by Luna Erica
You’ve been accepted to an Australian university, packed your bags, and touched down in a new country. Shortly after arriving with your belongings in tow, you step into the room that will serve as your sanctuary for the coming months. You might hear the laughter of fellow students in the hallway or catch the nostalgic scent of old library books. Now, it’s time to make this space your own!
While everyone’s study abroad journey is unique, the experience of settling in applies whether you choose university-managed student housing or private off-campus accommodation. Staying in Australian halls can be an incredible social experience, but renting a private house offers a completely different set of lifestyle opportunities.
For this guide, we interviewed an international student in Australia who has lived both on- and off-campus. His insights are shared below to help you navigate your housing search, but remember: your individual experience will depend on your specific environment. Use this advice to make an informed decision for your own start in Australia.
To get the inside scoop on accommodation, we spoke with Junior, a Computer Science Master’s student at Monash University. Having fallen in love with Australia during his initial exchange, he returned for his postgraduate studies. He resided on the Monash campus for over three years before transitioning to an off-campus house with a group of friends.
What are the costs of living on-campus vs off-campus?
Let’s start with the most important factor: your budget.
When you research student salaries in Australia, the numbers might surprise you. Students often earn around 20 AUD per hour, as the country consistently ranks among those with the highest average wages in the world, according to the OECD.
However, what many students overlook is that the cost of living scales alongside those wages. Rent in Australia is often significantly higher than what international students are accustomed to at home. Living on-campus is particularly expensive; a room can cost approximately 250 AUD per week, totaling around 1,000 AUD per month.
Living off-campus is generally more affordable, but it involves more administrative responsibility. While on-campus rent usually bundles utilities like water, gas, electricity, and internet into your fees, living in a private house requires you to manage these bills yourself. If you are energy-conscious with your housemates, you can save money, but keep in mind that individual usage will dictate your final monthly costs.
Residential colleges often host organized student events to foster community. At Monash University, for instance, residents enjoy biweekly snack nights for socializing and group outings to local sports bars or clubs, providing a built-in social life.
Beyond social nights, there are recurring traditions like building-wide games of “Assassins”—a non-lethal, campus-wide version of tag—and “Random Acts of Kindness” weeks, where residents exchange small gifts to build rapport and appreciation within the hall.
Most residential buildings offer orientation programs designed to help students settle in. These activities typically include city tours, scavenger hunts, movie nights, and group outings. Because these programs are managed by residential services, they provide a safe, structured way to meet people without any pressure to participate.
The primary benefit of on-campus living, according to Junior, is the ease of meeting people from all over the globe. “It was the best experience—just living with and getting to know hundreds of people,” he says. While you can meet people through clubs or classes, the organic interactions in a shared living space make forming lifelong friendships much easier, and being closer to academic buildings gives you more flexibility to join extracurricular activities.
Junior fondly recalls “the fire extinguisher incident,” a legendary water fight in the kitchen, alongside spontaneous guitar lessons and group trips to the city. Ultimately, student housing—whether on- or off-campus—is less about the room itself and more about the shared experiences and cultural exchanges you have with your peers.
Many of the highlights of campus life can be replicated in a private house. You can still have late-night fast-food runs to “Maccas” or throw great house parties, but the difference is that you and your housemates are solely responsible for organizing these events and managing the communal environment.
Junior sums up his time on campus: “I initially planned to stay on-campus for just one semester before moving out. However, the community was so strong that I ended up staying for three years.”
What about the bathrooms (and other facilities)?
Now, let's address the practical realities of student housing.
Unless you have a significant budget for private studio living, you will likely deal with shared kitchens and bathrooms. There is undeniable peace of mind in knowing you can knock on a neighbor’s door if you need assistance, a comfort found in both on-campus and off-campus shared housing.
Comfort levels depend heavily on your housemates. While off-campus living can feel more private and independent, it does mean you won't always know who you are living with until you move in. On-campus housing often provides more oversight, which can offer a greater sense of security.
Regarding hygiene, on-campus facilities usually follow set cleaning schedules managed by professional staff, though it is always wise to wear sandals in communal showers. In private housing, cleanliness is entirely up to you and your housemates. Success in a private share-house depends on how well you communicate and divide chores with your housemates.
Residential buildings often provide additional perks. Junior’s residence featured a basement “hangout” zone with a small cinema, a music room with various instruments, and a “Halls Café,” where students could purchase affordable meals. These facilities provide value beyond just a place to sleep.
Proximity to campus is another major advantage of staying in student halls. You are never more than a short walk from the library, study lounges, or campus cafes. Of course, you can find off-campus housing near your university as well—or follow the local tradition and buy a car for the commute.
Rules, guidelines and regulations
One drawback of on-campus life is the number of regulations. From guest policies requiring paperwork to restrictions on room modifications, these rules can sometimes make you feel like your personal space is being monitored.
Private housing offers more freedom, but that liberty comes with increased responsibility. Remember that residential hall rules are designed for your security, safety, and community management, which justifies their inclusion in the overall cost.
So, how do you find your perfect place?
Junior’s recommendation is to live on-campus for at least a semester to get the full experience and network with peers. You can then choose to move into a private house later with friends you’ve made during your first few months.
Ready to start your search? Here are some essential tips for finding the perfect place:
If you want to live off-campus
There are numerous online resources available to help you find accommodation. A great platform for students moving to Australia or the UK is BestStudentHalls.com, where experts provide free assistance to help you secure the right housing.
Whenever possible, visit a property in person before signing a contract. If you are moving from abroad, consider booking a short-term stay in a hotel or hostel when you first arrive. This gives you time to view multiple properties in person before committing to a long-term lease.
Alternatively, use a reputable room-finding service like amber. They offer free, one-on-one assistance to help you find budget-friendly student housing in cities like Sydney or Perth, and they can even coordinate virtual viewings of properties for you.
Finally, don't hesitate to reach out to university services or people you already know in the country. Australians are generally very welcoming and often happy to assist newcomers in navigating the local rental market.
If you want to live on-campus
For those specifically seeking on-campus living, you have two primary options: contact your university’s residential services directly to view available halls, or consult a platform like BestStudentHalls to compare different types of student residences across one centralized website.
Moving abroad is a big transition, and having your accommodation secured early can make your arrival much smoother. Some institutions, like Monash University, even offer airport pickup or shuttle services, so be sure to check your university’s website for arrival support.
Ready to move in?
No matter where you choose to live, your university years will be a defining experience. You will join a diverse community and make lasting connections. Junior’s final tip for students is simple:
“Just be friendly. It is easy to stay in your room to study, but this is a finite period of time. Don't look back and remember only the time spent alone in your room. Get out there, meet people, and enjoy the experience.”
And remember, if your housing situation doesn't turn out to be perfect, you can always move when the next semester begins!