University Of Southern Queensland Accommodation

The University of Southern Queensland (UniSQ), formerly known as USQ, is a public research university with a history dating back to 1967, when it began as the Queensland Institute of Technology (Darling Downs). It gained university status in 1992 and adopted the UniSQ name in 2022.

UniSQ’s main campus is in Toowoomba, while its Springfield Campus brings the university closer to Greater Brisbane. The campus is part of the purpose-built Education City precinct and is located at 37 Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield Central, QLD 4300.

The Springfield Campus has a strong focus on areas such as aviation, engineering, media, business, law, IT and allied health. Its facilities include engineering research labs, robotics rooms and a media centre for Film, Television & Screen Production, which is also home to Phoenix Radio.

One of its standout facilities is Queensland’s first Boeing 737-800 full-motion flight simulator, used for the Bachelor of Aviation programme.

UniSQ has around 20,288 students across its campuses. Springfield mainly operates as a commuter campus, so many students live in surrounding suburbs and travel to classes each day. This makes local USQ accommodation an important part of your planning.

Your student experience at UniSQ Springfield goes beyond classes. The campus and surrounding area give you several ways to stay active, meet people and enjoy your free time.

Student Guilds and Societies

The UniSQ Student Accommodation Guild supports student activities and has an office at the Springfield Campus in B Block, Room B153. The Guild also operates a gym in Building S.

You can join clubs and societies through its online Find a Club portal. The Works Health Recreation Club is also affiliated with the Student Guild.

Sports and Recreation

You can use the UniSQ Student Guild gym for your regular workouts. The Education City precinct also includes the Springfield Central Sports Complex, with netball and tennis courts.

Robelle Domain parklands sit next to the campus and provide walking and cycling tracks, sports fields and an amphitheatre. It’s a useful place to get outdoors, exercise or attend local events.

Nightlife and Social Scene

Springfield has a relaxed suburban social scene, with restaurants, cafes and Event Cinemas at Orion Springfield Central.

For more nightlife options, you can take the train towards Brisbane CBD or head into Ipswich. The UniSQ Student Guild also runs Social Hours and other events throughout the academic year.

Shopping and Markets

Orion Springfield Central is the main shopping destination near campus, with around 200 retailers, including Bunnings and BCF.

Robelle Domain also hosts Springfield Markets, where you can browse fresh produce and artisan stalls.

Culture and Events

Robelle Domain’s amphitheatre hosts outdoor performances and community events throughout the year. The Springfield Markets also give you an easy weekend activity close to home.

For university events, check the UniSQ Student Accommodation Guild calendar for upcoming activities and social gatherings.

Healthcare and Safety

Healthcare facilities are available within the Education City precinct. Mater Private Hospital Springfield operates in the area, while a new public Emergency Department by Mater opened in Springfield Central in 2026.

The wider Greater Springfield area is a master-planned residential community with a suburban setting. For current local safety information, you can check relevant Queensland Government and local police resources before making your accommodation decision.

UniSQ Springfield has no on-site residential colleges, so you’ll mainly look at private rentals, share houses and PBSA options in nearby areas. UniSQ also provides an online accommodation listings portal where students can view private housing options.

Here are some of the areas worth considering:

Springfield Central

• Commute: Walk or short bus ride

• Vibe: Contemporary and thoughtfully designed with Orion Springfield Central, Robelle Domain parklands and the Education City precinct nearby.

• Best for: Students who want shops, food and campus facilities close by.

• Average Weekly Rent: Private rooms in shared houses through the USQ accommodation portal have been about AU$290 per week with bills separately charged.

Living in Springfield Central simplifies your daily routine, especially if you like a short trip to class.

Springfield (including Springfield Lakes)

• Approximate Distance from Campus: 2-5 km

• Commute: Short drive or bus

• Vibe: Quiet residential, lakes, parks, family homes.

• Best For: Students who like a relaxed suburban setting near campus.

• Average Weekly Rent: Approximately AU$290 per week for a queen-bed room in a shared house about 3.5 km from campus, based on UniSQ listings from September 2026.

You get more space and a quieter setting here, while remaining a short distance from the university.

