Learning the Hard Way: Energy Practices of Culturally and Racially Marginalised International Students in Rental Accommodation

The Challenge

CARM international students often encounter difficulties in securing suitable, energy-efficient housing. These challenges stem from visa delays, the absence of Australian identity documents, and limited rental references. Many students find themselves in precarious living arrangements, which expose them to thermal discomfort and energy hardship. This is due to a widespread lack of awareness about energy efficiency and renters’ rights and is compounded by systemic disadvantages in the private rental market. These conditions have a direct impact on the physical health, mental well-being, and academic performance of CARM international students. The current housing crisis has further intensified these barriers, leaving international students with few options and with limited ability to improve their housing situation.

The Solution

Funded by an Energy Consumers Australia Influence grant, an interdisciplinary team across engineering, social sciences, and consumer advocacy, with support from CARM research assistants and accredited building assessors, employed a multi-stage, mixed-methods approach to investigate the lived experiences of CARM international students in private rental housing.

Between 2022-2024, this multiphase research project employed quantitative methods, surveying the energy efficiency knowledge, thermal comfort, energy hardship, health impacts, and satisfaction levels of international students with energy providers. Qualitative interviews were conducted to understand cultural influences on energy use, adaptive practices, and the types of ethical dilemmas faced in rental housing. Building audits evaluated the energy performance and thermal comfort of student homes using the Residential Efficiency Scorecard. In-home monitoring captured temperature, humidity, and appliance energy use data, allowing the team to correlate energy consumption with comfort levels.

This comprehensive methodology provided a detailed understanding of the lived experiences of CARM international students and the structural disadvantages shaping their energy practices. It also revealed how cultural beliefs and embodied climate histories shape energy practices and perceptions of comfort amongst this cohort of students.

Outcome and Impact

The project found that many students spent considerable time outside acceptable temperature ranges, often residing in low-performing housing. Most participants had limited knowledge of energy efficiency and renters’ rights, and their energy-efficient practices were shaped by financial, cultural, and religious motivations. Systemic barriers in the rental market restricted housing choices and increased vulnerability.

This study demonstrates the need for clearer housing options and support during the period between university acceptance and visa approval for international students from CARM backgrounds. The findings have informed recommendations for policy and practice, including improving energy literacy among international students; enhancing awareness of tenant rights in the private rental sector; recognising systemic barriers in housing access and affordability and the piloting of energy rating systems and upgrades for low-performing rental properties. 

As a result of this research, understanding of energy poverty and housing inequity in Australia’s international education sector has enhanced, in turn supporting advocacy for more inclusive housing policies and better support systems for CARM students.