Central Queensland University Accommodation

Central Queensland University Australia, commonly known as CQUniversity or CQU, is a public dual-sector university. Its dual-sector status means that it offers both higher education and vocational qualifications comparable to TAFE-level study.

The university was founded in 1967 and has since developed a multi-campus network extending across Queensland and other mainland states of Australia. Its headquarters are in Rockhampton, although Brisbane is one of its major metropolitan study locations.

CQU's Brisbane Campus

The Brisbane campus is located at 160 Ann Street in Brisbane CBD. The nine-floor facility contains lecture rooms, laboratories, a library, and student lounges.

Unlike a traditional residential university campus, the Brisbane site operates as a commuter campus. There are no on-campus residential colleges for Brisbane students, meaning that students looking for cqu accommodation need to arrange housing independently.

The CBD location changes the accommodation search considerably. Rather than having to live beside a university residence, students can choose from several inner-city suburbs and commute to campus on foot, by bus, train, or ferry.

Students and Academic Profile

CQUniversity has more than 30,000 students studying online and on campus across Australia, including more than 5,000 international students. The university has also been recognised as Australia's only certified social enterprise university.

Its academic offering spans higher education and vocational study, reflecting its dual-sector structure. This gives the university a student population with different study patterns, including students attending campus regularly and others combining campus-based study with online learning.

Rankings

CQUniversity has appeared in the major global university rankings for 2026.

Ranking	2026 Result
QS World University Rankings	Tied #499 globally; 28th in Australia
Times Higher Education World University Rankings	#401–500 globally; tied 26th–32nd in Australia

These rankings provide one measure of the university's position internationally and nationally, although students should also consider the specific course, campus, and study format when comparing institutions.

Academic Calendar

CQUniversity operates on a trimester system, with three terms each year.

The proposed 2026 dates for the Brisbane campus are

Term	Proposed Dates
Term 1	9 March – 5 June 2026
Term 2	13 July – 9 October 2026
Term 3	9 November 2026 – 12 February 2027

These dates are listed as proposed rather than finalised. Students should check CQUniversity's official academic calendar before booking flights, accommodation, or making other arrangements around term dates.

Student life at CQUniversity's Brisbane campus has a different character from that of a large residential university. The campus is a nine-floor facility in the CBD rather than a self-contained residential precinct, so much of the social experience extends into the surrounding city.

Students can use CQU's Be Involved programme for clubs, orientation activities, and other opportunities to connect with the university community. The programme is particularly relevant to CQU's multi-campus structure, which includes students studying across metropolitan, regional, and online locations.

The Brisbane campus may have a smaller on-campus social calendar than a large traditional university, but its CBD location puts students close to restaurants, entertainment, shopping, cultural institutions, and public spaces across central Brisbane.

Student Engagement

CQUniversity uses its Be Involved programme to support student engagement rather than relying on a single independent student union.

The programme coordinates clubs, orientation activities, and other events intended to connect students across CQU's wider student community. This is useful for a university with students spread across multiple campuses and study modes.

The exact activities available at the Brisbane campus can vary, so students interested in particular clubs or events should check the current programme after enrollment.

Sports and Recreation

The Brisbane CBD campus does not have dedicated on-campus sports facilities. Students generally rely on commercial gyms, fitness centres and Brisbane's public parks for exercise and recreation.

The city's riverside areas and parklands also give students alternatives to indoor fitness facilities. The choice of activity will depend on where the student lives and how far they are willing to travel from the campus.

Students should check current CQU information if they are looking for university-specific sporting arrangements or partnerships.

Nightlife and Social Scene

The CBD location gives students access to several different parts of Brisbane's social scene.

Brisbane CBD itself has restaurants, cafes, bars, and entertainment venues within walking distance of the campus. Central Station is also nearby, making it easier to reach other parts of the city.

Fortitude Valley is one of Brisbane's main nightlife districts. It is known for live music, clubs, bars and restaurants and can be reached from the CBD on foot or by train.

