Housing & accommodation
Learn about housing options across Melbourne, and how to find advice and support when you need it.
Explore your housing options
Choosing the right type of housing can be challenging, especially if you are moving from interstate or overseas, or leaving home for the first time.
Check out our Student Housing Guide for:
- information about different accommodation options in Melbourne
- tips, checklists and links for tenants (renters)
- information about moving in, staying, and moving out of your rental property
- links to housing resources and support services.
Your rights & responsibilities
Before you rent a house or apartment, or board in a rooming house or shared accommodation, it’s important that you understand Victoria's regulations and your rights and responsibilities regarding:
- lease agreements
- rental bonds
- property inspections
- obligations regarding repairs and maintenance.
For more information, you can read the Victorian Government's renters guide for tenants.
Live on-campus at UniLodge VU
Our apartments at UniLodge VU offer fully-furnished single or shared apartments which are designed for student living. You’ll have access to pastoral care, academic support and facilities, such as study rooms, games rooms and a cinema room.
Just across from our Footscray Park Campus, and a 15-minute walk to Footscray Nicholson. The apartments are within easy reach of other campuses and the city by bus or train.
UniLodge VU offers guaranteed accommodation to new and continuing domestic and international students studying full time at VU in 2025. Learn more about our accommodation guarantee offer.
Browse the student housing database
Our student housing database provides listings for shared housing and rental property vacancies available to VU students.
Housing advice
Student Welfare can assist you with understanding your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in Victoria and advise you on housing supports and homelessness services if you are in crisis.
Consumer Affairs Victoria is the governing body responsible for the Residential Tenancies Act and provides information about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.
Tenants Victoria releases publications in multiple languages and provides free and confidential advice on tenancy issues.
Financial support
It is important to understand Melbourne's cost of living and your personal budget. If you need advice about budgeting or are having difficulties paying your rent, utility or other expenses, contact Student Welfare so we can help.
You may be eligible for rent assistance, relief schemes, bond loans and other financial help:
- Rent Assistance – Students receiving a Commonwealth Support benefit or pension and living away from home and paying rent may be eligible for Rent Assistance - contact Centrelink for more information.
- Utility Relief Grant Scheme – Australian resident students having difficulty paying a large utility bill (e.g. gas, electricity) can apply to the Victorian Government for a one-off utility relief payment.
- Bond Loan Scheme - Australian resident students on low income may be eligible for a Bond Loan from the Victorian Government for a rental property or as a resident in a rooming house.
