Listen to the conversation
Press ▶ Play conversation, or 🔊 on any line. Then try 🎭 Practise as "You": the other person speaks, and you say your lines out loud.
Key words and phrases
| Phrase | What it means |
|---|---|
| an open inspection | A set time when anyone can look through the property, often 15 minutes. |
| the lease | The rental agreement, usually for 6 or 12 months. |
| the bond | A deposit (often up to four weeks' rent) held by a state government authority, not the agent, and returned when you leave if there's no damage or unpaid rent. |
| rent in advance | Rent you pay before you move in, often two weeks or a month. |
| a condition report | A document describing the property's condition when you move in. Check it carefully. |
| references | People who can say you're a good tenant, such as a previous landlord or your employer. |
| pw / pcm | Per week / per calendar month. Rent in Australia is usually advertised per week. |
Tips
- Have your documents ready before inspections: ID, payslips or a job letter, and references. Good applications often go fast.
- Ask about what's included (water, internet, parking) and the bond before you apply.
- Take photos when you move in, and check the condition report carefully. It protects your bond.
- Your rights as a renter depend on your state. Each state has a fair trading or tenancy website with official guides.
Aussie words in this conversation: reckon, heaps.
More everyday situations
- Seeing a GP (doctor)
- Calling a tradie
- Opening a bank account
- Small talk at work
- Ordering coffee and food
Unofficial practice. We wrote these questions to match the official PTE Academic task types and timings. They are not real exam questions, and points shown are practice feedback, not a PTE score. For an official estimate, use Pearson's scored practice tests.