Canberra Accommodation FAQs

If you are enrolled to study at ACU, you are eligible to apply for a place at our Blackfriars Residence.

The application form is available online. To submit your application, a $75 non-refundable application fee is required. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Once you have paid the required application fee and provided the requested references, we will contact you in a timely manner. If you are offered a place you will be emailed an acceptance letter and rental agreement to complete. Your place will be confirmed once documentation has been completed and submitted, and a bond equivalent to four weeks rental fees has been processed.

There is no closing date for applications. You can enter ACU student accommodation at any time during the year if there are spaces available. However, we do recommend submitting applications early as spaces are limited.

Your rent is an all-inclusive fee covering electricity, gas, water and internet.

ACU student accommodation runs a number of free social and academic events throughout the semester as a part of our Residential Life Program, these are free for Blackfriars residents to attend.

To secure your place in Managed Residence, a security deposit equivalent to four weeks of rent is required. This payment does not contribute towards your rental fee, but it is held for the duration of your rental agreement. In addition, a standard $90 maintenance fee, plus two weeks of rental fees will be required.

At the end of your rental agreement, the security deposit will be returned to the account from which it was taken. If there are any outstanding fees, damages, or cleaning fees allocated to your account, these will be deducted from the security deposit.

Rental fees are paid by fortnightly direct debit only. For international students, you are able to make credit card payments until you open an Australian bank account is opened. Our payment schedule operates two weeks in advance.

We do offer short stays for students, subject to availability.  Rates are dependent on the length of your stay.

Please contact staff if you’re interested in a short stay in a Blackfriars Residence.

During your stay at ACU Accommodation, it is important for all residents to maintain the cleanliness of their living spaces. Since this might be your initial experience living away from home, our residential staff are eager to assist you in familiarising yourself with the appropriate cleaning products and their usage. Additionally, we offer complimentary hire of cleaning equipment at your residential reception.

Yes – we have a large variety of scholarships available for all residential students ranging from a 20% weekly discount to all accommodation fees covered. We recommend viewing the eligibility criteria for each scholarship on our webpage here.

Yes, we accept domestic students under the age of 18. Currently, we do not accept international students under the age of 18.

At ACU Student Accommodation, we prioritise creating a secure environment for all residents. In line with this commitment to safety, we have a policy against overnight visitors on our premises. Visitors found at our accommodation between 10pm and 8am from Sunday to Thursday, and 11pm to 8am on Friday and Saturday, will be politely requested to leave the premises. The resident will be asked to meet to discuss this breach of the agreement.

All under 18 students are made aware of by all residential staff, including our after-hours staff members. If an under 18 student is found to be consuming alcohol, a meeting will be arranged with residential management and a formal breach may be issued and your parent/guardian will be notified. ACU Student Accommodation does not provide any alcohol at our residential events throughout the year.

Our residential life program is structured around five key pillars: Academic, Cultural and Community, Health and Wellbeing, Social, and Spiritual, all designed to bolster our residents' support system. We foster academic excellence, cultivate positive health and wellbeing practices, foster teamwork skills, and enhance the overall student experience. Additionally, all our residential events are advertised through the ACU Life platform, to which residents are added before checking in.

Each member of our team undergoes rigorous screening, including up-to-date police checks and Working with Children Checks (applicable to NSW/VIC) as well as Working with Vulnerable People Checks (applicable to ACT). Additionally, our staff participate in regular training sessions, including Mental Health First Aid, First Aid, and ongoing mental health education throughout the year.

Once a student turns 18, a new Occupancy Agreement is signed, removing the parent/guardian from the existing agreement. If any incident or breach of the Occupancy Agreement arises, we will no longer contact the parent/guardian.

Students under 18 years old are welcome to apply for accommodation by completing the application form provided here. Following submission, our residential management team will reach out to schedule an interview with both you and your parent/guardian. This interview serves as an opportunity for us to get to know you and ascertain whether ACU Student Accommodation aligns with your needs. It also offers you the chance to ask any questions you may have about residing with us. Upon completion of the interview process and suitability, we will send you an Occupancy Agreement, which will be co-signed by your parent/guardian.

Our dedicated onsite residential team conducts routine check-ins with under 18 students to ensure their satisfaction during their residence. Should any concerns arise during these sessions, ACU Student Accommodation management will promptly reach out to the next of kin to address them.