How Much Does Student Housing Cost in New South Wales 2025–26 Guide

Introduction: Why Housing Costs Matter in NSW 

New South Wales (NSW) is home to some of the most prestigious universities in Australia, like the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and University of Newcastle. Sydney is the student hub of the state, welcoming thousands of international students each year. However, the student housing cost in New South Wales is higher than in other states in Australia, as it is the most popular state.

So, how much does student accommodation cost in NSW? This ultimate guide to student housing prices answers this question and covers breakdowns of every cost in NSW, including what students will pay per week, Sydney accommodation, and budgeting information for international students for the year 2025-26. 

Average Rent for Students in NSW  

The student housing cost in New South Wales varies depending on the type of housing, location, and facilities. On-campus options are convenient but can be pricey, while shared apartments and homestays are more affordable. Here are the average weekly student accommodation costs in NSW for different housing types: 

On-Campus Accommodation 

Average weekly rent: $280 to $450  

On-campus accommodation is managed by the university and is usually located on or near the university campus. The rent often includes utilities like electricity, water, and Wi-Fi. Some may also include a meal plan (usually in catered halls), which adds to the ability to budget. This type of accommodation tends to be popular with first-year and international students who want the structure of college living and convenience to classes.

PBSAs 

Purpose-built student housing is privately managed accommodation designed specifically for students. They include different types of rooms like studio, ensuite and shared. Studio is a private space including a bedroom, living space, kitchen and washroom. Ensuite flats offer an ensuite room (private bedroom and bathroom) with a shared living space and kitchen, and a shared flat will have a shared bedroom, washroom, living space and kitchen. 

Average weekly rent: 

• Studio: $450-$600/week 
• Ensuite: $380-$500/week 
• Shared: $300-$400/week 

While the rent may seem higher, all service fees and amenities like wi-fi, gym, study lounges, cinema space, and lounge/social space for students are usually included. This helps students save money and ensures no stress from paying individual bills each month. PBSAs provide a good balance of independent living while being fairly close to campus or urban areas. 

Here are some popular PBSA options in NSW: 

• Scape Darlington (Sydney)
• Scape Abercrombie (Sydney) 
• Kensington (Sydney)
• Darling House (Sydney)
• UniLodge SCU Lismore - Magellan

Private Apartment 

Average weekly rent: $450-$700/week depending on suburb and furnishing 

These are rental apartments managed by agencies or individual house owners. These can be 1, 2 or 3 BHK apartments and allow students to share with their friends or classmates. Private apartments may offer more independence, but they fall behind on safety, amenities and sometimes, proximity to the campus. Rent is also not inclusive of amenities, so students have to pay their share every month.  

Homestays 

Average weekly rent: $280 - $350  

Typically, the student housing cost in NSW homestays includes a furnished room, bills, and meals provided by the host family. Homestays are a wonderful accommodation option for a first-year international student, as it allows for a secure and supportive environment, while giving the opportunity to immerse themselves in Australian culture. Although, homestays might not offer the independence and social opportunities that a PBSA or on-campus accommodation does. 

On-Campus vs Off-Campus Accommodation in NSW 

On-Campus Accommodation 

On-campus accommodations in NSW are university-managed halls that are located either on or close to the campus.  

Pros 

Living in on-campus student accommodation in NSW is an advantage as classes, libraries, and student services are all easy to reach, which benefits daily living. Most include utilities, Wi-Fi, or meal plans as well, which means both easy budgeting and fewer responsibilities. More than just convenience, living here develops a sense of community, with plenty of structured activities, clubs, and other events through which you can come to know people and adjust to life in university. 

Cons 

On-campus student accommodations in NSW do not offer luxury amenities like those in PBSAs. Plus, even though they provide plenty of opportunities to network and socialize, students may end up compromising their personal space and quiet time. Meals are not always included in rent, so that adds up to the total cost as well. 

Off-Campus Accommodation 

Off-campus housing gives students more independence and flexibility. It includes PBSAs, private apartments, and homestays. 

