Perth parents voice alarm over university accommodation crisis as fees soar

Parents and students across Perth are raising urgent concerns about the city's worsening university accommodation shortage, with families warning that spiralling rental costs are pricing out local students from higher education.

The issue has become increasingly acute in established student neighbourhoods like Northbridge and East Perth, where shared rental properties now command upwards of $280 per week per room—a 23 per cent increase over two years, according to data compiled by the WA Tenants' Advice Service. Combined with tuition fees averaging $15,000 annually for domestic students, families say the financial burden is becoming untenable.

"My daughter got into UWA, but we're looking at nearly $35,000 a year when you add accommodation, transport and living costs," said a parent from Subiaco who requested anonymity. "For middle-income families, it's genuinely unaffordable now."

The concerns extend beyond costs. Students living in private rental accommodation across South Perth and Cannington report inadequate maintenance standards and disputes with landlords unfamiliar with student tenancy protections. Community organisations including the Perth Student Housing Alliance have documented complaints ranging from mould and faulty appliances to overly short lease terms that force moves mid-semester.

Curtin University and University of Western Australia have both expanded student intake by roughly 12 per cent since 2024, yet on-campus bed numbers have remained static. UWA's residential colleges currently house approximately 1,900 students—fewer than 8 per cent of the undergraduate population.

"Universities are recruiting more students without providing the infrastructure to support them," explained a spokesperson from the WA Union of Students. "This creates a two-tier system where wealthy families can afford purpose-built accommodation near Claremont and Nedlands, while others are pushed further into the suburbs or forced to live at home."

The issue resonates particularly within Perth's growing migrant communities, where international students—who represent nearly 18 per cent of enrolments at major institutions—often lack local knowledge about tenancy rights or family support networks.

University administrators have announced plans for new residential facilities, with UWA committing to 600 additional beds by 2029. However, community voices suggest this timeline fails to address immediate pressure on the rental market and remains insufficient given projected enrolment growth.

A coalition of parent groups has called on the state government to mandate affordable housing quotas within university expansion projects and strengthen tenant protections for student renters—measures supporters argue would ensure education remains accessible to all Perth families, regardless of income.

This article was compiled by AI from the sources linked above and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.