Are you excited about studying in Sydney? It’s a great place to be. The city is buzzing with energy, offering great neighbourhoods, accessible public transport, and a busy social scene.
Finding the right student accommodation in Sydney can feel like a big mission. With so many options, from on-campus residences to private apartments and shared rentals, how do you know where to start?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re joining one of the top universities in Sydney or just want a convenient base to complete your studies, this guide will walk you through your options. We unpack the best areas to live, average costs, and tips for finding student accommodation in Sydney that suits your lifestyle and budget.
Sydney is home to some of Australia’s best universities. Once you know where you’ll be settling into study, you'll have a much clearer idea of what will be the best type of student accommodation for you, and where in the city suits you best.
When it comes to the type of accommodation available in Sydney, there are plenty of options for students of all kinds. Here’s a complete breakdown of what’s on offer, so you can work out which option suits your budget and lifestyle best.
Most universities offer on-campus accommodation with options ranging from shared dorms to private studios.
As an example, at UNSW, you can expect weekly rents that range from $380 to $685, depending on the type of room you choose and whether it’s self-catered or catered.
Tip: Most on-campus residences include utilities and sometimes internet, so you don’t have to worry about extra bills. Living on campus also means you’re close to lectures, libraries, and campus life.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Close to campus, meaning no long commute to lectures or libraries. |
It can be more expensive than off-campus options. |
|
Easy access to campus facilities like gyms, libraries, and student events. |
Limited privacy in shared rooms or bathrooms. |
|
All-inclusive utilities and sometimes internet, so fewer bills to manage. |
Fewer options for personalisation or decorating your space. |
|
Built-in social network. This makes it easier to make friends, especially for first-years or international students. |
It can be noisy or busy, especially during peak student periods. |
|
Structured support and security on-site. |
Contracts may be long-term and less flexible. |
|
Some options cater meals, reducing cooking time. |
Limited flexibility on roommates or room choice. |
PBSA stands for 'Purpose-Built Student Accommodation'. It’s basically housing designed specifically for students.
These places are usually furnished, include utilities and internet, and come with extras like study rooms, lounges, or gyms.
You can pick one of the following, depending on your budget and how much privacy you want:
Most are situated close to major universities or public transport, so getting to class is easy.
Weekly rent usually ranges from AU$300 to AU$600, depending on location and room type.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Furnished and all-inclusive (utilities, internet). |
It can be pricier than shared houses. |
|
Close to uni and public transport. |
Less privacy than your own apartment. |
|
Student-friendly community and social spaces. |
Popular spots fill up fast. |
|
Extra amenities like gyms and study rooms. |
Less flexibility to personalise your space. |
Shared rentals are exactly that. You rent a room in a house or apartment and share common spaces, including the kitchen, living area, and sometimes the bathroom, with housemates.
It’s a popular choice for students who want more independence than campus housing but still want to keep costs down.
Shared rentals can be found throughout the city, from inner suburbs near universities to outer suburbs well-connected by public transport. Typically, the closer to the CBD, the more expensive the costs will be.
Usually, your rent will cover the room with an additional cost for utilities and internet. Prices vary hugely depending on the location, size of the space and the number of housemates living in the house or apartment.
As a guide, expect to pay between $232 and $348 per week.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Usually cheaper than PBSA or on-campus housing. |
Bills and chores are shared, which can be tricky. |
|
More independence and privacy than dorm-style rooms. |
The quality of the house and your choice of flatmates can vary. |
|
Flexible options, meaning you can pick a suburb you like. |
It can be further from campus, requiring a commute. |
|
Opportunity to live with friends. |
Less support than managed student housing. |
Room rental or homestay is when you rent a single room in a house, often with a family or a local host. It’s a quieter, more supportive option than shared student flats and can be great if you’re new to Sydney or studying overseas.
Typically located in residential suburbs across Sydney, often within commuting distance to universities.
Rooms are generally furnished, and some homestays include meals, utilities, and internet.