South Bank provides another option across the Brisbane River. Its cultural precinct and riverside setting add restaurants, entertainment, and evening activities within a short ferry or train journey.

Students living in different suburbs can therefore choose between staying close to the CBD or travelling to a specific precinct depending on the type of evening they have planned.

Shopping and Markets

Queen Street Mall is Brisbane's main pedestrian shopping precinct and is within walking distance of the CQU campus. It includes major retailers, department stores and smaller shops.

Students can also find supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths within the CBD, making routine grocery shopping possible without a long journey.

Other neighbourhoods offer different shopping experiences. Fortitude Valley has the James Street retail precinct, while West End has independent businesses and local food outlets.

Culture and Events

Brisbane's central location gives CQU students access to a broad range of cultural venues.

South Bank is home to major institutions and venues, including

• Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

• Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)

• State Library of Queensland

The CBD itself hosts festivals and public events at different times of the year. Fortitude Valley adds a strong live-music component, while the surrounding inner suburbs have smaller arts, food, and community events.

The availability and timing of individual events change throughout the year, so students should check current event listings when planning activities.

Healthcare and Wellbeing

Australian universities commonly provide health, wellbeing, or counselling support to enrolled students, but the specific services available at CQUniversity's Brisbane campus should be confirmed directly with the university.

International students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the required period of their student visa. Students should understand the terms of their policy and the services it covers before arriving in Australia.

Students requiring medical care should also consider the location of healthcare providers in relation to their accommodation, rather than assuming that all services are available on campus.

Safety

Students living and studying in central Brisbane should use the same basic precautions expected in any busy city. This includes taking care of personal belongings, remaining aware of their surroundings, and planning the journey home when travelling late.

The source information does not provide a specific Brisbane campus security programme or confirmed after-hours escort service. Students should check CQUniversity's current safety guidance for details of any services available to them.

The location of CQU's Brisbane campus gives students several inner-city options. Brisbane CBD offers the shortest commute, while Fortitude Valley, Spring Hill, New Farm, and South Brisbane/West End provide different combinations of rent, lifestyle, and transport access.

Shared-room prices below are approximate weekly ranges. Actual rent varies according to property, room type, lease period, and availability.

Brisbane CBD

Distance to campus: 0–1 km
Typical commute: Around 2–15 minutes on foot
Shared-room rent: Approximately AU$300–430/week

The Brisbane CBD is the most straightforward choice for students who want to stay close to the Ann Street campus. The university sits within the CBD grid, putting Central Station, Queen Street Mall, and the Brisbane River within the broader area.

Living here can reduce the need for daily public transport, particularly for students whose accommodation is within walking distance of 160 Ann Street. The trade-off is that CBD rents can be higher than those in some surrounding suburbs.

Best suited to: Students who prioritise a short commute and want shops, cafes, restaurants, and transport connections close to their accommodation.

Fortitude Valley

Distance to campus: Around 1.5 km
Typical commute: Approximately 15–20 minutes on foot or a short train journey
Shared-room rent: Approximately AU$300–420/week

Fortitude Valley sits just north-east of the CBD and is one of Brisbane's major entertainment districts. The area includes Chinatown, live-music venues, and the James Street fashion and retail precinct.

Its location works well for students who want to combine a short journey to university with easy access to restaurants, music venues, and evening activities.

Best suited to: Students who place a high value on nightlife, music, food, and a busy inner-city environment.

Spring Hill

Distance to campus: Approximately 1.5 km
Typical commute: Around 15–20 minutes on foot or by bus
Shared-room rent: Approximately AU$290–410/week

Spring Hill borders the CBD but has a more residential character than the central business district itself. Its heritage buildings and access to parkland give the area a different feel from the high-density CBD.

The estimated shared-room rent is also slightly lower than the upper ranges listed for some of the other inner-city areas.

Best suited to: Students who want a quieter residential setting without moving far from the CBD campus.

Budget pick: Spring Hill is the budget pick among these five areas based on its relatively low shared-room rental range and short commute.

