Key takeaways
- There are four types: university housing, managed PBSA, share housing and homestay; they differ in price, inclusions and contract length.
- A room in a Perth share house costs AUD 170 to 250 per week, and a shared room in Sydney student accommodation AUD 340 to 400 according to an April 2024 guide.
- A catered single room at University of Wollongong housing is AUD 351 per week at 2027 fees, on 45- or 51-week contracts.
- A private rental bond is usually four weeks’ rent, cannot exceed that in NSW, and is paid to the bond authority rather than the landlord.
- Make sure your name is on the lease, and read what the price includes, the contract length and extra fees before signing.
- Apply early; university housing applications open months before the academic year.
In this article
Student accommodation in Australia comes in four main types: university housing on or near campus, managed purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), share housing in a flat or house, and homestay with a local family. They differ in price, what the rent includes and the length of the contract. This guide explains each type with prices from official and university sources, what to check before you sign, and how to book before you fly.
What types of student accommodation are there in Australia?
Study Australia lists the options (as at 14 September 2026): short-term stays in hotels and hostels for the first days; private rental or share houses through real estate agents or directly from owners; managed student accommodation built for students, from private studios to shared rooms with communal facilities; university-managed housing near campus, furnished, with electricity, gas, water and internet covered; residential colleges on campus with up to three meals a day; and homestay, where a family provides a room and meals, which suits younger students.
University accommodation (on campus)
There are two kinds: self-catered, where you cook, and catered, where meals are provided. At the University of Wollongong, for example, a catered single room at Campus East is AUD 351 per week, a self-catered single studio at Bangalay is AUD 368 per week, and a self-catered single room in a two-bedroom unit is AUD 341 per week, on 45- or 51-week contracts with an acceptance fee of AUD 500 or 530, according to the University of Wollongong (2027 fees, as at 14 September 2026). The University of Sydney offers three options: self-catered university residences, residential colleges with three meals a day and laundry, and off-campus options including homestay and share houses, with applications for 2027 opening on 14 September, according to the University of Sydney (as at 14 September 2026).
Managed student accommodation (PBSA)
Buildings designed for students near universities or public transport, usually with one price that includes bills and Wi-Fi, plus shared facilities such as study rooms and a gym. One of the largest operators is Scape; on 23 July 2022 KD International announced a partnership with Scape across Australian cities offering competitive accommodation prices and venue support for student clubs, according to the company’s X account. Check the current partnership terms when you contact us.
Share housing and private rental
Usually the cheapest and the most responsibility: you rent a room in a house with other students, or a whole flat in your name. Bills, internet and furniture are normally not included. In Perth, for example, a room in a share house near campus costs AUD 170 to 250 per week and a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre AUD 350 to 450 per week, according to Study Australia (as at 14 September 2026).
Homestay
A room in an Australian family’s home with meals and cleaning, arranged through vetted providers listed by Study Australia. The weekly price looks higher because it includes food and bills; check the current rate with the provider your university uses.
How much does student accommodation cost in Sydney and elsewhere?
Prices vary by city, room type and distance from campus. The table brings together figures from official and university sources and from the partner operator’s guide:
| Type | Example weekly price (AUD) | Usually includes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Room in a share house (Perth) | 170 to 250 | Room only; bills split | Study Australia (as at 14 September 2026) |
| One-bedroom apartment, Perth CBD | 350 to 450 | Apartment, no bills | Study Australia (as at 14 September 2026) |
| Shared room in student accommodation (Sydney) | 340 to 400 | Bills and Wi-Fi | Scape (29 April 2024) |
| Private room in a shared apartment (Sydney) | 400 to 600 | Bills and Wi-Fi | Scape (29 April 2024) |
| Private studio (Sydney) | 470 to 800 | Bills and Wi-Fi | Scape (29 April 2024) |
| Catered single room, university housing (Wollongong) | 351 | Meals and bills | University of Wollongong (2027 fees) |
| Self-catered studio, university housing (Wollongong) | 368 | Bills and internet | University of Wollongong (2027 fees) |
For the overall budget: a student’s monthly living costs in Perth run from AUD 2,000 to 3,000 or more according to Study Australia, and in Sydney from AUD 2,500 to 3,000 according to Scape (29 April 2024). For the student visa (subclass 500) you must show proof of at least AUD 29,710 for living costs, according to Study Australia (as at 14 September 2026); that is a visa threshold, not a recommended budget. For Saudi scholarship students, the reference for allowances is the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission in Australia through its website.
What should you check before signing the lease?