• PBSA (Purpose-Built Student Accommodation NSW): Companies such as Scape, UniLodge, and Iglu offer PBSAs that have studios, ensuites, and shared apartments specifically designed for students. These include amenities like study spaces, gyms, cinema rooms, laundry, and more in the rent.  
• Private Rentals: Shared student apartments can have multiple bedrooms and a shared living space and kitchen. These are apartments that can be shared among students. Rent does not include amenities and bills and this has to be taken care of by all flatmates every month.  
• Homestays: Homestays are often a common option for international students. They may include home-cooked meals and don’t offer luxury amenities like those in PBSAs.  

Pros 

Off-campus student housing offers students more independence and choice in where and how they would like to live. With multiple options such as shared apartments, private accommodation, or homestay arrangements, it allows students the opportunities to choose the living situation that is best for their lifestyle and budget. Shared accommodation is typically the more affordable option, making it popular with students who want to save money on housing while still enjoying a social living situation. PBSAs are the most popular options among off-campus student accommodations as they offer all-inclusive rent, safety and luxury amenities that make student life easy and convinient. 

Cons 

One significant downside of private apartments is having to set up or arrange utilities, such as electricity, water, and internet, which can be time-consuming and possibly expensive. Further, all types of off-campus accommodations may not be near the university. This adds the expense and effort of daily transport for students. 

Sydney Student Housing Cost (2025 Guide) 

Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city for students, but also the most popular. Student accommodation in Sydney costs can vary depending on the suburbs you’re looking at. Here is the breakdown of cost of student accommodation in Sydney as per the area: 

Inner-City Suburbs  

Neighborhoods including Ultimo, Newtown and Kensington are attractive locations for students, especially for students studying at USYD, UTS, and UNSW. Rent can be expensive in these areas, with PBSA studio apartments being around $450-600 per week, and shared student apartments being more reasonable 

Mid-Range Suburbs 

In Parramatta and Burwood, which are further away from Sydney’s CBD, but transport is very good, students can find shared accommodation ranging from $250 to $350 per week. PBSA shared apartments in these areas are a little higher, ranging from $280 to $380 per week, which is a convenient lifestyle and community choice for students. 

Affordable Options (Regional NSW) 

In cities like Wollongong, Newcastle, Lismore, and Coffs Harbour, shared student housing is less expensive, with average rents ranging from $180 to $280 a week. Additionally, on-campus accommodation in regional areas is often less than the equivalent accommodation in Sydney, making them indeed a good budget option for students. 

Student Living Expenses in New South Wales 

When factoring in student housing cost in NSW, you must also consider the costs of transport, food, entertainment, and utilities (if applicable). Doing this will give you the real cost of living in New South Wales as a student, and you will be able to set a realistic budget for each month.  Here's a quick breakdown of all things you should factor in when setting a monthly budget: 

Rent 

As seen above, rent is the largest expense. It can cost you anywhere from $180 to $600 per week depending on the housing type and location. 

Food & Groceries 

Eating out in general is always more expensive than cooking meals at home. The same stands true for Sydney as well. If you cook at home, you might end up spending $80 - $120 per week. And if you eat out every day of the week, you will spend somewhere between $15 - $25 per meal.  

Make sure to always check if your student accommodation in NSW includes meals or not. If it does, it will help you save money, time and effort on cooking everyday.  

Utilities & Internet 

Utilities and internet are usually included in the rent in PBSAs and on-campus accommodations. If you’re living in a private apartment, the utility and internet bill might be anywhere between $25-$40/week. 

Transport 

NSW has a great transport network. Be it local trams, buses or trains between different cities. Even if you're living in an off-campus accommodation far away from your campus, you will find easy and convenient local transport options to reach your university campus on a budget.  

Sydney and major regional cities are covered by trains, light rail (trams), buses, and ferries under the Opal card system, a single payment card that works across all modes of transport. Students can also apply for concession Opal cards, which provide up to 50% discount on fares. 

On average, students spend about $35-$55 per week on transport, depending on the distance to campus and travel frequency. Regional cities like Newcastle and Wollongong often have lower average weekly costs of $20-$35, while those studying in Sydney might spend on the higher end due to more frequent travel and higher fare zones. 

An even better option? Cycle or walk to your university campus! Cycling is a popular mode of transport in Sydney, specifically. All NSW cities have dedicated biking lanes and walkways for pedestrians and bikers.  

Entertainment 

NSW cities like Sydney, Lismore and Coffs have tons of great things to do and places to explore for students. From nightlife, great restaurants, parks and beaches, NSW cities have a lot to keep students entertained throughout the year.  

