LIVING IN SYDNEY AND STUDYING AT NIDA
NIDA is located in Kensington, an inner south-eastern suburb of Sydney.
Parking is limited in the area around NIDA so students mainly travel to NIDA by train or bus, a few students cycle to NIDA and some live within walking distance. Regular and express bus services connect NIDA with the major transport hubs and surrounding suburbs.
Indicative costs of living
Most NIDA students live in shared rented accommodation and on average spend about $400-450 per fortnight on food, rent, household costs and transport. In addition there are mobile phone costs and other sundry items.
NIDA also encourages students to see as much live theatre, film and other arts events as possible. While many theatre companies are generous with provision of complimentary or discounted tickets, ticket costs are an additional item of expenditure for NIDA students.
There are also initial establishment costs for people moving to Sydney for rental bond payment and purchasing basic furniture and other items for rental accommodation.
Unlike students at university, NIDA students attend classes, rehearsals etc at NIDA from 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. In pre-production and performance weeks, students may be required at NIDA until 11 pm and, on Saturdays for rehearsals or matinee performances.
Therefore it can be difficult for NIDA students, particularly in second and third year, to rely on regular outside employment to assist with living costs.
Accommodation Options
Many NIDA students share privately rented accommodation in suburbs near NIDA such as Randwick, Kensington, Kingsford and Coogee or, slightly further away, in Newtown or Surry Hills. Students setting up house for the first time sometimes find the costs of getting established to be higher than they expected.
Rental accommodation is available in the suburbs around NIDA. Rents vary according to the number of bedrooms, condition and location of the flat/apartment or house. Electricity, gas and telephone costs are additional. When renting a flat/apartment or house it is usual to sign at least a six month lease and pay some rent in advance as well as providing a refundable security deposit/bond, usually equivalent to four weeks rent. Houses and flats/apartments are usually unfurnished, so it is necessary to allow for purchase of household items such as furniture, linen and kitchen utensils.
Accommodation in the immediate vicinity of the NIDA is not usually easy to find at short notice, and can be expensive. Especially during the first three months of the year demand for accommodation close to the University and NIDA is very high.
At the beginning of the year other NIDA students may have accommodation available in shared houses and may give these details to NIDA for providing to new students. Students can contact NIDA Reception on 02 9697 7600 to ask for this information.
NIDA students requiring accommodation may seek assistance from the UNSW Housing Office. Detailed information is provided on www.housing.unsw.edu.au, including listings of all types of housing, information on accommodation at UNSW colleges and halls of residence and information on temporary accommodation when first arriving in Sydney. Students should allow 1 - 2 weeks to find accommodation before term begins.
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