So, you've received your acceptance letter from a Sydney university cue the celebrations, the Instagram updates, and maybe your mum already started making extra rotis to “feed you before you go.” But once the buzz settles, reality knocks: you need a student apartment in Sydney, and you're currently sitting in Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore.
Sound familiar?
Finding accommodation from across the globe, especially in a pricey and fast-moving city like Sydney, can feel impossible. You’re in one time zone, your uni's in another, and you can’t exactly show up for a viewing on short notice. I’ve been there. I found my first student place in Sydney while still in Chennai, and let me tell you I made some mistakes that you won’t have to.
Let me walk you through the step-by-step process that actually works.
Step 1: Understand What You’re Looking For (And What You Can Afford)
This might sound obvious, but so many students skip this part and end up overwhelmed. Studios, shared flats, homestays, uni housing the options are all over the place.
If you don’t narrow it down, you’ll spend weeks scrolling and still feel nowhere closer.
Here’s what you need to decide first:
- Type of housing: Shared room, private room in shared flat, or studio apartment?
- Distance to campus: Are you okay with a 30-minute commute or need to walk to class?
- All-inclusive or bills separate? Some rentals include electricity, water, Wi-Fi. Others don’t and bills in Sydney are expensive.
- Weekly budget: Most rentals are listed by the week. As of 2024, expect to pay:
- 350–350–450/week for shared flats in good suburbs
- 500–500–650/week for private studios near Uni or the CBD
My tip? Always filter YOUR needs first. Don’t get distracted by cool rooftop pools or fancy lounges… unless they're within your budget, of course.
Step 2: Pick the Right Suburb Don’t Rely on Just Google Maps
One of the biggest mistakes I made? Thinking “Sydney” is small. Spoiler: it’s not. Just because something’s “in Sydney” doesn’t mean it’s close to your uni.
A friend from Hyderabad booked a place in Blacktown because it looked affordable only to find it was 90 minutes by train from UNSW. She lasted two weeks.
If you’re studying at:
- UNSW, look into Kensington, Kingsford, Randwick
- USYD or UTS, check Redfern, Newtown, Ultimo, Camperdown
- Macquarie Uni, aim for Macquarie Park or North Ryde
Even if a slightly further suburb seems cheaper, the money you’ll spend on transport (and your time!) might cancel that out.
Pro tip: Use TripView or Google Maps to simulate your daily commute. Do a “Monday 8am test” to see real travel times during rush hour.
Step 3: Use Verified Platform Do NOT Just Trust Random Facebook Ads
This is where most students trip up. You’ll see listings posted in student groups or WhatsApp chats—some legit, some... really not.
I know someone who wired $800 for a “deposit” to a guy who ghosted her. She only realised it was a scam the day she arrived in Sydney and had no place to stay. Brutal.
Here’s what worked for me:
- I used Student Accommodation Guide to compare prices and providers because I didn’t want to deal with fake photos or weird landlords.
- They list only verified properties, which gave me actual peace of mind knowing I wasn’t being played.
- This saved me days I would’ve spent opening 25 tabs and crossing my fingers.
You can also check these sites:
- Uni’s own accommodation portal (but apply early they fill up fast!)
- Scape, Urbanest, UniLodge for student-specific apartments
- Flatmates.com.au for shared homes (but double-check everything)
Whatever platform you use, make sure:
- The listing includes verified reviews
- There’s a tenancy agreement
- The security deposit goes into a rental bond scheme (a legal requirement in Australia)
Step 4: Schedule Virtual Tours and Ask All Your Questions
Yes, it’s tempting to just book something that looks nice. But photos lie. A “spacious room” might fit just a bed. “Close to uni” might mean “two buses and a 15-minute walk.” Don’t risk it.
Always ask for a virtual tour or a video even if pre-recorded. Most student-focused providers offer this, and if someone refuses? Red flag.
During the tour, check:
- Does the room come fully furnished?
- What’s included in the rent? (Water, electricity, Wi-Fi?)
- How secure is the building or house?
- Who do I contact if I need repairs?
- Are there rules for guests, quiet hours, etc.?
You deserve to be 100% clear on what you're signing up for.
Step 5: Don’t Book Last Minute But Don’t Panic Either
Finding a student apartment in Sydney from India is definitely overwhelming, and it's easy to compare yourself to others who seem to have it all sorted.
But here’s the thing: rushing is just as bad as procrastinating.
Start looking about 2–3 months before arrival, especially for high-demand seasons like January or July. If you’re too early, some listings won’t be live yet. If you're too late... well, let’s just say your "Plan B" might involve sleeping with your suitcase for a week.
Best timeline:
- 3 months before: Start shortlisting providers, suburbs, and property types
- 2 months before: Book viewings, ask questions, compare quotes
- 1.5 months before: Secure your place, sign the agreement, pay the bond
Still unsure where to start? Just bookmark a few listings, and talk to other students. Ask what they paid, where they stayed, what they would avoid. Those conversations saved me from making some very expensive mistakes.
Step 6: Don’t Forget the Arrival Checklist
Confirmation email? Deposit paid? Great! Now prep for landing.
Here’s what worked for me:
- Screenshot all booking confirmations and contact details
- Ask for exact check-in instructions (especially if your flight is outside office hours)
- Have a backup plan a hostel or short-stay place just in case something goes wrong
Because honestly? Even when you’ve booked a good place, things can go sideways. My flight got delayed, and I couldn’t check in until the next day but luckily, I’d booked a night in a nearby hostel just in case. Best ₹2,000 I ever spent.
Look, I won’t sugarcoat this finding accommodation abroad is stressful. Especially when you're doing it from halfway around the world and have zero idea what suburbs are safe, or which listings you can trust. But you’re not alone, and you can absolutely figure this out.
You don’t need to be perfect you just need a starting point.
So... What Now?
Finding a student apartment in Sydney from India isn’t easy but it also doesn’t have to drive you nuts.
Start by figuring out your budget and needs, then pick a suburb, then stick to verified platforms. Block out distraction, ask the right questions, and give yourself enough time. Trust me, future you will thank you at 3am when you’ve just landed in Sydney and actually have a room with your name on it.
Here’s your next move:
- Shortlist 3–5 suburbs based on your uni
- Pick between studio, private room, or shared
- Use a trusted platform like Student Accommodation Guide to check prices and reviews
- Schedule a virtual tour you'll be surprised what you catch on video!
Question for you:
What’s one thing you’re most nervous about when booking your accommodation abroad? Or—if you’ve been through it already what do you wish you’d done differently?
Drop a comment or pass this along to a friend who's panicking right now. Because you're way ahead of the game already. And you've totally got this