- The bond. In private rental you pay a bond that is usually equivalent to four weeks’ rent, often with the first four weeks’ rent in advance, according to Study Australia. In New South Wales the bond cannot be more than four weeks’ rent and is held by NSW Fair Trading, not the landlord, according to the NSW Government (as at 14 September 2026). Never hand bond money directly to a housemate, and in private rentals make sure it goes to your state’s bond authority rather than the owner, according to Study Australia.
- Your name on the lease. Even when you join an existing household, make sure you are on the lease agreement so that you and your bond are protected, according to Study Australia.
- Contract length and end date. University housing contracts run for a fixed number of weeks (45 or 51 in the Wollongong example), so know what happens over the summer break.
- What the price includes. Electricity, gas, water, internet and furniture are usually included in managed and university housing, and usually not in private rental.
- Extra fees. Application, acceptance and service fees in university housing (AUD 500 or 530 at Wollongong, for example).
- Inspection. If you can, inspect the property: repairs needed, whether doors and windows lock, distance to transport and shops, and noise levels for study, according to Study Australia.
- Under 18. Your education provider must approve your accommodation and welfare arrangements through a CAAW letter, according to Study Australia.
If a dispute arises, start with the landlord or agent, then your state’s Fair Trading agency or tenants’ union, according to Study Australia.
How do you book accommodation before you travel?
- Confirm your city, university and course start date from your offer letter.
- Choose the type by budget: managed or university housing if you want one all-inclusive price and fewer arrangements, or a share house if you want the lowest rent and can manage bills.
- Apply early; university housing applications open months before the academic year (2027 housing at the University of Sydney opens on 14 September 2026).
- Read the whole contract and check the seven points above.
- Pay the bond and fees only through official channels and keep the receipts.
- Book a temporary stay for a week or two if you want to inspect before a long lease.
- Register your address with your university and the Cultural Mission after arrival.
Where does KD International come in?
KD International is a Saudi-Australian education consultancy and university admissions service. Its listed services include help with accommodation alongside admissions, visa guidance and NAATI-certified translation. We help you choose the right type for your city and budget and book before you travel. If you are starting a scholarship journey, read our guide to Saudi scholarship programs and tracks and the Al-Ruwwad track conditions, then contact us or start from the application form.
Your next step: open your university’s accommodation page, note the application opening date and the weekly price of two different room types, and compare them with your monthly budget.
Frequently asked questions
According to the operator Scape’s guide (29 April 2024), a shared room in student accommodation costs AUD 340 to 400 per week, a private room in a shared apartment AUD 400 to 600, and a studio AUD 470 to 800. Check the current price on the page of the building you choose.
University housing is run by the university on or near campus and may be catered with meals; managed accommodation is privately run buildings built for students near universities, usually with one price covering bills and Wi-Fi. Both involve fewer arrangements than private rental.
Usually yes. In Perth a room in a share house near campus costs AUD 170 to 250 per week according to Study Australia, but bills and furniture are not included and you carry the lease and bond responsibility. Make sure your name is on the lease.
In private rental the bond is usually four weeks’ rent; in New South Wales it cannot exceed four weeks and is held by NSW Fair Trading. Do not pay it to a housemate or directly to the owner, but to your state’s bond authority.
As soon as you receive your offer letter. University housing applications open months before the academic year; at the University of Sydney, 2027 housing applications open on 14 September 2026. Booking early gives you more options and better prices.
It suits younger students and anyone who wants a family environment and ready meals in the first months. It is arranged through vetted providers listed by Study Australia, and its price includes food and bills, so it looks higher than a room alone.
The official estimate for Perth is AUD 2,000 to 3,000 per month according to Study Australia, and for Sydney AUD 2,500 to 3,000 according to Scape (April 2024). For the visa you must show AUD 29,710 for living costs, which is a visa threshold rather than a budget.
Official sources
- Accommodation — Study Australia
- Accommodation tips: How to find the right house and housemates for you — Study Australia
- How much does a month in Perth cost? — Study Australia
- How to apply for your visa — Study Australia
- Rental Bonds Online for tenants — NSW Government
- Accommodation fees — University of Wollongong
- Accommodation — The University of Sydney
- Cost of living guide for students in Sydney — Scape
- الملحقية الثقافية السعودية في أستراليا — وزارة التعليم
Ready to start?
KD International helps you choose a university, prepare your admission and visa file, and answers your questions about Saudi scholarships and studying in Australia. Apply now or message us on WhatsApp.
Last updated: 14 September 2026. Fees and requirements change; always confirm with the official source before deciding.
