Student Accommodation near Raffles College Of Design And Commerce

Raffles College of Design and Commerce (RCDC) was formerly a private higher education college in Australia. It was established in 1994 as part of the Singapore-headquartered Raffles Education Corporation's international network.

For roughly 25 years, the college offered creative and business-focused programmes in Sydney. Its academic offerings included areas such as

• Graphic Design

• Interior Design

• Fashion Design

• Film and Animation

• Photography

• Business and Commerce

Students could study towards diploma and degree-level qualifications across these subject areas.

Former RCDC Campus Locations

RCDC operated from different locations during its time in Australia. One of its known campuses was at 99 Mount Street, North Sydney, while its final TEQSA-registered address was 1 Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta.

The Parramatta campus was formally closed in early 2019 after Raffles Education Corporation notified TEQSA in late 2018 of its intention to withdraw as an Australian higher education provider. The college's course accreditations subsequently lapsed by December 2019.

RCDC is therefore no longer operating in Australia, and prospective students cannot enrol in its former programmes today.

The former campus locations remain useful as accommodation reference points, particularly for students researching Sydney's housing market or considering institutions located in North Sydney, Parramatta, or nearby suburbs.

Raffles College of Design and Commerce is no longer operating, so there is no current RCDC student community or campus event calendar to describe. The areas around its former North Sydney and Parramatta campuses, however, continue to have established social, retail, cultural, and recreational facilities for students attending other institutions.

The two locations offer quite different experiences. North Sydney is closely connected to the CBD and harbour suburbs, while Parramatta functions as one of the main commercial and cultural centres of Western Sydney.

Life Around the Former North Sydney Campus

The former RCDC campus at 99 Mount Street was located within North Sydney's business district. Students living nearby had access to cafes, restaurants, supermarkets, recreational facilities, and public transport.

Food and Socialising

The Mount Street precinct has cafes and restaurants around the former campus area, making it easy for students and workers in North Sydney to find places to eat during the day.

Students looking for a broader restaurant and bar scene could travel to Crows Nest, which has a larger concentration of dining and evening venues along the Pacific Highway.

The Sydney CBD is also close by. Students can cross the Harbour Bridge by train and reach central Sydney for a larger selection of restaurants, bars, entertainment venues, and events.

Since RCDC was a smaller private college, its student social programme would have been more limited than that of a large public university. Student activities and events were generally handled through the college's central student services rather than a large university-wide network of clubs.

Shopping Around North Sydney

Students living near the former North Sydney campus could find everyday groceries at supermarkets such as Coles and Woolworths in and around the area.

For a different weekend activity, the Kirribilli Markets offer arts, crafts, food, and other goods on selected weekends. Their location also makes them accessible from the surrounding North Sydney and harbour suburbs.

Recreation and Outdoor Spaces

The North Sydney Olympic Pool is a well-known harbourside public facility. Its location near the harbour gives residents of North Sydney and nearby suburbs an option for swimming and recreation outside the city's commercial areas.

The surrounding harbour areas also offer opportunities to spend time outdoors, particularly around Kirribilli, Milsons Point, and McMahons Point.

Life Around the Former Parramatta Campus

RCDC's final registered address was at 1 Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta. Although the college closed in 2019, Parramatta has continued to develop as a major centre for education, business, retail, dining, and entertainment in Western Sydney.

Food and Dining

Parramatta has a substantial selection of restaurants, cafes, and other food outlets covering different cuisines and price levels.

Students living around Parramatta can also travel to Harris Park, particularly the Wigram Street precinct, for South Asian restaurants, groceries, and specialist food outlets.

Shopping

Westfield Parramatta is one of the area's main shopping destinations. Students can use the centre for everyday purchases, groceries, clothing, electronics, and other services.

Its location within the Parramatta area also makes it accessible from surrounding suburbs through the local public transport network.

Culture and Recreation

Parramatta has several cultural and historical attractions.

Parramatta Park gives students access to open green space for walking, relaxation, and outdoor activities. Old Government House is located within the park and is an important historical site.

