How to find accommodation in Australia for students?

Start with your provider’s housing page, then expand to managed student buildings and share-house platforms. Study Australia points students to share-house sites like Flatmates and Flatmate Finders, and also highlights NPAS for accredited student properties.

How does student accommodation work?

You choose an option, apply, pay upfront costs, sign an agreement, then move in under that agreement’s rules. Study Australia notes bond is usually about four weeks’ rent and it’s common to pay rent in advance as well.

How much does accommodation cost in Australia for students?

It depends on city and type. Domain’s 2025 reporting showed median unit rents at roughly AUD$750 Sydney, $575 Melbourne, AUD$630 Brisbane, AUD$520 Adelaide.

How hard is it to get student accommodation?

In peak periods, it can be competitive, especially close to CBDs and big campuses. PickMyUni sees better outcomes when students apply early, accept a wider suburb radius, and start with short-term housing for the first weeks.

Where is the cheapest place to live in Australia for students?

It varies by course location and lifestyle. Among major cities, Domain’s 2025 reporting showed Melbourne and Adelaide sitting below Sydney on median rents, which can help budgets.

How do people pay for student accommodation?

Common setups: weekly or fortnightly rent, direct debit, or card payments through a provider portal. Private rentals often involve bond and advance rent before move-in.

How much should you pay for student accommodation?

PickMyUni’s rule: pick a weekly max you can carry even in a “quiet work week,” then choose the room type that fits. Many students find bills-included options easier to budget for month to month.

How long can you stay in student accommodation?

It depends on the provider and agreement type. Some student buildings and uni housing run semester-by-semester, others allow longer contracts. Always confirm the minimum stay and break rules before signing.

Can guests stay in student accommodation?

Often yes, but with limits. Most providers set rules on overnight guests, sign-in, and quiet hours. Ask for the guest policy in writing before move-in.

Student Accommodation in Australia Guide – Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney & More

Q: How much is student accommodation in Australia?

A workable guide is to think weekly thinking: share rooms reported around AUD$280 per week in Melbourne and AUD$350 per week in Sydney in early 2025 reporting, while private rentals can be much higher depending on city and dwelling type.

Australia has loads of housing options for students, but the market can move fast. In this guide, PickMyUni, breaks down different student accommodation choices in Australia (university accommodation, student units, share houses, and homestays), what you’ll expect to pay, and how to secure your accommodation without stress. You’ll find tips for each major Australian city – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast, and Newcastle.

Why student housing feels hard right now

If you’ve spent as much time refreshing listings as if it was a regular job, you know what you’re experiencing: the rental market is hot, and listings are snatched up fast, whatever the location. For example, Domain’s latest capital-city rent reporting in 2025 still showed Sydney sitting at the top end for weekly rents, with Melbourne lower than Sydney but still not “cheap.”

PickMyUni’s take: the fastest way to reduce stress is to choose your accommodation type first (share room, studio, homestay, uni hall), then choose the suburb radius you’ll accept, then start applying.

Student accommodation Australia - the main options

University-managed accommodation and residential colleges

Good fit if you want campus support, simple bills, and a set community. Study Australia notes uni-managed options are often furnished and commonly include utilities like electricity, gas, water, and internet in the cost.

Managed or purpose-built student accommodation

These are student-only buildings near campus or public transport, often with bills included. Study Australia points out bills like electricity and internet are commonly included in the advertised rent, which helps keep month-to-month spending steady.

Share houses and private rentals

Best if you desire flexibility and do not mind inspection, applications, and home organization. Share-housing websites categorized in "Study Australia lists" include Flatmates and Flatmate Finders, indicating fees associated with bond and rent in advance.

Homestay

A popular choice for many international students who want meals and a family home setup. Study Australia lists several homestay providers and also suggests checking quality standards like AGSI and NEAS accreditation for homestay operators.

How student accommodation works in Australia

Shortlist the type: uni housing, managed student building, share house, homestay.
Identify what is to be covered in your rent. This should include furniture, services, internet, linen, meals, and cleaning.
Prepare the list of required documents that should include identification, proof of registration, and other references as may be required. Additionally, proof of funds as required by the educational provider.
Expect upfront payments: Study Australia notes bond is often about four weeks’ rent, and it’s common to pay rent in advance too.
Sign this document: lease, occupancy agreement, or house rules according to your choice.
Move-in and condition report: Take pictures, document problems, save receipts

How much is student accommodation in Australia? - Realistic ranges.

Costs vary depending on room type, location, and what is included.

Private Rentals Benchmark for Selected Cities-Weekly Rent: Domain's 2025 reporting had the median unit rents at about AUD$750 per week in Sydney, AUD$575 in Melbourne, AUD$630 in Brisbane, and AUD$520 in Adelaide.

In the September 2025 quarter, Domain reported median weekly rent for houses of about AUD$900 and for units around AUD$760 for the Gold Coast.

