University Of Queensland Accommodation

When researching University of Queensland accommodation, it helps to know that the University of Queensland is a public research university and a founding member of Australia's Group of Eight. Established in 1909, it was Queensland's first university and is one of Australia's oldest universities.

UQ is also well known internationally. It ranked 40th in the QS World University Rankings 2027 and 80th in the THE World University Rankings 2026. The university has also produced two Nobel laureates and 117 Rhodes Scholars.

The main campus is at St Lucia, a 114-hectare riverside site in Brisbane. Its heritage-listed sandstone Great Court is one of the most recognisable parts of the campus and hosts many university events. UQ also has specialised campuses at Gatton, Herston and Dutton Park.

Around 57,154 students were enrolled at UQ in 2023. You can study across areas such as business, economics and law, engineering, architecture and IT, health, medicine, humanities, arts, social sciences and science. The St Lucia campus also has a large research library and a multi-sport precinct.

Your experience at UQ goes beyond classes and assignments. The St Lucia campus has clubs, sports facilities, cafes and cultural spaces, while nearby suburbs give you plenty of options for food, shopping and evenings out.

Student Union and Societies

The University of Queensland Union (UQU) plays an important role in student life. It runs clubs, societies, events and welfare and advocacy services.

You can find groups covering different cultures, academic interests, hobbies and sports. O-Week is also a useful time to see what is available and meet other students.

Sports and Recreation

UQ has a strong sporting culture, with more than 100 Olympic medallists among its alumni and community.

UQ Sport operates a large multi-sport precinct at St Lucia. Facilities include an Aquatic Centre, Fitness Centre and Tennis Centre.

Nightlife and Social Scene

• West End: Boundary Street has live music, bars, cafes and multicultural restaurants. You can reach the area by bus or CityCat.

• Toowong Village: A short trip from campus, with cafes, restaurants and a cinema.

• Brisbane CBD and Fortitude Valley: Head into the city for larger entertainment venues, clubs and nightlife.

The Brisbane Metro M2 also connects UQ Lakes with South Bank, Cultural Centre, King George Square and RBWH.

Shopping and Markets

The UQ campus has the UQ Shop and Op Shop, along with cafes and food outlets. For a wider choice of shops, Toowong Village and Indooroopilly Shopping Centre are close by.

West End's weekend markets are also popular for fresh produce and local finds.

Culture and Events

UQ has its own cultural spaces, including the UQ Art Museum. The heritage-listed Great Court is another major part of campus life and hosts graduations and university events.

South Bank is also within easy reach, with museums, galleries and performing arts venues.

Healthcare and Safety

UQ Health Care operates an on-campus medical clinic in the Gordon Greenwood Building at St Lucia, with QML Pathology services also available.

For campus safety, UQ uses the SafeZone app, which gives students quick access to security and first aid support. An after-hours safety bus service is also available at St Lucia.

Your choice of suburb can affect your rent, commute and day-to-day lifestyle. UQ's St Lucia campus is in a leafy residential area, but several nearby suburbs give you easy access to the university, shops, restaurants and Brisbane's wider transport network.

The campus has its own UQ Lakes busway station and UQ St Lucia CityCat ferry terminal, so you have several ways to get to and from classes.

St Lucia

Distance from campus: 0 - 1.5 km

Commute: Walking or cycling

Vibe: A quiet riverside suburb, St Lucia is an oasis of leafy streets and a residential feel. It’s great for students who want a quiet location close to campus.

Best for: Short commutes and the option to walk or cycle to lectures.

Affordability: The UQ guide states the average price of a one-bedroom flat is about AU$415 a week. Living near the campus also helps you save on transportation costs.

Toowong

Distance to campus: 2 to 3 km approx.

Commute: Approximately 10 to 15 minutes via bus or CityCat

Vibe: Toowong is a lively student-friendly suburb with Toowong Village, cafes, restaurants and great public transport links.

Best for: Easy access to shops, trains and UQ, but with heaps of places to eat and socialise.

The average weekly rent for a two-bedroom flat is $630.

