How to apply

Applications for 2025 are now open, but there are limited vacancies. Visit the online resident portal and start your application today.

Registering a new account is easy; simply fill in the registration form. It helps to have your details ready.

Returning residents can log in using their existing accounts. Please update your details before starting your application.

Once you've created your account, log in to the portal and click the 'New Application' menu tab to begin.

Before you start, you will be prompted to read through our privacy terms and conditions. Once you are ready, agree to the terms and click 'Start Application' to continue.

The application form breaks down each step of the process as you go.

Some of the personal information you provided when registering an account will automatically populate this form. Now, you need to complete the remaining fields.

Use the dropdown menus to select your nationality, citizenship, Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity, enrolment status, and whether you are currently in Australia.

You'll also be asked whether you have a partner or children you plan to live with. If you do, the portal will adjust your options to show only accommodation that supports families.

Next, enter your current home address, the address where you’d like your invoices sent, and contact details for your emergency contact.

Please note:
Each time you select 'Save and Continue', you won’t be able to go back and make changes, even to update your preferences. So, take your time to review everything before proceeding. If you're unsure, you can always come back to it later.

Once you've completed all the fields, click 'Save and Continue' to move on.

Now it’s time to indicate whether you’d prefer to live in an apartment or a college. If you’re not sure what the difference is, we recommend taking a moment to explore the UNSW Accommodation website. It has detailed descriptions of each option to help you decide.

If you're looking for a safe and supportive student community where you can make friends quickly and have the backing of an on-site support team, our residential colleges could be the perfect choice. The support team helps foster academic excellence, encourages community participation, and offers plenty of opportunities for social engagement.

Our student apartments might suit you better if you want a more independent, self-sufficient lifestyle.

College applications require more information and are slightly more complex. If you prefer apartments, you can skip some of the following steps. 

Please note: International House does not accept foundation year or first-year students directly from high school.

You’ll need to select at least two preferences for your accommodation, but no more than six.

Securing accommodation is competitive, and spots tend to fill up quickly. To increase your chances, select as many preferences as you'd genuinely be happy to receive an offer.

It might be helpful to open another browser window to review the details and pricing on the UNSW Accommodation website before making your final selections.

If you have applied to colleges, you’ll need to provide more information. Since accommodation is limited and college applications can be highly competitive, this is your opportunity to tell us more about yourself.

The first field asks why you’ve chosen the colleges you’ve listed as your preferences. Please share what drew you to those specific communities.

Describe how you think you would contribute positively to the college community in the second field. Are you excited about student leadership, sports, arts, or organising events? Whatever your passion is, we’d love to hear about it!

In the next section, please share your views on the advantages and difficulties of communal living. This will assist us in understanding your expectations and how you might approach living with others.

After that, let us know how you learned about UNSW Accommodation. It could be through a friend, the UNSW website, or perhaps you attended one of our Open Days.

In the following field, select your preferred time slots for a college interview. We’ll try our best to accommodate your availability.

The last field is for any connections you might have with the colleges. But don’t worry if you don’t have any; you can just leave this blank.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. Just be yourself! We want to understand who you are and which college might be the best fit for you.

You can upload any supporting documentation on this page. This could include references, academic transcripts, certificates, awards—anything that showcases your achievements or strengths.

Upload up to two documents by dragging and dropping your files into the form.

Supporting documentation is entirely optional. If you don’t have anything to upload or would prefer not to, you can continue without uploading any files.

Please note: document uploads are not required for apartment applications.

In the first field, enter the university program you're currently enrolled in or the program you intend to study at UNSW.

In the second field, please list your previous education, such as high school qualifications or any other programs you’ve completed.

In the third field, please indicate whether you have received a scholarship offer from UNSW Sydney and, if so, which scholarship.

Remember, it’s important to apply even if you haven’t received your official offer to study yet. Better to be safe than sorry!

Please let us know if you have any specific needs or health considerations we should be aware of to help ensure your stay is as comfortable as possible.

This may include medical or health-related conditions, allergies, dietary or accessibility requirements.

You can also choose whether you’d prefer to live on an all-female or all-male floor or apartment if that's important to you.

The application fee for new residents is $50 AUD and is non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of your application.

Once you’ve completed all the steps, please submit your application. When you do, you’ll receive an email confirmation of your submission.

For updates on the status of your application, you can log back into the portal at any time to check for notifications or review outcomes.

If you applied for Basser, Goldstein, Philip Baxter, Colombo House, Fig Tree Hall, UNSW Hall or International House, you’ll be required to attend an interview over the phone or in person. 

Offers are made on a rolling basis until a college or apartment is full.

To accept your offer, you’ll need to pay a $1,500AUD fee in advance. This fee will be subtracted from your final payments at the end of your licence agreement (provided your room is left clean and there is no damage at check-out).

You must receive an offer to study at UNSW to be eligible to become a resident of UNSW Accommodation. If you have already accepted your accommodation offer and paid the $1000AUD fee, please inform us in writing along with one of the following documents:

• a letter from the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) showing that your preference for UNSW was not offered

• a letter from UNSW, The Nucleus: Student Hub or faculty course co-ordinator advising that you will not be offered a place or you were unsuccessful in your application

• a letter from UNSW Admissions advising that you will not be offered a place.

Complete the refund request form and email us at accommodation@unsw.edu.au for further processing.

If you receive an offer to study at UNSW in 2025 but decline, the $1000AUD fee in advance is refundable. Please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can allocate your place to another student and refund the fee. 

If your visa application is denied, and you wish to refund your fee in advance, please inform us in writing along with one of the following documents:

• the letter confirming visa application was denied

• the letter confirming visa application was delayed and will not be processed in time for your enrolment or contract start date.

Complete the refund request form and please email us at accommodation@unsw.edu.au for further processing.