- Melbourne students choose mainly between on-campus halls, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), homestay, share houses and private rentals
- Typical 2026 weekly costs run roughly AUD 250-400 for a share house, AUD 310-450 for homestay, AUD 350-550 for PBSA and AUD 430-950 for university halls
- All figures are indicative in Australian dollars and vary by suburb and room type.
What Are the Main Types of Accommodation in Melbourne?
Melbourne offers five main accommodation types for students: on-campus university halls, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) such as Scape and UniLodge, homestay with a local family, share houses with other students, and private rentals. Each differs in cost, privacy and how many bills are bundled in, so the best choice depends on your budget and how independent you want to be.
| Accommodation Type (2026) | Typical Cost/Week (AUD) | Bills Included? |
|---|---|---|
| Share house (room) | $250 - $400 | Usually no (split separately) |
| Homestay | $310 - $450 | Yes, often with meals |
| Purpose-built (PBSA) | $350 - $550 | Yes, all-inclusive |
| University halls | $430 - $950 | Yes, all-inclusive |
| Private rental (studio/1-bed) | $400 - $600+ | No |
How Much Does Student Accommodation in Melbourne Cost?
In 2026, a Melbourne share house room typically costs AUD 250 to 400 per week, homestay AUD 310 to 450 including meals, and purpose-built student housing AUD 350 to 550 all-inclusive. University halls are priciest at AUD 430 to 950. A single student usually needs AUD 1,500 to 2,500 a month overall.
Costs fall the further you live from the CBD and the more housemates you share with. Share houses in suburbs such as Footscray or Clayton (near Monash) are among the cheapest, while studios and inner-city PBSA near campus carry a premium. Bundled options like PBSA, homestay and halls include utilities, which makes budgeting simpler even if the headline rent looks higher.
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For new international students, homestay and purpose-built student accommodation are usually the safest starting points, because bills are bundled and support is built in. Homestay suits first-years wanting cultural immersion and meals; PBSA suits those wanting a social, all-inclusive setup near campus. Share houses are cheaper but require managing bills and housemates yourself.
The Victorian Government's Study Melbourne service recommends looking for accredited providers under the National Property Accreditation Scheme (NPAS) and lists trusted PBSA operators such as Scape, Iglu, UniLodge, Journal and Yugo. Many students begin in homestay or PBSA for their first semester, then move to a share house once they know the city and have made friends.
Where Are the Best Student Suburbs in Melbourne?
Popular Melbourne student suburbs include Carlton and Parkville near the University of Melbourne, Clayton near Monash, and more affordable areas such as Footscray and Brunswick. Inner-city suburbs offer the shortest commute but cost more, while suburbs a little further out trade a longer tram or train ride for noticeably lower rent.
Melbourne's tram and train network, plus a 50 percent public transport concession for eligible students, makes living slightly outside the CBD practical. When choosing a suburb, weigh up rent against commute time, safety, and how close you want to be to campus, supermarkets and social life.
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