Student Accommodation near Australian Catholic University

The Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a public university with a Catholic character that accepts students from all faith backgrounds as well as students with no religious affiliation. The university was established in 1991 through the amalgamation of several Catholic tertiary institutions, although its institutional history reaches back to the mid-19th century.

ACU operates as a national multi-campus university. Its Australian campuses include locations in North Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Ballarat, Strathfield, and Adelaide, while Rome hosts its international campus.

The Adelaide campus is located in Thebarton, in Adelaide's inner west. This guide focuses specifically on that campus and the surrounding areas.

ACU has approximately 35,300 students globally, comprising domestic and international students. Its academic profile is particularly associated with Education, Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedicine, Theology and Philosophy, Health Sciences, Business, and Law. The university is described in the supplied information as Australia's largest teacher-education provider.

Sustainability is another part of ACU's institutional policy. The university's Australian campuses operate using 100% renewable electricity.

For global rankings, ACU is placed in the #851–900 band of the QS World University Rankings 2026 and the #401–500 band of the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.

ACU At A Glance

Detail	Information
University	Australian Catholic University
Type	Public university
Established	1991
Adelaide campus	Thebarton, Adelaide
Australian campuses	North Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Ballarat, Strathfield, Adelaide
International campus	Rome
Approx. global student population	35,300
Major study areas	Education, Nursing, Midwifery, Paramedicine, Theology and Philosophy, Health Sciences, Business, Law
QS World University Rankings 2026	#851–900
THE World University Rankings 2026	#401–500
Australian campus electricity	100% renewable

How ACU Accommodation Works

ACU's accommodation model differs from universities that operate their own halls. The university does not run residential halls or guarantee places for first-year students. Students instead use the university's referral and rental advisory services while arranging their own housing.

As a result, acu student accommodation can mean several different things. Students may rent a room in a private shared house or apartment, arrange a homestay, or choose purpose-built student accommodation in Adelaide.

This gives students more choice over where they live, but it also means they need to compare rent, lease conditions, bills, transport, and the distance from Thebarton themselves.

Life at Australian Catholic University’s Adelaide campus extends beyond lectures and coursework. Students based at the Thebarton campus have access to university activities, student groups, sporting opportunities and the wider Adelaide social scene.

The campus is relatively close to several established student neighbourhoods, while Adelaide CBD is around 3 km away. That gives students the choice of spending time around Thebarton and nearby suburbs or travelling into the city for food, entertainment, shopping and cultural events.

ACU Life, Clubs and Societies

The ACU Life program forms part of the student experience and gives students opportunities to participate in activities outside their academic timetable. Clubs and societies can also help students meet people from different courses and backgrounds.

The university's Catholic identity is reflected in some of its student activities. Faith-based programming can include Mass, retreats, service activities and other opportunities connected with the university's Catholic character. Participation is not restricted to Catholic students, and ACU welcomes students from different faith backgrounds as well as those with no religious affiliation.

Orientation activities are another part of the transition into university life, particularly for students arriving in Adelaide for the first time.

Sports and Fitness

Students interested in sport can take part in activities associated with ACU Sport. The Thebarton campus has on-campus fitness facilities, while club sports are also available.

Students should check current club and sporting schedules directly with the university because activities can change between academic years.

ACU's Adelaide campus is located on George Street in Thebarton. Several inner-western suburbs sit within a few kilometres of the campus, while Adelaide CBD offers a larger city-centre housing market.

Thebarton

Postcode: SA 5031
Distance to ACU: 0–1 km
Approximate walking time: 5–15 minutes
Indicative shared-room rent: AU$210–310/week

Thebarton is the closest option to the ACU Adelaide campus. Students living nearby can potentially walk to lectures in as little as five minutes, depending on the exact property.

The suburb combines residential streets with industrial and institutional areas and has direct tram access towards Adelaide CBD. That gives residents two useful advantages: a short campus commute and straightforward access to the city.

The supplied shared-room range of AU$210–310 per week also keeps Thebarton within reach of students who want to live close to campus without moving into the CBD.

Best suited to: Students who want the shortest possible daily commute.

Torrensville

Postcode: SA 5031
Distance to ACU: Around 1.5 km
Approximate journey: 15–20 minutes on foot or a short bus ride
Indicative shared-room rent: AU$210–310/week

Torrensville sits next to Thebarton and has a more residential character. The suburb has local shops and a smaller commercial strip, while remaining close enough to ACU for students to walk or take a short bus journey.

