International Students' Guide to Student Accommodation

Moving to Australia for uni comes with a mix of emotions: excitement, nerves, anticipation. One minute you’re picturing your first week on campus, the next you’re wondering how everything will fall into place

Our student accommodation guide walks you through your options, making it easy to find, reserve and settle into your new home. 

 

Understanding Your Options: Types of Student Housing

While some universities offer their own accommodation options to students, most options involve you finding your own place to live. It can feel like a lot at first, but it also gives you more flexibility to choose a space that works around your lectures, late-night study sessions and morning coffee routines. 

There are a few main types of student housing that are common in Australia. Each option comes with its own rhythms, whether it’s early mornings at the gym or Friday nights spent celebrating the good times. 

 

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

Purpose-built student accommodation, or PBSA for short, is built around your lifestyle. More than a place to live, it defines how you live. These buildings contain private or shared apartments, alongside social areas, study spaces and on-site support to fit your needs. They’re often located close to major universities, making it easy to slip into a regular morning routine.

Accolade properties fall under the PBSA classification. It’s a popular option for international students looking for accommodation because it removes the guesswork usually associated with renting in a new country. Bills are sorted, contracts are clear and support is nearby when you need it.

Private Rentals & Share Houses

Private rentals involve leasing a property through a real estate agent, either individually or with other students or young professionals in the case of share houses. 
Rent is usually paid weekly, and the use of utilities and internet incur additional costs. This option suits those who already know their city, have friends to live with and are comfortable with the local rental market.

University-Managed Housing & Homestays

Universities that offer on-campus housing are another option for international students looking for accommodation in Australia. While they are convenient, they can feel restrictive for those looking to socialise or explore their new city.

Homestays involve a local family providing accommodation for international students during their time in Australia. This helps newcomers acclimatise to their surroundings, but is often a short-term arrangement.

 

Navigating Student Housing Requirements

When you apply for student accommodation in Australia, you’ll usually need a few key documents ready:

• Proof of enrolment at an educational institution in Australia
• A valid form of identification, such as your passport
• Financial documentation to show you can afford the rent payments
• Rental history, if applicable

PBSA properties streamline the process of finding accommodation in Australia for international students. With an authorised provider to handle the documentation for you, the paperwork feels clearer and more manageable.

Why PBSA is the Preferred Choice for International Students

For many international students looking for accommodation in Australia, PBSA offers the convenience of being close to uni and the confidence to explore a new city, knowing everything has been taken care of.

Accolade’s PBSA properties are located in key Australian cities close to leading university campuses, including the University of Technology Sydney and Sydney University in New South Wales; the University of Melbourne in Victoria; the University of Adelaide in South Australia and the ACT’s University of Canberra. 

You’re close to where you study and surrounded by a like-minded community to share dinners, study sessions and coffe catch-ups with. PBSA is designed to help you settle in, build connections on your own terms and focus on your studies without worrying about the basics. More than a room, it’s a place where your daily life starts to feel familiar, manageable and uniquely yours. 

Living Costs: Budgeting by City

Budgeting is part of settling in. Once you understand what to expect, it becomes another piece that falls into place.

That said, living costs in Australia vary by city. As a rule, rent will be your largest expense, followed by food and transportation.

Here’s a general guide to student accommodation expenses, broken down by city:

• Living costs in Sydney are generally the highest, especially rent. However, these are balanced by easy transport links and part-time work opportunities.
• Expenses in Melbourne are slightly more affordable than Sydney. The city also has an excellent nightlife and public transport network.
• Adelaide’s living expenses are on the more affordable side. Rent and daily living expenses will be lower than in the more populated cities.
• Living expenses in Canberra are relatively stable and sit somewhere in the middle.

 

Adjusting to Life in Australia

Life here has its own pace. You’ll quickly settle into the rhythm of sunset beach walks, nights spent exploring their city’s nightlife and casual catch-ups with friends.

To help adjust to the new surroundings, international students often find it helpful to live in a place with a built-in community. Whether it’s people to study, cook or explore with, your experience of living in another country is shaped by the people around you.

Location also plays a big part in how you spend your time on Australian shores. Where you live shapes how quickly a new city starts to feel like yours, and accommodation close to all the things you love to see and do helps you soak up the good times. 

If you’re after further inspiration or want a handy starting point to your property search, check out our guide to finding student accommodation in Australia.

Finding the Right Student Accommodation in Australia

Where you live shapes everything from morning routines to commutes and how you spend your downtime. The right balance of flexibility, freedom and support when you need it has a big impact on how quickly you start to feel settled.

If our student accommodation guide has you ready to explore your options, contact us. Our team can help you secure accommodation from overseas, so you can arrive feeling prepared, confident and ready for your degree.