Student accommodation in Darwin centres on Charles Darwin University’s Casuarina campus, where CDU Village rooms cost from $222 a week in 2026 and include electricity, water and wifi. A short walk away, StudentLiving studios start from $320 a week, and private rooms in shared houses are listed from $250 to $350 a week. This guide sets out the published figures, how renting works in the Northern Territory, and what I could not confirm.
Details come from Charles Darwin University’s accommodation options document and the Northern Territory Government’s Consumer Affairs renting brochure, checked on 1 November 2026. Amounts are in Australian dollars. CDU dates its Village rates to 2026 and says all prices can change, so confirm them for your intake.
CDU Village Casuarina
CDU Village is on the Casuarina campus. It offers furnished rooms and studios, and standard and large rooms share kitchens, bathrooms and laundries. Studios are available for one or two people. Every room has air-conditioning, a desk and chair, and a wardrobe, and the weekly rate includes electricity, water and wifi.
| Room type (2026) | Weekly rate |
|---|---|
| Single standard room | $222 |
| Standard room, apartment | $242 |
| Medium room, apartment | $258 |
| Medium room with ensuite, apartment | $294 |
| Large room | $253 (dual occupancy $303) |
| Single large room with ensuite | $278 (dual occupancy $328) |
| Studio | $499 (dual occupancy $549) |
- Contract length: a full academic year is the cheapest option, and weekly and daily stays are also offered. Daily rates, such as $69 a night for a standard room, apply to stays under four consecutive weeks.
- Leaving early: early lease breaks incur charges, so read the agreement first.
- Applying: you apply online, sign the residential agreement, pay a deposit and initial fees, and set up direct debit. The document does not give the deposit amount.
- Contact: live.casuarina@cduvillage.com.au or 08 7928 5050.
StudentLiving Darwin
StudentLiving is at 6 Dripstone Road, Casuarina, about a ten-minute walk from campus and next to Casuarina Square. It has self-contained studios plus two- and four-bedroom shared apartments, all furnished.
| Type | Weekly rate (from) |
|---|---|
| Studio | $320, including utilities |
| Two- and four-bedroom shared apartment | $258, including utilities |
Utilities and unlimited internet are included for the lease period, and leases run from short term up to 12 months. CDU lists limited 2026 accommodation scholarships for some studio rooms, and says international students may receive $1,000 off through the Study NT grant at StudentLiving or CDU Village. Check that the offer still applies to your intake. You can contact StudentLiving on 08 8942 0706.
Homestay and private rentals
- Homestay: a furnished room in a host family’s home, with utilities and meals according to your chosen package. The minimum booking is one month, and you arrange it through an agency. CDU lists the Homestay Network and Global Experience, and gives no price.
- Private rooms: CDU lists rooms in shared houses and units from $250 to $350 a week, with utility bills shared. You search on CDU StudyStays, realestate.com.au, Gumtree, Roommates and Flatmates.
- Help from CDU: accommodation.assistance@cdu.edu.au. The university says it does not inspect private rentals, so view any property in person before you sign.
Renting privately in the Northern Territory
CDU says a private tenancy normally involves a bond of four weeks’ rent plus at least two weeks’ rent in advance. At $300 a week, for example, that is $1,200 plus $600, so $1,800 before you move in. The NT Government’s renting brochure says landlords must return the bond within seven business days of you moving out. If you do not claim it within six months of the lease ending, the landlord or agent must pay it into the Tenancy Trust Account. For anything else, contact NT Consumer Affairs on 1800 019 319.
What to check before you book
- What the rate includes: CDU Village and StudentLiving include utilities, while a private house usually shares the bills.
- Contract length: an academic-year contract at CDU Village is cheaper per week than weekly terms.
- Deposit and initial fees: ask for the exact amounts in writing, since the university document does not state them.
- Lease-break charges: check them before you sign, particularly if you may finish a course early.
- A signed copy of any tenancy agreement: keep it with every receipt.
I could not verify CDU’s 2027 rates, application deadlines, suburb-by-suburb rents or transport times from official sources, so I have not stated them. Never pay a deposit before you have a written agreement and proof that the property is genuine. Before you commit, read our guide to university halls versus private housing, the checklist of what to look for before you sign and our safety guide.
FAQs about student accommodation in Darwin
How much does student accommodation in Darwin cost?
CDU Village rooms cost $222 to $499 a week in 2026, depending on the room. StudentLiving starts from $258 a week for a shared apartment and $320 for a studio, and private rooms are listed from $250 to $350 a week.
Are bills included in Darwin student accommodation?
At CDU Village the rate includes electricity, water and wifi, and StudentLiving includes utilities and internet. In a private share house, utility bills are usually shared.
How much bond do I pay in the Northern Territory?
CDU says a bond is normally four weeks’ rent, plus at least two weeks’ rent in advance. Check the current rules with NT Consumer Affairs.
Is there help with housing costs for international students?
CDU says international students may receive $1,000 off through the Study NT grant at StudentLiving or CDU Village. Confirm that it is still offered for your intake.
Sources
All checked 1 November 2026.