Expect to pay around AU$350–AU$450 per week, depending on location and inclusions.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Often includes meals, utilities, and internet. |
Less privacy than living alone. |
|
Supportive, home-like environment. |
Can feel restrictive with house rules. |
|
Good for international students or first-timers. |
Usually not as social as student housing. |
|
Furnished rooms ready to move in. |
Limited flexibility in choosing location or roommates. |
If you want full independence, renting your own apartment or studio is the way to go. You get your own space, bathroom, and kitchen, so it’s perfect if you value privacy and flexibility.
Private apartments and studios can be found throughout Sydney, from city-centre locations near universities to quieter suburbs with good transport links.
Usually unfurnished or partially furnished, with utilities and internet paid separately.
Expect to pay between AU$350 and +AU$750 per week, depending on size, location, and whether it’s a studio or one-bedroom.
|
Pros |
Cons |
|
Complete privacy and independence. |
Usually more expensive than shared options. |
|
Full control over your space and schedule. |
Utilities and bills are extra. |
|
Flexibility to decorate and personalise. |
Less social interaction than PBSA or shared housing. |
|
No flatmates to coordinate with. |
Can feel isolated if you’re new to Sydney. |
Sydney has plenty of suburbs that are great for students, depending on whether you want to be close to campus, nightlife, or save some cash.
Here are our top 5 picks:
Tip: When picking your suburb, think about its proximity to uni, public transport, local shops, and social life. Each area has its own personality. Some are busy and buzzing. Others are quieter and more residential.
Because Sydney is one of Australia’s priciest cities, accommodation tends to take up a big chunk of a student’s budget. Costs vary significantly, depending on the kind of housing you choose, where it is, and how many people you share it with. Here’s a rough sense of what to expect
|
Type |
Weekly rent (approx) |
|
Private room or single‑room share in a shared house/flat (Inner West Sydney) |
AU$200–AU$350 |
|
One Bedroom (Eastern Suburbs) |
AU$550–AU$750 |
|
Purpose‑built student housing / PBSA / student‑oriented apartments |
AU$380–AU$500 |
|
Studio apartment or one‑bedroom flat (CBD fringe) |
AU$450–AU$650 (or more, depending on location). |
|
Homestay or room rental (with host family) |
AU$250–AU$400 (often includes meals/utilities depending on setup). |
Source: studentaccommodationguide.com
Note: These are ballpark ranges. The actual cost depends heavily on how close you are to the city/uni, the quality of the place, and what’s included (utilities, internet, meals, etc.).
Finding the right student accommodation doesn’t have to be stressful. Here’s a quick guide on where to look and how to get organised:
Once you’ve secured your student accommodation in Sydney, the next step is organising a move that’s reliable and won’t blow your budget. That’s where Upmove comes in.
Upmove lets you compare quotes and services from local removalists in Sydney. Whether you’re relocating across the city or just a few suburbs away, you can book the best Sydney student moving team that suits your budget and schedule.
That way, you can make moving into your new Sydney student home simple and stress-free.
Upmove is Australia’s trusted choice for removalist and moving company services, helping thousands of customers move homes, furniture, cars, motorcycles, and more. Since 2017, we’ve been delivering reliable, affordable, and well-reviewed moving services across Australia. Our focus has always been on making moving simple and stress-free — from booking experienced removalists to completing your delivery with care. With Upmove, you get professional service, fixed prices, and peace of mind on every move.
![Top 5 Cheapest Suburbs in Sydney [Updated 2025]](https://cdn.upmove.com.au/image/blog/3b114ecb3ce4b4405670d1926b57f6e3.jpeg "Top 5 Cheapest Suburbs in Sydney [Updated 2025]")
Upmove acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
![Electric Bass Guitar Amplifier [90x70x35cm ; 50kgs], Electric Bass Gui...](https://cdn.upmove.com.au/image/listing/3526991a6bdc56e645ac1b2a540b126e.jpeg "Electric Bass Guitar Amplifier [90x70x35cm ; 50kgs], Electric Bass Gui...")
