Costs and prices
Sydney is a large city and the costs of living can vary from suburb to suburb. The information below shows you how on-campus accommodation may compare to an average room in a share house not on campus. Please note that this information is to be used as a guide. Prices are estimates only and subject to change.
The campus example given is for International House, a University college.
Set up/establishment costs
| Expenses |
College on campus |
Renting a room off campus |
| Bond |
$900 |
$880 |
| Yearly International House Members Association fee |
$200 |
$0 |
| Lifetime membership to the Sydney University International House Alumni Association |
$65 |
$0 |
| Application fee |
$100 |
$0 |
| Registration fee |
$100 |
$0 |
| Sports union |
$0 |
$55 |
| Student Union ACCESS card |
$0 |
$100 |
| Furniture and removals |
$0 |
$1200 |
| Telephone connection |
$0 |
$50 |
| Internet connection |
$0 |
$50 |
| Electricity connection |
$0 |
$60 |
| Books and stationery |
$800 |
$800 |
| Total |
$2165 |
$3195 |
Living costs
| |
College on campus |
Renting off campus |
| |
Per week |
34 weeks |
Per week |
34 weeks |
| Rent |
$255 |
$8670 |
$220 |
$7480 |
| Meals |
$165 |
$5610 |
$120 |
$4080 |
| Travel |
$0 |
$0 |
$41 |
$1394 |
| Phone |
$20 |
$680 |
$20 |
$680 |
| Internet |
$0 |
$0 |
$10 |
$340 |
| Utilities (electricity, gas etc) |
$0 |
$0 |
$20 |
$680 |
| Laundry |
$4 |
$136 |
$10 |
$340 |
| Household expenses |
$0 |
$0 |
$10 |
$340 |
| Entertainment |
$40 |
$1360 |
$50 |
$1700 |
| Miscellaneous costs (insurance, health, gifts, toiletries, etc) |
$30 |
$1020 |
$30 |
$1020 |
| Sub-total |
$514 |
$17,476 |
$531 |
$18,054 |
Total costs
| |
College |
Renting |
| Establishment costs |
$2165 |
$3195 |
| Living costs |
$17,476 |
$18,054 |
| Total |
$19,641 |
$21,249 |
In this example, you would save $1608 by living at college. However, if you were living in off-campus accommodation, you might continue to rent the same accommodation over the next two years and not have to pay furniture and removals or utility connection costs again. Costs vary from person to person.