GOTAFE is calling out for community members to provide short-term, low-cost accommodation for students while they study in the area.
Due to GOTAFE’s large geographic footprint and service area, students travel from all across Victoria to attend blocks of study at campuses, including at Seymour and Wallan, and need suitable accommodation.
GOTAFE director of student success Luke Falzon said the accommodation network would provide benefits for both students and hosts, providing students with affordable housing and allowing members of the community to earn extra money through leasing spare rooms.
“The accommodation network has been successful in Wangaratta for a number of years and we are looking at expanding the program around our campuses in Seymour, Wallan and Shepparton,” he said.
“We know these regions are facing significant housing shortages, so having more affordable accommodation options will enable GOTAFE to support more students and apprentices across Victoria to study in-demand fields and meet current workforce needs.”
GOTAFE offers more than 120 courses with 500 staff across 11 campuses, providing graduates the chance to enter the workforce after learning the skills that meet the needs of their regions.
Accommodation arrangements can be flexible, with some students staying at short-term accommodation for one week every six weeks according to their study plans.
Mr Falzon encouraged anyone with a spare room or granny flat to reach out to GOTAFE to talk about being added to their host register.
“Once you get added to our host register, GOTAFE staff will get in contact with you when a student requests accommodation for a block of study,” he said.
“As a host, you will be providing a valuable service to our students, helping them get the most out of their learning experience and providing a safe and supportive home away from home for them.”
Previous accommodation providers have often enjoyed having extra company around their homes, with many students keeping in touch and maintaining strong relationships with the people they lived with during their blocks of study.
For more information about the student accommodation network and to become a host, people can visit www.gotafe.vic.edu.au/students/student-accommodation-network.
