UniLodge Kensington
Frequently Asked Questions

Congratulations on being accepted to live at Kensington! We know many of our new arrivals will have lots of questions so here are a few things you need to know to get you super-prepared for the move.

Checking in procedure for new arrivals

All you need to do is bring your University of Sydney Student ID (SID) OR any Photo ID such as drivers licence or a passport will be fine should you not have your SID already.

• You will be issued an accommodation card which you will use to gain access to the building and your room.;
• You then must complete a room inventory to ensure everything is present and in order in your room (You will have 2 days to complete this); If you fail to complete this via the student portal within 48 hours of arrival, we will assume you are satisfied with your room;

Reception is open Mon to Fri 9am-6pm and Sat-Sun 10am-3pm. Outside of office hours push the intercom button on the front door.

How to get to Kensington

UniLodge Kensington, is located in Sydney at 187 Anzac Parade, Kensington. It is conveniently located with multiple transport options available at the doorstep to ensure you're able to get to the University of Sydney.

• 5.2 km from the University of Sydney Business School
• 5.9km from the University of Sydney Quadrangle
• 4.6km from Redfern Station
• 3.6Km from Coogee Beach

Travel distance

• This student accommodation is in a prime location, conveniently close to transport, shopping and the expansive Centennial Parklands.
• During peak times there are multiple bus routes available from Redfern station with the approximate travel time only 30 minutes. Additionally, there is a light rail stop which is a short walk from the building and comes directly from Central Station where students can either enjoy a short walk from the University of Sydney campus or change to Redfern.

What to bring

Save money by bringing supplies from home (as long as you’re allowed!) and for everything else you need; you can check out Broadway Shopping Centre – it’s just a 5-minute bus ride away.

Single Studio Rooms include:

• King single sized bed and mattress
• Wardrobe
• Storage
• Study desk
• Study chair
• Air-conditioning
• Private bathrooms
• Kitchenette with microwave, cooktop with rangehood and refrigerator
• Shared apartments include a shared living zone with lounge, TV and dining area

What to bring?

• Kitchen items
• Pillows
• Bed linen
• Personal electrical items

For your convenience, (particularly for those who are getting straight off a plane), the facility has kitchen and linen packs available for purchase before you arrive. To order these log into your Portal (where you applied for your room), add it to your cart and pay for it before you arrive. You can do all of this online and collect on arrival – It’s so it’s easy.

You will need to provide your own cooking pans, pots, utensils, etc. and keep them in your kitchen cupboards. You will need to bring for your own plates, cutlery, mugs and glasses.

Compulsory Welcome Orientation

All residents will need to come down to one of our Welcome Orientations. The short presentation will give you the chance to meet staff, resident assistants, new friends and covers an introduction to Kensington Life, rules, health and safety, and upcoming events. We will also cover any questions you may have about your new home. The dates of these events will be emailed to you at a later date, they will fall on a variety of days and times to give everyone a chance to attend.

Facilities

Laundry: We have one main launderette on lower ground, this is paid for with your SydPay account attached to your USYD Student ID.

Internet: Unlimited University WiFi

Mail: You can have mail sent to your mail box (which will be the same as your room number you are issued on check-in). All Australia Post letters will be placed in your mail box; any Australia post parcels will be delivered to reception for you to collect.

We can’t wait to meet you and to welcome you in to your new home!

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Applications for Kensington for Semester 1, 2026 will open on 8 October, Sydney time, at 10 am.

Applications through the accommodation portal will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. This means that the sooner you submit your application, the higher the chance of securing your preferred room.

For information on how to apply for accommodation, please visit this link.

Room Types & Rates

• Studios - fully furnished, private kitchen & ensuite.

• Studio Apartment - Click here for the virtual tour of the room.
• Premium Studio - Click here for the virtual tour of the room.  

• Twin Studio - share with one other student, two beds, kitchen & ensuite. Click here for the virtual tour of the room.
• Shared Apartments - Individual bedrooms, shared lounge/kitchen, ensuite bathrooms. Click here for the virtual tour of the room.

View rooms & rates

Why Choose Kensington?