Share room benchmark: Flatmates-based reporting via realestate.com.au stated Melbourne typical room price was around AUD$280 per week in early 2025.

A separate Flatmates-based report via the Daily Telegraph stated Sydney median advertised room rent was about AUD$350 per week in February 2025.

Homestay example rates (published provider list): One homestay provider’s posted 2026 rates showed single rooms with meals commonly around AUD$390–AUD$420 per week in Brisbane/Sydney/Melbourne, and around AUD$385 per week in Adelaide (varies by inclusions and age).

Example of purpose-built student accommodation: Sydney rent levels vary from AUD$550 to AUD$950 a week contingent on room type and location, according to a report by PBSA specialist firm Knight Frank.

City-by-city guide: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney & more

Student accommodation in Sydney Australia

Sydney has the widest spread in prices depending on suburb and room type. Domain’s 2025 reporting put Sydney’s median unit rent around AUD$750 per week.

If you’re hunting share rooms, Flatmates-based reporting puts the median room around AUD$350 per week in Feb 2025.

PickMyUni tip: if you’re set on student accommodation sydney australia, look for places with utilities included so your weekly budget doesn’t jump around.

Student accommodation Melbourne Australia

Melbourne is often the “more manageable” big-city pick for students doing shared housing. Domain’s 2025 reporting listed Melbourne’s median unit rent around AUD$575 per week.

Share rooms can still be a better deal: realestate.com.au’s Flatmates-based reporting put Melbourne’s typical room around AUD$280 per week in early 2025.

If you’re searching for Accommodation in melbourne australia for international students, shortlist suburbs with strong tram/train links first, then work backwards to price.

Student accommodation in Brisbane Australia

Brisbane prices can climb quickly near major campuses and inner suburbs. Domain’s 2025 reporting put Brisbane median unit rent around AUD$630 per week.

Homestay can be a steadier weekly spend for some students. A published 2026 homestay price list showed Brisbane singles with meals around AUD$390 per week on that provider’s rates.

PickMyUni tip: for first-semester arrivals, many students start in short-term housing for a couple of weeks, then lock in a longer stay after seeing areas in person.

Student accommodation in Adelaide Australia

Adelaide is often chosen for a lower weekly rent benchmark compared with Sydney and Brisbane. Domain’s 2025 reporting listed Adelaide median unit rent around AUD$520 per week.

A published homestay price list showed Adelaide singles with meals around AUD$385 per week on that provider’s rates.

If your goal is cheap accommodation in Australia for international students, Adelaide can be worth a serious look, especially if your course options match.

Student accommodation gold coast australia

The Gold Coast has had some of the country’s highest rental pressure. Domain reported median weekly rent around AUD$900 for houses and AUD$760 for units in the September 2025 quarter.

Homestay is another angle: a published provider list showed Gold Coast homestay singles with meals at about AUD$400 per week on their rates.

PickMyUni tip: if you study on the Gold Coast, locking in transport access matters as much as rent.

Student accommodation newcastle nsw australia

Newcastle can give you a “city feel” with different pricing from Sydney. Realestate.com.au’s market profile listed Newcastle’s median unit rent at about AUD$700 per week based on the past 12 months of listings.

A published homestay list showed Newcastle singles with meals around AUD$405 per week on that provider’s rates.

PickMyUni tip: if you’re comparing Sydney vs Newcastle for study, look at your timetable, placement needs, and commute expectations before deciding.

Accommodation websites in Australia for international students

PickMyUni usually recommends a mix of:

University housing pages and student services
Managed student accommodation directories like NPAS listings for accredited properties
Share-house platforms: Study Australia specifically names Flatmates and Flatmate Finders
Major rental portals: Domain, realestate.com.au
Homestay providers listed by Study Australia, plus checking AGSI and NEAS standards where relevant

Practical checklist before you pay anything

Confirm what’s included: furniture, internet, utilities, meals, cleaning
Ask about total move-in cost: bond, advance rent, booking fee
Read the rules: guest policy, noise, maintenance, notice periods
Take move-in photos and keep your condition notes
Get receipts for every payment

If you want a second set of eyes, PickMyUni can help you compare cities and universities based on your budget and lifestyle goals, then shortlist realistic housing zones near your campus.

Want help finding the right city and housing combination for you?

If you are making comparisons regarding accommodation in Australia as an international student in either Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Gold Coast, or Newcastle, then PickMyUni is there to assist in matching your purse with the suitable university location. If you are an existing student in Australia yet land in an inefficient accommodation to make you look for alternatives, discuss with PickMyUni regarding changing campuses or institutions, and submit your university review to aid future students make more informed decisions..

High-quality advice: We seek to maintain advice as clear, evidence-based, and decision-useful

Student Accommodation in Australia Guide – Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydne & More