Commencing Student Cover

Commencing Student Cover enables you to book your preferred accommodation early, knowing that you can cancel it if you do not commence study at the University of Melbourne.

If you do not receive a course offer from the University, or you receive one but chose not to accept it, you can apply for a cancellation of your Student Accommodation Agreement to receive a full refund of your security deposit by following the steps below.

To qualify for Commencing Student Cover you must email your Hall of residence to request a CSC cancellation form, and submit it no later than 14 days prior to your Occupancy Start Date. Your application must be supported by relevant documentary evidence that;

your course application has not been successful; or
your course offer has been withdrawn; or
you have successfully declined your course offer

If you submit the CSC cancellation form less than 14 days prior to your Occupancy Start Date, you will not be eligible for cover and will remain bound by the terms of your Agreement, including the obligation to pay the weekly room rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a cancellation of my Agreement under the Commencing Student Cover if I receive a course offer but don’t accept it?

Yes, you are eligible to apply for a cancellation of your Agreement under the Commencing Student Cover if you decide not to accept your course offer from the University of Melbourne for whatever reason. Similarly, you are covered under the Commencing Student Cover if you do not receive a course offer.

How much will I be refunded if my application for a cancellation under the Commencing Student Cover is approved?

If your request for a cancellation of your Agreement under the Commencing Student Cover is approved, the University will refund you the entirety of your security deposit. If you have prepaid any Accommodation Fees or departure cleaning fees in advance, you will also be refunded these fees provided you have not already moved into your room. Please note: your $100 application fee is non-refundable.

Which clauses of the Student Accommodation Agreement allow me to cancel my Agreement if I don’t receive or accept an offer from the University?

See clause 3.1 of the Student Accommodation Agreement.

When will I be informed of the outcome of my application to cancel my Student Accommodation Agreement?

The University will review your application, verify your enrolment status, and advise you of the outcome via email, usually within 5 business days. There may be some processing delays during the January and July peak periods.

Can I wait until after I receive a course offer from the University to accept my accommodation offer?

Unfortunately not. Due to high demand for our rooms, your accommodation offer will lapse on the date indicated on your Letter of Offer. You are welcome to contact us again when you receive a course offer from the University, however, we cannot guarantee that we will have availability for your preferred room types. Alternatively, you can accept your current accommodation offer and if you do not end up receiving a course offer, or you decide to not accept your course offer, you can apply for a cancellation of your Student Accommodation Agreement as described on this page to receive a full refund of your security deposit.

What if I don’t get a course offer until close to my Occupancy Start Date or after it?

To qualify for Commencing Student Cover you must submit an application as soon as you can and no later than 14 days before your Occupancy Start Date. If you are unsure you will receive a course offer from the University of Melbourne, we recommend applying for termination within the timeframe above, and contacting us once you have received a course offer to send you a new accommodation offer, in that case you would not need to pay for the application fee again. If you wait until closer to your Occupancy Start Date, you will remain bound by the terms of your Agreement, including the obligation to pay the weekly room rate.

What if I move in, decide university is not for me, and unenroll from the University?

If you unenroll from the University and wish to terminate your Student Accommodation Agreement early, you can apply for Early Termination of your Agreement as per clause 3.2 of your Agreement. You must provide the University with at least 28 days’ prior written notice using a form that your Hall of residence will provide to you on request. A cancellation fee equivalent to 2 weeks of your weekly room rate will also apply. The University will assess your application, verify your enrolment status, and advise you of the outcome within 5 business days. If approved, the University will refund your security deposit, less all outstanding charges and student damages. Any prepaid Accommodation Fees that is unused from the new End Date of your Agreement (as approved by the University) will also be refunded. Please note that under clause 3.2 of your Agreement, you cannot terminate early if your Agreement's term is for less than 7 months.

If I know I am not going to study at the University before receiving a course offer, can I cancel my accommodation booking?

You can make an application for the cancellation of your Agreement under the Commencing Student Cover at any time. However, the University cannot process your application until you can supply supporting documentation that proves you will not be enrolled at the University.