Deakin University Housing Guide: What Campus Reviews Reveal and How to Find a Home
Deakin University’s Burwood campus sits about 20 kilometres east of Melbourne’s central business district. With a QS world rank of 207 and a Google rating of 4.2 from 636 reviews, the campus draws students who value a spacious, modern environment. Housing around Deakin Burwood reflects the broader Melbourne rental market: competition is steady, and choices range from shared houses close to campus to apartments near shopping hubs. This guide looks at what students say about the campus, what the surrounding suburbs offer, and how to approach your housing decision for 2026 or 2027.
What Deakin Campus Reviews Reveal
Student reviews give a snapshot of daily life at Burwood. Most mention the campus’s size, cleanliness, and atmosphere.
Atanu Explorer, writing a year ago, gave a 5‑star rating: “Stunning campus. It’s huge. A feel-good environment. Ideal for studying. Neat and clean place. 4/5 cafe/restaurants are available around the university. Each corner is beautiful; specially, the connecting bridges are wonderful. Zones are well-marked and easy to find. Frequent tram and buses are available.” The reference to transport is useful — it confirms that public transport serves the campus, which matters when you are deciding how far away to live.
Gary Traver highlighted the sports science facilities: “Visit the world famous sports science facilities in Burwood. Beautiful facilities with a nice balance between teaching and research. Enough capabilities and capacity to offer students experiential learning through participation.” This suggests that students in health or exercise science may want to prioritise accommodation within walking distance if they plan to use those facilities regularly.
Chan Ho Man wrote: “Deakin Burwood will always be a special place for me. The campus is spacious, modern and surrounded by nature, which makes studying here feel calm even on busy days. Facilities are well maintained, the library is great and the support services were always helpful whenever I needed guidance. The environment is quiet and green.”
But not every review is positive. Matthew Bishop gave a 1‑star rating two months ago: “I am only writing a review on this university due to its horrific and corrupt nature. Between the student integrity committee and the Vice-Chancellor, I have never heard of such a ludicrous framework for a university. I wish I could go back in time and choose any other university than this.” While one negative review does not define the institution, it is a reminder that academic processes can cause frustration for some students. When choosing housing, you may want to stay close to campus so you can easily access support offices if you encounter issues.
Overall, the campus itself is well‑regarded for its space, greenery, and facilities. The main trade‑off when choosing housing will be between convenience (walking distance to campus) and cost (further out, near transport lines).
City Context: Burwood and Melbourne’s Eastern Suburbs
Burwood is a residential suburb with a mix of older houses and newer apartment blocks. It is part of a corridor that includes Box Hill (a major transport and commercial hub about 5 km north) and Glen Waverley (about 7 km southeast). Burwood’s own shopping strip along Burwood Highway has supermarkets, cafes, and takeaway options. The campus itself has several dining outlets.
Public transport routes include tram lines along Burwood Highway (routes 75 and 76) and bus routes connecting to Box Hill, Chadstone, and Glen Waverley. The Box Hill train station (on the Belgrave/Lilydale line) provides a 30‑minute trip to Melbourne’s CBD. Many students who live beyond walking distance use a combination of bus/tram and train.
The rental market in Burwood and nearby suburbs is typical for middle‑ring Melbourne. Demand is high near campus, especially before semester start. Students should start looking at least 6–8 weeks before their course begins if they want a place with a short commute.
Budget Bands (Indicative — Confirm with the Operator)
Rental prices in the Burwood area for 2026/2027 vary depending on housing type, distance to campus, and whether the property is furnished. The figures below are indicative — you must check current rates with the landlord or operator.
- Budget share house (room in a shared house or unit) : $180–$250 per week. These are usually older houses a 15‑ to 30‑minute walk from campus or a 10‑minute bus ride. Rooms may be unfurnished or semi‑furnished.
- Standard share house or studio in a purpose‑built student accommodation : $280–$380 per week. Some purpose‑built blocks exist within a 15‑minute walk of campus. They are usually fully furnished and include bills. Availability varies.
