The University of Western Australia is exploring new ways to cater for increasing demand from students who want to live on or near its Crawley campus.

Its plans involve supporting expansion at existing residential colleges as well as looking at sustainable developments in conjunction with the private sector.

The development of high-quality student accommodation is aligned with the University's priority to enhance the UWA student experience and achieve its long term goal to be amongst the top 50 universities in the world by 2050.

Student experience

It is well known that the top universities in the world encourage a high proportion of students to live in residential colleges. Having students live and learn on campus enhances the student experience, results in better access to educational resources, reduced travel times and enables students to participate fully in student life.

Student accommodation in close proximity to amenities such as public transport and the University campus will reduce the student's need to travel, thereby reducing demand for car parking and associated traffic impacts.

Diversity, Equity and Access

Additional student accommodation will increase access to quality tertiary education for disadvantaged students, particularly those from regional areas of Western Australia or from low socio-economic backgrounds.

Existing Accommodation

There are five existing residential colleges affiliated with, or owned by UWA, which house more than 1,000 students. In addition, the University owns a significant number of residential properties in the immediate neighbourhood of the Crawley Campus which provide housing for more than 300 students.

Current Developments

The University made a successful submission under the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) to provide affordable student accommodation. This Scheme allows the University and colleges to build 1,000 additional student accommodation dwellings, which will be let below market rental, providing valuable support for students, particularly those from rural and regional Western Australia.

The University completed the first stage expansion of University Hall (formerly Currie Hall) building 15 dwellings with 24 rooms. A significant development at University Hall commenced in October 2011 to construct an additional 514 dwellings and was completed for occupancy in Semester One , 2013.

A further 250 dwellings are currently under construction at St Catherine's College, an independently operated resiential college located on Stirling Highway, opposite the Crawley campus. 

Other Planned Developments

The University is seeking planning approvals to enable a purpose built student accommodation facility to be built on University-owned land in Crawley Village, near the southern end of campus. The project details are yet to be finalised, but it is expected to provide housing for more than 400 students.