On average, you will spend anywhere between $40-$100/week on entertainment in NSW, depending on the area and frequency of outings. Activities in university clubs are free of cost and highly recommended if you’re a social person who loves to meet new people! 

Cheap & Affordable Student Housing in New South Wales

The cost of student accommodation in NSW may seem high, but if you do your research right, you can find affordable and great options too. We've done the hard work for you, though! Here are some of the most affordable and cheap student housing in New South Wales, popular among students: 

Lismore 

Lismore is home to some of the most affordable yet luxurious UniLodge accommodations. These feature 4-bedroom apartments with amenities like WiFi, gym, cinema room, study spaces and more. The best part? They’re just a 2-5-minute walk away from the SCU campus! Here are the top two accommodations with prices: 

• UniLodge SCU Lismore – Orion (Starting from AU $235/ week) 
• UniLodge SCU Lismore – Magellan (Starting from AU $240/ week) 

Coffs Harbour 

Coffs Harbour homes spacious, luxurious and affordable student accommodations. These accommodations are also just a short walk away from the SCU Coffs Harbour campus and offer amenities like laundry, social spaces, bike storage, WiFi, and more. Here is the most popular and affordable student accommodation in Coffs Harbour: 

UniLodge SCU Coffs Harbour (Starting from AU $235/ week) 

Sydney 

Sydney might have some of the most expensive student housing cost in NSW (and Australia), but it also has some hidden gems that are affordable, luxurious, and conveniently close to major campuses. These accommodations offer luxury amenities like BBQ spaces, games rooms, courtyards, social spaces, gyms, and rooftop terraces for the perfect sundowner with your friends! All of this, while being under your budget and just 5 to 10 minutes’ walk from major universities like University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, and University of Technology Sydney. Here are some of the most popular ones among these accommodations: 

• Western Sydney University Penrith Village (Starting from AU $215/ week) 
• Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Village (Starting from AU $231/ week) 
• Scape Cleveland (Starting from AU $459/ week) 
• Scape Sydney Central (Starting from AU $459/ week) 
• Darling Square (Starting from AU $499/ week) 

New South Wales Student Housing Prices 2026 (Trends & Predictions) 

Student housing cost in New South Wales are projected to increase modestly in 2026, driven by continued international student demand, a slower-than-expected rollout of new PBSA developments, and inflationary pressures on utilities and services.  

Sydney, being the country’s most in-demand study destination, will likely see the steepest hikes. Premium PBSA studios could reach $480-$620/week, while shared apartments may average $250-$380/week. Regional cities such as Newcastle, Wollongong, and Coffs Harbour are expected to remain more affordable, offering rents up to 35% lower than Sydney.  

Experts predict that while private rental markets might stabilize with more supply, PBSA rents will maintain steady growth due to their convenience, all-inclusive nature, and safety, continuing to attract both international and domestic students. 

How to Save on Student Accommodation in NSW 

Living in New South Wales doesn’t have to break the bank. With a few smart strategies, students can balance comfort, location, and affordability: 

• Book early: The earlier you apply, ideally 3-6 months before your intake, the more likely you are to secure discounted rates or early-bird offers. 
• Compare options: On-campus housing offers convenience, but shared PBSA or private rentals may be cheaper overall. Always compare inclusions like Wi-Fi, meals, or gym access before deciding. 
• Share with flatmates: Splitting rent and bills can save you up to 40% monthly, especially in Sydney. 
• Consider regional NSW: Cities like Newcastle and Wollongong offer modern accommodation and vibrant student life at nearly half Sydney’s rent.  
• Use student discounts: Many PBSAs partner with universities or agencies like Alphaway to offer cashback deals, referral bonuses, or bundled service packages.  
• Cook at home: Home-cooked meals can cut your weekly expenses dramatically- an often-overlooked yet powerful budgeting tip. 

Conclusion 

The cost of student accommodation in NSW depends on where you live and the type of housing you choose. Sydney student housing costs are among the highest in Australia, while regional cities offer cheaper, more affordable alternatives. Whether you prefer on-campus colleges, PBSA, shared apartments, or homestays, there’s an option to suit every budget. Grab your dream accommodation with Alphaway!