- Private studio or one‑bedroom apartment : $400–$550 per week. Found close to Burwood Highway or in newer complexes. These give full privacy but cost significantly more.
- Family house (entire property) : $500+ per week. Rarely feasible for a single student, but two or three students can split the rent.
Note: The on‑campus accommodation operated by Deakin (such as the Burwood residences) is not covered here because this guide focuses on private housing. If you are interested in on‑campus options, contact the university’s accommodation office directly — they can provide indicative pricing.
Walk vs Transit Trade‑off
Deciding between walking distance and using public transport depends on your tolerance for commuting time and your budget.
Walking distance (0–1.5 km from campus) : Properties within a 15‑minute walk command a premium. You save on public transport costs (the daily tram fare adds up) and avoid schedule‑dependence. Walking also matches the “calm” environment described in reviews. The trade‑off is that you will likely pay $30–$80 more per week compared to a similar property 2 km away. Streets like Elgar Road, Station Street, and the northern side of Burwood Highway have a number of houses and apartments that fall into this zone.
Short transit (bus/tram, under 20 minutes) : Choosing a place near a tram stop along Burwood Highway, or near Box Hill station, opens up cheaper options. For example, a room in a share house in Box Hill may cost $200–$250 per week, and the trip to campus takes about 15 minutes by bus or tram. The train from Box Hill is also useful for weekends in the city. The main drawback is the waiting time if services are infrequent (trams run every 10–15 minutes on weekdays, but less often on weekends). Factor in a Myki card cost of roughly $0.30–$0.50 per trip under current concession rates.
Car commute : Driving to campus is possible, but parking is limited. The university has paid parking permits (indicative $200–$400 per semester). Unless you live outside the public transport zone, driving is not recommended.
Shortlist Logic Using Given Nearby Residences
The dataset does not provide a list of specific nearby residences, so the following logic applies to any housing search near Deakin Burwood. Use these criteria to shortlist options when you review listings on property platforms or student‑housing websites.
- Set your maximum walking time. If you plan to walk, filter for properties within 1.5 km of 221 Burwood Hwy. Measure using Google Maps walking distance — do not rely on straight‑line distance.
- Prioritise transport routes. If walking is not feasible, look within 400 metres of a tram stop on route 75 (Burwood Hwy) or route 76 (Riversdale Rd/Malvern area). Also check bus stops near the university — routes 281, 285, 767, 903, and 737 all serve Burwood.
- Check the lease term. Many student‑friendly properties offer 52‑week leases. If you only need accommodation during semester, be prepared to negotiate or look for sublet options.
- Read reviews of the property manager. A well‑maintained building with responsive management saves headaches. Reviews on platforms like Google Maps or property portals can reveal issues like poor maintenance, noise, or slow bond return.
- Consider a short‑term rental for your first month. If you cannot visit in person before the semester starts, book a serviced apartment or a room in a guesthouse for the first 2–4 weeks. This gives you time to physically inspect houses and sign a lease.
FAQ
Q: What is the cheapest way to live near Deakin Burwood in 2026?
A: The lowest cost is typically a shared room in an older house, renting for $180–$250 per week (indicative — confirm with the operator). You will need to share a bathroom and kitchen and be prepared for a 15‑ to 25‑minute walk or a short bus ride. Some students also find rooms in boarding houses, but those can have strict rules.
Q: Is it better to live in Box Hill or Burwood itself?
A: Burwood puts you closer to campus (walking or a very short tram ride). Box Hill offers a wider range of shops, restaurants, and train access to Melbourne CBD. If you plan to cook at home and need to save money, Box Hill has cheaper rent on average (indicative $20–$40 less per week for a comparable room). But you will need to budget for the bus or tram fare each day.
Q: When should I start looking for housing for a 2027 semester start?
A: Begin searching 8–12 weeks before your course starts. At that point, new listings appear for the upcoming semester. The best time to sign a lease for semester 1 (starting February/March) is between October and December of the previous year. For semester 2 (July), start looking in April–May.
Data date: January 2026
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