Live on campus this semester

Ready to join our community?

You can live on campus at Hawthorn and join the fun and dynamic group who call Swinburne home – in more ways than one.
 

Apply for accommodation now

Join our community

Get social by living at our Hawthorn campus. There's more to living on campus than being close to class.

Living on campus at Swinburne
Accommodation support team

At Swinburne, we have a dedicated accommodation support team that are available during working hours, and duty resident advisers after-hours, who can help with any problems you may experience on campus.  

If you have a problem, or just want to talk to someone, chat with our friendly on-campus resident advisers (they can even help you organise events and activities).

Contact the Student Residences team

On-campus living options

At Swinburne, you can stay in college rooms, studio apartments or shared apartments. Explore your options with our virtual tours.

College rooms

Living on campus in the residential college dormitory can be a life-changing experience!

You’ll get your own private room in a close-knit community of 80 residents, hang out in the common rooms to catch up on study or the latest gossip, and then head to one of the local cafes, the gym or the city with your friends to take a break from your latest assignment!

  • compact bedroom with single bed, shelving and basin
    College accommodation | bedroom close-up
  • compact bedroom with single bed, desk, study chair and shelving
    College accommodation | bedroom
  • A spacious kitchen with island bench, yellow and white cupboards., green splashback and a fridge
    College accommodation | kitchen area
  • A large room with white long tables and green and white chairs
    College accommodation | living space
Facilities

Dormitory-style single occupancy rooms, with common dining, kitchen and social areas

Resident Advisers are on hand to facilitate an inclusive and fun residential experience, and to assist with any issues with living on campus.

Our college rooms include a bed, chair and desk, hand basin and lots of storage space. Kitchen, dining, laundry and bathroom facilities are all communal.

Shared apartments

Apartments on campus accommodating two to four people offer greater independence and are perfect for students wanting more privacy than college rooms. 

Sharing an apartment is a great way to build friendships that last a lifetime while you study at Swinburne.

  • Room of an apartment showing half a bed, desk and chair
    3-bedroom shared apartment at Hawthorn campus
  • a small room with a bed, white doona cover and pillow
    Room located within 3-bedroom apartment
  • A kitchen including a fridge, island bench and bright yellow dining table
    Shared living space for students in 3-bedroom apartments
  • A cosy living space with a TV, two couches and a coffee table
    Shared living space for students in 3-bedroom apartments
  • A shared living space with a small table, couch and TV
    4-bedroom apartment living area
  • A kitchen area with fridge, sink and shelving
    4-bedroom apartment kitchen area
  • A bedroom with a bed and stripy doona cover, desk, laptop, chair and shelving
    4-bedroom apartment, bedroom space
  • A bedroom with a bed and stripy doona cover, desk, laptop, chair and shelving
    4-bedroom apartment, bedroom space
Facilities

In shared apartments, all residents have their own private room. You can choose to live in a standard room, or a larger and slightly more costly ‘deluxe’ room. All bedrooms in the shared apartments have basic furniture included such as a bed, desk and chair. All shared apartments include:

  • a lounge room with a TV and couches
  • a kitchen with basic cooking equipment (kettle, toaster)
  • one or two bathrooms.

Studio apartments

Studio apartments on campus offer the ultimate in privacy and independent living. 

If you prefer to live alone, a studio apartment may be the most suitable housing arrangement while you are at Swinburne.

Facilities

All studios include basic furniture such as a bed, chair and a desk. They also include your own bathroom and kitchen complete with simple cooking equipment such as a toaster and kettle.

Laundry facilities are on the same floor in a communal area. There is also a common room for students living in on-campus apartments.

Explore the benefits of living on campus

For many students, their first experience of living away from home is through our on-campus accommodation. Living on campus is a great way to grow your independence and meet new people – all within a safe and supportive environment.

  • Two students sit on a bench outside the Moondani Toombadool Centre

    Things to do in Hawthorn

    Our Hawthorn campus boasts state-of-the-art learning facilities. Surrounded by an array of cafés, restaurants, bars, boutiques, and bookshops on Glenferrie Road, our Hawthorn campus provides the perfect environment for an amazing student lifestyle.

    Learn more (Things to do in Hawthorn)
  • Students attend an event on campus for o-week

    Events

    At Swinburne, we host fun activities throughout the year, at all our campuses.

    Upcoming events (Events)
  • Three students sit outside in the Hawhtorn campus gardens, one male wears a red shirt

    Hawthorn campus

    Located in the heart of Hawthorn, our main campus location 10 minutes from Melbourne’s CBD offers the perfect mix of  state-of-the-art learning facilities and unforgettable  student experiences.

    Find out more (Hawthorn campus)

Support available to student residents

When you live on campus, you're not just getting a place to live while you study: you're joining a community. Living on campus also gives you access to our on-campus support and health services. This includes 24-hour security, assistance from our support staff and professional medical and counselling services. 

We offer comprehensive professional health and medical services to support the mental, physical and emotional wellbeing of the Swinburne community. This includes nurses, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists, counsellors and social workers. We also offer discounts to local sporting facilities so you keep active and make new friends.

Our resident advisers, who are senior residents on campus, are here to support your transition into life on campus. When you move in, you'll be introduced to the resident adviser in your building or on your floor. If you're homesick, have questions about the residences, or just need someone to talk to, your nearest resident adviser is there to help.

Resident advisers are on call between 5pm and 9am on weekdays and around the clock on public holidays and weekends. They can help you:

  • check in between 5pm and 12am
  • get access to your room or apartment if you've locked yourself out
  • deal with noise disturbances in the residences.

Our admin support staff can help you with:

  • general enquiries
  • checking in to the residences
  • scheduling appointments to meet with staff
  • access to your room or apartment during office hours or if you have lost your key card, etc.

Note: Admin staff are located in the Swinburne Student Residences administration office, 24 Wakefield Street, Hawthorn. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. The office is closed on public holidays and the Christmas and New Year period.

Accommodation fees are paid charged at a weekly rate. Additional fees may be payable depending on your circumstance.

Fees can be paid via the Swinburne Student Residences Portal. You can pay by BPAY or Credit Card. 

View the schedule of fees for for more information about weekly rates, additional charges and billing periods. 

Swinburne Student Residences Schedule of Fees 2025 [PDF 181KB]

The residential handbook is a fantastic resource for students in residence. It covers important information about support contacts and what to expect in student residences. 

The residences code of conduct outlines what's expected of you in residence. You'll need to read the code of conduct before you sign your licence agreement. 

In the student residences, a licence agreement is like a contract. All students will also need to sign and submit the licence agreement acknowledgement form when they move in.

Are you under 18?

The Residences is an adult environment and as such, there should be some level of parental involvement and approval for applicants who are under 18 years old.

In some circumstances, these applicants and their parent/s may be asked to participate in an interview with a residential staff member as part of the application process. 

Looking to rent off campus?

Renting a place by yourself, or with other students, can be an important learning experience and a lot of fun.

If you’re looking to rent off campus, click here to view a range of resources that are designed to help you find the perfect accommodation. 

Check your eligibility and apply for on-campus accommodation

Applying for on-campus accommodation is easy. All applications are made online via the Swinburne residences portal.

Apply now