Frequently Asked Questions
Where is International House Darwin located?
International House Darwin (IHD) is located on the Casuarina Campus of Charles Darwin University. It is approximately 15mins from Darwin International Airport and approximately 30mins from the city centre of Darwin. It is easily accessible on public transport and is located close to Darwin's main shopping centre, the hospital and beaches.
How do I apply for accommodation?
To apply for accommodation you will need to complete a IHD application form which can be found on the Applying for Residence page. All new applicants must provide a completed application form and then attend an interview with IHD management (in person or by telephone) before an offer of accommodation can be made. Successful applicants will be advised promptly after interview and will need to pay a deposit in order to secure their room at IHD.
Applications can either be emailed or faxed to IHD. Please ensure that all information you provide is correct, especially arrival dates.
Do you offer short term stays?
IHD offers accommodation on a weekly rate for residency of at least four weeks. Short term stays of less than four weeks are charged at a daily rate. Refer to Costs and Payments for more information.
Am I required to pay a bond and when do I pay for my account?
In order to hold your reservation we require payment prior to arrival. If you are staying for less than four weeks, we require a $200 deposit plus the full payment of rent for your stay.
If you are staying longer than four weeks you will be required to pay a bond equivalent to four weeks rent plus two weeks rent in advance. This is payable upon acceptance of your application. After your initial payment you are required to maintain your rent account two weeks in advance at all times.
What if I change my mind and cancel my booking?
If you give notice in writing of more than 14 days of your intention to cancel your booking at IHD, your bond will be returned less a $100 processing fee, which is retained by IHD. If you give notice of less than 14 days of your intention to cancel your booking at IHD, the full bond will be retained by IHD.
Who is permitted to live at IHD?
Residents of IHD should be students of Charles Darwin University who are undertaking on campus (internal mode) studies. Staff members can take up residence at IHD on a short term basis (up to 6 weeks) if rooms are available. Unfortunately it is not possible to accommodate staff members over the longer term. If you are a staff member requiring accommodation please contact the reservations desk to discuss the options available to you.
What will my room be like, what furniture is provided?
IHD offers different room styles. Most residents have standard single rooms with shared bathroom facilities (single gender bathrooms only). Rooms with ensuites and double rooms are limited and availability will depend on the length of time you are staying.
All rooms are equipped with a king single bed (two kind single in twin rooms), linen, towel, a study desk, a chair, lamp, clothes airer, wardrobe and a small fridge. Wireless internet facilities are available from most areas of IHD. All rooms have air-conditioning and ceiling fans.
All residents have access to the communal facilities of IHD such as bathrooms, kitchens, laundries, games room, TV room, study room and swimming pool. Click here for images of IHD facilities.
What are the cooking facilities?
While living at IHD you will share a kitchen with the other residents who are living in your building. Kitchens are all equipped with a stove, microwave and a full size freezer. We also have kitchen kits for you to hire if you do not have access to your own pots, pans and cooking utensils. You will be responsible for preparing your own meals and, together with the other residents of your building, will be responsible for the cleanliness of the communal kitchen.
Do I share a bathroom?
This is dependant on the type of room that you occupy. With a standard room you have an external bathroom shared with other residents. There are separate male and female bathrooms on each floor of each residential building.
IHD does have an option of a standard room with shared ensuite however these rooms are limited and the bathroom is shared with one other person. There are also 10 twin share ensuite rooms which have private bathroom facilities. If you desire one of these rooms, please discuss the availability with staff of the IHD office.
What else is provided at IHD?
IHD provides courtesy linen (sheets, pillowslips, towel) to residents. Residents are responsible for their own linen laundering. We also provide kitchen kits for sale to long term residents (More than 4 weeks) at a cost of $150.00, and for hire to short term residents (Less than 4 weeks) at a cost of $1.50 per day and a bond of $150.00. These have everything you will need to be able to cook for yourself and also contain crockery and cutlery. These can be obtained from the front office.
Can I keep a pet at IHD?
Pets are not permitted at IHD.
What are the office opening hours?
The office is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through to Friday. The office is not open on weekends.
What time is check in/check out?
Check in time is 1.00pm. Check out is required by 8.00 am for short term stays and 10.00am for long term residents. These arrangements allow for the logistics of room cleaning and preparation between bookings. Penalties apply for not checking out on time.
Can I arrive at anytime, even if it is after hours?
Yes. Many flights do not arrive in Darwin until after midnight or early in the morning. Do not be concerned. IHD has on-call staff who will come to meet you on arrival at IHD, help you to book in and show you to your room. If you are arriving out of office hours please come to the main office (adjacent to the main car park) and use the black telephone on the wall to contact the on-call staff member).
How do I get from the airport to IHD?
To get to IHD, you will need to catch a taxi. Tell the taxi driver you need to go to "International House Darwin at Charles Darwin University". They should know where to go. Taxis should be located outside the entrance of the airport terminal at all times of the day. The airport is approximately 15 minutes drive from the university. A taxi fare will cost approximately A$15.00. (Unfortunately buses do not run from the airport to the university.) Click here for address details and how to find a map.
Am I able to store my possessions during semester breaks?
We have several storage rooms at IHD which residents can use. You will have to contact a member of staff to store your possessions and a log will be taken of what you store. You will also have to contact a member of staff to retrieve your goods when you return, you will be asked to check your goods and sign that you have retrieved everything.
If I check out early in the day and my flight does not depart until later in the day, what can I do with my luggage?
The check out times are strict. However, you can drop your keys off to the office at this time and we will be happy to store your luggage for you until you leave. If you are leaving after office hours (5.00pm) an on-call staff member will be able to gain access to retrieve your luggage.
What should I do with my keys if the office is closed when I depart?
If you are leaving outside of office hours (9.00am to 5.00pm) please use the 'key return box' on the wall outside the front office to return your keys. IHD staff will be able to retrieve the keys in the morning from the box.
How and when will I get my bond back?
If you check out during office hours your bond can be refunded to you as soon as you have dropped your keys into the office and a housekeeper has inspected your room. The bond can be refunded to your credit card or via EFTPOS to your cheque or savings account. If you are departing outside of office hours your bond will be refunded by cheque and this will be processed the following business day. For this reason it is important to supply us with a correct forwarding address. If you would prefer to have your bond refunded onto a credit card please arrange this with the office before you leave.
How do I get to Casuarina Square Shopping Centre from IHD?
IHD is located 10-15 minutes walk from Casuarina Square. Alternatively, simply catch the Number 4 bus (Casuarina) from the front of the university. This will drop you at the Casuarina Interchange beneath the shopping centre.
How do I get to Royal Darwin Hospital from IHD?
To get to Royal Darwin Hospital you will need to take the Number 1 bus. It leaves from the Casuarina Interchange which you can reach on the Number 4 bus from campus. The Number 1 bus also passes the University on Ellengowan Drive, stopping across the road from campus and travelling on a one way loop via the Casuarina Interchange.
How do I get to the city from IHD?
To travel to the city from IHD, simply catch the Number 4 bus (Darwin) from the front of the University.
How do I get a bus timetable?
Copies of the bus timetable are available at Casuarina Interchange or on line at www.nt.gov.au/transport/public/bus/routes.shtml. Alternatively, the IHD office holds a copy of the timetable.