• Modern living in brand new fully furnished rooms & apartments with air-con, gym, yoga studio, cinema room, and more.
• Stay connected with a free shuttle bus direct to the University of Sydney, plus easy access to light rail and buses.
• Centennial Park, Sydney’s laid-back outdoor lifestyle, and the beaches of Bondi and Coogee, all just minutes from your door.
• 24/7 support from on-site staff to ensure you always have assistance when you need it.

What’s Included

Your weekly rent covers much more than just your room:

• Furnished living – bed, desk, storage, ensuite or shared bathroom, and air conditioning.
• Utilities & WiFi – all bills included.
• Residential Life membership – join events, activities, and community programs.
• Housekeeping – regular cleaning of common areas.

Shared Facilities

Kensington residents enjoy access to a wide range of communal amenities:

• Fully equipped gym and yoga studio
• Cinema room and music practice rooms
• Games areas and BBQ spaces
• Rooftop terrace with city views
• 24/7 study spaces and group meeting rooms
• Laundry facilities on-site

Support & Safety

• 24/7 on-site staff available for student support and emergencies.
• Secure access with swipe cards and CCTV.
• Dedicated reception and accommodation team.

Location & Transport

• Free shuttle bus direct to the University of Sydney Camperdown/Darlington campus.
• Public transport nearby – light rail and several bus routes within walking distance.
• Lifestyle at your doorstep – Coogee and Bondi beaches, Centennial Park, and Moore Park all minutes away.

Please don't hesitate to contact our friendly team if you have any questions. 

There are various room types available at UniLodge Kensington. 

From luxurious studio apartments to the vibrant atmosphere of a shared apartment or even a twin share, there are room types to suit all of your students. 

Studios

The private studios feature a king single bed, study area, kitchenette and ensuite bathroom. 

• Studio Apartment - Click here for the virtual tour of the room.
• Premium Studio - Click here for the virtual tour of the room.  

Shared Apartments

The shared apartments feature a private bedroom with a king single bed, study area, ensuite bathroom with a shared kitchen and lounge and dining area.

Click here for the virtual tour of the room.

Twin Rooms

The twin rooms feature a king single bed, shared ensuite bathroom and shared kitchenette.

Click here for the virtual tour of the room.

UniLodge Kensington offers 7 or 8 bedroom shared apartments. 

At UniLodge Kensington each room comes equipped with:

• King single sized bed and mattress
• Wardrobe
• Storage
• Study desk
• Study chair
• Air-conditioning
• Private ensuite bathrooms
• Studio and twin share rooms include a kitchenette with microwave, cooktop with rangehood and refrigerator
• Shared apartments include a shared kitchen, living zone with lounge, TV and dining area

• Studio Apartment - Click here for the virtual tour of the room. 

• Premium Studio - Click here for the virtual tour of the room. 

• Shared Apartments - Click here for the virtual tour of the room.

• Twin Studio - Click here for the virtual tour of the room.

UniLodge Kensington is a brand new building opening in Semester 1 2025. 

It is located at 187 Anzac Parade, Kensington, with many amenities at its doorstep including a grocery store, cafés, and restaurants. Coogee Beach is also only a short 15-minute bus ride, and every International Students dream. 

The building will include a variety of facilities for our students, including:

• Gym
• Yoga studio
• Laundry
• Private cinema room
• Music room
• Games area
•  Study spaces available 24/7

The building also offers a range of security features including:

• Secure swipe card access
• 24 hour staff support
• CCTV surveillance 

Free internet access is available for each room in the Kensington Building. It is unlimited and the residents would need their Unikey and Password to access it. 

