Current residents
Information to help you stay connected and maximise your student experience.
Help when you need it
The best thing about living on campus is having a constant support network of people around you, either in your college or apartment or the wider UNSW community. There's always someone willing to help, to provide guidance or simply just to listen.
Don’t ever feel like you have to deal with stuff alone.
- Security
- Facilities
- Meals
- Tips
Security
Your safety is a high priority at UNSW. The campus has a 24/7 security team responsible for providing a safe environment for the UNSW community. Services include foot patrols, vehicle patrols, security shuttle buses and safety escort services.
UNSW Security is located at Gate 2 on High Street and is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. It’s a safe and handy location to use as a meeting point or to wait for a taxi at night.
All colleges and apartments enjoy a high level of security, only allowing students with a swipe card or key to access the buildings. Visit the Your Safety page to learn more.
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Download the StaySafe@UNSW app
Available for free for iOS and Android, you’ll find heaps of safety tips all designed specifically for the UNSW community.
Attend a campus safety talk
Held regularly, these 30-minute safety awareness presentations include tips on how to stay safe while on and off campus, how to get help during an emergency and information on support programs for victims of crime. Email Security Services to find out when the next one is and to register your interest.
Book a safety escort
UNSW Security is on call to accompany you to car parks, bus stops, taxi ranks or limited locations in the surrounding area. Safety escorts are available day and night, all year round. Call 9385 6000 to book.
Look out for help points
Help points are strategically located around campus to help ensure your safety. Pressing the red button will connect you directly with UNSW Security.
Catch the night shuttle bus
This service commences at 6.30pm until 11.30pm, Monday to Friday, stopping at a range of convenient locations in Kensington, Randwick and Kingsford.
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It is your responsibility to always carry your key/access card with you and to keep it secure.
Colleges
During office hours (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm): If you lock yourself out of your room, visit the Student Accommodation office (Gate 5, High Street). You’ll be issued with a temporary access card to retrieve your card (if you locked the card inside).
Outside office hours (6pm to 8am and weekends): If you lock yourself out, contact the Duty Tutor (repeated lockouts may result in disciplinary action such as fines or community service).
IF YOU LOSE YOUR CARD, FOLLOW THE STEPS BELOW
Visit to UNSW Security (Gate 2 High St) or call 9385 6000 (you will need to provide proof of identity upon request) to void your card and stop it from being used fraudulently.
Visit to The Nucleus to get a new Student ID Card.
Visit the Student Accommodation office to reactivate your card. (Fees will be charged for card replacement and for security purposes.)
Apartments
DURING OFFICE HOURS
University Terraces, High St, Barker St, Cowper St Apartments (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm): If you lock yourself out of your room, visit the Student Accommodation office (Gate 5, High Street). You’ll be issued with a temporary access card to retrieve your card (if you locked the card inside).
Jacaranda Hall (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm): If you lock yourself out of your room, reception (1 Lorne Ave, Kensington) will be open to 4pm. You’ll be issued with a temporary access card to retrieve your card (if you locked the card inside).
OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS
University Terraces, High St, Barker St, Cowper St Apartments (Monday to Friday, 6pm to 8am or weekends): If you lock yourself out of your room, visit the Student Accommodation office (Gate 5, High Street). You’ll be issued with a temporary access card to retrieve your card (if you locked the card inside).
Facilities
When you live on campus, you don't just have access to the facilities in your college or apartment... you've got an entire university and a community of people willing to help you on your doorstep.
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The UNSW Student Accommodation office is located at Gate 5, High Street [B17 map reference].
Office hours are Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. You can drop by the office or call or email us with any questions.
Due to the high volume of enquiries we receive, please allow two business days for a reply.
T: +61 2 9385 4346
E: accommodation@unsw.edu.auYou might find the answer to most of your questions in the FAQ section, so make sure you first have a read there.
Barbecues
Barbecue facilities are available at Basser, Goldstein, Philip Baxter, Colombo House, Fig Tree Hall, UNSW Hall, University Terraces and Barker St. They’re for use by residents at approved events.
Catering
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included for students living in Basser, Goldstein, Philip Baxter, Fig Tree Hall and UNSW Hall. Colombo House, Barker St, Jacaranda Hall, High Street, Cowper St and the University Terraces are all self-catered.
Cleaning
Rooms at Basser, Goldstein, Philip Baxter, Fig Tree Hall and UNSW Hall are cleaned fortnightly. Only the common areas are cleaned at Colombo House, Barker St, Jacaranda Hall, High St, Cowper St and the University Terraces on a regular basis.
Common rooms
Sometimes you just need a break from studying in your room and the common rooms are a great place to take a quick break. Common rooms can be found in each college and apartment (excluding High Street). There are also beautifully landscaped areas surrounding the colleges and apartments for you to relax in and take a break.
Internet access
Uni-Wide is the UNSW campus wireless network for UNSW students and is available in all colleges and apartments. It offers fast and secure wireless network connectivity and can be accessed via any wi-fi enabled laptop or mobile device that supports WPA wireless security.
There’s no volume-based charging for the internet, but you’re bound by the acceptable use of IT resources policy.
Click here for instructions on configuring your device and accessing the network.
Laundry
Depending on which College or Apartment you are staying, laundry machines and dryers may require $2 or $3 gold coins to operate while other are conveniently card/app-operated and located within each college and apartment along with ironing boards and irons.
Resident portal
You can view or pay your accounts, report a maintenance issue, check your room inventory, or update personal details. Click here to access the resident portal.
Study rooms
Study rooms can be found on each floor of the colleges and in the Terraces and Barker St. And at the rooftop floor (access via lift 3) for Jacaranda Hall.