New Farm

Distance to campus: Around 3 km
Typical commute: Bus or CityCat ferry
Shared-room rent: Approximately AU$310–440/week

New Farm is a riverside suburb known for New Farm Park, the Brisbane Powerhouse, and its cafe scene. Its position along the Brisbane River gives students another way to travel into the CBD through the CityCat ferry network.

The suburb is farther from the campus than Fortitude Valley or Spring Hill, but the river connection can make the commute practical for students living near an appropriate ferry stop.

Best suited to: Students who prefer a riverside neighbourhood, green spaces, and access to arts and cultural venues.

Premium pick: New Farm is the premium choice in this comparison because of its riverside setting and higher-end rental range.

South Brisbane and West End

Distance to campus: About 2 km
Typical commute: Train or ferry
Shared-room rent: Approximately AU$290–420/week

South Brisbane and neighbouring West End sit across the Brisbane River from the CBD. The area is closely associated with Brisbane's cultural precinct, including QPAC, GOMA, and the State Library.

West End has a strong cafe and dining scene, while South Brisbane has major transport connections through its rail stations and ferry services.

For CQU students, the area offers a useful combination of cultural facilities and transport links to the CBD.

Best suited to: Students interested in arts, culture, independent food venues, and access to several public transport options.

Comparing the Main Neighbourhoods

Area	Approx. Distance	Typical Commute	Shared-Room Rent	Main Advantage
Brisbane CBD	0–1 km	2–15 min walk	AU$300–430/week	Closest to campus
Fortitude Valley	~1.5 km	15–20 min walk/train	AU$300–420/week	Nightlife and entertainment
Spring Hill	~1.5 km	15–20 min walk/bus	AU$290–410/week	Lower rent and residential setting
New Farm	~3 km	Bus/ferry	AU$310–440/week	Riverside lifestyle
South Brisbane / West End	~2 km	Train/ferry	AU$290–420/week	Arts and cultural precinct

Brisbane's CityCat network is particularly useful for students considering New Farm or South Brisbane/West End. The ferries function as part of the city's public transport system rather than simply serving as a sightseeing service, although the usefulness of the route depends on where the accommodation and campus are located.

Students should also remember that CQU's Brisbane accommodation market overlaps with the housing market used by students from other universities. This means the same inner-city suburbs serve several student populations, particularly around the CBD, South Bank, Fortitude Valley, and surrounding areas.

Accommodation is likely to be one of the largest expenses for students in Brisbane, but rent is only part of the weekly budget. A reasonable estimate for general living expenses, excluding rent, is approximately AU$300–450 per week.

The actual amount depends on eating habits, transport use, household arrangements, and how frequently a student spends money on social activities.

Expense	Estimated Weekly Cost
Groceries and food	AU$100–150
Transport	AU$35–50
Household bills	AU$40–60
Socialising and going out	AU$55–95
Mobile subscription	AU$15–25
Course costs	AU$10–20
Estimated total, excluding rent	AU$300–450

Groceries and Food

Students can set aside approximately AU$100–150 per week for groceries and food. Students living near the CBD have access to major supermarkets, including Coles and Woolworths, as well as smaller food retailers.

Cooking regularly and sharing household purchases with flatmates can help keep food spending closer to the lower end of the estimate. Regular takeaway meals and restaurant visits will increase the weekly total.

Transport

A student commuting five days a week can budget around AU$35–50 per week for transport. Actual spending depends on the routes used and the fare structure in place at the time.

Brisbane's network includes buses, trains, and CityCat ferries, so students in the inner suburbs can choose between several modes depending on their location.

Fare policies can change, including temporary flat-fare arrangements, so students should check the current Translink information before fixing a long-term transport budget.

Household Bills

Students sharing a house or apartment can expect their portion of electricity, gas, and internet to come to approximately AU$40–60 per week.

The figure can vary considerably depending on the number of housemates, energy consumption, and whether any utilities are already included in the rent.

