Accommodation in Sydney and NSW

In Australia, you can find many types of accommodation. You need to research to find what suits you best.

Choose your accommodation

The type of accommodation you choose depends on:

your age
your budget
the location of your campus
access to public transport and amenities.

If you’re under 18

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has rules about accommodation and welfare for students under 18. If you’re under 18 and planning to study at TAFE NSW, visit our under 18 years old accommodation page.

If you’re over 18

If you’re over 18, you’ll have more flexibility and options. You can find some of these options on this page.

Things to think about

Do you want to live alone or with others?
How far will you need to travel to your TAFE NSW campus?
Is the accommodation close to public transport or will you need a car?
Which facilities, like hospitals and shops, are nearby?

To estimate living costs, visit Study Australia and Insider Guides.

Study Australia Insider Guides

Homestay accommodation

A homestay means living with an Australian family. It’s a great way to experience Australian life and practise your English.

Your homestay family will provide meals, a bedroom with a study desk and laundry facilities. You’ll usually help with some household chores.

We work with homestay providers to help you find accommodation. We can also arrange an airport pickup.

For more information, download our homestay providers’ list [PDF 1,239 KB] or visit their websites:

You pay homestay and airport pickup fees to the provider. Details of fees and refund policies are on their websites and may change without notice.

Student accommodation

In Australia, Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) is housing designed specifically as student accommodation. It’s usually within walking distance to study locations such as TAFE NSW and universities.

You can expect:

your own bedroom in an apartment or shared apartment
common areas where you can relax or study
social events to help you meet new friends
after-hours security for safety
shared facilities like gyms, pools, BBQs and study spaces.

Your rent usually includes all utilities including electricity, water and internet. If you’re interested in this type of housing, look for properties accredited by the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS). These are checked by the Student Accommodation Association (SAA) to meet minimum standards for quality and safety.

Some options in NSW are:

Short-term accommodation

When you first arrive in Australia, you may need short‑term accommodation while you settle in and get to know your local area. You can stay in a hotel, motel or holiday rental. You can rent a room or an apartment. Most have private bathrooms, but these may cost more than shared bathrooms.

Hostels are a cheaper option. You rent a bed, often a bunk, in a shared room with a shared bathroom. Hostels also have shared kitchens and living areas. Some offer male, female or mixed dorms, and some have private rooms with shared facilities.

Useful websites

Rental accommodation

Renting a house, apartment or a room in a share house can be a cost‑effective way to live in Australia. The cost of renting depends on the area you live in and how many people you share with. In a share house you’ll most likely share the bathroom, kitchen and living areas with your housemates.

Find homes or rooms to rent in NSW:

Sign a lease when you rent

When you rent a room or a home, you’ll need to sign a lease. A lease is a legal contract between you (the tenant) and the landlord (the property owner). It sets out the rules and responsibilities for both sides.

You may sign a lease on your own or with others. You can arrange it on your own or through a real estate agent.

If you rent a room in a share house, it’s best to have a Share Housing Agreement. This example from the Tenants’ Union of New South Wales shows why a Share Housing Agreement is a good idea.

Pay a bond when you start

A bond is a security deposit, usually equal to 4 weeks’ rent, paid upfront when you sign a lease. If you damage the property, the landlord may use your bond to pay for repairs. At the end of your lease, you may get all or part of your bond back, depending on the property’s condition.

Get help with tenancy issues

If you’ve got problems with your landlord or real estate agent, you can lodge a dispute with NSW Fair Trading.

Life in Australia

Find out what life in NSW is like and get information on transport, safety and working in Australia.

Living in NSW