How to Find Student Accommodation in Melbourne
To find student accommodation in Melbourne, start by choosing which of the four basic types of housing you prefer. With that pencilled in, you can then dive into the specific options available.
Most students choose between purpose-built student accommodation, shared housing, university or college accommodation, and private houses or apartments. No single search site combines all these different options well.
The Student Housing Search Process
What sort of lifestyle and sharing arrangement are you looking for as a Melbourne student? Answer this question and you’ll start to narrow in on the best choice for student housing.
A useful search process is:
- Choose the housing type that matches how you want to live.
- Set a weekly budget, including bills and upfront costs.
- Pick suburbs based on campus travel time.
- Search using the websites or providers that match that accommodation type.
1. Choose Your Preferred Type of Student Housing
Start your student accommodation search by choosing the kind of living setup you want. Melbourne students normally compare share houses, purpose-built student accommodation, university accommodation, and residential colleges.
(a) Room in a share house
A room in a share house is often flexible and affordable. You rent your own bedroom in a private house or apartment and share the kitchen, bathroom, laundry and living areas with other renters. Shared living can work well when you are comfortable with housemates, shared bills and a less formal rental setup.
(b) Room in purpose-built student accommodation
Purpose-built student accommodation is easier to organise, especially for international students arriving from overseas. Rooms are normally furnished, buildings are designed for students, and facilities may include study areas, laundries, gyms, lounges and social spaces. Bills are often included in the weekly rate.
(c) Room in university accommodation
University accommodation normally means a room in a university-owned residence, hall or apartment building. Rooms are usually simple and furnished, with shared kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and common areas. Places may be limited, especially near the start of the academic year.
(d) Room in a residential college
A room in a residential college means joining a student community, not just renting a room. Residential colleges may include meals, activities, support and shared facilities as part of the package. The cost is usually higher than a basic room in a university residence or share house.
Variations
Other housing options may suit specific needs. A homestay can provide a room in a local household, sometimes with meals included. A private studio or apartment can suit students who want more independence, but the cost and application process are usually higher.
Room configurations also vary within each housing type. Options may include a shared room, private room, private room with ensuite, studio, or one-bedroom apartment. More privacy usually means a higher weekly cost.
2. Set a Weekly Budget
Student accommodation in Melbourne often costs around AUD $220 to $750 per week. Quoted prices are not always directly comparable because some are basic rent while others include bills, internet, facilities or meals.
| Accommodation Type | Typical Weekly Cost | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Share house room | $220 – $400 | Private bedroom in a shared house or flat. Utilities are usually split separately. |
| Purpose-built student accommodation | $240 – $450 | Managed student building. Bills, internet, security and shared facilities may be included. |
| On-campus university housing | $380 – $600 | University-owned rooms, halls or apartments. Meals are not always included. |
| Private studio apartment | $450 – $750 | Self-contained room with bathroom and kitchenette. Utilities may cost extra. |
| Catered residential college | $700 – $950+ | Campus-style living with meals, utilities, activities and academic support often included. |
Weekly rent should be checked against what is included. A lower share house or private rental price may exclude electricity, gas, water and internet. A higher student accommodation price may already include most bills and building facilities.
Private rentals and share houses often have extra costs. Budget another AUD $25 to $50 per week for the cost of utilities unless the listing clearly says bills are included.
Upfront costs can also be significant. Many students need enough money for bond and rent in advance, which can add up to four to eight weeks of rent before moving in.
3. Choose a Search Zone
Use your campus as the anchor point for your accommodation search. Make a shortlist of nearby suburbs and places with direct public transport to your classes.
- University of Melbourne: Parkville, Carlton, North Melbourne and the CBD.
- RMIT: CBD, Carlton, North Melbourne, Docklands and nearby inner suburbs.
- Monash Clayton: Clayton, Huntingdale, Oakleigh and nearby south-eastern suburbs.
- Monash Caulfield: Caulfield, Malvern, Carnegie, South Yarra and nearby train-line suburbs.
- Deakin Burwood: Burwood, Box Hill, Surrey Hills, Camberwell and nearby eastern suburbs.
- La Trobe Bundoora: Bundoora, Reservoir, Preston, Heidelberg and nearby northern suburbs.
- Victoria University: Footscray, Sunshine, St Albans, the CBD and suburbs near your specific campus.
Check the full trip before choosing a suburb. Include walking time to the station or tram stop, late-night transport, supermarket access and the number of transfers.
4. Search by Housing Type
Search in the places that match the accommodation type you chose. A single website is unlikely to cover share houses, student buildings, university rooms and residential colleges equally well.
- Purpose-built student accommodation: Use student housing platforms and provider websites. Sites such as uhomes.com | Melbourne student housing let you compare managed student buildings by location, room type, budget and travel time.
- Share houses: Use share accommodation websites such as Flatmates.com.au and share listings on major rental websites. These listings are better suited to finding a room in an existing household.
- University accommodation: Start with your university’s accommodation page. University-owned rooms, halls and apartments usually have their own application process, deadlines, fees and offer conditions.
- Residential colleges: Search by individual college or by the college group linked to your university. College places can be limited, so check each college’s fees, meal arrangements, scholarships and application dates.
After finding possible listings, compare the application process as well as the room. Check whether you need references, proof of enrolment, an application fee, a bond, rent in advance or a quick response after receiving an offer.