Socialising

A budget of approximately AU$55–95 per week can cover entertainment, occasional meals out, and other social activities.

Students living in Fortitude Valley, the CBD, or the West End may find it easier to spend more time simply because restaurants, bars, cafes, and entertainment venues are close by. Keeping a separate weekly allowance for discretionary spending can help prevent these costs from eating into the money set aside for essentials.

Mobile and Study Costs

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

Students should also allow around AU$10–20 per week, averaged across the year, for textbooks and other course materials.

Student Visa Financial Requirement

International students should also be aware of the Australian government's financial-capacity requirement for the Student Visa (subclass 500).

The 2026 benchmark is AU$29,710 per year, which works out to approximately AU$571 per week.

This figure is a visa financial-capacity benchmark rather than a personal weekly spending budget. It does not provide a separate allocation for rent, groceries, transport, or other expenses. Students should therefore prepare a separate budget based on their actual accommodation costs and expected lifestyle.

Visa requirements can be updated, so international students should verify the current threshold through the Australian Department of Home Affairs before submitting an application.

Students searching for CQU student accommodation will generally come across private rooms, shared rooms, studio flats, and entire properties. The right choice depends on how much personal space you need, how comfortable you are sharing facilities, and how much of your weekly budget can go towards rent.

Room Type	What It Includes	Privacy	Relative Cost
Private Room	Own bedroom with shared kitchen and living areas	Moderate to high	Moderate
Shared Room	Bedroom shared with one or more students	Low	Lowest
Studio Flat	Self-contained bedroom, living area, kitchenette, and bathroom	High	Higher
Entire Place	Complete apartment or house, alone or with chosen housemates	Highest	Highest

Private Room

A private room gives you your own bedroom while the kitchen and living areas are shared with other residents. The bathroom may also be shared, although some PBSA properties offer private en-suite bathrooms attached to individual rooms.

This arrangement is useful for students who want personal sleeping space without paying the higher rent associated with a studio or entire apartment. It is common in shared apartments and houses as well as purpose-built student accommodation in Brisbane.

Shared Room

A shared room is generally the least expensive option. You share the sleeping area with one or more students, alongside other communal areas such as the kitchen and living room.

The lower rent can make this attractive for students working with a tight budget, including international students managing their initial costs in Brisbane. The main compromise is privacy, so students should consider their preferred living arrangement before choosing this option.

Studio Flat

A studio is a self-contained unit combining the bedroom and living area into one open-plan space. It generally has its own kitchenette and bathroom.

Studios suit students who prefer to manage their own routine and have greater control over their personal space. The additional privacy comes at a higher weekly cost, so the rent should be considered alongside other expenses such as utilities and transport.

Entire Place

Renting an entire place means taking a complete apartment or house rather than an individual room. It may be occupied alone or shared with friends or chosen housemates.

This arrangement provides the greatest control over the living environment and generally offers more space. The total rent is usually higher, although splitting a multi-bedroom property among several students can make the individual share more manageable.

Students comparing room types should also check exactly what the advertised rent covers. Utilities, internet, and other charges can affect the final weekly cost even when two properties have similar starting prices.

CQU's Brisbane campus is at 160 Ann Street, placing it within the CBD. The accommodation options below cover several parts of Brisbane, including Brisbane City, South Bank, Herston, and Kangaroo Point.

Accommodation	Address	Listed Distance	Travel Time	Starting Price
UniLodge Brisbane City	41 George Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000	1.44 km	13-min walk / 13-min transit / 6-min drive	AU$319/week
Iglu, Brisbane City	65 Mary Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000	1.51 km	10-min walk / 10-min transit / 7-min drive	AU$449/week
Unilodge South Bank	125 Colchester Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101	0.0 km*	—	AU$409/week
UniLodge Herston	86 Bramston Terrace, Herston, QLD 4006	0.0 km*	—	AU$199/week
Student Living - Shafston	9–19 Castlebar St, Kangaroo Point, QLD 4169	0.0 km*	—	AU$468/week

UniLodge Brisbane City

UniLodge Brisbane City is at 41 George Street in Brisbane City and is listed approximately 1.44 km from the CQU campus. The travel estimate is around 13 minutes on foot or by public transport, with a six-minute drive.