Its shared-room rental range is similar to Thebarton, at approximately AU$210–310 per week.

Students who want to remain close to campus but prefer a residential neighbourhood rather than living immediately around the university can consider Torrensville.

Best suited to: Students looking for a quieter residential setting close to campus.

Mile End

Postcode: SA 5031
Distance to ACU: Around 1.5 km
Approximate journey: Short walk or bus
Indicative shared-room rent: AU$210–310/week

Mile End is another inner-western suburb within roughly 1.5 km of the ACU campus. It contains a mixture of residential and light-industrial streets and is also close to the Adelaide Showground.

The supplied shared-room range is AU$210–310 per week, making it one of the more affordable locations near the campus.

The suburb is worth considering for students who want to remain within walking or short public transport distance of ACU while keeping rent under control.

Best suited to: Budget-conscious students who want to stay close to Thebarton.

Hindmarsh

Postcode: SA 5007
Distance to ACU: Around 2 km
Transport: Bus or tram
Indicative shared-room rent: AU$200–300/week

Hindmarsh sits farther east of Thebarton and has a strong food and entertainment scene. The area is known for multicultural dining and live-music venues, including the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

At approximately AU$200–300 per week, its supplied shared-room range starts below those of Thebarton, Torrensville, and Mile End.

Public transport makes the roughly 2 km journey to ACU manageable. Students who want lower accommodation costs without moving far from the campus can therefore include Hindmarsh in their search.

Best suited to: Students who want lower rent alongside access to food and entertainment.

Adelaide CBD

Postcode: SA 5000
Distance to ACU: Around 3 km
Transport: Direct tram connection
Indicative shared-room rent: AU$220–320/week

The Thebarton campus is further from the Adelaide CBD, but offers a much more city-centred residential atmosphere. Students can benefit from large shopping districts, transport links, restaurants, nightlife and other city facilities.

The shared room estimate provided is roughly AU$220-320 per week. While the CBD may be pricier than some of the adjacent western suburbs, the transit connections and central position might make it appealing to students who wish to spend more of their time in the city.

The tram link from Thebarton to the CBD is particularly handy for students without a car.

Best suited to: Students who want city-centre living and do not mind travelling to campus.

Comparing Areas Near ACU Adelaide

Area	Distance to ACU	Indicative shared-room rent	Main consideration
Thebarton	0–1 km	AU$210–310/week	Closest to campus
Torrensville	~1.5 km	AU$210–310/week	Residential setting
Mile End	~1.5 km	AU$210–310/week	Lower-cost option close to campus
Hindmarsh	~2 km	AU$200–300/week	Food and entertainment
Adelaide CBD	~3 km	AU$220–320/week	City living and tram access

Budget And Location Picks

Hindmarsh has the lowest starting shared-room estimate in the supplied list, at around AU$200 per week. Thebarton, Torrensville, and Mile End all begin at approximately AU$210 per week.

For students who place the greatest value on proximity, Thebarton is the obvious location to investigate first. Living within 0–1 km of the campus can remove most daily transport requirements.

Students willing to travel slightly farther can consider Adelaide CBD, particularly if they value central shopping, entertainment, and public transport more than having the shortest possible campus journey.

Adelaide is generally regarded as one of Australia's more affordable capital cities. For a single student, the supplied estimate for regular weekly expenses excluding rent is approximately AU$270–400.

Accommodation remains a separate and significant expense, so students should add their expected rent to the figures below when calculating their full weekly budget.

Expense	Estimated weekly cost
Groceries and food	AU$90–140
Transport	AU$25–35
Household bills	AU$35–55
Socialising and going out	AU$50–85
Mobile subscription	AU$15–25
Course costs	AU$10–20
Estimated total excluding rent	AU$270–400

Groceries And Food

Students should budget approximately AU$90–140 per week for groceries and food.

Living around Thebarton, Torrensville, Mile End, or Hindmarsh gives students access to a range of local grocery shops and food businesses. Hindmarsh's multicultural food scene can also be useful for students looking for different ingredients and lower-cost dining options.

Cooking most meals at home will generally keep food spending closer to the lower end of the supplied range, while frequent takeaway meals and restaurant visits can push it higher.