Riverside Theatres hosts performances including theatre, dance, and music, giving students access to cultural events without needing to travel into central Sydney.

The combination of restaurants, retail, historical sites, green spaces, and cultural venues makes Parramatta a practical base for students attending other institutions in Western Sydney.

Healthcare

RCDC's status as a private college meant that students were generally directed towards local medical centres rather than relying on a university-operated health service.

Students living in Sydney today can use local healthcare providers around their accommodation and institution.

International students should also account for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Students on the relevant Australian student visa are required to maintain appropriate health cover for the duration of their stay.

The former RCDC campus at 99 Mount Street was located in North Sydney, close to the area's business district and major transport connections. Students who once attended the campus had several residential suburbs within walking distance or a short public transport journey.

Those areas continue to attract students attending other Sydney institutions.

North Sydney

North Sydney, NSW 2060, was the closest residential area to the former RCDC campus. The suburb is centred around a major business district, with apartment buildings, cafes, restaurants, shops, and offices concentrated around the commercial core.

The former campus was within walking distance of much of North Sydney, with an estimated 5–15 minute walk from nearby accommodation.

Factor	Details
Distance to former North Sydney campus	Immediate surrounding area
Typical commute	5–15 minute walk
Share-room rent	Approx. AU$390–540/week
Best suited to	Students prioritising proximity

The local housing market tends to feature apartments rather than traditional student share houses. Students who want to minimise their daily commute can consider North Sydney, although the higher rent can make nearby suburbs worth comparing.

Milsons Point and Kirribilli

Milsons Point and Kirribilli, NSW 2061, are harbourside suburbs located close to North Sydney. The areas are known for views towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House, as well as their access to rail and ferry services.

The former RCDC campus could be reached in around 15–20 minutes on foot or by a short train journey.

Factor	Details
Distance to former campus	Short walk or train journey
Typical commute	15–20 minutes
Share-room rent	Approx. AU$400–560/week
Best suited to	Students seeking a premium harbourside location

Crows Nest

Crows Nest, NSW 2065, is approximately 2 km from the former North Sydney campus. The suburb has a substantial restaurant and bar scene along the Pacific Highway and connections to North Sydney through buses and the Sydney Metro.

Factor	Details
Distance to former campus	Approx. 2 km
Main transport	Bus or Sydney Metro
Share-room rent	Approx. AU$370–520/week
Best suited to	Students seeking lower rent and local dining

Crows Nest can be a useful alternative to North Sydney for students who want to remain close to the former campus area while looking at a somewhat lower rental range.

The opening of Victoria Cross Station on the Sydney Metro has also strengthened the transport connection between the North Sydney area and other parts of the city.

Neutral Bay

Neutral Bay, NSW 2089, is around 2 km from the former campus. The harbourside suburb has shops and restaurants concentrated around Military Road, while buses and ferries connect it with other parts of Sydney.

Factor	Details
Distance to former campus	Approx. 2 km
Main transport	Bus or ferry
Share-room rent	Approx. AU$380–530/week
Best suited to	Students seeking a quieter residential area

Neutral Bay offers a different setting from the North Sydney business district while retaining access to central Sydney through public transport.

McMahons Point

McMahons Point, NSW 2060, is approximately 1.5 km from the former campus. The suburb occupies a harbourside location beneath the Harbour Bridge and has a lower-density residential character.

Students could reach the former campus by walking or using ferry services.

Factor	Details
Distance to former campus	Approx. 1.5 km
Main transport	Walking or ferry
Share-room rent	Approx. AU$390–540/week
Best suited to	Students seeking a premium residential setting

Comparing Areas Around the Former North Sydney Campus

Area	Approx. Distance	Share-Room Rent	Main Consideration
North Sydney	Immediate area	AU$390–540/week	Shortest commute
McMahons Point	~1.5 km	AU$390–540/week	Harbourside setting
Crows Nest	~2 km	AU$370–520/week	Dining and comparatively lower rent
Neutral Bay	~2 km	AU$380–530/week	Residential setting and ferry access
Milsons Point/Kirribilli	Short walk/train	AU$400–560/week	Premium harbourside location

Students prioritising the shortest commute can look at North Sydney itself. Crows Nest stands out as a lower-priced alternative within the rental ranges, while Milsons Point and Kirribilli sit at the higher end.