Starting prices are listed from AU$319 per week.

Its CBD location makes it relevant to students who want to remain close to the Ann Street campus and reduce the amount of time spent travelling to classes.

Iglu, Brisbane City

Iglu Brisbane City is located at 65 Mary Street in Brisbane City. The distance is 1.51 km, with an estimated 10-minute walk or public transport journey and a seven-minute drive.

Rooms are listed from AU$449 per week.

The property gives students another CBD option, although its starting price is higher than UniLodge Brisbane City. Students comparing the two should look at the room type, inclusions, and contract terms rather than rent alone.

Unilodge South Bank

Unilodge South Bank is located at 125 Colchester Street in South Brisbane. Its nearby by the CQU campus.

The starting price is AU$409 per week.

Its South Bank location puts students close to Brisbane's cultural precinct and the transport connections linking South Brisbane with the CBD.

UniLodge Herston

UniLodge Herston is at 86 Bramston Terrace in Herston..

Its starting price of AU$199 per week makes it the lowest-priced option in this main accommodation list.

Herston is outside the CBD, so students considering this property should verify the current public transport route and total journey time to 160 Ann Street before booking.

Student Living - Shafston

Student Living—Shafston is located at 9–19 Castlebar Street in Kangaroo Point. 

Rooms start from AU$468 per week.

The Kangaroo Point location gives students a different residential setting from the CBD and South Bank. Transport options should be checked against the student's class timetable and accommodation location.

The advertised prices above are starting rates rather than fixed costs for every room. Availability, room category, contract length, and inclusions can change the amount payable each week.

Students working with a tighter budget have several options outside the immediate CBD. Some of the lowest starting rents are found in Herston and properties farther from the center, while UniLodge Brisbane City offers a relatively low starting price for a CBD location.

Accommodation	Distance	Travel Information	Starting Price
UniLodge Herston	Listed as 0.0 km	Not specified	AU$199/week
UniLodge Brisbane City	1.44 km	13-min walk / 13-min transit	AU$319/week
Unilodge South Bank	Listed as 0.0 km*	Not specified	AU$409/week

UniLodge Herston

At a listed starting price of AU$199 per week, UniLodge Herston is the cheapest property.

The accommodation is at 86 Bramston Terrace in Herston. The source does not provide a reliable campus distance or journey time for this property, so students should check the route to 160 Ann Street before comparing its total cost with CBD properties.

The lower rent could be useful for students whose priority is reducing accommodation expenditure, provided the additional travel time and transport costs remain manageable.

UniLodge Brisbane City

UniLodge Brisbane City starts from AU$319 per week and is listed 1.44 km from the campus. The estimate gives approximately 13 minutes on foot or by public transport.

For a student who wants to stay in Brisbane City rather than moving farther from the campus, this is one of the more affordable choices.

Its location can also reduce the need for regular public transport if the student is comfortable walking to classes.

Unilodge South Bank

Unilodge South Bank starts from AU$409 per week. The source records its distance as 0.0 km, but because the property is listed at 125 Colchester Street in South Brisbane, students should verify the actual journey independently.

South Bank's transport links provide access to the CBD by train and ferry, so the property's suitability depends partly on how those connections fit the student's daily schedule.

How to Compare the Lower-Cost Options

The cheapest weekly rent is not automatically the cheapest overall accommodation choice. A property farther from campus can introduce additional transport costs and a longer daily commute, while a room closer to 160 Ann Street may cost more but reduce those expenses.