Transport

The supplied estimate for transport is approximately AU$25–35 per week for a five-day commuter using an Adelaide Metro metroCARD.

ACU students living in Thebarton may be able to walk to campus, while those in Torrensville and Mile End can potentially walk or take a short bus journey. Students in Hindmarsh and Adelaide CBD can use the tram and bus network.

The amount you actually spend will therefore depend heavily on where you live and how often you travel.

Household Bills

Students sharing a house or apartment should allow around AU$35–55 per week for their share of electricity, gas, and internet.

The figure is an estimate rather than a standard charge. Some accommodation contracts may include particular utilities, while private rentals may require residents to arrange and divide bills themselves.

Students comparing acu accommodation prices should therefore check what is included in the advertised weekly rent before deciding that one property is cheaper than another.

Socialising And Going Out

The supplied weekly estimate for social activities is AU$50–85. This can cover part of a student's spending on eating out, entertainment, social events, and leisure.

The actual figure can vary substantially. Students living close to Adelaide CBD may find themselves spending more on restaurants, nightlife, concerts, and other city activities simply because these venues are nearby.

Mobile And Course Costs

A typical Australian prepaid or SIM-only mobile plan is estimated at AU$15–25 per week, equivalent to approximately AU$65–100 per month.

Course-related costs are estimated at AU$10–20 per week, calculated across the year to account for textbooks and other study materials. Actual expenses depend on the student's course and its material requirements.

Student Visa Financial Capacity

International students should also be aware of the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs financial-capacity requirement for the Student visa (subclass 500).

The supplied figure is AU$29,710 per year, or approximately AU$571 per week when averaged across the year. This is a visa-eligibility benchmark rather than a detailed estimate of what an ACU student will spend every week.

Students should therefore build their own budget using actual accommodation costs, food, transport, bills, study expenses, and personal spending rather than treating AU$571 as a fixed weekly allowance.

For students researching acu student housing, the main financial calculation is straightforward: start with rent, add the estimated AU$270–400 in regular weekly expenses, then adjust for your actual transport needs and lifestyle.

Students looking at Australian Catholic University accommodation in Adelaide can choose between several room arrangements. Since the university does not operate its own residential halls, the choice usually comes down to private rentals, homestays and purpose-built student accommodation in and around Adelaide.

The main room types differ in privacy, price and the amount of shared space involved.

Accommodation type	What it includes	Privacy	Cost level
Studio	Private bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living space	High	Higher
Private room	Private bedroom in a shared flat or house	Moderate to high	Moderate
Shared room	Bedroom shared with one or more students	Lower	Lower
En-suite room	Private bedroom with attached bathroom and shared kitchen/living areas	High	Moderate to higher
Entire place	Whole apartment or house occupied alone or with chosen housemates	High	Higher

Studio

A studio gives you a self-contained living space with your bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen facilities within the same unit. It suits students who want more control over their routine and do not want to share their main living spaces with other residents.

The trade-off is price. Studios generally cost more than a room in a shared property, so they may work better for students who place a higher value on privacy or have a larger accommodation budget.

Private Room

A private room in a shared apartment or house gives you your own bedroom while the kitchen, living room, and other common areas are shared. This is a common choice for students who want some privacy without taking on the cost of an entire apartment.

It can also be useful for students who want to live with other students rather than manage a property alone.

Shared Room

A shared room places two or more students in the same bedroom. This arrangement usually has the lowest accommodation cost among the main room categories.

Students choosing this option should consider how well their schedules and living habits match those of their roommates. The lower rent comes with less personal space.

En-suite Room

An en-suite room combines a private bedroom with an attached bathroom. The kitchen and living areas are generally shared with other residents.

This arrangement sits between a standard private room and a studio in terms of privacy. You retain your own sleeping and bathroom space while still sharing the main communal areas.

Entire Place

An entire place refers to renting a whole apartment or house rather than an individual bedroom. Students may take the property alone or share it with friends while retaining greater control over how the space is used.

The arrangement also comes with more responsibility. Rent, utilities, furnishings and household arrangements may all need to be managed separately, depending on the rental agreement.

Students comparing Australian Catholic University student accommodation can consider several purpose-built student properties in Adelaide. The options below are located in or around Adelaide CBD, roughly 2.7–3.7 km from the ACU Adelaide campus in Thebarton.

