Overview and Initial Considerations
La Trobe University - Menzies College is a student accommodation property located on the Bundoora campus of La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. It offers non-ensuite rooms only, with weekly rents ranging from AUD 285 to AUD 295 (indicative — confirm with the operator). A deposit of AUD 570 is required, and the minimum lease term is 20 weeks. The property includes study spaces, laundry facilities, and bills are included in the rent.
The Google rating for this property is 2.8 out of 5, based on 9 reviews. This places it significantly below the average for student housing in Melbourne. The property is currently listed as “not available” in the source data, meaning that as of the data date, it may not be accepting new bookings. Prospective residents should verify current availability directly with the operator.
Who This Residence Suits
This residence may suit students who prioritise affordability and are willing to accept shared facilities and potentially lower maintenance standards. The weekly price of AUD 285–295 is below the median for purpose-built student accommodation in Melbourne, but above the city’s from-price of AUD 219 (indicative — confirm with the operator). For students on a tight budget who need to live close to the La Trobe University Bundoora campus, this could be a convenient option.
The inclusion of bills in the rent simplifies budgeting. The property also has study spaces and laundry facilities on site. Students who want to live in a college-style environment — with shared kitchens and common areas — may find the social atmosphere appealing, provided they are comfortable with the reported conditions.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
Based on the available reviews, this property may not be suitable for students who expect a clean, well-maintained living environment. Multiple reviewers mention mould, cockroach infestations, and generally poor condition of kitchens and rooms. The property’s low Google rating (2.8) and the nature of the criticisms suggest that those who prioritise hygiene, responsive maintenance, or quiet hours enforcement should consider other options.
Students who require air conditioning should note that at least one review states the property lacks it, despite being described as a “multi million dollar college.” Those with a preference for ensuite rooms will also need to look elsewhere, as only non-ensuite units are available.
What Residents Actually Say
The three Google reviews provided offer a consistent picture of dissatisfaction. They are reproduced verbatim below:
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Lilly Macfarlane (rating: 1): “For $265 a week you get mould in your room, cockroach infestations, disgusting kitchens, a room that looks like a prison cell, no help with maintenance requests, and no respect for the quiet hours policy. If you want to make friends it’s good but there are so many better ways to do that, this place was awful and overpr”
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Me Me (rating: 1): “multi million dollar college. can’t afford aircon. ludicrous. ridiculous. blasphemy. those are just a few words to describe the living conditions in the glenn menzies campus. would not rate”
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Leanne K (rating: 1): “Disgusting place. I had the worst time there. No support, filthy and full of cockroaches. 🤮”
These reviews highlight several recurring issues:
- Cleanliness and pest control: Cockroach infestations and mould are mentioned by two separate reviewers.
- Maintenance responsiveness: One review notes “no help with maintenance requests.”
- Noise and policy enforcement: Quiet hours appear to be unenforced.
- Facilities condition: Kitchens are described as “disgusting” and rooms as “prison cell” like.
- Lack of air conditioning: Explicitly stated in the second review.
One review does acknowledge that “if you want to make friends it’s good,” but dismisses that as not worth the problems. The overall sentiment is strongly negative. Given that only 9 reviews are available, this sample may not represent all residents’ experiences, but the uniformity of criticism is notable.
Price Positioning vs. the Local Market
The weekly rent range of AUD 285–295 (indicative — confirm with the operator) is higher than the Melbourne city from-price of AUD 219 (indicative — confirm with the operator). This means that cheaper options exist across the broader Melbourne student housing market, although those are mostly located further from the Bundoora campus. Within the immediate vicinity of La Trobe University, the price is in the lower-to-mid range for college-style accommodation.
It is important to note that the price includes bills, which adds value. However, when weighed against the condition complaints, the value proposition weakens. For the same or slightly higher weekly rent, students might find alternatives with better reviews and higher standards elsewhere in the city.
Room-Type Guidance
The only room type available at La Trobe University - Menzies College is non-ensuite. This means residents share bathroom and kitchen facilities. All rooms are single occupancy, but the exact sizes and configurations are not specified in the data. Given the reviews, it is advisable to request a room inspection or recent photos before committing.
The minimum lease of 20 weeks is standard for semester-based study, but shorter leases may not be available. The deposit of AUD 570 is equivalent to about two weeks’ rent, which is typical in Australia.
Booking Timing
The property is currently listed as “not available” in the source data. This could mean rooms are fully booked for the upcoming intake or that the operator has paused new bookings. Students interested in this residence should contact the operator directly — well in advance of their intended move-in date — to ask about availability for the 2026 or 2027 academic year.
If availability opens, booking early (at least 3–6 months before the start of the lease) is generally recommended for college accommodation near a university campus. However, given the poor reviews, it may be prudent to secure a backup option.
Is this property currently open for bookings?
According to the data used for this article, the property is listed as “not available.” This may change, so prospective tenants should confirm directly with the operator. The lack of an “available from” date suggests no definite future opening has been published.
What is included in the rent?
The rent includes bills (electricity, water, gas, internet) as well as access to study spaces and laundry facilities. Meals are not mentioned in the data and are unlikely to be included in the weekly rate.
How far is it from the La Trobe University Bundoora campus?
The address is Bundoora VIC 3083, Australia, which places it on or immediately adjacent to the La Trobe University Bundoora campus. Walking distances will vary by building but are generally under 10–15 minutes to most campus facilities.
Sources & data date: 2026-07
For the most up-to-date availability and booking options, please use the on-site assistant on this page.
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