International Students

We provide assistance to University of Sydney International students who are searching for accommodation.

If you are a Centre for English Teaching (CET) student you may wish to view the accommodation suggestions made on the CET website. Alternatively go to the Casual & Budget Accommodation page, and the Other Search Options section.

Accommodation Options

On campus and University owned accommodation:

• International students can apply for on-campus colleges and residences through the same process as local students.
• There is no on-campus or university owned accommodation which caters only for International students.
• Some colleges and residences are able to accommodate couples, but International House is the only on-campus accommodation which caters for families. Both local and international students can apply.
• See the On-campus page for more information.

Off campus accommodation:

Before you arrive in Sydney

• Book temporary accommodation
  If you have not arranged long term accommodation prior to your arrival, you are strongly advised to book temporary accommodation before you arrive in Sydney, so you have somewhere to stay when you first arrive. A range of options are available. Go to the Casual & Budget Accommodation page, for links to on-campus residential colleges offering temporary holiday accommodation, and to download lists of hotels, apartments, guesthouses and hostels offering temporary accommodation close to the Universities campuses.
• Research your accommodation options
  Research types of properties available in Sydney and compare rental costs before you arrive. Go to our Other Search Options section for public websites to search. If you have your "UniKey" (see information below) you will be able to look at the Accommodation Database as well. Also see the Living in Sydney page for information about public transport, Sydney suburbs and setting up a home.
  Note: If you are bringing your family to Australia, renting a property may be the best option.
• Important note:
  Although the Accommodation Officers recommend you book temporary accommodation before you arrive in Sydney, and research your long term accommodation options, we strongly recommend you do not commit to, or pay a deposit for, any long term accommodation found through the Accommodation Database or any other public website, until you have arrived in Sydney. This is because you should view the accommodation and meet any prospective landlords or housemates in person before making a commitment.

After you arrive in Sydney

• Go to a Housing Information Session
  Once you have settled into your temporary accommodation, go to the Arriving in Sydney section of the International Student Support Unit (ISSU) website to find out when the next Housing Information Session is on. These sessions will give you all the information you need about finding a suitable place to live, including how to use the Accommodation Database, and introduce you to the Accommodation Officers.
• Search the Accommodation Database
  Our Accommodation Database is available to all students. You are able to access the Database once you have received a firm offer of a place from the University and have your Unikey login and password. To get your UniKey, contact the ICT Helpdesk or visit any staffed Access lab with photo ID, and staff will issue a Unikey login and password. Alternatively, all students are provided with their UniKey on enrollment.
• Consider Other Search Options
  A range of other resources are available to assist you to find off-campus accommodation. Go to our Other Search Options section.
• Contact people offering accommodation
  Now you can start contacting accommodation providers to make appointments to visit rooms and properties that you are interested in. See the Off-campus accommodation page and the Tenancy Resources page, for more information about searching for, and inspecting, properties.
• Please feel free to contact the Accommodation Service if you require further information.

Disclaimer

• Inclusion of any service in this website is not an endorsement by the Accommodation Service of a particular accommodation provider, agent, organisation, or website.
• You are advised to make thorough inquiries regarding the services offered and the fees charged by Australian and international property and real-estate agents, before committing to any contract.
• In Australia, there are no real-estate agent's fees. Any fees are paid by the property owner.
• Please contact us if need any further information.