First Year students and parents
What should you expect from your accommodation applications? Use the following guidelines to help you prepare:
Also download:
- Steps to Finding Accommodation Guide to help you plan your accommodation search.
- Find a place to live for an overview of on-campus accommodation options.
- Comparing Accommodation Options Guide to help you assess different options.
- Cost comparison sheet for detailed information about accommodation prices.
For money and budgeting resources go to:
The frequently asked questions for students page has more information or you can contact us.
On-campus accommodation
- Generally, applications close between September and December of each year.
- Apply early! There are only 2,500 on-campus places and over 45,000 students.
- If they have vacancies, residences will accept applications for Semester 2.
- Have a back up plan.
- Research each college and residence, they all offer something different.
- All colleges and residences accommodate domestic and international students.
- Know which colleges and residences you’ve applied to. You might need to contact them.
Go to our On-campus page for more information.
Off-campus accommodation
If you will be living off-campus, come to a "New To Sydney" Accommodation Information Presentation. Presented by the Accommodation Officers these sessions will give you information you need to help you find a suitable place to live. See box to the right of this page for times, dates and locations of sessions.
About off-campus accommodation:
- Accommodation goes quickly at the beginning of semester.
- There is high demand and limited supply for accommodation within walking distance of campuses, so be prepared to commute to Uni.
- Many students commute to Uni and there are lots of suburbs with easy public transport to the University campuses.
- Know your rights and responsibilities. See our tenancy page for more information.
- It can take a couple of weeks (or more) to find something suitable, so if you haven't got friends or family to stay with, make sure you have arranged temporary accommodation before you arrive in Sydney.
- Ask questions and trust your intuition. If something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t.
- Be aware of scams. Don’t give anyone money, or sign anything, until you’ve seen the accommodation in person. Read our advice about accommodation scams.
- See the Share Housing Survival Guide for tips about living with other people.
- Research prices in the area you want to live. Go to www.domain.com.au, www.realestate.com.au and www.shareaccommodation.com.au.
- You might be asked for references if you want to rent. Some real estate agents are unwilling to lease to students without them. Our guide to Renting in Sydney provides advice to help you find and secure a rental property.
- See the living in Sydney page for more information about what different areas are like, finding your way around and setting up a home.
The off-campus page provides access to the Accommodation Database and other search options.