Off campus accommodation
Most University of Sydney students live off campus.
We manage the Accommodation Database which lists off-campus accommodation for students. We also provide links to Other Search sites you could use to find off-campus accommodation.
Guidelines for Selecting Off-Campus Accommodation
Researching your options:
If you have not lived away from home, or off-campus before, you will probably have the following questions:
- What is available? Find out about types of off-campus accommodation
- What will suit me? Compare the advantages and disadvantages of different types of accommodation
- What will it cost? Compare costs of different types of accommodation. Living off campus you may need to include other expenses, such as transport to Uni, utility bills, food and buying furniture
- Where should I live? Read about different suburbs around your campus and find out about public transport options
Understanding tenancy matters:
Before committing to any off-campus accommodation, it is essential to familiarise yourself with tenancy matters, so you understand your rights and responsibilities when living in share accommodation, boarding situations, or when committing to a Residential Tenancy Agreement.
Inspecting properties:
- The SRC offer a helpful guide to applying for rental accommodation with their SRC Accommodation Checklist.
- Use the Inspection Checklist to help you complete a thorough inspection of prospective homes, and to record details for each property, so you can compare them.
Some tips for meeting prospective housemates or landlords:
- When you contact the person offering the accommodation make sure you confirm the information from the advertisement, in case any details have changed.
- When inspecting a room in share accommodation, take the time to speak with the person offering the accommodation, and any other people living there, to get a "sense" of what they are like and if you’d like to live with them. Also remember that prospective housemates and landlords will want to find out about you too!
- Ask questions about the property and what is expected of you.
- Never sign a contract, or pay any money until you have inspected the property in person.
- If you are asked to pay money before seeing the property, it is possible the offer is not genuine. Please feel free to contact us for advice.
The Accommodation Database
The Accommodation Database includes currently available listings of:
- Share Accommodation
- Full board (or homestay)
- Rental properties
- Temporary Accommodation
- Accommodation in Exchange for work
For detailed descriptions of these accommodation types, download the Types of off-campus accommodation sheet.
Searching the Accommodation Database
The Accommodation Database is for University of Sydney students only.
You can access the Database in two ways:
- Online via MyUni. You need your Unikey and Password to search the Database online. Generally you will receive your Unikey when you enrol.
If you are an international student, please read the information about obtaining your Unikey included on the International Students page. - If you haven’t yet enrolled, but have a firm offer from the University, you can visit our office for assistance to access the Accommodation Database. Please bring your offer letter with you.
Please note, we do not inspect any of the properties listed on the database. Ensure that you read our guidelines, above, and our Tenancy Resources section.
Start your search here: Accommodation Database
Other Search Options
Student and Residential Hostels
Student hostels and residences offer varying types of accommodation. For example, some are male or female only and others are affiliated with religious organisations.
- Download a list of hostels and student residences.
Rent a property or find a room in a shared house
These public websites advertise rental properties and share accommodation:
- www.domain.com.au
- www.justlisted.com.au
- www.realestate.com.au
- www.gumtree.com.au
- www.au.easyroommate.com
- www.flatmates.com.au
- www.flatmatefinders.com.au
- www.shareaccommodation.com
- www.share-house.com.au
- www.ShareHomes.com
- www.sydneyexchange.com.au
Many real estate agents use these websites to advertise properties, but also list available properties on their own websites. The Real Estate Agents list can provide you with a useful starting point for real estate agents close to the University's campuses, but we would also recommend you use the web to search for additional agents.
Also look at rental listings in the free local suburban publications such as the Inner Western Suburbs Courier or The Glebe.
Agencies – Furnished Apartments
For long and short term furnished accommodation see: www.rentahome.com.au
Homestay
Organisations providing Homestay or Full Board accommodation include: