Canberra Student Housing
Co-operative

The Canberra Student Housing Co-operative was established in 2010 by a group of students committed to providing secure, affordable, quality housing for students in Canberra based on a co-operative model. We believe that a place to live while studying can be much more than a share house! We seek to create a home that fosters opportunity for personal expression and shared learning; a home where people share responsibility and can learn from and support each other.

The co-op is part of an enduring legacy of student activists fighting for affordable places to live. Learn more about cooperatives and see how we’re advocating for affordable student accommodation.

We’re located at Havelock House, 85 Northbourne Avenue, Turner 2612, in the Australian Capital Territory on Ngunnawal land. We occupy 5 units of the eclectic and endearing heritage-listed building that is known as Havelock House.

We’re a five to ten minute walk from:

• Canberra Civic Centre

• The bustling cafes and bars of Lonsdale St, Braddon

• The Australian National University Acton campus

• The beautiful Haig Park and Turner Parklands

• The City / ANU Bus Interchange

• The Canberra Food Co-operative

We’re also close to:

• University of Canberra Belconnen campus (10 min drive)

• UNSW/ADFA campus (10 min drive)

• Australian Catholic University Campus

• A 10 minute cycle to the Black Mountain and Mount Ainslie Nature Reserves

We are also directly opposite the Elouera St. Light Rail Stop!

*Light rails are Canberra’s weird substitutes for trams

To know the basics of a co-op model and our co-op, we recommend looking at the pages What is a Co-op and Who are We!

But … here are the basics:

The Co-op occupies five units at Havelock House! No, it is not one massive share house with 29 bedrooms, but five share houses within one Co-op. All co-op residents have access to the common spaces of other co-op units, but every resident has exclusive access to their own locked room. Each unit has its own kitchen, bathroom, dining and living areas, storage, private bedrooms, and an extra sunroom! Car parks are available at a $10/week cost (subject to availability).

And utilities? The main utilities fee is included in your rent and covers water, electricity, and gas. At $373.09 per fortnight, this is the best value-for-money deal you’re gonna get! The Co-op also has a $60/Month Kitty - which puts your total rent at just over $200/week. Everyone at the co-op pays kitty, and the fee goes toward paying for Internet, bulk food, gardening supplies, cleaning supplies, events, and whatever else we collectively decide to spend it on!

At the co-op we value community, diversity, acceptance, and we are passionate about affordable housing and democratic decision-making! Any student studying anywhere is eligible. As such, we seek to promote an inclusive community that represents and upholds our values and provides housing to those who both need it, and are able to contribute to our community.