The supplied travel data gives the following distances and journey times:

Student accommodation	Distance from ACU	Transit time	Car time	Weekly price
Scape Waymouth	3.05 km	40 min	6 min	AU$269
Scape Adelaide Central	3.03 km	39 min	9 min	AU$299
Scape Adelaide University	3.40 km	47 min	9 min	AU$302
UniLodge @ Metro Adelaide	2.74 km	37 min	7 min	AU$340
Yugo Adelaide City	3.68 km	51 min	10 min	AU$349
The Switch Adelaide	3.24 km	44 min	8 min	AU$419

The listed properties are all in the Adelaide CBD area and are connected to Thebarton through Adelaide's public transport network. The journey times supplied for each property should be checked again before booking, since routes and schedules can change.

Scape Waymouth

Weekly price: AU$269
Distance from ACU: 3.05 km
Transit: 40 minutes
Car: 6 minutes

Scape Waymouth is the lowest-priced option in the supplied list. Its Adelaide CBD location puts students within reach of central retail, food and transport facilities while keeping the listed weekly rent below the other properties in this comparison.

For students focused on acu accommodation prices, the AU$269 weekly rate makes this one of the first properties worth comparing.

Scape Adelaide Central

Weekly price: AU$299
Distance from ACU: 3.03 km
Transit: 39 minutes
Car: 9 minutes

Scape Adelaide Central sits just over 3 km from the Thebarton campus. The supplied transit estimate is 39 minutes, while the listed car journey is 9 minutes.

Its AU$299 weekly price places it close to the lower end of this accommodation list, making it another option for students balancing a CBD location with their accommodation budget.

Scape Adelaide University

Weekly price: AU$302
Distance from ACU: 3.40 km
Transit: 47 minutes
Car: 9 minutes

Scape Adelaide University is listed at AU$302 per week and sits around 3.4 km from ACU Adelaide.

The property has a supplied public transport journey time of 47 minutes. Students considering it should compare that commute with their timetable, particularly if they expect to travel to Thebarton several days a week.

UniLodge @ Metro Adelaide

Weekly price: AU$340
Distance from ACU: 2.74 km
Transit: 37 minutes
Car: 7 minutes

UniLodge @ Metro Adelaide is the closest property in the supplied list at 2.74 km from the university. Its listed transit time is 37 minutes, with a 7-minute car journey.

At AU$340 per week, it costs more than the first three options but places students slightly closer to the Thebarton campus.

Yugo Adelaide City

Weekly price: AU$349
Distance from ACU: 3.68 km
Transit: 51 minutes
Car: 10 minutes

Yugo Adelaide City is approximately 3.68 km from ACU Adelaide. The supplied journey estimate is 51 minutes by public transport and 10 minutes by car.

Its AU$349 weekly rate puts it towards the higher end of the listed properties. Students considering this option should weigh the CBD location against the longer supplied transit journey.

The Switch Adelaide

Weekly price: AU$419
Distance from ACU: 3.24 km
Transit: 44 minutes
Car: 8 minutes

The Switch Adelaide is listed at AU$419 per week, making it the most expensive option in this comparison. It is around 3.24 km from the Thebarton campus, with a supplied transit time of 44 minutes and a car journey of 8 minutes.

Students considering acu student accommodation at this price point should compare the room arrangement and included facilities with the lower-priced properties before making a decision.

Budget-conscious students looking for Australian Catholic University accommodation have four lower-priced options in the supplied Adelaide list. Their weekly prices range from AU$269 to AU$340.

Property	Weekly price	Distance from ACU	Transit time
Scape Waymouth	AU$269	3.05 km	40 min
Scape Adelaide Central	AU$299	3.03 km	39 min
Scape Adelaide University	AU$302	3.40 km	47 min
UniLodge @ Metro Adelaide	AU$340	2.74 km	37 min

Scape Waymouth – AU$269/week

At AU$269 per week, Scape Waymouth is the most affordable property in the supplied comparison. It is around 3.05 km from ACU Adelaide and has a listed transit time of 40 minutes.

Students working with a tighter weekly budget may want to place this option at the top of their initial comparison.

Scape Adelaide Central – AU$299/week

Scape Adelaide Central costs AU$299 per week and is around 3.03 km from the campus. Its listed public transport journey is 39 minutes.

