The Ultimate Guide to Student Accommodation in Australia for Indian Students

Okay, first things first—congrats! You cracked the dream. Got the offer letter. Scored the visa. The WhatsApp family group is buzzing, and your relatives are already throwing in suggestions like, “Beta, my friend’s son is also in Sydney. Call him!”

But once the excitement dies down, reality hits. You're actually moving. To a whole new country. And suddenly, the biggest question isn’t “What will I study?”—it’s “Where the heck am I going to live?”

Don’t panic. You’re not alone. Thousands of Indian students board flights to Australia every year with tiffins full of theplas, Maggi packets in their check-in bags, and one collective confusion about finding that perfect home away from home. That’s why we’re here to tell you everything you need to know about finding student accommodations in Australia.

Let’s unpack it all—step by step, panic-free.

Phase One: Landing and Figuring It Out

Let’s be honest, after that 14-hour flight where your neck decided to stop cooperating, the last thing you need is a stressful house hunt. So, let’s talk about where you can stay for your first few days in Australia until you figure stuff out.

1. Airbnb

Airbnb is perfect for easing into the new world. A cozy room, maybe a private bath, a kitchen where you can attempt to make chai at 3 a.m. What more could you ask for?

One girl on Reddit mentioned she stayed in an Airbnb near UNSW for her first two weeks, and her host even told her where to buy garam masala. That’s some next-level hospitality.

Expect around AUD 70–150 a night in bigger cities. Book in advance, especially around intake months, or you’ll end up in a shared room with a lizard named Greg.

2. Hostels

These aren’t five-star stays, but if you are cool with bunk beds, instant roommates, and free city maps, this is your scene. Prices are friendly—AUD 30–50/night. You'll probably meet other international students with the same I don’t know what I’m doing face. The top websites for finding Hostels in Australia are Hostelworld and YHA Australia. You can also use Hostelz.com to compare prices and find the most affordable option that suits your needs.

3. Uni-arranged Temporary Housing

Many universities, like the University of Melbourne, offer 1–2 weeks of temporary rooms just for freshers like you. It’s basic, but clean, and usually in the middle of campus.

4. Family & Friends

If you’ve got even one long-lost Uncle in Australia, now is the time to call them. Not only will you save on rent, but chances are they’ll feed you fresh parathas and let you in on all the secrets—where to buy atta, which suburb has good buses, and where to avoid renting.

On-Campus Living

After your first few days, you’ll need to start looking for a more permanent option. I would highly recommend living on campus, because it’s got everything you’ll need- Bright dorm rooms, cool lounges, and zero commute to class. Living on campus definitely has its perks. You can literally wake up 15 minutes before your lecture and still make it on time; no need to worry about public transport delays or rainy mornings.

All the bills—like electricity, internet, and water—are usually bundled into the rent, which makes budgeting easier. Plus, you’re surrounded by students. There are social events, study groups, and all-night conversations about missing home and the weirdness of Aussie slang.

Just type your university’s name followed by “on-campus accommodation” into Google, and you’ll land on their official housing page. It usually lists all the available options, rent details, what’s included, and whether spots are still open.

On-campus housing is the best option for you if you want to make connections with other students and live comfortably.

But (and it’s a big but), campus accommodation isn’t cheap. You could be paying anywhere between 300-700 AUD per week, depending on the uni and the room type. And that’s before you’ve even bought groceries or splurged on a weekend biryani.

Some students also find it a bit restrictive. You might have to follow curfews, deal with noise rules, or share your space with people who might not be the best for you. It’s comfy, yes—but also comes with a price, both literally and socially.

Off-Campus Rentals

There’s a whole universe of off-campus student accommodation in Australia —way more than just student dorms or tiny rentals. You can even find off-campus housing references from your university’s official website. Let’s take a closer look and figure out which one feels like home to you.

1. Shared Rentals

If you’re okay with a bit of chaos in exchange for lower rent, welcome to the wonderful world of shared housing. You'll either have your own room in a shared house or apartment or, in some cases, share a bedroom with another student. It’s social, affordable, and you’ll learn very quickly how to live with other humans.

How to Search for Shared Accommodation:

Flatmates.com.au / FlatmateFinders:  These websites are gold. You can filter by price, suburb, and even lifestyle preferences.

Facebook Groups:  Just type in something like “Melbourne Indian Student Accommodation” and prepare to scroll for hours. These groups are filled with real-time listings and friendly roomies who already have their spice jars lined up.

