Student accommodation in Brisbane: on-campus and off-campus options at UQ

You’ve chosen your university and program. Now it’s time to decide between living on campus vs off campus after you move to Brisbane.

Once you’ve been accepted into your program at The University of Queensland, your next thought is likely to be: “where am I going to live?”

You’ll be excited to explore your new home city in Australia. You’ll want to make sure you’re living somewhere close to university and all the action. 

Brisbane is a thriving, modern city and there are so many areas to choose from. If you're relocating to Gatton, expect a delightful country town offering vibrant farmers' markets, scenic parks and picturesque bush trails.

Unsure what to expect? These tips will help you decide where to live and understand the benefits of each option available to you.

Is it better to live on or off campus?

There are 6 main accommodation options for international students in Brisbane and Gatton:

1. UQ Residences (on campus)
2. UQ Residential Colleges (on campus)
3. UQ Res Homes (on and around campus)
4. Purpose-built student living (off campus) 
5. UQ Rentals (off campus)
6. Private rentals (off campus)

Paola from Mexico was one of the many students who had to make this decision while moving to Brisbane.

"Before coming to Australia, I read a lot about accommodation options. There are heaps of options to choose from. You can rent a flat or house and share it with housemates, rent your own room or studio, or share a room. After doing the math and weighing the pros and cons of the options that were the most appealing to me, I applied for a spot in a residential college."

-Paola, international student from Mexico

Living on campus

At UQ St Lucia, there are 10 on-campus colleges to choose from. UQ Residences, an independent student accommodation exclusively for those studying at UQ, is also an option. For agriculture and veterinary students, UQ’s rural Gatton campus is home to the Halls of Residence.

UQ Res Homes are housing on and around the St Lucia and Gatton campuses that are maintained by the University. Places are allocated by application, and the maximum stay is 2 semesters.​ They are fully furnished and rent includes electricity and water. 

All on-campus options offer a supportive and inclusive student community, with regular social activities to help you settle in and make new friends. Fees usually cover meals, internet and utilities, making it easier to manage your living expenses. If you're an international student, you can apply for accommodation through UQ’s Guaranteed accommodation, giving you a secure and welcoming place to live when you arrive in Brisbane.

Living off campus

If you’d prefer to live off-campus, UQ has approved a variety of student accommodation providers that offer studios, single-bedroom apartments and rooms in student communities throughout Brisbane. You’ll still get to book a room before you arrive, but you’ll also have the flexibility of cooking your own meals and choosing your location.

Private rentals

Alternatively, you may wish to be more independent and potentially save money by sharing a house or apartment with other people in another suburb.

The Brisbane rental market offers everything from low-cost share houses to high-rise apartments. Gatton, as a more rural town, is generally cheaper. You can enjoy a house with a garden for a similar price to a Brisbane inner-city unit.

You don’t always need to find people to live with before you move in. Many rental real estate agencies and websites like Flatmates offer the option of renting a room in an already established house or apartment. The people you live with may quickly become friends who can show you around Brisbane and help you feel more connected with your new city.

Choosing a home close to public transport will likely be important to you. Brisbane has an extensive bus and train network that makes it easy to get around. Even better, Queensland's 50 cent fares mean you can travel on Translink services for a capped fare of 50 cents per trip. One of the best views of Brisbane is from a CityCat, a ferry service that runs along the river from UQ’s St Lucia campus to the city and the riverside suburb of Hamilton. 

Settling in after moving to Brisbane

Now that you’ve chosen where to live, it’s time to get comfortable.

Rest assured UQ and your accommodation provider – if you choose to live in student accommodation – will do everything possible to help you settle into life at UQ and in Brisbane.

We understand it can be challenging to become accustomed to a new city, and you may feel homesick sometimes. UQ's Get Set is a program that allows you to meet new friends and connect with like-minded students that share your interests through chat groups and facilitated on-campus and off-campus meet-ups. This makes it easier to establish a new community whether you’re into food, arts, culture, fitness, games or study.

If you’d rather connect with others over a common interest such as a hobby or sport, we’ve got you covered too.

• UQ Sport at St Lucia has a massive 35 sporting clubs to choose from.
• UQ Gatton has its own Equestrian Club and Netball Club.
• You can also join one of the 200+ clubs and societies at UQ that cover a wide range of hobbies and special interests from astronomy and chess to video games and language exchange.

If you’ve chosen to live at a residential college, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to meet new people. You’ll see your neighbours in the hallways, dining halls and classes, so it’s easy to get to know them. Colleges also host dinners, movie nights, networking events and social outings, so you’ll have plenty of time to create new friendships.

Don't forget to keep an eye on the UQ Events page for free events, concerts, workshops and multicultural celebrations, where you can mingle with the larger UQ community.

Planning your accommodation and putting some thought into ways to meet people and make friends will ensure you feel like you’re settled in and at home in no time.

Still not sure what accommodation is right for you? Our accommodation team can help you.