The former North Sydney campus's location also meant that students could access the wider Sydney transport network without relying exclusively on accommodation within the immediate business district.

Sydney has a relatively high cost of living, and students considering accommodation around North Sydney should prepare for higher everyday expenses than they might encounter in some other Australian cities.

The estimate for a single student living around the former North Sydney campus is AU$380–550 per week, excluding rent.

Expense	Estimated Weekly Cost
Groceries and food	AU$120–175
Transport	AU$50–65
Household bills	AU$50–75
Socialising and going out	AU$70–120
Mobile subscription	AU$15–25
Course costs	AU$10–20
Total excluding rent	AU$380–550/week

Groceries and Food

Students can budget approximately AU$120–175 per week for groceries and food.

North Sydney's business-district location means that students may have fewer low-cost grocery choices immediately around the former campus than in some surrounding suburbs. Crows Nest is another option for shopping and food and can be reached by bus or metro.

Actual spending will depend on how often a student cooks, eats out, or purchases takeaway meals.

Transport

A student commuting around five days per week can estimate around AU$50–65 per week for public transport. Sydney's Opal system is used across trains, buses, ferries, and other public transport services.

Eligible full-time students may qualify for concession fares, which can reduce regular travel costs. Students should check their current eligibility and applicable fares when preparing their budget.

Household Bills

Students sharing an apartment or house can expect to contribute around AU$50–75 per week towards electricity, gas, and internet.

The actual amount depends on the property, the number of occupants, usage, and whether any utilities are included in the rent.

Socialising and Entertainment

Around AU$70–120 per week can be allocated to socialising, entertainment, dining out, and other leisure activities.

North Sydney, Crows Nest, and the wider Sydney CBD offer restaurants, cafes, bars, and entertainment venues, although spending can rise quickly in central areas.

Mobile Plans

A typical Australian prepaid or SIM-only mobile plan may cost around AU$15–25 per week. This is equivalent to approximately AU$65–100 per month.

Course and Study Costs

Students should also allow approximately AU$10–20 per week for course-related expenses. This is an averaged estimate covering items such as textbooks, stationery, and other study materials.

Student Visa Financial Benchmark

International students should distinguish their personal budget from Australia's student visa financial-capacity requirement.

The benchmark for student visa subclass 500 applicants is AU$29,710 per year, or approximately AU$571 per week. This figure is used as a financial-capacity benchmark for visa purposes rather than as a detailed estimate of what every student will actually spend.

Students renting in North Sydney or the surrounding harbourside suburbs should be particularly careful with their accommodation budget because these areas can sit towards the higher end of the rental ranges.

Since RCDC is no longer operating, these figures should be read as current accommodation and living context for the former campus areas, rather than as costs associated with studying at RCDC today.

Students looking for accommodation around RCDC's former campuses would have encountered several room configurations, ranging from shared bedrooms to fully private apartments. These options remain relevant for students attending other institutions in Sydney.

The main differences are the amount of private space, access to shared facilities, and weekly rent.

Room Type	Description	Privacy	Cost
Shared Room	Bedroom shared with one or more students, with communal kitchen and living areas	Low	Usually the lowest-cost option
Private Room	Private bedroom within a shared apartment or house	Medium to high	Usually less expensive than a studio
En-suite Room	Private bedroom with an attached bathroom, while kitchen and living spaces are shared	High	More expensive than a standard private room
Studio Flat	Self-contained unit with sleeping, living, and cooking areas plus a private bathroom	Very high	Generally higher-priced
Entire Place	Whole apartment or house rented alone, with a partner, or with friends	Highest	Usually the highest total rent

Students can decrease their weekly accommodation costs by sharing a room, although privacy is limited. It can also be ideal for students who enjoy living in close quarters with other students.

