Accommodation Service / International Students

International Students

General information

All international students of the University of Sydney are able to use the Accommodation Service to find accommodation. Additional assistance is offered to international students commencing their studies through the International Student Support Unit (ISSU) Housing Office.

The Accommodation Service provides information about the range of accommodation options available for University of Sydney students, as well as a range of related resources.

As finding suitable accommodation is fundamental to your success and well-being at University, we recommend you start thinking about finding accommodation well before your arrival at the University.

If you want to live on-campus, we recommend you investigate the options and submit your application/s to the college/s of your choise as early as possible. Some on-campus colleges and halls of residence have closing dates for application in the year prior to the commencement of your studies.

If you choose to live in off-campus accommodation the Accommodation Service can assist you through its off-campus Accommodation Database after you arrive in Sydney. Prior to your enrollment as a beginning student, the on-line services are accessible to your from overseas.

As off-campus accommodation options are not inspected by the Accommodation Service, you must be in Sydney to do your own inspection of the room or a property and to meet your prospective housemates. We therefore advise you not to enter into any agreement with a private person or a real estate agent to rent a room in a share house or a private property (like a studio, unit or a house) before you inspect it in person.

To look for off-campus accommodation, it is important to book temporary accommodation and plan to arrive in Australia at least three weeks before your first semester of study. This will allow you enough time to find a permanent place to live.

You have to arrange temporary temporary accommodation yourself, as the Accommodation Office does not have the resources to book any type of accommodation for you.

You may also be interested in staying in an off-campus student hostel or residence.

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International students commencing their studies

All beginning international students needing accommodation are able to access the Housing Office offered by the International Student Support Unit (ISSU).

The ISSU Housing Office operates during University holidays and into the first week or two of semester. Contact ISSU for details of the exact dates of operation, but generally the Housing Office operates from January to March, and again in July and August of each year.

At all other times, beginning international students needing accommodation assistance should contact the Accommodation Service.

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The ISSU Housing Office

The ISSU Housing Office provides special assistance to international students commencing their studies at the University. The ISSU Housing Officer can advise you about accommodation related issues and help you access the off-campus Accommodation Database available to all enrolled students of the University.

Contact the ISSU Housing Office at:
International Student Support Unit
Ground Floor
Services Building G12
353 Abercrombie St (Codrington St Entrance)
Darlington, University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
Phone 61 2 9351 4749
Fax 61 2 9351 4013
E-mail: info@issu.usyd.edu.au
Website: http://www.usyd.edu.au/stuserv/issu/index.shtml

All continuing international students should contact the Accommodation Service for assistance.

Please note: The ISSU Housing Officer cannot arrange on-campus accommodation for you. You need to make your own application/s for on-campus accommodation.

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Daily Housing Information Sessions

Few weeks prior to the start of each semester and for the first week or two of semester, the ISSU Housing Officer runs daily Housing Information Session. All new international students who have not yet arranged longer term accommodation are encouraged to attend the Housing Information Session. At the Session, you will be introduced to the Housing Officer, given information about accommodation issues in Australia and assistance in looking for permanent accommodation.

Details of the time and location of Housing Information Sessions are available from the ISSU website.

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Resources offered by the International Student Support Unit

The International Student Support Unit (ISSU) offers a range of social and culltural as well as welfare and support services for international students. See the ISSU website for details.

If you are enrolling for the first time, ISSU provides information and a step-by-step guide for you to book temporary accommodation on campus. This information will be sent to you in the 'Pre-Departure Kit' after your University fee payment has been received, or you can download the form from the ISSU website.

From the website you can also download the "International Student Guide: Your road to Success" which contains accommodation information for international students downloaded.

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Other websites and organisations advertising off-campus accommodation

Apart from the off-campus accommodation listings available through the Accommodation Database, many other organisations advertise rental or share accommodation.

This website provides links to a range of websites advertising accommodation, and offers a list of local real estate agents (download as PDF) in the area close to the Camperdown and Darlington campuses.

Students may be able to find assistance in their home country from agents operating in the Australian market, such as the one listed below.

For Malaysian students based in Kuala Lumpur:
Boomerang Property is a company that operates as a selling and leasing agent for a number of property developers in Sydney. The agent will meet with students in Kuala Lumpur, and provide them with information in a powerpoint presentation, about properties close to the University. If students are interested in renting any of the properties, the agent will put them in touch with the agents or developers handling the properties in Australia. This service is provided at no charge to the student, as the agent's commission is paid by the developers in Australia, if the student decides to lease the property. The agent offers a further service where he will search for and locate suitable properties that are not on his books according to the student's requirements, but in this case there is a charge for this service equivalent to two to four weeks rent.

Please note:

  • Inclusion in this website is not an endorsement by the Accommodation Service of a particular accommodation provider, agent, organisation, or website.
  • If you have never lived in share accommodation, or rented a property in Australia, we recommend you familiarise yourself with the tenancy information available through this website.
  • You will have to inspect any property or room in person, and, if you are planing to live in a share flat or a house, meet all your potential flat or house mates, before you decide to rent the room or property. Also make sure you read any Residential Tenancy Agreement carefully.
  • 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 commiting to any contract.
  • In Australia, there are no real-estate agent's fees. Any fees are paid by the property owner.
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Accommodation Service disclaimer

Inclusion on this website:

  • -is not an endorsement by the Accommodation Service of a particular accommodation provider, organisation, or website.
  • -is not a warranty as to the suitability or condition of any accommodation listed. The Accommodation Service does not inspect any of the accommodation listed on its website or database. It is up to students to make their own inquiries about the suitability and condition of accommodation.
  • If you have a comment, compliment or complaint that you would like to make about any accommodation advertised through the Accommodation Service, please contact the Accommodation Service via email or on 9351 8686.
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How do I comment on, compliment, or complain about the Accommodation Service?

You can talk or write to the Accommodation Officers or the Head of Equity Support Services. If this does not resolve your concerns you can contact the Director Student Administration and Support or, if appropriate, the Staff and Student Equal Opportunity Unit.

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