Students comparing CQU accommodation should therefore check four figures together:

1. Weekly rent: Confirm the current starting rate and the specific room category attached to it.

2. Utilities: Check whether electricity, gas, water, and internet are included.

3. Transport: Calculate the expected weekly cost for travelling to campus and elsewhere in Brisbane.

4. Travel time: Consider the total time spent commuting each day, particularly if classes begin early or finish late.

For students focused primarily on rent, UniLodge Herston has the lowest listed starting price at AU$199 per week. Those wanting a more central location can compare it with UniLodge Brisbane City, listed from AU$319 per week, while Unilodge South Bank offers another option at AU$409 per week.

The final decision should come after checking the current room availability, lease conditions, inclusions, and route to the CQU Brisbane campus.

CQUniversity's Brisbane campus is located at 160 Ann Street, placing it within Brisbane's CBD transport network. Students living in the surrounding inner suburbs can reach campus through a combination of walking, buses, trains, and ferries.

Brisbane's public transport system is managed through Translink and includes buses, trains, and CityCat ferries. The go card system is used across the network, although current payment and fare arrangements should always be checked before travelling.

Walking

Students living within Brisbane CBD can often walk to campus rather than use public transport.

The estimate for the CBD puts accommodation approximately 0–1 km from campus, with walking journeys generally taking around 2–15 minutes.

Walking can also make sense for students living in nearby parts of Spring Hill or Fortitude Valley, depending on the exact location of their accommodation.

Travelling from Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley is approximately 1.5 km from the campus. Students can walk or take a short train journey to Central Station, which is close to the CQU campus.

The estimate places the journey at around 15–20 minutes on foot or by train.

Brisbane City Council bus services also operate through the area, giving students another option depending on their starting point.

Travelling from Spring Hill

Spring Hill is also approximately 1.5 km from campus. Walking and buses are the main options, with a typical journey of around 15–20 minutes.

Because Spring Hill borders the CBD, the practicality of walking will depend heavily on where the accommodation is located.

Travelling from New Farm

New Farm is around 3 km from the campus. Students can use buses or the CityCat ferry network.

The ferry can be particularly useful for students living near a suitable terminal, as it provides a direct river connection to the CBD. Students should check the walking distance between their accommodation and ferry stop before choosing this as their regular commute.

Travelling from South Brisbane and West End

South Brisbane and West End are approximately 2 km from the campus. Students can travel by train or ferry.

South Brisbane and South Bank stations provide rail connections towards Central Station, while CityCat services offer another way to cross the Brisbane River and reach the CBD.

The best choice depends on the exact accommodation address and the location of the nearest station or ferry terminal.

Using a go card

The go card is used for many journeys across Brisbane's public transport network.

Students should check the current Translink fare structure before setting a weekly transport budget. Queensland has periodically introduced temporary fare policies, including flat-fare trials, so older cost estimates may not accurately reflect the amount a student will pay during their stay.

The current fare rules should take precedence over any general weekly estimate.

Cycling

Cycling can work well for students living in several inner-city areas. Brisbane has dedicated bike paths and riverside cycling routes, giving students an alternative to public transport for shorter journeys.

The suitability of cycling depends on the route, weather, traffic, and terrain. Students should check whether their accommodation has secure bicycle storage and whether the CQU campus has appropriate bike facilities before making cycling their primary commuting method.

Intercity Rail

Central Station and Roma Street Station are the main rail points relevant to students travelling through Brisbane.

Both are accessible from the CQU campus using the city's suburban rail network. Roma Street is particularly important for Queensland Rail's longer-distance services, including the Spirit of Queensland.

NSW TrainLink regional and interstate rail or coach connections are also available through Brisbane's wider transport network.

Students travelling beyond Brisbane should check the relevant operator's current timetable rather than relying on standard suburban service information.

Airport Access

Brisbane Airport is connected to the CBD through the Airtrain rail service. Students can travel between the airport and central stations, including Central and Roma Street.

Airtrain operates with a separate premium fare, so airport journeys can cost more than standard trips within the Translink network. Students should factor this into their travel budget if they expect to make frequent airport journeys.

The current Airtrain fare should be checked before travelling because prices and ticket arrangements can change.