Private: The student has their own bedroom but shared access to spaces such as the kitchen, living room, etc. This setup can provide a compromise between price and privacy.

An en suite room means there is a private bathroom in the bedroom. The kitchen and other common areas are still shared by flatmates.

A studio flat is self-contained with sleeping, living, and cooking spaces in one open-plan room with a separate private bathroom. This provides students more freedom but is usually attached to a higher rent.

In an entire place, the occupant has power over the entire property. Students can choose to rent a single unit or share a larger unit with friends, which can make the overall rent more affordable when divided among multiple people.

As students examine their ideal level of privacy and social contact, they should also factor in their weekly budget when comparing room choices.

Raffles College of Design and Commerce's final registered address was 1 Fitzwilliam Street, Parramatta. The college no longer operates from this location, but Parramatta remains a significant education and residential area in Western Sydney.

The following properties are current accommodation options in the Parramatta area or surrounding parts of Sydney. The distances are referenced to the Parramatta area.

UKO Parramatta Central

UKO Parramatta Central is stated to be 0.58 km from the Parramatta reference point. Starting prices are from AU$820/week.

The provided travel estimate is around 5 minutes by walking or driving. The Parramatta CBD location is one of the closest alternatives for living near the former RCDC campus region.

Students studying at another university in Parramatta may want to consider this sort of accommodation if being close to the CBD is a priority.

Belong to Parramatta

Belong Parramatta is listed 1.24 km from the Parramatta reference point, with prices starting from AU$850 per week.

The travel time is approximately 12 minutes on foot or 4 minutes by car. Its location in Parramatta places students close to the area's shopping, dining, and transport facilities.

The higher weekly price compared with some of the other listings reflects its position in the Parramatta CBD accommodation market.

Western Sydney University Village Parramatta Campus

Western Sydney University Village Parramatta Campus starts from AU$305 per week and is listed 2.1 km from the Parramatta reference point.

The public transport journey is approximately 8 minutes.

This is substantially cheaper than the two Parramatta CBD properties listed above, making it relevant to students who want to remain around Parramatta while keeping accommodation costs lower.

The residence is associated with Western Sydney University, so students should check eligibility and current accommodation conditions before applying.

UKO West Ryde

UKO West Ryde is approximately 10.26 km from the Parramatta reference point and starts from AU$530 per week.

The transit time is around 24 minutes. West Ryde gives students another option outside the immediate Parramatta CBD while retaining a public transport connection to the area.

Student Village North Ryde

Student Village North Ryde is listed at approximately 13.57 km from Parramatta, with starting prices from AU$368 per week.

The transit time is around 37 minutes.

This property may be more relevant to students studying around Macquarie Park or those who prefer the North Ryde area and are willing to accept a longer journey to Parramatta.

EPIISOD Macquarie Park

EPIISOD Macquarie Park is approximately 14.16 km from the Parramatta reference point and starts from AU$699 per week.

The public transport journey is around 58 minutes.

Macquarie Park is farther from the former RCDC Parramatta campus than the other options discussed above. It is therefore more relevant to students whose studies or daily activities are centred around northern Sydney.

Comparing the Main Options

Property	Starting Price	Listed Distance from Parramatta	Transit Time
UKO Parramatta Central	AU$820/week	0.58 km	~5 min
Belong Parramatta	AU$850/week	1.24 km	~12 min
Western Sydney University Village Parramatta Campus	AU$305/week	2.1 km	~8 min
UKO West Ryde	AU$530/week	10.26 km	~24 min
Student Village North Ryde	AU$368/week	13.57 km	~37 min
EPIISOD Macquarie Park	AU$699/week	14.16 km	~58 min

The three closest properties are UKO Parramatta Central, Belong Parramatta, and Western Sydney University Village Parramatta Campus. Their weekly prices differ considerably, so students should compare the rent against the room type, lease terms, and facilities included in the current listing.