Augustine Heights

• Distance to Campus: About 3 to 5 km

• Commute: Short drive or bus

• Vibe: A residential suburb of houses and townhomes close to Springfield Central.

• Best For: Students who plan to share a house with a few others.

• Average Weekly Rent: Four-bedroom houses are typically around AU$675–950 per week, with smaller units and rooms varying in price.

Augustine Heights is good if you want a home-style setting with reasonable access to campus.

Brookwater (Premium Pick)

• Distance to Campus: About 5–7 km

• Commute: Car or bus

• Vibe: High-end residential estate built around a golf course with a quiet, low-density feel.

• Best For: Students with a higher budget for accommodation and prefer a quiet environment.

• Average weekly rent: For a four-bedroom house, you can expect to pay between AU$675 and AU$950 per week, on average.

Brookwater gives you a quieter residential environment, although you’ll need to budget for transport alongside your rent.

Redbank Plains (Budget Pick)

• Distance to Campus: Around 8–10 km

• Commute: Bus and short drive, or car

• Vibe: A growing residential area with more affordable housing and a family-orientated atmosphere.

• Best For: Students who want to keep rent lower and are comfortable with a longer commute.

• Average Weekly Rent: Around AU$385 per week for a two-bedroom house, AU$520 for a three-bedroom house and AU$720 for a four-bedroom house.

Redbank Plains can suit a tighter student budget, though you’ll need to plan your daily transport carefully.

Ipswich (Ipswich CBD / Campus View area) (Budget Pick)

• Distance to Campus: Around 15–16 km

• Commute: Train via the Springfield line and wider rail network, or car

• Vibe: An established regional city with its own UniSQ campus and a wider rental market.

• Best For: Students looking for lower-cost accommodation, including all-inclusive student housing.

• Average Weekly Rent: Campus View Apartments offers rooms for around AU$215 per week, including bills.

The Springfield rail line gives you useful connections between several nearby areas. Check Translink before travelling so you have the latest route and journey information, especially if you live in Redbank Plains.

Planning your budget for the week will help you manage rent, food, transport and social activities with fewer surprises. Here's a simple breakdown:

• Groceries & Food: About AU$90-140 a week. Orion Springfield Central also has Coles and Woolworths, so you can easily do your usual grocery shopping.

• Transport: AU$20-40 a week with a concession go card. Springfield Central is serviced by rail to Brisbane, with a 39-minute journey to Roma Street.

• Household Bills: Approximately AU$40-60 per person per week in a shared house. Your actual cost will depend on electricity, gas and internet consumption.

• Going Out & Socialising: AU$60–100 a week roughly. Budget for meals, cinema trips, cafes and occasional trips to Brisbane CBD.

• Mobile subscriptions: $15–30/week (or $60–120/month).

• Cost of courses: This will vary depending on the program you are taking. There can be a wide variation in costs for textbooks, equipment and specialists – aviation and engineering programs, in particular, may have additional costs.

The AU$29,710 annual figure is a visa-eligibility benchmark, not a full personal budget. Your accommodation, lifestyle and travel needs will dictate your spending. Living further from campus may reduce rent in some areas, but you may spend more time and money on transport.

If you try to search for University of Southern Queensland accommodation, you will find several room arrangements. Your choice will mainly depend on your budget, needs for privacy and the way of living you prefer.

• Private Room: You have your own lockable bedroom in a house or flat you share with others, sharing spaces like the kitchen and living room. It gives you space of your own, but at a lower cost than a full studio.

• Shared Room: You share your bedroom with another student and generally share the other facilities. This can be a lower-cost option and is good for students who like a more social setup.

• Studio Flat: A studio flat combines your bedroom and living space with a private kitchen and bathroom. You get more privacy and independence, usually for more in weekly rent.

• Whole Place: You rent an entire house/apartment, either by yourself or with friends. This gives you more space and control over where you live, and you'll also be responsible for the lease and household bills.

For many UniSQ Springfield students, a private room in a share house can offer a practical balance between cost, privacy and proximity to campus. Springfield Central, Springfield and Augustine Heights are useful areas to consider.

UniSQ Springfield students can also consider PBSA in Brisbane City. These properties are further from campus, but they can appeal to students who prefer managed accommodation, shared facilities and a ready-made student community.