Vehicles & parking
The colleges don’t offer parking for residents, however UNSW offers a limited number of on-campus car parking spaces, managed by Estate Management. To apply for a parking permit, please contact Security & Traffic Management.
Parking on campus is free only when parked in a marked bay:
outside of the permit hours of 7.30am and 7.30pm Monday to Friday;
on weekends
on public holidays (not UNSW holidays).
If you park on High Street, never leave valuables in your car and always ensure you secure your vehicle as this area is targeted by car thieves.
Limited free motorbike parking and bicycle racks are also available.
Vending machines
Vending machines can be found on the ground floor of each college and at the University Terraces.
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Bookshop
The UNSW Bookshop is a great place to get your textbooks, reading material and UNSW merchandise.
Childcare
UNSW have an agreement with SDN Children’s Services for the ongoing management of the three childcare centres, providing high-quality care for your children close to campus so you can get on with achieving your aspirations. Visit the UNSW Early Years website for more information and to submit an application to the wait list.
Entertainment
The Roundhouse is a popular hangout providing food, drink, music and fun events. You can also see what other entertainment is on at campus through the student association Arc.
Legal advice
If you have a legal matter you need advice on, there are a few services at UNSW that might be able to assist you.
Library
The library provides study spaces and resources to help you with your academic studies. Apart from being able to borrow books, the library provides group meeting rooms, study spaces, printing, copying and scanning services, computers and touchscreens.
Medical, health and counselling
A range of health services are available on campus including access to doctors, dental, chemist, counselling, optometry, pathology, physiotherapy and more.
Postgraduate Lounge at Arc
The Postgraduate Lounge at Arc is a great space exclusively for postgraduate students to relax and meet with fellow students to socialise or study. You must be a member of Arc to make use of this facility.
Religious centre
The Religious Centre, provided for all UNSW students and staff, is located on the Kensington campus on the third floor of the Squarehouse.
Room bookings at the Roundhouse
Find out about booking your activity or event at the UNSW Roundhouse.
Shops & food
You will find a variety of food and retail outlets on campus that cater for your needs. These include a supermarket, banks, a post office and a print shop.
Sport, gym & fitness
We also have great sporting teams, clubs and recreational sport and a fitness and aquatic centre on campus where you can find squash courts, a gym and pool.
The Nucleus: Student Hub
The Nucleus is your first point of contact for all things UNSW including information, advice, forms and referrals to other services.
Meals
Menus change from week to week during each term, offering a huge amount of variety for students. There are also themed food nights throughout each term where students get to sample cuisine from all around the world!
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The Kensington Colleges (TKC), Fig Tree Hall, UNSW Hall & International House
The Kensington Colleges (Basser, Goldstein & Philip Baxter), Fig Tree Hall, UNSW Hall and International House are fully catered, providing breakfast, lunch and dinner for all residents.
Philip Baxter, Basser, Goldstein, Fig Tree Hall and UNSW Hall residents dine in The Goldstein Dining Hall while International House residents dine at International House's Dining Hall on premise.
Dining Hall meal times are:
Breakfast: Monday to Friday 7am to 10am
Lunch: Monday to Friday 12.15pm to 2.15pm
Dinner: Monday to Sunday 5pm to 7.15pm
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 10am to 2pm
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If you have any food allergies or special medical/dietary needs, please complete the dietary needs section on your accommodation application or alternatively advise the Student Accommodation office at the time of your enrolment.
Download a Dietary Requirements Form.
Please bring this with you when you check-in. You can fill out your room number when you arrive.
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Joining a club, society or organisation is a great way to make new friends, stay active and find people who share your interests. There are more than 250 clubs and societies from social, sporting, cultural, political and religious interests… there’s something for everyone!
UNSW clubs & societies
Joining a club or society is a great way to meet new people with common interests and find things to do outside of the classroom.
Arc Sport
Whether you’re keen to get active, want to represent UNSW against other universities or just have some fun, Arc Sport has a range of individual and team activities to choose from.
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When living on campus, sharing spaces with fellow students is a common experience. For many, it's their first time away from home, making it crucial to follow some simple guidelines for harmonious co-existence:
- Keep shared areas clean and tidy to maintain a conducive study and relaxing environment.
- Create a shared cleaning schedule to evenly distribute responsibilities.
- Be mindful of noise levels, particularly during study times.
- Building relationships with neighbours helps resolve issues quickly and expands your support network.
- Respect each other’s boundaries and avoid using items that aren't yours without permission – especially food.
- Don’t sweat the small stuff, and address significant concerns through open communication. If issues arise, sitting down and talking is often the quickest way to find solutions and maintain a peaceful living environment.
You can speak to your RFs, Deans/Deputy Deans, Community Assistants or staff at the Student Accommodation office if you’re having any problems.
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Regular exercise offers numerous mental and physical health benefits. The type of exercise matters less than consistency and enjoyment. Just 30 minutes of aerobic activity can lead to better sleep, brain function, emotional wellbeing and a better outlook on life. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that working out is one of the best remedies for both body and mind.
Fitness is more fun with friends! Ask around, you are sure to find some like-minded neighbours with similar fitness goals.
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Regular exercise offers numerous mental and physical health benefits. The type of exercise matters less than consistency and enjoyment. Just 30 minutes of aerobic activity can lead to better sleep, brain function, emotional wellbeing and a better outlook on life. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, remember that working out is one of the best remedies for both body and mind.
Fitness is more fun with friends! Ask around, you are sure to find some like-minded neighbours with similar fitness goals.
