The University of New England will continue an accommodation subsidy for eligible first-year students in 2027, aimed at reducing cost-of-living barriers to university study.
UNE’s First Years’ Accommodation Credit will return for a third consecutive year, providing eligible school leavers with reduced accommodation costs during the first two trimesters of their first year.
Depending on the accommodation selected, eligible students could pay about $100 a week to live at one of UNE’s residential colleges in Armidale.
Vice-Chancellor and CEO Professor Chris Moran said the initiative aligned with the university’s 2026-35 Strategic Plan and its focus on the communities it serves.
“UNE is committed to making higher education accessible to our communities. We do that by ensuring that a student’s postcode or financial background does not dictate their capacity to succeed. This accommodation credit is a practical tool that enables people to succeed in ways they might not have been able to otherwise.”
UNE said interest from prospective school leavers had increased, with Early Entry applications for 2027 up 25 per cent.
“The 25 per cent increase in Early Entry applications tells us that the demand for a secure place at university well before high school is complete is stronger than ever,” Professor Moran said.
“By easing the pressure of the cost of living and the stress of finding housing, we allow school leavers to focus on what matters: their studies, their personal growth, and the lifelong connections they build within our college communities.”
The accommodation credit is targeted at students from low socio-economic backgrounds, regional and remote communities and First Nations Australians.
It is available to eligible 2025 and 2026 school leavers and, for the first time, students moving from UNE’s TRACKS and Foundation programs into their first degree.
Eligible students can receive a credit worth up to $3,200, or $100 a week.
“UNE is committed to the on-campus experience in Armidale. Many of our students describe their on-campus experience as one of the highlights of their time at UNE and we want to afford more students this opportunity,” Professor Moran said.
More information is available through UNE’s First Years’ Accommodation Credit program or its Future Students Team on 1800 818 865.
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