Choosing the accommodation that is right for you

It is no secret that many countries – including Australia – are struggling with housing availability in popular cities right now. As an international student preparing to move to Australia, it might be confusing or stressful trying to figure out where you will live.

If you are considering joining us at Deakin, there are a range of accommodation options available – and we can help you choose the best one for you.

One of the perks of studying at Deakin is our campus locations, which offer a great balance between city lifestyle and peaceful suburban comfort. Our Melbourne Burwood Campus is only a 30-minute trip from the centre of the city, but the average weekly rental costs in the area are much lower than in central Melbourne.* Similarly, if you choose to join us at one of our Geelong campuses, you will find on-campus accommodation or plenty of suitable private rentals for a much lower average price** – and it’s just a one-hour trip into central Melbourne. Deakin’s student residences and Homestay programs also offer great affordable and safe housing options.

Living on campus

Deakin Residences offer students safe, welcoming and convenient accommodation right on campus. From single occupancy rooms to shared apartments and units, you can choose the type of accommodation that suits your needs. You will find the weekly fee for each accommodation type listed on the accommodation section of our website. The weekly fee is inclusive of all utilities and wi-fi, plus your room is furnished, you get access to 24/7 support and the opportunity to attend a range of free events and activities each week, making it easy to consider what will suit your budget.

Living ‘on Res’ also gives you access to a diverse event and activity schedule and a range of recreational and study facilities – so it is a wonderful way to make friends, get to know your new community and achieve your study goals. You can apply for on-campus accommodation as soon as you receive an offer to study at Deakin, and the application process is quick and easy. Plus, the system is flexible – while you will be asked to indicate your preferred accommodation options and lease length, you can always update your application if your circumstances change.

‘After living with relatives for a year, I decided to move out and be more independent. I started looking for places which could provide me with a safe and inclusive environment. I also wanted to meet new people and make friends and res provided all this along with easy access to Uni and buses.’ – Harshit, Waurn Ponds, Cyber Security

Homestay

Homestay gives you the opportunity to live in a family home and really immerse yourself into Australian life. Many students enjoy living in homestays because it gives them a sense of family. Homestay accommodation includes a clean, furnished room close to the university as well as internet access and other utilities. It is an affordable option, and as there is no lock-in contract you always have the choice to move on if things are not working out.

‘As soon as I saw the homestay profile sent to me by the university, I fell in love with it. Cooking and watching a movie with my host family are two of my favourite things to do here. Here, I’m living in this house as my second home while studying abroad.’ – Moe, Burwood, DUELI student

Living off campus

Want to explore your off-campus options, like living in a share house or private rental? Deakin can help you find a place to live through Houseme, an online accommodation database. Deakin’s off-campus housing service can also assist you with understanding rental application forms, knowing your rights and avoiding scams. Our off-campus accommodation page is a great place to start.

If you want to live off-campus, do not commit to anything until you arrive in Victoria. You can start looking at advertisements to get an understanding of what is available but do not apply for accommodation until you have seen it. Most importantly, do not send anyone money for a deposit.

How to make good accommodation decisions

It is sad but true: there are scams and people who try to take advantage of international students when it comes to finding somewhere to live. We want to help keep you safe. Knowing your rights and the support available through Deakin can help you protect yourself, or figure out what to do next if you end up in a bad situation. There are standards that landlords must meet. This is one of the reasons we recommend waiting until you arrive in Australia to secure off-campus accommodation – you can view properties in person and avoid paying a deposit for a room that does not look like the pictures (or worse – doesn’t exist).

If you are worried about arriving in Australia without anywhere to live, we really recommend living on campus at least for your first trimester! That gives you the opportunity to make friends, get to know your local area and explore what other options are available.

Quick links

Learn more about living in Australia

Discover Deakin’s student accommodation options

Cost of living in Australia: what to expect

Tips to help you find your new home

*Based on Domain’s March 2024 Rental Report, with weekly prices for Melbourne and surrounding suburbs ranging from $500-$650 weekly, compared to weekly prices for Burwood and surrounding suburbs ranging from $450-$550 weekly.

**Based on Domain’s March 2024 Rental Report which lists the average weekly rental cost across Greater Geelong as $490.