The remaining properties involve longer journeys from Parramatta but may make more sense for students whose academic institutions or employment are located elsewhere in Sydney.

Students looking for lower-cost accommodation in Sydney may need to balance weekly rent against distance from their institution. This is particularly important around Parramatta, where some of the cheaper options are located well outside the immediate area.

The following properties are among the lower-priced:

UniLodge Ultimo

UniLodge Ultimo starts from AU$100 per week and is listed 22.74 km from the Parramatta reference point.

The transit time is around 38 minutes.

The AU$100 weekly figure is considerably lower than the other listed options. Students should verify the current room type, availability, lease conditions, inclusions, and advertised rate before relying on this figure for their budget.

Its location closer to central Sydney also means that it may be more appropriate for students attending another institution in the city rather than someone needing to travel to Parramatta every day.

Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Village

Western Sydney University Campbelltown Village starts from AU$185 per week and is listed 53.41 km from Parramatta.

The transit time is around 104 minutes.

This is one of the lower-cost options in the data, but its main relevance is to students studying at Western Sydney University's Campbelltown Campus. The long journey to Parramatta makes it less practical for someone whose daily destination is the former RCDC campus area.

Western Sydney University Penrith Village

Western Sydney University Penrith Village starts from AU$215 per week and is approximately 29.21 km from Parramatta.

The public transport journey is around 56 minutes.

Like Campbelltown Village, this accommodation is primarily relevant to students studying at the Penrith Campus. Students attending elsewhere should assess the daily travel requirement before selecting it because of its low starting price.

Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Village

Western Sydney University Hawkesbury Village starts from AU$238 per week and is listed 42.19 km from Parramatta.

The transit time is approximately 85 minutes.

Its main advantage is for students studying at the Hawkesbury Campus, where its location is much more relevant than its Parramatta distance suggests.

Ume Redfern Village

Ume Redfern Village starts from AU$280 per week and is approximately 24.37 km from Parramatta.

The transit time is around 55 minutes.

Redfern offers a more central Sydney location than the Western Sydney university villages, while the listed weekly rent remains below several of the Parramatta CBD options.

Sydney Student Living Concord

Sydney Student Living Concord starts from AU$295 per week and is listed as 12.25 km from Parramatta.

The transit time is approximately 19 minutes, making it one of the more practical lower-priced options for students who need to reach Parramatta regularly.

Western Sydney University Village Parramatta Campus

At AU$305 per week, Western Sydney University Village Parramatta Campus is one of the stronger combinations of price and proximity.

The property is listed at 2.1 km from Parramatta, with an approximately 8-minute transit journey.

For students whose institution or employment is in Parramatta, the shorter journey can also reduce daily transport expenditure compared with a cheaper property much farther away.

Mountain x Scape

Mountain x Scape starts from AU$339 per week and is listed 22.9 km from Parramatta.

The transit time is around 34 minutes.

Its location in Ultimo puts students closer to central Sydney, making it a possible option for those who want to combine a lower starting rent with access to the CBD.

Affordable Options at a Glance

Property	Starting Price	Listed Distance from Parramatta	Transit Time
UniLodge Ultimo	AU$100/week	22.74 km	~38 min
Western Sydney University, Campbelltown Village	AU$185/week	53.41 km	~104 min
Western Sydney University Penrith Village	AU$215/week	29.21 km	~56 min
Western Sydney University, Hawkesbury Village	AU$238/week	42.19 km	~85 min
Ume Redfern Village	AU$280/week	24.37 km	~55 min
Sydney Student Living Concord	AU$295/week	12.25 km	~19 min
Western Sydney University Village Parramatta Campus	AU$305/week	2.1 km	~8 min
Mountain x Scape	AU$339/week	22.9 km	~34 min

The cheapest listing is not necessarily the lowest-cost choice overall. A student paying less rent but spending substantially more time and money on daily transport may end up with a higher combined housing and commuting expense.

Students should also verify current prices before booking. The figures are starting prices and can vary according to room type, availability, lease duration, and other property conditions.