West End

Distance to campus: Around 3 to 4 km

Commute: Around 10 to 15 minutes by CityCat or bus

Vibe: West End has a creative, multicultural feel, with cafes, bars, live music venues and the Davies Park Saturday market.

Best for: You enjoy an active social scene and want plenty of food and entertainment options nearby.

Indooroopilly

Distance to campus: Around 4 to 5 km

Commute: Around 10 to 15 minutes by bus to UQ Lakes

Vibe: Indooroopilly is a major retail and transport hub, centred around Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. It also has a more residential feel.

Best for: You want a large shopping centre, train access and a slightly longer commute to campus.

Taringa

Distance to campus: Around 3 km

Commute: Around 10 to 15 minutes by bus

Vibe: Taringa is a quieter, hilly suburb with plenty of houses and townhouses. It sits close to both St Lucia and Indooroopilly.

Best for: You plan to share a house with friends and prefer a quieter area.

Affordability: A three-bedroom house has a reported median rent of around AU$770 per week. Splitting this between several tenants can bring the individual cost down.

Auchenflower

Distance to campus: Around 4 to 5 km

Commute: Around 15 to 20 minutes using train and bus connections

Vibe: Auchenflower is a leafy residential suburb near the Wesley Hospital precinct. It offers a quieter setting than the West End.

Best for: You want train access and a residential neighbourhood rather than a busy nightlife area.

Rent: Reported median house rents are around AU$950 to AU$977 per week, while some one-bedroom units can be around AU$380 per week.

Practical Notes

• The Eleanor Schonell Bridge provides a direct connection between St Lucia and the Dutton Park/West End side for buses, bikes and pedestrians.

• St Lucia, West End, Toowong and Auchenflower have access to CityCat services, giving you another way to travel along the Brisbane River.

• Toowong, Taringa and Auchenflower sit on the Ipswich/Rosewood suburban rail line.

Your rent will usually be one of your biggest expenses in Brisbane, but you'll also need to budget for food, transport, bills, mobile plans and course materials.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs lists a financial capacity requirement of AU$29,710 per year, or roughly AU$571 per week, for relevant visa applicants. This is a minimum financial requirement, while actual uq accommodation costs can be higher. 

Expense	Approximate weekly cost
Groceries and food	AU$100–160
Transport	AU$25–45
Household bills	AU$30–60
Socialising	AU$50–100
Mobile plan	AU$10–25

Depending on your degree, you may also incur course-related costs such as textbooks, printing, lab coats or specialist equipment.

Those figures are guides, and they can change with prices and your lifestyle. The source also points out that UQ’s official cost estimates were last updated in November 2023, so treat the numbers as a rough planning guide.

There are a variety of room types for accommodation near University of Queensland. It will mostly depend on your budget, privacy and preferred way of living.

Private Room

A private room provides your own lockable bedroom, typically with basic furniture like a bed, desk and wardrobe. You may need to share bathrooms. You will share common areas like the kitchen and living room with other people living in the house.

It’s a practical choice if you want your own space without the higher price tag of a studio.

Shared Room

Shared room means you will share your bedroom with one or more students. This is often the cheapest option and can be a good choice if you enjoy social living.

In shared accommodation you will have less personal space, but it can be easier to meet other students.

Studio Flat

A studio is a small space for yourself with a separate sleeping area, kitchenette and bathroom. If you value independence and privacy, this is a good fit.

Studios are usually more expensive than a private room in a shared accommodation.

Entire Home

You will have the most control over your living situation if you rent an entire flat or house. You can live alone, with a partner or with a bunch of friends.

On the whole the rent will be higher, but if you are in a bigger house with other students, the amount you have to pay will be less.

Purpose-built student accommodation near uq typically offers private rooms, en-suite rooms and studios, often with utilities and shared facilities included in the rent.

The St Lucia campus has many commuter students, but you can also find purpose-built student accommodation through House of Student. Some options are based in Brisbane City, giving you access to the CBD along with public transport connections towards UQ.

Iglu Brisbane City

Location: 65 Mary Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000

Distance from UQ: Approximately 45.39 km from the St Lucia campus as listed in the source

Travel time: Around 88 minutes by public transport and 43 minutes by car, according to the source

Starting price: From AU$449 per week

Iglu Brisbane City suits students who want to live in the heart of Brisbane. You'll have shops, restaurants, entertainment and major transport connections nearby.

