My personal experience

When I started uni last year, I received an early entry offer which came with guaranteed on-campus accommodation. This was perfect for me, as my family home is about 4 hours away from Newcastle and I did not have any friends or family who I could stay with in the area.   

I thought it would be easy to receive an offer this year, but unfortunately, Student Living simply does not have enough rooms to cater to demand. This has forced many students, including myself, to find alternative accommodation arrangements.  

Last week, I moved into an apartment in Wallsend with two of my friends from home who are also students at the University of Newcastle. Securing this accommodation has relieved our anxiety caused by the uncertainty of on-campus accommodation. If you are also unsure if you will be offered a room this year, I would strongly recommend starting to investigate off-campus options.   

Things to consider  

Location

When looking for accommodation, you should consider the location in which it is situated. Think about what is important to your lifestyle and if it is available at or close to that accommodation.   

Some things you may consider living close to include:  

• your campus of study   
• restaurants and cafes   
• shops and grocery stores   
• libraries and gyms   
• parks or beaches   

However, it is also important to remember that even if it is far from these things, they may be accessible via transport. If you do not have a car, consider whether the accommodation is close to bus stops or train stations.   

Some suburbs that are close to the Callaghan Campus include:  

• Birmingham Gardens  
• Jesmond  
• Lambton  
• Mayfield  

• North Lambton  
• Sandgate  
• Shortland  
• Wallsend  
• Warabrook  
• Waratah  

Some suburbs that are close to the Newcastle City Campus include:  

• Carrington  
• Cooks Hill  
• Hamilton  
• Merewether  
• Newcastle  
• Newcastle West  
• Stockton  
• The Junction  

Some towns that are close to the Ourimbah Campus include:  

• Fountaindale  
• Glenning Valley  
• Kangy Angy  
• Lisarow  

• Narara  
• Ourimbah  
• Palmdale  
• Palm Grove  
• Tuggerah  
• Wyoming 

Accommodation that is available in the Greater Newcastle region as well as the Central Coast will be suitable for most students. If you are further from campus, accommodation will likely be cheaper and less contested, but will leave you with greater travel distance and longer travel times. You should consider which factors are more important to you and your lifestyle.   

Transport  

It is important to consider the transport links available near your accommodation. Even if you own a car, it is often cheaper to utilise the public or university transport services. If you study at the City Campus, I recommend using public or university transport rather than driving (parking is a nightmare!).   

Public transport services, including buses, trains and trams, service most of Newcastle and the Central Coast. You may want to use Apple or Google maps to work out how long it will take you to get from your accommodation to campus via public transport. You should apply for an Opal Card if you are planning to use the public transport system. University students get cheaper rates for public transport and are entitled to the use of a concession card.   

There are also other transport services to consider, including taxis and rideshare apps, such as Uber. You might want to utilise one of these services to take you to a bus stop or train station. While it is more costly, you could also consider using these services to take you the entire drive to campus.   

The university also offers a free shuttle bus which runs between the Callaghan and Newcastle City campuses. This is useful for students who might live close to one campus but study at the other. For example, I live in Wallsend, so I drive to Callaghan Campus and catch the shuttle bus into the City Campus where I have all my classes.   

Budget  

Before you start searching for accommodation, it is a good idea to create a budget which considers your income and recurring costs. A comfortable budget will be different for every student.  

Think about the income you might get from:   

• work   
• savings  
• parents/family  
• government support  

• scholarships   

Then think about your recurring costs, which might include things like:   

• rent   
• utilities   
• groceries   
• transport   

Once you work out your budget, you can find out how much you can comfortably spend on rent. You can then filter accommodation searches to find something affordable for you. Keep in mind that you may need to budget extra at the beginning of your contract to cover a bond or rent in advance. Take note of what is included in the accommodation and consider if you will have extra budget for things like utilities or the internet.   

Inclusions  

Different accommodation options will have different inclusions. For most students, fully or partly furnished accommodation will be most suitable. This means the accommodation will include things like a bed, desk, lounge, TV and dining table. Some accommodation options might include utilities in their rental cost, meaning you do not have to worry about paying for electricity, water and gas separately to rent. Internet may also be included in the rental cost. It is important to thoroughly read the description and contact the agency if you are unsure of what is included.   

Different types of accommodation available  

Short-term Options  

You may require short-term accommodation if you are taking a short course, attending distance education residential sessions, or as a temporary solution until you find something more permanent. Some short-term accommodation providers in Newcastle include Alloggio (Beach, City and Mayfield), Airbnb, Booking.com and Newcastle Short Stays. You can find a list of short-term accommodation providers on the Central Coast here.  

Long-term Options   

If you are studying for a semester or longer at the University of Newcastle, you should investigate long-term accommodation options such as:  

• Single bedroom apartments – a studio apartment with room for one person,  
• A single room in a share house – one room in a house that other people live in,  
• Sharing an apartment or house with friends – renting an entire property and sharing the cost between you and your friends,  
• Homestay (for international students) – living with an Australian family in their house.  

To find a house or apartment, you can either search on accommodation providers websites or contact them directly. A list of student accommodation providers can be found here. 

The application process  

Once you have found the right accommodation, you should apply through the accommodation providers website or by contacting them directly. Many real estate agencies use a third-party system, meaning you can apply for one property and use the same account to apply for others quickly. I would recommend creating a list of different properties that would be suitable and applying to all of them to maximise your chances of securing accommodation.   

Before you start the application process, gather the important documents that you might need.

These could include:  

• Identification – driver’s license, passport, Medicare card, student card, etc.  
• Proof of income – bank statements, pay slips, etc.  
• Proof of employment – manager’s contact information, dates of employment, etc.  
• Rental history – previous agency’s contact information, dates of contracts, etc.  
• References – contact information for references   

You may want to contact your accommodation provider once your application is submitted to introduce yourself and thank them for the opportunity to apply. This is something my friends and I did that I think gave us a competitive edge over other applicants.  

Once you have been offered a contract for accommodation, read it carefully and ensure you understand everything it covers. If you do not understand something, ask for clarification from the accommodation provider. You should attend open houses or property inspections with a friend or family member before signing any contracts.   

Once you have signed your contract, complete the entry report provided to you and take lots of photos of pre-existing damage to the property. If there is no entry report provided, ask for a copy of it and read it thoroughly, then inform the accommodation provider of any discrepancies. You will also want to inform the accommodation provider of any maintenance requests that you have as soon as possible. Doing these things will ensure your stay at the accommodation is as comfortable as possible.   

Support  

Here are some useful links to off-campus accommodation support services and information:  

• Off-Campus Accommodation Support   
• Current Student Support  
• Boarding House Register  
• Fair Trading NSW  
• Tenants’ Union NSW  

If you need extra support, you can contact the off-campus accommodation support officer by emailing accommodationsupport@newcastle.edu.au. There are also several online communities for tenants and people searching for accommodation, such as Don’t Rent Me and Newcastle Housemates Australia on Facebook. 

Feature Image: Created using Adobe Firefly and Photoshop