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International Students

We provide assistance to University of Sydney International students who are searching for accommodation.

Step-by-step guide to finding accommodation:

Before you arrive in Sydney

  1. Research your accommodation options
    Do you want to live on-campus, or off-campus? Go to our on-campus and off-campus accommodation pages to find out about the different options.
    Read Find a Place to Live for an overview of costs and inclusions for on-campus colleges and residences. Use the Cost comparison sheet to compare prices of on- and off-campus accommodation
  2. Apply early for on-campus accommodation
    If you want to live on-campus, apply to any college or student residence you are interested in as early as possible, ideally in the year before you commence your studies at the University. You do not need to wait to have a firm offer from the University to submit your applications, and you can apply to as many as you wish. An indication of closing dates can be found in the Find a Place to Live flyer, but make sure you confirm closing dates for applications on the institutions' websites.
  3. Thinking about off-campus accommodation?
    If you want to live off-campus, find out about different areas in Sydney and research your options at our off-campus page. Check out current prices for share and rental accommodation by searching websites such as those listed at Other Search Options.
    Although we recommend you research your options, we strongly recommend you do not commit to, or pay a deposit for, any long term accommodation, until you have viewed the accommodation and met prospective landlords or housemates in person. You will need to be in Sydney to do this! Also read our tenancy information page.
  4. Book temporary accommodation
    If you have not arranged long term accommodation prior to your arrival, you are strongly advised to book temporary accommodation before you arrive in Sydney, so you have somewhere to stay when you first arrive. Go to the Temporary Accommodation page, for information about a range of options or see information about the University homestay program specifically for international students. You may be required to pay a deposit for temporary accommodation in a hotel, hostel or guest house, and this is normal practice.


After you arrive in Sydney
If you will not be living on campus...

  1. Go 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.
  2. Search other websites for accommodation
    A range of other resources are available to assist you to find off-campus accommodation.
  3. Research your rights and responsibilities as a tenant
    Before you commit to any off-campus accommodation you should familiarise yourself with local tenancy laws and practices. You will also find information to help you inspect properties and make informed choices about your accommodation on our Tenancy resources page.
  4. Contact people offering accommodation
    Now you can start contacting people offering accommodation to make appointments to visit rooms and properties that you are interested in.

Accommodation Options

On-campus accommodation

  • International students can apply for on-campus colleges and residences through the same process as local students.
  • All the on-campus colleges and residences accept applications from international students. None of these caters only for international students.
  • Some colleges and residences are able to accommodate couples, but International House and Mandelbaum House are the only on-campus accommodation catering to families. Local and international students can apply.
  • See the On-campus page for more information about the University's colleges and residences and how to apply.

Off-campus accommodation

International students can use all the resources offered by the Accommodation Information Service to find off-campus accommodation. Also visit our:

  • Tenancy resources page for information about your rights and responsibilities before you commit to any contract or pay any money for accommodation and for other helpful tips.
  • Living in Sydney page, to help you decide where to live, help you furnish your home and get utilities connected, and help you get around using public transport

Temporary accommodation for international students

  • The University of Sydney has teamed with the Australian Homestay Network (AHN) to offer temporary homestay accommodation to newly-arrived international students. Ideally hosts will be University alumni, but may also be friends of alumni or other trained providers.
    Homestay is offered for the first two, three or four weeks following your arrival in Sydney, or even longer, if you and your homestay host wish. Find out more about the Australian Homestay Network program.
  • Information about other temporary accommodation options suitable for international students can be found on our Temporary accommodation page.

For Centre for English Teaching (CET) students:

If you are intending to follow your CET course with a course at the University of Sydney:

  • If you want to live on-campus DO NOT wait until you receive a firm offer from the University to apply for on-campus accommodation. Go to the On-campus page for more information about when and how to apply for on-campus accommodation.
  • If you want to live off-campus, you will be able to use the Accommodation Database to find off-campus accommodation as soon as you receive a firm offer from the University and have obtained your Unikey.

Important information about accommodation scams

Students are being targeted by people pretending to be landlords, who are running accommodation scams. A number of students have lost thousands of dollars. Please protect yourself by reading this important information.

Disclaimer

  • Inclusion of any service in this website is not an endorsement by the Accommodation Information Service of a particular accommodation provider, agent, organisation, or website.
  • You are advised to make thorough inquiries regarding the services offered and the fees charged by Australian and international property and real-estate agents, before committing to any contract.
  • In Australia, there are no real estate agent's fees. Any fees are paid by the property owner.
  • Please contact us if you need any further information.