@Pixiepie hi. With us, we paid around 1300 inc service fee sa airbnb for 3 weeks last November. It is considered cheap, because the location is good and the unit is superb. But it was all luck, that time we booked it, first time mag post ng owner so there was no review at all about the property/owner. And he gave discounts for the 1st few persons na mag book. Few days later, doubled na yung fees nya.
For house rental here in sydney, set $550 per week as benchmark (plus/minus kung lalapit or lalayo sa city). Depende din sa house condition. (like new building or renovated).
For new migrants, we may not be a priority if the propery is hot but it is not impossible too. We were able to secure the house that we like by giving 12 weeks upfront payment. For ID's, the agent said just submit whatever we have.
Hope it helps for those new migrants seeking for temporary and long term accommodation. Godbless!