Semester 2 2025 - Kensington Accommodation to University of Sydney (SUSF - Codrington Street)

Semester 2 2025 - University of Sydney (SUSF - Codrington Street) to Kensington Accommodation

• Increasing services from 1 October
  • More services to better serve the needs of the residents.
  • New services are available to and from Kensington throughout the day.
  • Updated bus timetable below.
• Bus tracker app (now live)
  • Track the shuttle in real time (location and ETA).
  • Select Big Bus Co. as the operator.
  • Make sure location services are enabled on your device.
  • Choose the service you want to track (Bus E or Bus F).
  • If the bus isn’t currently operating, it won’t appear in the app.
  • Get the App: 
    • Download for iPhone
    • Download for Android 
    • View User Guide
• Punctuality & capacity
  • Please queue at the planter box on the right-hand side of the stairs (as you exit the building), where the sign "Shuttle Bus Queue" is displayed, and form a line to the right. Please board the shuttle bus in the same order. 
  • Each shuttle has 21 seats available for students. If there are already 21 people in the queue, you will need to wait for the next bus, as seating is limited and standing is not permitted.
  • If a bus becomes full, it will leave early.
  • We’re actively working with the drivers to improve reliability and on-time departures.
  • Please feel free to share feedback or issues with Reception - this helps us resolve them quickly.

Kensington is a suburb of eastern Sydney, approximately four kilometres from the CBD. Busses and the L2 Randwick and L3 Kingsford light rail lines connect Kensington to the city and the University of Sydney's main campus in Camperdown/Darlington. There is also a shuttle bus available to and from main campus.

UniLodge Kensington is within walking distance of shops, cafés and restaurants, a short bus ride from Coogee Beach. From Coogee Beach, it's just a six kilometer walk along the coast to the world famous Bondi Beach. 

UniLodge Kensington is located 30 minutes by bus from the University of Sydney Camperdown/Darlington campus. 

Coogee Beach is located a short walk from Kensington Accommodation. Approx 4km.

1.    How does the reapplication process work?

As a current resident, you get priority access to apply for Kensington before applications open to new students.

•    Reapply during the priority reapplication period.

•    Choose your preferred room type and specific preferences— you can stay in your current room type or apply for a different one within Kensington.

•    Applications will be processed in the order they are submitted and accepted. To secure your preferred room type, we recommend applying as soon as the reapplication period opens.

•    Receive your offer and accept within 48 hours to secure your room. An acceptance fee of $100 applies for returning student. 

•    Reapplication rates for 52 weeks contract option are exclusive to current residents and generally lower than the 2026 rates for new applicants. 

•    During the reapplication period we will try to accommodate students in the best available rooms within the building and do our best to accommodate preferences. 

•    After this priority period, any unconfirmed rooms will be released to the general student pool at the 2026 rates.

2.    How to reapply?

•    Access the accommodation portal and login.

•    Go to the Applications tab, select the term/session you are applying for, and complete the required sections (contact details, emergency contact details, release of personal information).

•    In the Living Preferences section, please use the Preferences/Comments field to specify any requests—such as your preferred room number, roommate, or floor level—and indicate whether you would like to renew your current room or not.

•    In the Room Preferences section, select your room types in order of preference.

•    Review your application and then submit.

3.    What contract dates and lengths are available?

You can choose between a 52-week contract or a 26-week contract. Please note that for 26-week contracts, the special reapplication rates and benefits do not apply.

4.    Can I choose different start or end dates for my contract?

Contract dates are fixed, and unfortunately, we’re unable to offer flexibility in changing them.

5.    Can I just renew my current room and maintain the current rate I am paying?

No — all 2026 contracts will move to the new reapplication rates. If you wish to stay in your current room, you can, but the 2026 rate for the contract length, room type and floor will apply. Reapplication at your current 2025 rate is not available.

6.    What if I want to apply for a different room type?

You can apply for a different room type during the reapplication period. We’ll do our best to accommodate your request, subject to availability. Please note that the applicable 2026 reapplication rate for that room type and contract length will apply.

7.    Why are some reapplication rates the same as the 2026 rates for new students? 

•    One-year contract: These rooms are in very high demand and usually book out quickly. We’re giving current residents priority access to secure them before they are released to the general public.

•    Semester contract: Promotional rates are not available for semester contracts, as longer-term contracts help us maintain lower overall pricing and foster a stronger residential community. However, current residents on semester contracts will still receive priority in room allocation within the building, subject to availability.

8.    What happens if I don’t accept my offer within 48 hours?

If you don’t accept within 48 hours, your room will be released to another student and generally, cannot be reinstated. You may still apply again during the general application period, but higher 2026 rates will apply.

