchen rules (labelling food, cleaning up after cooking) - Bathroom sharing arrangements - Noise and quiet hours - Guest policy (overnight guests, frequency) - Smoking and alcohol policy - Pet policy
Practical: - Notice period if someone wants to move out - What happens to the bond if someone leaves early - How disputes will be resolved
Template opening:
This agreement is between [Name 1] and [Name 2] for the shared property at [address], commencing [date]. Both parties agree to the following arrangements:
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Splitting Bills Fairly
Bills are one of the most common sources of flatmate conflict. Agree on the approach before anyone moves in.
### Option 1 — Equal Split Everyone pays an equal share of every bill. Simple, but can feel unfair if usage varies significantly.
### Option 2 — Included in Rent The head tenant sets a rent amount that includes an estimated bill contribution. Simpler for flatmates, but the head tenant carries the risk of bills being higher than expected.
### Option 3 — Usage-Based Split bills based on actual usage (e.g., electricity by the number of people, internet equally). More fair, but requires more tracking.
### Apps That Help - Splitwise — tracks shared expenses and who owes what - Beem It — easy bank transfers between flatmates - Up Bank — shared accounts for household expenses
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When Things Go Wrong: Dealing with Flatmate Issues
### Late Rent
Address it immediately and in writing. A polite message asking when they'll pay is appropriate. If it becomes a pattern, refer to your flatmate agreement and consider whether the arrangement is working.
### Cleanliness Disputes
Have the conversation early — before resentment builds. Reference your flatmate agreement. If it's not working, a house meeting with all flatmates present can help.
### Noise and Guests
Again, refer to your agreement. If someone is consistently breaching agreed house rules, address it directly and in writing.
### When a Flatmate Needs to Leave
If a co-tenant wants to leave, they need to give proper notice under the lease. If a sub-tenant needs to leave, refer to your flatmate agreement's notice period. If they won't leave voluntarily, you may need to apply to your state tribunal.
💡 RentWize Tip: RentWize's Communications Vault stores all written communications with your flatmates and landlord — so if a dispute arises, you have a complete, timestamped record. [Store your communications →](https://rentwize.com.au)
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Safety Tips for Finding Flatmates Online
- Never send money before meeting in person — rental scams are common
- Video call before meeting — confirms identity
- Meet in a public place first if you're uncomfortable inviting a stranger to your home
- Trust your instincts — if something feels wrong, it probably is
- Don't share your address until you're comfortable with the person
- Check their social media — a consistent online presence is reassuring
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need my landlord's permission to get a flatmate? A: In most cases, yes — if your flatmate will be a sub-tenant. Check your lease. Most leases require written landlord consent for subletting. Getting a co-tenant added to the lease also requires landlord agreement.
Q: Can I charge my flatmate more rent than I pay? A: This is a grey area. In some states, charging a sub-tenant more than a proportional share of the rent may be considered illegal. Check your state's tenancy laws.
Q: What happens to the bond if my flatmate moves out? A: This depends on your arrangement. If they paid bond to you (as head tenant), you return it (minus any legitimate deductions) when they leave. If they're a co-tenant, the bond situation is more complex — seek advice.
Q: Can I evict a flatmate who isn't on the lease? A: If they're a sub-tenant, you can give them notice to vacate (following your state's rules for sub-tenancies). If they refuse to leave, you may need to apply to tribunal. This process varies by state.
Q: What if my flatmate damages the property? A: As head tenant, you're responsible to the landlord for the property's condition. You can seek compensation from your flatmate through the tribunal if they caused damage and won't pay.
Q: Is a verbal flatmate agreement legally binding? A: Verbal agreements can be legally binding, but they're very hard to enforce. Always put your flatmate agreement in writing — even a simple email exchange is better than nothing.
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Related Articles
- [Moving House Checklist: Everything You Need →](/moving-house-checklist)
- [Moving Interstate: The Complete Checklist →](/moving-interstate-checklist)
- [How to Get Your Bond Back: The Complete Guide →](/how-to-get-bond-back)
- [Rental Cover Letter Template That Actually Works →](/rental-cover-letter-template)
- [Tenant Rights in Your State →](/tenant-rights-australia)
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Share a Home. Not a Headache.
RentWize helps you document your share house arrangement, store communications with flatmates and landlords, and track maintenance issues — so everyone's on the same page from day one.
[Set up your share house with RentWize — it's free →](https://rentwize.com.au)
RentWize, Live Wiser.
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This information is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice. Tenancy laws vary by state and are subject to change. For advice about your specific situation, contact a tenancy advocate or solicitor in your state.
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