Finding your home in Sydney

Accommodation

Your new home is a big part of your study journey, and we want you to feel settled and safe from the start. Our team can help you find accommodation that suits you and your budget. Here are your main options.

Homestay: live with a local family
Homestay is a warm way to arrive in Australia. You live as a guest with a local host or family, share meals, and get to know Australian daily life first-hand. It is a great choice if you want a supportive, ready-made home while you settle in, and a wonderful way to build your English every day. Homestay starts from around $420 per week in 2026, and we can help you arrange it before you arrive.

A friendly tip: in a homestay, you are part of the family, not a hotel guest. Many Australian families do their own cooking and cleaning, so you may look after your own room, do your own laundry, and help out in the kitchen. It is all part of the experience, and it makes you feel right at home.

Learn more at homestaynetwork.org.

Rental and shared accommodation
Many students choose to rent a room in a shared house or flat with friends. It is a popular, social way to live, and sharing with others helps keep the cost down. In Sydney, a room in a shared home often costs between $250 and $350 per week and can be less if more people share.

A few things to know before you sign:

• You will usually pay a bond (a returnable deposit), often equal to four weeks' rent. You get this back when you move out, as long as there is no damage.
• There may also be a small deposit for the key, which is returned when you hand the key back.
• It is normal to phone first and meet the people you would be living with before you decide.

Where to look
You can search trusted rental websites like domain.com.au and realestate.com.au. You can also ask friends or fellow students if they have a room to rent, and keep an eye on the student noticeboard at the college.

If you find an advertisement hard to understand, our International Support Officer is happy to help you make sense of it.

We are here to help, but choose with care
Please remember that SGSCC International is not responsible for the accommodation you find through a noticeboard, a website or an advertisement. Always inspect a place, read your agreement, and ask us if you are unsure. For more details on your accommodation options, see your SGSCC International Pre-Enrolment Guide.

Need a hand? Contact our international team at international@sgscc.edu.au or +61 2 9528 3344.