Sub sections:

Accommodation at UNE

Generally your options for accommodation while studying at UNE are:

university college accommodation
private rental
private board (with relatives, friends or acquaintances)

You should start looking for accommodation as early as possible. Do not wait until enrolment day.

Accommodation in Armidale is readily available, but you will need to take some time to work out what option suits you best.

University College Accommodation

University colleges may seem expensive at first, but they do have advantages:

they are on campus
they have catering (full, self or a combination)
they have readily available facilities (eg. libraries, tutors, games rooms and sports facilities)

More information about the UNE's residential colleges can be found at:

Private Rental

Living with other students in private rental accommodation is usually a bit cheaper than living in university colleges. But, private rental has ongoing costs. For example:

In rental accommodation you are generally committed to a 52‑week lease. In university residences you are paying for about 38 weeks accommodation.
You are going to have setting‑up costs such as bond, rent, electricity, gas, telephone, furniture and supermarket supplies. In shared accommodation you should allow about $20 per person per week for gas, electricity and water.
Check the location of the nearest public transport, supermarkets and milk bars.
Make a detailed condition report of the rental property and give a copy to the real estate agent or landlord. (This will be very useful if there’s a dispute when you vacate.)
Make sure you list the names of everyone on the lease or occupancy agreement.
Some private rentals may have furniture, but others have none or are only partially furnished. Family and friends are the best and the cheapest source of furniture and can provide you with crockery, cutlery and glassware. Check your family’s back shed, the bottom drawers and that special shelf in the cupboard at home with mismatched glasses and cutlery. Other places to buy cheap furniture and house wares are the opportunity shops (op‑shops), for example, St Vincent de Paul and the Salvation Army. Garage sales are also good places to buy household items cheaply.

A list of local real estates in Armidale can be found at: http://www.nnsw.com.au/armidale/realty.html

Having trouble finding money for your bond?

The NSW Department of Housing has a Rentstart Scheme that may be able to assist with your bond costs.

Disputes and other rental conflicts

If you find that you are having difficulty once you are renting with your landlord, agent or flatmate, the New England and Western Tenants Advice and Advocacy Service may be able to assist. They can be contacted on 1800 836 268.

The Department of Fair Trading is responsible for resolving any disputes over terms and conditions of leases through its Residential Tribunal. Normally issues can be sorted out before getting to this stage.

There is also a lot of useful information on the Redfern Legal Centre's website.

Private Board (with relatives, friends or acquaintances)

You might not be keen about this option but it is probably the cheapest - meals and household facilities are usually part of the deal.

Fitting in with the household routine and having a dedicated study space could be an issue. (You might consider this option as an interim measure whilst you are settling into study.)

Services UNE may have listings for available accommodation – Phone 02 6772 9195

Global UNE Links:

Student Financial Assistance