The difference between this and Scape Waymouth is AU$30 per week, so students can compare the room type and other property details before deciding whether the additional weekly cost is worthwhile.

Scape Adelaide University – AU$302/week

Scape Adelaide University is listed at AU$302 per week. It is approximately 3.40 km from ACU Adelaide, with a supplied transit time of 47 minutes.

The weekly price is only AU$3 higher than Scape Adelaide Central, making the two worth comparing closely if both room arrangements meet the student's requirements.

UniLodge @ Metro Adelaide – AU$340/week

UniLodge @ Metro Adelaide costs AU$340 per week and is the closest of these four properties to ACU Adelaide at 2.74 km. Its supplied transit journey is 37 minutes.

It is AU$71 more per week than Scape Waymouth, so the higher rent needs to be considered alongside the shorter distance and supplied commute.

How to Compare ACU Accommodation Prices

Price should be considered alongside the commute and room arrangement rather than separately. A lower weekly rent may be less useful if the accommodation requires substantially more travel each day, while paying more for a room closer to campus may increase the total weekly budget considerably.

Students comparing acu accommodation prices should check:

• Weekly rent and payment schedule
• Room type and level of privacy
• Distance from the Thebarton campus
• Public transport journey
• Whether the property suits their preferred living arrangement
• Additional household or accommodation costs, where applicable
• Lease length and booking conditions

Students should also remember that ACU Adelaide does not operate university-owned residential halls. Its accommodation support includes referral and rental advice, while students can consider private rentals, homestays and purpose-built student accommodation in Adelaide.

That makes comparing external properties particularly important for students searching for ACU student housing. The right choice depends on the balance between weekly rent, privacy, location and the amount of travel involved.

ACU Adelaide is located on George Street in Thebarton. The campus benefits from its position west of Adelaide CBD, with tram and bus services linking the surrounding suburbs to the university and central Adelaide.

Public transport is likely to be the main option for many students living outside Thebarton.

Public Transport

Adelaide Metro operates the city's buses, trams and trains. Students can use the metroCARD system for public transport travel.

The tram line runs directly past Thebarton and connects the area with Adelaide CBD. This is particularly useful for students living in or travelling through the city centre.

Approximate distances from the campus include:

Area	Approx. distance	Typical travel
Thebarton	0–1 km	5–15 min walk
Torrensville	~1.5 km	15–20 min walk or short bus trip
Mile End	~1.5 km	15–20 min walk or public transport
Hindmarsh	~2 km	Bus or tram
Adelaide CBD	~3 km	Direct tram

Actual travel time depends on the starting point, route, timetable and time of day.

Walking to Campus

Students living in Thebarton can reach campus on foot, with properties within the 0–1 km range generally taking around 5–15 minutes to walk.

Torrensville and Mile End are also within roughly 1.5 km. A walk of around 15–20 minutes can be possible from parts of these suburbs, although the exact time depends on the property and route.

This makes location an important factor when comparing ACU accommodation. A property that appears only slightly farther away on a map can produce a different daily commute depending on its connection to public transport.

Cycling

Adelaide's relatively flat terrain makes cycling a practical option for students who prefer to travel on two wheels. Students can use local cycling routes and longer routes such as the Veloway and City-to-Coast routes.

Students bringing a bicycle should check whether their accommodation has secure bike storage before signing a lease.

Travelling Around Adelaide

Adelaide Railway Station

Adelaide Railway Station is located in the CBD and can be reached from Thebarton using the tram network. The station is useful for students travelling to other parts of Adelaide through the metropolitan rail network.

Adelaide Parklands Terminal

Students travelling interstate or taking long-distance rail journeys can use Adelaide Parklands Terminal. The terminal serves long-distance services including The Ghan, The Overland and the Indian Pacific.

The terminal is separate from Adelaide Railway Station, so students should check the departure point before travelling.

Adelaide Airport

Adelaide Airport is approximately 7 km from Adelaide CBD. There is no direct rail connection to the airport.

Students can reach the airport using Adelaide Metro bus services, the JetExpress shuttle or a rideshare/taxi service. Travel time varies with traffic and the chosen route.

International students should factor airport travel into their planning when arriving in Adelaide, particularly if they are carrying several bags or travelling outside normal public transport hours.