UniLodge Brisbane City

Located at 41 George Street, Brisbane City, UniLodge Brisbane City offers a city-centre base with access to Brisbane’s shops, restaurants and transport network.

It is approximately 32.63 km from UniSQ Springfield, with an estimated public transport journey of around 76 minutes or a 32-minute drive. Prices start from around AU$319 per week.

If you like city living and the facilities and community that PBSA offers, then this could be the option for you.

Iglu Brisbane City Brisbane

Iglu Brisbane City is located at 65 Mary Street, Brisbane City. It is another PBSA option for students who want to live in the centre of Brisbane.

The property is around 32.86 km from UniSQ Springfield. Public transport: Journey time is approx. 71 minutes. Car: Journey time is approx. 34 minutes. Prices start at about AU$449 per week.

It can work well if you want city access, modern student facilities and a social accommodation setting.

For a shorter daily commute to Springfield, private rentals and share houses in Springfield Central and nearby suburbs are more practical.

Affordable university of Southern Queensland accommodation comes down to more than weekly rent. You’ll also want to factor in transport, bills and the time spent travelling to campus.

Shared houses in areas such as Redbank Plains can offer lower rental costs. Two-bedroom houses in the area are around AU$385 per week, while Campus View Apartments in Ipswich has rooms around AU$215 per week, including bills.

If you prefer PBSA, UniLodge Brisbane City is one of the lower-priced options listed by House of Student.

UniLodge Brisbane City

Starting from around AU$319 per week, UniLodge Brisbane City gives you access to managed student accommodation in Brisbane CBD. The property is around 32.63 km from UniSQ Springfield, with an estimated public transport journey of about 76 minutes.

It can suit students who want the PBSA experience and city lifestyle and are happy to spend more time commuting.

For students who want to keep both rent and travel costs manageable, share houses in Springfield Central, Springfield, Augustine Heights and Redbank Plains, along with student apartments in Ipswich, are worth considering.

UniSQ Springfield’s location within Education City provides several transport options for getting to campus and travelling around Greater Brisbane.

Public Transport Connectivity

• Springfield Central / Education City: The campus is located within the Education City precinct, with Springfield Central railway station just a short walk away. Local bus services also operate in the area.

• Brisbane CBD (Roma Street / Central): Springfield Central connects to Brisbane by rail. The journey to Roma Street takes around 39 minutes, with services running roughly every 20 minutes.

• Ipswich CBD / UniSQ Ipswich campus: The Springfield line connects with the wider Brisbane and Ipswich rail network. Depending on your destination and timetable, you may need to change trains.

• Redbank Plains: Redbank Plains relies mainly on buses and road connections, as the suburb has no railway station. Local services connect with Springfield Central and Ipswich. Allow around 20–30 minutes for some combined bus or driving journeys and check Translink for current routes.

• Brookwater / Augustine Heights: Local Westside Bus Company routes, including 522, 526, 531 and 534, serve these areas. Travel to Education City generally takes around 10–15 minutes by bus or car.

Cycling

Cycling can be a practical option around Springfield, particularly for shorter local journeys. UniSQ Springfield has end-of-trip facilities for bicycles and e-scooters.

Springfield Central railway station also has 120 bicycle parking spaces. Robelle Domain’s cycle tracks connect different parts of the surrounding precinct, giving you another option for getting around.

Intercity Rail

Springfield Central railway station is a key transport point for students. Queensland Rail and Translink services connect the station with Brisbane via the Springfield line, with Roma Street around 39 minutes away.

The rail network also links into the wider Ipswich corridor, giving you access to more destinations across the region.

Airport Access

Springfield has no direct rail service to Brisbane Airport. A common public transport route involves travelling from Springfield Central towards Brisbane and changing for an AirTrain service to the airport.

You can also use a rideshare or taxi, with direct journeys taking around 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

Springfield Central Station opened in 2013 as part of the dedicated Springfield line. This line is separate from the older Ipswich line.

Keep in mind that UniSQ Springfield and UniSQ’s main Toowoomba campus are around 125 km apart and have different local transport networks. If you’re comparing accommodation for the two campuses, check the campus address first so your commute matches your course location.