Newcastle is one of the most affordable cities in Australia for student accommodation. Whether you’re looking to live close to the Newcastle CBD, on campus at Student Living at the Callaghan Campus or with an Australian homestay family, the College of International Education can help you find the perfect place to live while you study with us.

For more information, download our Accommodation Guide.

On Campus Accommodation

Student Living, located at the Callaghan Campus, is the University of Newcastle’s award winning on-campus accommodation. At Student Living you will be able to experience a vibrant, multicultural student community and create life-long experiences and friendships in a convenient and safe environment.

Student Living was awarded the Asia-Pacific Student Accommodation Association Award for
Housing Operator of the Year in 2017 and Excellence in Customer Service in 2019!

Students can choose from a range of residences, including private or shared rooms/facilities (bathroom, dining and cooking), and catered, semi-catered or self-catered options, with prices starting from AU$191 per week.

Check the Student Living Website for more details, including key dates and the application process. CIE has on-campus accommodation reserved for our students on a first-come-first-serve basis.


Off-Campus Accommodation

Looking for a place to live in a new country can be confusing and intimidating, which is why the College of International Education can help you organise off campus accommodation to suit your specific needs.

Rooms close to the main campus at Callaghan are available from AU$100 per week and rooms in the Central Business District, where the new College is located, are approximately AU$180 per week.

We work closely with Maison Property, a real estate agent focused on student accommodation in Newcastle. All their properties come with furniture, secure access, Wi-Fi, all bills included (water, heating, electricity) and are student friendly (all tenants are students).

You can also view other property rentals on these websites:

For more information about off campus accommodation and to search available listings, you can check the University of Newcastle Off Campus Accommodation website or contact their Accommodation Support team.

In your enquiry, make sure to include:

  • Accommodation type
  • Preferred location
  • Price range
  • Move-in date

If your degree is offered at Callaghan Campus, you may want to stay in the areas around Callaghan. If you will study at NUspace, you might want to look for an accommodation that is more central. All College of International Education courses are held at our beautiful NUspace campus in the heart of Newcastle.

  1. Inspect a property
  2. Apply online
  3. Sign your rental contract & pay the bond
  4. Move in

Each application process will be a little different, depending on the real estate agent. In most cases, the rental application is via an online portal. After you have inspected the property, you will be sent a direct link to the portal. For your rental application, you need to upload various documents to prove that you will be a good tenant.

Document Checklist

To help verify your identity To help verify your history To help verify your ability to pay
  • Passport (or other form of official ID)
  • Student ID card or CoE (Confirmation of Enrolment)
  • Rental ledger(s) (documents from past rentals)
  • Written references from previous landlords
  • Pay slips / proof of employment
  • Contract / Job offer letter
  • Bank statements
  • Guarantor form (if parents or guardians are taking care of payment)
  • Scholarship paperwork if applicable

Submit all application documents to the real estate agent. Once you have been approved for your student accommodation, you will receive your contract and bond notice via email.

  1. Read your rental contract carefully. Watch out for:
    • Start and end date
    • Cancellation period (usually 2 weeks)
    • Payment cycle (usually weekly or fortnightly)
    • Bill inclusions (Wi-Fi, water, electricity, gas, etc.)
    • Furniture, car park or other items that are included
    • Duties as a renter & responsibilities of your landlord
    • Emergency & contact numbers
    • House rules or regulations
  2. Pay your rental bond to Rental Bonds Online (RBO)
    • In Australia, all rental bonds are paid to the government for security reasons.
    • You can pay your rental bond via a payment link. You will receive this link with your rental contract via email.
    • This rental bond needs to be paid from an Australian bank account.
    • You get the full rental bond back upon moving out, if you leave the room tidy and without damage
  3. Pay 2 weeks of rent in advance
    • In Australia, it is standard practice to pay 2 weeks rent in advance. This payment secures your student accommodation.
  4. Pick up your key & move into your new home!

Issues with your new off-campus accommodation?

Contact your real estate agent for:

  • Repairs, maintenance, damage
  • Payment issues
  • Leaving your accommodation
  • Problems with neighbours or roommates. But first, try to resolve this directly with them.

Contact Fair Trading NSW for issues with:

  • Payment, landlord, real estate agent, living conditions

Homestay

If you like the idea of living with a local family, improving your English skills, and immersing yourself into the Australian lifestyle, then Homestay accommodation might be the best option for you!

Homestay is arranged through the Australian Homestay Network. At a homestay, you will live in a friendly local environment while studying at the College and improving your language skills. Host families are carefully screened, and they are looking forward to welcoming you into their home!

The minimum homestay period for students 18 years or over is four weeks, and longer periods may be negotiated with the host family following the completion of the initial four weeks.

How to apply

  1. Submit an application via AHN
  2. Review quote and offer
  3. Confirm offer and pay
  4. A suitable placement is secured (usually 6-8 weeks prior to the start of your program)
  5. Sign the agreement
Apply for homestay via AHN

For more information about the Homestay program or to apply, please visit our partners AHN.

Under 18

International students under the age of 18 years are required to seek approval for their accommodation and welfare arrangements before entering Australia, unless they are under the care of a parent or nominated relative.

If the student is under the care of the University, the student must apply for homestay via AHN.

If you wish to make any changes to your accommodation or welfare arrangements before the age of 18, you must seek the approval of the College. Please contact the Student Experience Team for advice.

For more information about under 18 students, please click here.