The longer journey to St Lucia may suit you if city living is a higher priority or if you also need convenient access to UQ's other campuses around Herston or Dutton Park.

UniLodge Brisbane City

Location: 41 George Street, Brisbane City, Queensland 4000

Distance from UQ: Approximately 45.47 km from the St Lucia campus as listed in the source

Travel time: Around 114 minutes by public transport and 46 minutes by car, according to the source

Starting price: From AU$319 per week

UniLodge Brisbane City is another CBD option. Its lower starting price can appeal to students who want city-centre living while keeping weekly rent lower than some other PBSA options.

You'll have Brisbane's shops, restaurants and entertainment close by, while public transport provides a connection towards UQ.

A lower weekly rent can make a big difference to your student budget. You can also look at the total value of your accommodation, including utilities, shared facilities, location and travel costs.

UniLodge Brisbane City

• Location: 41 George Street, Brisbane City, Qld 4000

• Distance from UQ: Around 45.47 km from the St Lucia campus as per the source

• Journey time: 114 min by public transport ( ) 46 min by car ( )

• Prices from: $319/week in Australia

• Why it’s affordable: UniLodge Brisbane City is the cheapest starting price of the two PBSA options listed here. Or, through shared accommodation, you can find cheaper options than a studio, in private rooms.

• Who this works for: If you want to keep the weekly rent down and don’t mind commuting into St Lucia, this could be an option.

Iglu Brisbane City

• Location: 65 Mary Street, Brisbane City, QLD 4000

• Distance from UQ: 45.39 km from St Lucia campus (figure taken from source)

• Travel time: ~ 88 minutes by public transit, 43 minutes by car

• Price: From AU$449/week

• How you save money: UniLodge Brisbane City, however, is cheaper. Iglu is another purpose-built student accommodation provider in the CBD, with a student-friendly environment and shared facilities.

Both options give you a CBD location, with public transport available for travelling towards UQ.

UQ St Lucia has its own UQ Lakes busway station and UQ St Lucia CityCat ferry wharf, giving you several ways to reach campus.

Getting to UQ St Lucia Campus

• St Lucia: Walking or cycling is the simplest option if you live within the suburb. Your journey can take around 0 to 15 minutes depending on your address.

• Toowong: Buses, trains and CityCat services connect Toowong with UQ. Bus and CityCat journeys usually take around 10 to 15 minutes.

• Indooroopilly: Direct buses from Indooroopilly bus station can reach UQ Lakes in around 15 to 20 minutes.

• West End: CityCat services can take around 10 to 15 minutes from the West End wharf to UQ St Lucia wharf. Buses also cross the Eleanor Schonell Bridge.

• Taringa: Buses can reach UQ Lakes in around 10 to 15 minutes. You can also use Taringa railway station and continue by bus or on foot.

• Auchenflower: Train, bus and CityCat connections are available, with journeys of around 15 to 20 minutes depending on the route.

Public Transport Network

TransLink operates Brisbane's buses, trains and CityCat ferries. Students can apply for a concession go card for discounted fares. UQ and much of inner Brisbane fall within zones 1 and 2.

The Brisbane Metro M2 connects UQ Lakes with locations including South Bank, Cultural Centre, King George Square and RBWH.

CityCat ferries give you a scenic way to travel along the Brisbane River, while nearby train stations in Toowong, Taringa, Auchenflower and Indooroopilly connect with the Ipswich-Rosewood line.

Cycling

Cycling can be a practical option if you live in St Lucia, West End, Toowong or nearby suburbs. UQ provides bike storage and shower facilities, while riverside bikeways connect the campus with several parts of Brisbane.

Airport Access

Brisbane Airport (BNE) is on the opposite side of the city from St Lucia. You can travel towards a major CBD station such as Roma Street or Central and then connect to the Airtrain.

You can get a rideshare service or a taxi directly, but that’s usually more expensive. Check the latest TransLink and AirTrain information before you travel, as journey times and fares can change.