An overview of accommodation and real estate for those looking to live and work in Papua New Guinea.

Accommodation standards vary widely in PNG. Choice is reduced the further you travel from the main centres of Port Moresby and Lae. Company-provided, funded or partially funded accommodation is expected for non-citizens who are recruited externally to work in PNG and it is a real cost to business in PNG.

In recent times the range of accommodation in Port Moresby has increased considerably. There has been some new developments in some other centres however the range and availability can be limited. Rental prices vary widely, based on location and quality. Preferred accommodation tends to be blocks of fully furnished units (two- or three-bedroom) with water, power and 24-hour security included in the rental price.

We recommend you make contact with real estate companies such as L J Hooker, Century 21, The Professionals and Strickland in the first instance to gauge rental prices. There are a number of other real estate businesses in the large centres and research is needed. Cheaper secure and comfortable options do exist, usually farther from the popular main suburbs in which most Western non-nationals tend to live.

Accommodation assistance is also a key issue for PNG citizens, and some employers are responding. PNG citizens are demanding better quality housing and population growth in major cities is such that pressure on housing stock will remain for the foreseeable future.

The assistance offered by employers to National staff will vary widely. Again, research and tax advice is recommended when developing salary package policies for your employees.

This article prepared by Scott Roberts (Managing Director, Pacific People Solutions) and George Griffin (Managing Director, CC Pacific).

See also Real estate in Papua New Guinea: a sector profile.