This platform is for current and prospective students at UNSW Sydney, UNSW College and current students attending NIDA.
Need help logging in? Email studystays@unsw.edu.au with your Student ID
You can browse available rooms and register to contact providers directly.
To log in, use your UNSW or UNSW Global student email address. If you do not have a UNSW email address, please use your personal email and attach your Confirmation of Enrolment or UNSW Offer Letter. For NIDA students please use the confirmation of enrollment you receive.
Anyone in the community can register as a provider to list a room or property adhering to our accommodation guidelines.
If you can not register using your student email please contact studystays@unsw.edu.au with your full name and Student ID.
UNSW is located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, about 15 minutes by bus or light rail from Central Station.
When choosing where to live, consider:
- Public transport access
- Rent prices
- Local shops and amenities
- Walking distance to campus (if important to you)
Tip: Explore local suburbs once you arrive. The demand for housing around the University can be high, especially in the weeks leading up to the start of term.
Map: Use our interactive map to compare suburbs and rental prices.
Arranging accommodation from overseas has both advantages and disadvantages. While many providers offer virtual inspections to support international students, it is important to use your due diligence to ascertain whether the property suits your requirements. It is recommended that short-term or on-campus accommodation should be arranged before you arrive. Saying this, most student will arrange long-term accommodation prior to arrival.
For long-term private rentals, it can be ideal to wait until you're in Sydney so you can inspect properties in person but would up to your personal circumstances and preference.
Once you’ve made some decisions on what is important to you, it’s time to start considering suitable suburbs. Below is an interactive map that shows different suburbs and the approximate prices of private rentals.
View UNSW Rental Accommodation Information map in a larger map
You will need to register as a 'Provider'. For your listing to be approved you will need to provide detailed information and a clear and recent photos of the room and the inside of the property.
Sharing a home is usually more affordable. You’ll have your own room and share common areas.
You can:
- Join an existing share house
- Or team up with others to rent a place together using our UNSW Study Stays Flatmates platform.
Tip: Always ask to be added to the tenancy agreement (contract) for legal protection.
Resource: Share Housing Survival Guide (NSW)
Most private rental properties in Australia are rented unfurnished. Fridges, washing machines and dryers are rarely included in rental properties. Sometimes you may find a unit which includes a washing machine and/or dryer, and some older unit blocks may have shared coin operated laundry facilities.
When inspecting a property always look to see what is included and if you are not sure, ask! Buying or renting a fridge and washing machine will add to your set-up costs of a new private rental.
Some rental properties closer to UNSW may be furnished or partly furnished by the landlord. The term 'furnished' can mean anything from just furnishing the living room or a bedroom to the whole house/unit. Usually the rental advertisement will contain information on what is included but always confirm with the landlord/agent. Most furnished properties are likely include to a bed (not bedding linen) a fridge (but not kitchen equipment) a lounge/sofa (but not a TV) and probably no washing machine.
If you move into a furnished property make sure you thoroughly inspect the furnishings and record any damage on the condition report.
Resource: Blank Condition Report
Sydney is a safe city by world standards, but you should never be complacent with your own personal safety.
Make sure you consider how safe the property is, especially if you have late classes, work late or if you are on campus after hours.
Two major points to consider is how close the property is to public transport and to make sure all external doors and windows have adequate locks.
Four weeks before you commence classes you will be invited to complete the UNSW Online Safety and Wellbeing Tutorial which provides important safety information while you are living in Sydney.
It is important to protect yourself against potential property scams when looking for accommodation. This is why we recommend you arrange your private long term accommodation when you arrive in Sydney so you can view properties and make informed decisions.
To protect yourself against potential property scams:
- Never send money before inspecting the property, unless it is a verified accommodation provider.
- Be cautious with upfront payment requests, unless it is a verified accommodation provider. However, not that it is normal to send money to secure a property. A normal payment would include up to 2 weeks advance rent but usually only 1 week PLUS a Security Bond or Deposit which can be from 1 week to 4 weeks rental amount.
There are many types of scams and the Australian Government has set up a website SCAMwatch to help you protect yourself.
Know your rental type:
- Formal Tenancy Agreements: Covered by NSW rental law (most common)
- Share Housing: You may be a co-tenant, head-tenant, sub-tenant, or boarder/lodger
- Boarders and Lodgers: Fewer legal protections. Unlike tenants, boarders and lodgers do not have the right to exclusive occupation of the premises – the landlord retains ‘mastery’ over the premises.
- Boarding Houses: Some may offer tenant protections
- Homestay: Living with a host family, usually includes meals
- Informal: Avoid verbal-only agreements. Seek advice from us if unsure.
Tenants are generally covered under the Residential Tenancies Amendment Act 2024.
Renting in a boarding house
If you rent a room in a boarding house, whether you are a boarder/lodger or a tenant will depend on how much control the landlord (or live-in manager or caretaker) has over the premises.
You are likely to be a tenant rather than a boarder/lodger, if you:
More information about boarders and lodgers can be found at TenantsNSW
Your rights and obligations under the Act can be viewed here.
Moving into a private rental
Landlords or agents must give all tenants a copy of this Tenant Information Statement before signing a residential tenancy agreement.
A comprehensive guide to starting your tenancy is available NSW Fair Trading website.
Before you move in:
- Sign a lease
- Complete a condition report
- Pay the bond (held by Rental Bond Board)
Once you have signed the lease, completed the condition report and settled into your new home, circumstances can change and you will need to know what to do and how to handle each situation.
The NSW Fair Trading website outlines common issues that may arise during your tenancy and how to deal with these.
Know your rights during your lease:
- Repairs must be done in a timely way
- Always communicate in writing
More info: NSW Fair Trading website found here
Depending on your accommodation arrangement will determine how your tenancy may end. Generally, to end your tenancy you will need to give written notice to the landlord or agent.
Standard steps might to end your lease would include:
1. Give written notice
2. Clean the property
3. Complete the exit report
4. Request your bond back
NSW Fair Trading website provides detailed information about ending your lease.
Log in to your Study Stays account, go to your listing, and click ‘Close’. This will archive your listing and keep it saved for future use.
Listings stay active for 21 days.
If your room/property is still available after that, you can extend it by:
- Logging in
- Selecting ‘Edit a property’
- Resubmitting the listing
All updated listings are reviewed by the admin team.
Yes.
To make changes:
Yes – you can list multiple rooms in one property using a single listing.
In the 'Bedrooms' section, include:
Also include how many people currently live in the property — this helps students understand the living environment.
Note: UNSW Study Stays only accepts listings for Boarding Houses that are registered with NSW Fair Trading found here
You must register as a Provider.
Your listing must include:
Once submitted, listings are reviewed by the UNSW Study Stays team before they appear on the site.
To be approved, your rental must use one of the following agreements (in English):
