Extended Stay Accommodation For Corporate Travel In Australia: The Complete Guide (2025)
A complete resource for travel managers, procurement teams, HR, EA’s, relocation specialists and business travellers.
What is extended stay accommodation?
Extended stay accommodation (also known as long stay) refers to furnished apartment-style accommodation. It’s commonly used by corporate travellers who need to live and work away from home for extended periods.
Offering a “home away from home” experience that traditional hotels simply cannot match, it provides more space for living, kitchens for self-catering, and flexible booking terms that align with corporate projects, relocations, and secondments.
Why companies choose extended stay accommodation for their employees
1. Space & convenience
It allows for normal routines: cooking, working, relaxing and for the larger-sized accommodation options, even entertaining colleagues.
Corporate apartments like Astra’s apartments range from 55sqm to over 100sqm, offering significantly more space than alternatives.
2. Employee wellbeing and comfort
A home-like environment reduces stress and helps employees perform at their best.
Feedback from corporates that stay with Astra consistently highlights how much easier it is to settle into and survive a long assignment when the space feels like home.
3. Cost effectiveness
Monthly corporate apartment rates are typically 20–40% cheaper than hotel stays of the same duration. Especially when selecting suppliers that don’t have blackout dates/rate spikes.
Beyond the nightly rates, businesses can also avoid hidden costs like dining out or laundry bills.
4. Flexibility for businesses
Date changes and extensions are common and easier to manage, plus businesses are not locked into rigid rental lease agreements.
Booking terms and flexibility will vary across suppliers, so it’s important to find brands that are easy to work with.
Looking for long-stay accommodation in Australia? Astra’s fully furnished corporate apartments are designed for business travellers on extended assignments.
Types of extended stay accommodation
Corporate Apartments
The benchmark for long-term assignments. Private, fully furnished residential apartments with flexible terms. Astra Apartments specialises here, and it’s the most cost-effective and practical option for relocations and extended projects.
Extended Stay Hotels
Larger and more functional than standard hotel rooms. Includes reception and daily services, but limited kitchen, and higher long-term costs.
Serviced Apartments
Good for 1–4 week stays that require kitchen and laundry facilities, but can feel transient and confining for longer assignments.
Co-living spaces
Relatively new accommodation category, best suited to younger workers. Shared kitchens and communal spaces; cost-effective but limited privacy.
How long can you stay?
-
- Typical stays: 1 week to 12+ months
- Multi-year stays possible with select providers
- Businesses can negotiate preferential long-stay rates to match project timelines
Long-Stay Corporate Apartments vs Extended Stay Alternatives
Best For |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Corporate Apartments |
Projects, relocations, corporate travel, extended stays | Space, privacy, flexible, full-sized kitchens, cost-effective | No hotel-style reception |
Extended Stay Hotels |
Short to medium stays, business and leisure | Reception desk, daily servicing and hotel amenities | Expensive for months-long stays, less space, kitchen size and inclusions |
Serviced Apartments |
Short to medium stays, business and leisure | Central locations, hotel-like services, and convenient | Less homely and less suited for 1–3 months+ |
Short-Term Rentals (Airbnb, etc.) |
Casual leisure travellers | Flexible, homely | Inconsistent quality, limited corporate support |
Traditional Leases |
Permanent relocations | Stability, wide choice of locations | Requires bonds, furniture, and utilities |
Key Things To Consider When Booking For Corporate Travellers
- Location near offices & transport
- Transparent pricing (no hidden fees)
- Facilities: Wi-Fi, workspace, kitchen, laundry
- Secure buildings & duty of care compliance
- Flexibility for date changes & extensions
- Ability to scale for project teams
Best practices for businesses
- Work with trusted providers who specialise in long stays (like Astra).
- Negotiate corporate rates for cost savings.
- Streamline bookings via Corporate Travel Teams or TMCs.
- Prioritise employee wellbeing with homely apartments.
- Choose providers with multi-city coverage.
Corporate Long-Stay Accommodation: Australia & Global Trends
Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Perth, Brisbane, and Newcastle are major hubs for corporate apartments, and the stays typically range from 7 nights to 12+ months.
Extended-stay hotels dominate.
Serviced apartments are popular for relocations, and a growing number of corporate apartment providers are entering the market.
Rising demand for mid-term stays (1–6 months) driven by hybrid work, project-based travel, and “bleisure.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is extended stay accommodation?
Apartment style accommodation designed for stays of 7+ nights, which spans extended stay hotels, serviced apartments and corporate apartments / housing.
What is the best type of extended stay accommodation for corporate travellers?
Corporate apartments. They provide privacy, space, flexibility, and long-term suitability.
How long can you stay?
From one week to 12+ months; some contracts extend for years.
Can you rent a hotel room for 3 months?
Yes, but corporate apartments are usually more suitable and cost-effective.
Can you stay in a hotel for 2+ years?
Possible, but corporate apartments or serviced apartments are better suited.
Do I need to pay deposits or bonds with corporate apartments?
Not with Astra Apartments. No bonds, deposits, or credit cards on check-in for corporate stays.
Is WiFi secure in extended stay accommodation?
For Astra Apartments it is. Every apartment has a dedicated and secure WiFi connection. For other extended stay options, be sure to check if the WiFi is shared or private.
Could this be your long stay solution?
We help businesses arrange cost-effective and suitable extended stay accommodation for relocations, projects, and extended business travel.
Corporate long-stay accommodation is more than a place to sleep; it’s a strategic tool for businesses. It offers cost control, flexibility, and comfort while ensuring employees feel during extended assignments.
For relocations, training programs, or long projects, corporate apartments are the smart alternative to hotels. And in Australia, Astra Apartments stands as the expert in long-stay corporate accommodation, with over 550 spacious, modern apartments designed for business travellers.
We invite you to get in touch.
Find Corporate Apartments for extended stays in Key Business Hubs
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Perth
Canberra
Newcastle
Wollongong
