Best Student Accommodation in Brisbane, Australia

Brisbane is home to a mix of prestigious research universities and career-focused and specialised higher education institutions. Here are some of the top universities in Brisbane:

University of Queensland (UQ)

University of Queensland (UQ) is a top university in Brisbane and one of Australia’s leading public research universities. It’s also a member of the Group of Eight. The university has a strong global reputation for academic excellence and research impact, particularly in research, medicine, engineering, and business.

UQ has a student population of over 57,000, including a significant proportion of international students from across the globe.

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is a major public university in Brisbane known for its strong focus on real-world learning, industry connections, and career-oriented education, as well as a triple-crown-accredited Business School. It’s recognised for programmes in business, information technology, engineering, creative industries, and media, with a strong emphasis on practical skills and employability.

QUT has a student population of over 50,000, including a diverse international student population of nearly 8,000, from more than 100 countries.

Griffith University

Griffith University is a public research university in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, known for its modern approach to education and strong emphasis on innovation, creativity, and social impact. Well-regarded programmes include health sciences, criminology, music and performing arts, and business.

Griffith has a student population of over 55,000, including an international student community.

Australian Catholic University (ACU)

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a public university with a values-based approach to education, offering a supportive learning environment. It offers programmes such as nursing, education, theology, psychology, and health sciences, with a strong focus on community engagement and graduate employability.

ACU has a student population of around 35,000, of whom 4,600 are international students.

There are various student housing options in Brisbane to accommodate different budgets and university-specific locations. Here are some of our recommendations, including en-suite, single, and studio options:

Best Student Accommodation in Brisbane

• UniLodge South Bank

• Scape Toowong

• Student One Wharf Street

• UniLodge Park Central

• Student One Elizabeth Street

Affordable Student Accommodation in Brisbane

• Scape Regent

• Scape Merivale

• UniLodge Herston

• Unilodge Toowong

• Student One Adelaide Street

Here are some of the best student areas for students in Brisbane:

St Lucia

St Lucia is located southwest of the Brisbane Central Business District (CBD), in Queensland, Australia. It’s a leafy, residential area, and one of the top student neighbourhoods in Brisbane, with a large student population and student-friendly amenities. Key highlights include visiting the UQ Art Museum and the RD Milns Antiquities Museum, as well as enjoying food spots and cafes along the Hawken Drive.

Transportation in St Lucia is primarily served by high-frequency buses, the CityCat ferry service, and various ride-share options. Nearby universities include the University of Queensland, which is situated in St Lucia. UQ is easily accessible via bus, CityCat ferry, walking, or cycling, depending on your accommodation.

South Brisbane

South Brisbane is an innercity popular student neighbourhood on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, directly opposite the CBD. Thanks to its urban vibe and student energy, it’s a choice for university students and young professionals studying in Brisbane. The area features spots such as the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) or simply the State Library, Queensland Museum, and Streets Beach, all of which you can enjoy exploring during your time.

South Brisbane has strong public transport links, including frequent South East Busway services, South Brisbane train station (on the Caboolture, Cleveland, and Ipswich lines), and CityCat ferries at South Bank. It’s also well connected to nearby universities, including Griffith University (South Bank Campus), QUT (Gardens Point), and UQ St Lucia, which is a short bus or cycle away.

Toowong

Toowong is an inner-west suburb of the CBD. It’s a budget-friendly student neighbourhood in Brisbane. It has a calm vibe and offers a balance between affordability and convenience, making it an alternative for students studying in Brisbane. Toowong features Toowong Village for shopping, dining, and everyday essentials, alongside green spaces like Mount Coot-tha, as well as the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

Toowong is well connected by public transport, with Toowong train station on the Ipswich and Springfield lines, frequent bus services into the CBD and surrounding suburbs, and easy access to river transport via nearby CityCat terminals. It’s also closely linked to the University of Queensland (St Lucia), which is just a short bus ride, cycle, or walk away.

Woolloongabba

Woolloongabba is an inner-south Brisbane suburb, and it’s becoming increasingly popular with students and young professionals since it provides close proximity to the CBD as well as affordability. It offers a mix of residential streets and growing lifestyle amenities, like the thriving dining scene, including the Canvas Club and Baker's Arm, antique shopping on Logan Road, and easy access to major sporting venues like The Gabba stadium.

Woolloongabba benefits from excellent transport connections, with frequent bus services along major corridors and easy access to the South East Busway, providing quick links into the city and surrounding suburbs. Nearby major universities include Griffith University (South Bank Campus), Queensland University of Technology (Gardens Point), and the University of Queensland at St Lucia via direct bus routes and short transfers.

The cost of living in Brisbane depends on several factors, including your lifestyle, accommodation, and choice of neighbourhood.

According to Numbeo, the estimated monthly cost of living for a single student in Brisbane is 1,484.9A$, excluding rent. Here’s an average monthly breakdown for student expenses in Brisbane:

Student Accommodation

Groceries

Utilities

Transportation

Note: Brisbane uses a 50-cent flat fare for students and all passengers across most Translink services in South East Queensland, including buses, trains, and ferries.

Brisbane offers a well-integrated public transport system managed by TransLink, combining buses, trains, and ferries to connect major student areas, university campuses, and residential suburbs across the city. The transport system is designed to make commuting between universities, accommodation, and the CBD straightforward, with frequent services and an integrated ticketing system (go card/contactless payments).

Bus

Brisbane has an extensive and high-frequency bus network, including dedicated busways that provide fast, congestion-free travel through major corridors. Many routes operate frequently throughout the day and connect key student hubs such as the CBD, university campuses, and residential suburbs.

Busways are a major feature of the city’s system, offering reliable travel with minimal traffic delays, especially during peak hours.

Train

Brisbane’s train network connects the CBD with outer suburbs and regional centres across South East Queensland. It is commonly used by students commuting from residential areas to universities and the city centre, with services linking directly to major interchange stations across the network.

Ferry (CityCat & Cross-River Services)

Brisbane’s iconic CityCat ferry network runs along the Brisbane River, providing a scenic and efficient way to travel between key inner-city destinations. The route stretches from the University of Queensland (St Lucia) to Northshore Hamilton, connecting multiple terminals along the river.

Ferries are especially popular with students for commuting between riverside suburbs, the CBD, and university areas such as UQ and QUT.

Cycling

Cycling is a common and practical option for students in Brisbane, particularly in inner suburbs where dedicated bike lanes and riverfront cycling paths make travel safer and more accessible. Many students use cycling for short commutes between accommodation, universities, and the city centre.

Walking

Inner-city areas like South Brisbane and the CBD are highly walkable, with pedestrian-friendly streets connecting cafés, universities, parks, and cultural attractions. Walking is often a practical option for students living close to campus or in central suburbs.

• South Bank Parklands: A riverside precinct featuring Streets Beach, parklands, restaurants, and cultural attractions, making it a popular spot for students to relax and socialise.

• Brisbane River: Offers scenic walking and cycling paths, as well as CityCat ferry rides with views of the skyline.

• Roma Street Parkland: One of the largest subtropical gardens in the world, ideal for picnics, study breaks, and outdoor activities.

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: A wildlife experience where students can see native Australian animals, including koalas and kangaroos.

• Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA): One of Australia’s leading contemporary art galleries, showcasing international and local exhibitions.