The short answer
Accommodation is the biggest slice of student living costs in Australia, which run from about AUD 8,041 a year in Perth to AUD 18,849 in Brisbane (median ~AUD 12,660). Your options are university halls, purpose-built student accommodation, homestay or a shared rental. The Subclass 500 visa expects you to prove living funds of AUD 29,710 for the year, which covers accommodation.
Accommodation is the single biggest living cost you’ll carry as a student in Australia, and it varies more by city than almost anything else. This guide sets out what a year of living costs by city, the main ways students find somewhere to live, and what the student visa expects you to budget — so you arrive with a realistic plan rather than a nasty surprise.
How much does student accommodation cost in Australia?
Accommodation is bundled into your overall living costs, which run from about AUD 8,041 a year in Perth to AUD 18,849 in Brisbane — a wide spread, and the main reason your choice of city matters. These figures are the estimated total off-campus living cost (rent is the largest part, alongside food, transport and utilities), so treat them as your all-in annual budget rather than rent alone. The overall median across Australian study cities is about AUD 12,660 a year.
Zoe Craydel, Senior counsellor, Craydel Australia
Your accommodation options
There are four main ways students house themselves in Australia, and most people move between them — a managed option for the first months, then a shared rental once they know the city.
University residence / halls
On- or near-campus student housing arranged through your university. More expensive than a shared flat, but secure, furnished and close to class — ideal for your first year.
Student accommodation (PBSA)
Private student-housing providers offer furnished rooms with bills included and social spaces. Book through the provider directly and check what’s included.
Homestay
Living with an Australian host family, usually with meals included. A softer landing for younger students, arranged through vetted homestay services.
Shared rental
Renting a room in a shared house or flat is typically the lowest-cost option, but you sign a lease and pay a bond. Best once you’re on the ground and can inspect first.
Living costs by city
Where you study drives the budget. Perth and the smaller cities are markedly cheaper than Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, so if your course is offered in more than one place, the city can save you thousands a year.
Estimated total off-campus living cost per year (accommodation, food, transport, utilities), from Craydel campus data. Indicative in local currency — the median ≈ KES 1.15m or NGN 12.1m; rates move. For the full picture see our cost of studying in Australia guide.
Want a course in a city you can actually afford?
A Craydel counsellor will match you to Australian courses and cities that fit your budget — accommodation included — at no cost to you.
What the visa expects you to budget
Accommodation isn’t just a lifestyle choice — it’s part of the money you must prove for your visa. The Subclass 500 requires you to show living funds of AUD 29,710 for a 12-month period, on top of your first-year tuition and travel. That figure is set by the government as a living-cost benchmark that covers accommodation and day-to-day expenses, so budgeting a realistic city cost from the list above helps you plan for both the visa and real life. It has to be money you or your sponsor genuinely hold — see our Subclass 500 visa guide.
How to find accommodation safely
Housing scams target new international students, so protect yourself before you send money.
Start with your university
University accommodation services and their approved providers are the safest first step, especially before you land.
Line up months 1–3 first
Book managed housing (halls, PBSA or homestay) for your arrival, then find a shared rental once you can inspect in person.
Pay before you verify
Never pay a bond or rent for a place you (or someone you trust) haven’t verified. A “landlord” who can’t meet or show the property is a red flag.
Sign a long lease blind
Avoid committing to a 12-month lease from abroad. Understand the bond, notice period and what bills are included first.
Frequently asked questions
How much does accommodation cost for students in Australia?
Accommodation is the largest part of living costs, which run from about AUD 8,041 a year in Perth to AUD 18,849 in Brisbane, with a median of about AUD 12,660 across study cities. Your city and housing type (halls, purpose-built student accommodation, homestay or a shared rental) make the biggest difference.
What are the accommodation options for international students?
The four main options are university residences or halls, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), homestay with a host family, and private shared rentals. Managed options (halls, PBSA, homestay) are easiest to arrange before you arrive; a shared rental is usually cheapest once you’re on the ground.
Which is the cheapest city for accommodation in Australia?
Among the major study cities, Perth is the most affordable at about AUD 8,041 a year in total living costs, well below Brisbane (AUD 18,849), Sydney and Melbourne. If your course is offered in more than one city, the location can save you thousands a year.
Does accommodation count toward my visa funds?
Yes — indirectly. The Subclass 500 visa requires you to prove living funds of AUD 29,710 for 12 months, a government benchmark that covers accommodation and everyday costs, on top of tuition and travel. It must be money you or your sponsor genuinely hold.
Should I arrange accommodation before I arrive?
Arrange managed housing — a university residence, PBSA or homestay — for your first few months before you land, then look for a cheaper shared rental once you can inspect places in person. Never pay a bond for somewhere you haven’t verified.
Sources
- Craydel campus and admissions data (2026) — estimated off-campus annual living costs by city.
- Exchange rates for USD→AUD/KES/NGN conversion (2026); rates move daily and are indicative only.
- Australian Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (Subclass 500) financial capacity requirement. immi.homeaffairs.gov.au
- Study Australia — official guidance on accommodation and living costs for international students. studyaustralia.gov.au
Want this built around your grades and budget?
A Craydel counsellor will shortlist Australia universities that fit what you can actually afford — free.
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