Gumtree: Think of it as OLX’s Aussie cousin. You’ll find plenty of listings, often cheaper than agency sites, but tread carefully. Scams happen. Don’t transfer a dollar until you’ve seen the place in person or on a video call.

Price Breakdown:

In cities like Sydney or Melbourne, a private room in a shared house can cost you around AUD 250 to 350 per week, while sharing a room might bring that down to AUD 150 to 250.

In Adelaide or Brisbane, it's easier on the wallet—AUD 130 to 200 per week is pretty standard.

Bills:

Some listings are all-inclusive, while others split utilities separately. If it’s not included, expect to pitch in AUD 20–30 per week for things like electricity, internet, and water.

2. Private Rentals

Now, if you're someone who needs your own space after a long day of back-to-back lectures or you just can’t deal with “communal living,” a private rental is your best bet. You’ll have your own apartment—your own kitchen, your own bathroom, and sweet, sweet solitude.

What to Expect

You’ll likely be renting a studio or one-bedroom apartment, which means no roommates, no shared fridge, and no one asking if they can borrow your milk.

Perfect, right? Totally. But it doesn’t come cheap.

In places like Sydney or Melbourne, you’re easily looking at AUD 350 to 600 per week. Smaller cities like Adelaide or Hobart might be a little more forgiving—expect prices around AUD 250 to 350 per week.

Where to Search:

realestate.com.au: The go-to for long-term private rentals. You’ll find verified listings with proper descriptions and photos. Filter by location, price, and even nearby public transport.

Domain: Another big player in the Aussie rental market. Super user-friendly interface and reliable listings. They also have handy suburb guides if you’re new to the area.

Gumtree: You’ll find rental listings here too. But again, double-check everything before you commit.

Facebook Marketplace: It’s Surprisingly useful. People often post short-term rentals, sublets, and even fully furnished studios. It’s perfect if you need something quick while you're still figuring things out.

Private rentals work great for couples, mature students, or anyone working part-time who needs a solid study zone without distractions. Just make sure you know what you’re signing up for—privacy has its price, literally.

Homestays

If you want to ease into Aussie life while having a roof, meals, and a bit of homey warmth, homestays might be perfect for you. You live with a local family, usually get your own room, and they often provide two meals a day. Prices usually range from AUD 250–350/week, including meals and bills.

It’s a fantastic option if you’re feeling nervous about living alone or cooking every day. Some students even end up forming lifelong bonds with their host families. A girl in Adelaide shared her story that her host mum made ladoos for her birthday.

Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PSBA)

Ever seen those shiny TikToks of student apartments with gym access, game rooms, and sunset views from the 12th floor? That’s a PBSA—Purpose-Built Student Accommodation.

These places are designed with international students in mind. Everything’s ready when you move in—furniture, high-speed Wi-Fi, even community events like taco night or quiz evenings. Security is tight, the buildings are clean, and the social life is buzzing.

Rents can range from 350 to 700 bucks a week, depending on the location and what kind of room you get.

A lot of students stay in these for a semester or two, especially if they want a stress-free setup right after arriving. But eventually, most move out when they realize they could save big by renting a room with fellow desis and still have money left over for weekend brunch.

Traps to Avoid When Finding Student Accommodation in Australia

• Don’t transfer money without seeing the house or signing a lease.
• Unfurnished means completely Not even a bulb sometimes. Confirm what’s included.
• Don’t lock into a 12-month contract unless you're 100% sure. Try a shorter lease first.
• Housemate compatibility is the key. So, always chat with potential housemates before moving in. Ask about cleaning habits, kitchen rules, or if they like having friends over.
• Always, always sign a lease or written agreement. Even if the landlord is Indian and feels “just like family.” Written terms protect both you and them.

Final Thoughts

Your first few weeks will be a little wild. But trust the process. Ask seniors. Join Facebook groups. Talk to your uni’s support team. Someone will always have your back. If you have no idea what to expect in your first month in Australia, you can check this blog out.

If juggling assignments gets overwhelming while you’re adjusting to life here, don’t stress; Our India assignment help service is available online to make things easier so you can focus on settling in without worrying about assignments. And one day, as you'll be sitting in your tiny-but-perfect apartment, eating rajma chawal you made from scratch, you'll smile and think—I did it.