Canberra is often overlooked by international students — and that’s a mistake. Australia’s capital has the country’s highest graduate employment rate, highest median income, and an increasingly vibrant food and arts scene. For students at ANU or UC, it’s a compact, safe city that punches above its weight.
Canberra Housing Market 2026
Canberra has Australia’s highest median rent — but that’s driven by family homes in premium suburbs. Student accommodation is more affordable than the headline numbers suggest. Shared housing near ANU runs AUD 220–380/week for a room, with studios starting around AUD 380/week.
ANU — Acton & the Inner North
The Australian National University sits in Acton, wedged between the CBD and Lake Burley Griffin.
Acton & Civic (CBD)
Immediate walking distance to campus. Mostly apartment buildings. Studios AUD 400–550/week, shared rooms AUD 250–380/week.
Braddon
The coolest neighborhood in Canberra. Lonsdale Street’s restaurants, bars, and boutiques are a 10-minute walk from ANU. Rooms AUD 240–360/week.
Turner & O’Connor
Quiet, leafy suburbs bordering the ANU campus. Popular with postgrad students. Rooms AUD 220–340/week.
Dickson
Canberra’s Chinatown. Great Asian supermarkets and restaurants on Woolley Street. 15-minute bus to ANU. Rooms AUD 200–300/week.
University of Canberra — Belconnen
UC is in Bruce, part of the Belconnen district north of the city centre.
Bruce & Belconnen Town Centre
The Belconnen Town Centre has a Westfield, fresh food markets, and the bus interchange. Rooms AUD 180–280/week.
Macquarie & Aranda
Suburbs between UC and the city. Quiet, established neighborhoods popular with families and students. Rooms AUD 180–280/week.
On-Campus Housing
Both ANU and UC have extensive on-campus accommodation options:
ANU Halls & Lodges
- Catered halls (Burgmann, John XXIII, Ursula Hall): AUD 380–480/week including meals
- Self-catered lodges (Davey, Kinloch, Warrumbul): AUD 280–380/week
- Apply through ANU Accommodation Services — deadline usually October for February start
UC Campus West & Cooper Lodge
- Self-catered apartments from AUD 220/week (shared) to AUD 360/week (studio)
- All within the Belconnen campus grounds
FAQ
Is Canberra too quiet for students?
Canberra has transformed in the last five years. Braddon, NewActon, and the Kingston Foreshore now have a genuine nightlife and dining scene. It’s smaller than Sydney or Melbourne, but the concentration of young professionals and students means there’s always something happening.
What’s the weather like?
Four distinct seasons. Winters are cold (often below 0°C overnight) but dry and sunny. Summers are warm (25–35°C). You’ll need heating and good winter clothing — something many international students from warm climates underestimate.
Is OSHC required for ANU?
Yes — mandatory OSHC for all international students in Australia.