Since RCDC has closed, anyone researching Raffles College of Design and Commerce accommodation today should treat these properties as general Sydney student housing options rather than accommodation affiliated with the former college.

The former North Sydney RCDC campus was located in an area with strong public transport connections. Students living nearby could choose between walking, trains, metro services, buses, and ferries depending on their suburb and destination.

Sydney's public transport network is managed by Transport for NSW. Fares can be paid using an Opal card or accepted contactless payment methods.

North Sydney

Students living in North Sydney could generally walk to the former campus. Nearby residences were approximately 0–1 km away, with an estimated 5–15 minute walking journey.

For students whose accommodation was within this range, walking could remove the need for a daily public transport journey.

Milsons Point and Kirribilli

Students living in Milsons Point or Kirribilli could reach the former campus in around 15–20 minutes by walking or train.

Both areas have rail connections, including services that cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge. This also gives residents access to the Sydney CBD and other parts of the metropolitan network.

Crows Nest

Crows Nest is approximately 2 km from the former North Sydney campus.

Students travelling from the area can use buses or Sydney Metro services. The opening of Victoria Cross Station has strengthened the connection between Crows Nest and North Sydney, making metro travel another option for journeys around the area.

Neutral Bay

Neutral Bay is also approximately 2 km from the former campus.

Buses along Military Road provide connections towards North Sydney, while Neutral Bay Wharf gives residents access to ferry services towards Circular Quay. Students can then connect with other services from the city.

Comparing the Main Routes

Area	Approx. Distance	Main Transport	Estimated Journey
North Sydney	0–1 km	Walk	5–15 min
Milsons Point/Kirribilli	Nearby	Walk or train.	15–20 min
Crows Nest	~2 km	Bus or metro	Short local journey
Neutral Bay	~2 km	Bus or ferry	Short local journey

Actual journey times depend on the exact accommodation address, service frequency, and time of day.

Cycling Around North Sydney

Cycling is another option for students living relatively close to the former campus. Sydney's cycling network has expanded over time, although conditions vary between suburbs, and some North Shore routes include hills.

Students considering cycling should check the specific route between their accommodation and destination rather than relying solely on straight-line distance.

The availability of secure bicycle storage at a student accommodation Sydney property should also be checked before choosing it as a cycling-based option.

Central Station and Longer-Distance Travel

Central Station is Sydney's primary intercity rail interchange and can be reached from North Sydney by train.

NSW TrainLink regional and interstate rail and coach services depart from Central, making the station relevant to students travelling beyond metropolitan Sydney.

Students living around the former North Sydney campus can therefore use the local rail network to connect with longer-distance services without needing to travel across the city by road.

Sydney Airport Access

Sydney Airport (SYD) is served by the T8 Airport & South Line.

Students travelling from North Sydney can use the metropolitan rail network to reach the airport, with the exact route depending on the starting location and current services.

An airport station access fee applies to journeys to and from the airport stations in addition to the applicable public transport fare. Students should include this extra charge when calculating the cost of airport travel.

Eligible full-time students may qualify for Opal concession fares, although eligibility and current fares should always be checked before making a travel budget.

Transport and Accommodation Considerations

Students researching accommodation around RCDC's former locations should assess transport according to their current institution, since the former college no longer operates.

North Sydney works well as a base for students whose university or college is located around the North Shore or central Sydney. Parramatta is more relevant for students attending institutions in Western Sydney.

Location	Suitable Transport Approach
North Sydney	Walking for nearby accommodation; train, metro, bus, or ferry for longer journeys
Milsons Point/Kirribilli	Walk or train to North Sydney; rail access to central Sydney
Crows Nest	Metro or bus
Neutral Bay	Bus or ferry
Parramatta	Train, bus, or other local connections depending on destination
Harris Park	Train connections through Parramatta
Central Sydney	Train and metro connections
Sydney Airport	Rail connection using the T8 Airport & South Line

Students should check their current route using the Transport for NSW journey planner or app before travelling. Route numbers, stop names, service frequencies, fares, and journey times can change.