9.    Do I have to move rooms if I reapply?

Not necessarily — if your current room is available within your chosen rate category, you can keep it by indicating this preference during reapplication. If it isn’t available, you’ll have the option to select another room during the priority process for current residents.

10.    What if I’m away at the end of my contract and need to move rooms? Can I move earlier or later?

No — if you are allocated a different room type or rate and will be away during the break, you’ll need to remove your belongings from your current room by the end of your contract date. When you return, you can move into your new allocated room.

Unfortunately, we cannot store or transfer belongings on your behalf.

Here are some local storage options you may wish to consider:

•    Taxibox

•    Smartbox

•    Kennards

•    Megabox

11.    What if I want to change room types (e.g., Studio → Twin Studio)?

You can request a different room type when reapplying, subject to availability. Please select the preferred room types in the "Room Preferences" section. 

12.    Can I apply for any other accommodation options during the priority period, such as the USYD on-campus accommodation? 

No — If you’d like to apply for a different property (such as one of the USYD on-campus residences), you’ll be able to do so once applications open to the general public. Those applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis.

13.    Can I reapply for Kensington, confirm my offer, and still apply for The University of Sydney on-campus accommodation once applications open to the general public?

Once you’ve confirmed your accommodation at Kensington, you won’t be able to apply for the University of Sydney on-campus accommodation unless you cancel your Kensington booking first.

Please note that the University of Sydney on-campus accommodation is limited and in high demand. The application process is highly competitive, and securing a room is not guaranteed. For this reason, we don’t recommend waiting to apply for the University of Sydney on-campus options, as you may miss out on both a room and the special reapplication rates and benefits currently available to Kensington residents.

14.    When will I know if my reapplication is confirmed?

We’ll process most of reapplications after the reapplication period has closed. Once your application is processed, you’ll receive an email with your offer and next steps.

15.    Can I apply after the priority period ends?

Yes, but your application will be processed with the general public at the standard 2026 rates for each contract type, and we won’t be able to offer priority room allocation.

16.    Do I need to pay a deposit again?

No — The deposit you paid initially will carry over to the new contract and will be refunded to you at checkout, provided there are no additional incidental charges.

However, you will need to pay a non-refundable $100 acceptance fee for returning students when confirming your 2026 reapplication.

17.    What happens if I reapply but then change my mind?

You can cancel your reapplication in line with the terms of the Residential Agreement. This means providing the required notice period, and any applicable conditions or fees will apply.

18.    Is there a waiting list if my preferred room type isn’t available?

Before you accept your agreement, you can email us to request changes. We’ll review your request and let you know what options are available. Once the agreement is signed and your booking is confirmed, no further modifications can be made.

19.    When do applications open for new students?

Applications for new students will open once the reapplication period closes. 

20.    Can I apply for an accessible room? 

Accessible rooms are designated for students with accessibility needs. If you apply for one, you must upload supporting documentation for assessment. Applications for accessible rooms submitted without supporting documentation will not be considered.

21.    Can I request to live with a friend?

Yes, roommate requests can be made under the “Living Preferences - Preferences / Comments ” section during the reapplication process. If both you and your friend are returning residents, you may indicate who you'd like to live with, and we’ll do our best to accommodate your request, subject to availability.

FOR ONE-YEAR CONTRACTS ONLY

22.    Why are some studios priced higher?

Within the studio category, there are two reapplication price points based on location in the building:

•    Levels 6-8: These are the most in-demand studios, as they are higher up, offer better views, and are generally quieter being further from the road. 

•    Levels 1-5: Current residents will have priority to secure studios at a lower reapplication rate. 

23.    What if I am currently living on a higher floor (Levels 6-8) but want to pay the lower studio rate?

If you would like to stay in your current room on Levels 6–8, the higher studio rate will apply.

If you prefer the lower rate, you can choose to move to a studio on Levels 1–5, subject to availability during the reapplication period.

24.    Are the inclusions different between higher and lower rate studio type?

No — all standard studios include the same modern facilities and services. The difference is mainly location within the building.

You can apply for UniLodge Kensington by visiting our student accommodation portal here.