Lake Macquarie

Avondale’s Lake Macquarie Residential Halls offer the opportunity for students to immerse themselves in an on-campus experience that is close to lectures, food, and recreational facilities. Living on campus provides a valuable opportunity to establish new friendships and create lasting memories.

Students between 17-24 years of age who choose to live on campus live in either Ella Boyd (female) or Watson Hall (male) residences.

Ella Boyd Hall Residence

This residence has single rooms for our female students, with the capacity to accommodate 161 residents. Residents have shared communal areas - lounges (with TVs) and study areas. Ella Boyd features 24-hour secure building access.

Watson Hall Residence

This residence accommodates 158 male residents in 92 single rooms and 66 twin rooms. Social spaces in Watson include a pool table, a weights room, and common/TV rooms.

Avondale offers two accommodation rental periods for 2024
  • Semester 1 – Sunday 25/02/2024 – Friday 14/06/2024*
  • Semester 2 – Sunday 04/08/2024 – Sunday 17/11/2024*

* Residents are welcome to request to arrive earlier (we accommodate where possible). Rental periods can be extended up to the commencement of the next semester period and will be advised when they can apply to do so. Please discuss your needs with our accommodation team.

For the Academic Calendar, orientation days, and first/last day of classes please visit https://www.avondale.edu.au/calendars/


How Much does it Cost



All Avondale residential packages consist of room rent for the period plus a compulsory meal credit.

Room Rates 2024

Residential HallRoom TypePrice Per week per person* (AUD)
Ella HallSingle$200.20
Andre HallSingle$200.20
Andre HallTwin Share$140.00
Watson HallSingle$200.20
Watson HallTwin Share$140.00

*GST will be added to the above rates for Non-Avondale students.

Meal Credit Packages 2024

Meal Credit OptionsWeekly Cost (AUD)Description
Option 1$119.00Perfect for students who prefer to cook for themselves or eat off campus for most of their meals.
Option 2$238.00Perfect for students who want the added convenience and social connection of regularly eating at 7@Avondale.

*price per week however residents are not charged for meals during the Avondale mid-semester study break period. However, any unused meal credit that has rolled over can be used.

Avondale charges the residents the meal credit package fortnightly with the rent and transfers the meal credit value to their ID card to be used at 7@Avondale. Unused weekly meal credit is rolled over each fortnight but is not refundable at the conclusion of your stay.

7@Avondale (https://7atavondale.au/) provides food service on the University Lake Macquarie campus provides a healthy range of vegan and vegetarian food options. Meals are provided via a “buffet style” dining room, or from a café menu including hot and cold beverages, fresh-cooked pizzas, and other menu items. Residents may use the meal credits at any time to purchase breakfast, lunch, or dinner as well as snacks throughout the day from 7@Avondale.

During the mid-semester study breaks when the number of students on campus is reduced 7@Avondale may operate using a limited menu.

Residents who stay on campus outside during non-class time can use any remaining available credit on their card to purchase food items at 7@Avondale. If a resident has used up their meal credit they can pay via card via EFTPOS.

Payment Terms & Conditions

All residential offers are subject to the following conditions and payment terms:
  • Compulsory meal credit package
  • Refundable room bond (Equivalent to four weeks rent)
  • Room Rent in advance (Equivalent to two weeks rent)^
  • Meal credit in advance (Equivalent to two weeks of your selected meal credit)

^ Avondale students eligible for the Accommodation Sponsorship are exempt from this requirement.

Parking

To recognise the impact of the increase in the cost of living for families across Australia, Avondale University will waive the cost of parking on the Lake Macquarie campus in 2024. Residential students will be required to register their vehicle in the portal and park in the designated areas. Residential student parking - P1, P7 (Watson Hall Residents) or P8 (Ella Boyd Residents)

Support Staff


We have a residence support team (ResLife team) available to help you with any needs you may have during your time living in the residential halls. Our team provides mentoring, advice, and supervision of the residence halls. Each residence hall has a full-time Residence Manager who is works with our student residence mentors to enhance your residential experience and ensure you make the most of your time on-campus. Our ResLife team places particular emphasis on the residents’ well-being, and spiritual and pastoral care within the residence halls.

Student ResLife Support Team

The student Res Mentors (RM’s) form an integral part of the ResLife team. Your Res Mentors are your first point of contact for any questions, queries, and assistance. They help support the well-being of residents, assisting in the transition to independent living and provide generalized support. The Res Mentor team are provided with training across several different areas including, leadership, mental health first aid, first aid, sexual consent, hazing and creating respectful environments.

Between our Campus Security team, ResLife management team or a Res Mentor, someone is always around to help.

Residential Hall Facilities


Rooms

All rooms are fully furnished, containing bed/s, desk/s, bookshelf, cupboards, drawers, shelves and chair/s. All rooms have window have blinds/curtains.

Subject to space you are welcome to add additional furniture to each room, such as a bar-sized refrigerator (up to 140L), television, lounge chair, coffee table and extra shelving. All personal items must be removed at the end of your stay.

Depending on demand, you may be asked to share a room (Watson Hall).

Bathrooms

All residential halls feature shared bathroom and toilet facilities.

Common Rooms/Kitchenettes

Common rooms are located on each floor. Kitchenettes are provided in the residential halls. Kitchenettes contain a refrigerator/freezer, stove, microwave oven, and kettle. Students to supply their own cooking appliances and utensils.

Laundry

Washing machines, dryers, clotheslines, and drying rooms are available in each residence. Washing machines are free of charge. Tumble dryers are $2 per 40min drying cycle. All machines are top-loaders and top-loader washing powder is recommended for all machines.

Irons and ironing boards are available in the residences, however, many residents choose to bring their own.

Mail

Mail is picked up by the on-duty RM’s and delivered to residents.

Parcels

Parcels delivered can be collected from Avondale University reception. Students are notified when a parcel needs to be collected.

Storage

Limited storage facilities are available for the keeping of personal items when you aren't staying in the residences.

Small items should be in plastic containers, sealed, and labeled with your name and date the item was put in storage. Each resident is limited to 2 x 50L storage containers. Where necessary some students will be provided with additional storage space. Storage for large items, eg bar fridges, is dependent on space available. Unclaimed items that have been stored for more than 3 months will be deemed as unwanted and disposed of.

Guest Rooms

A number of guest rooms are available in all residences for parents and friends of students. Rooms can be booked through Avondale reception on 02 4980 2222 or [email protected].

Info, Guides, Resources


Occupancy Agreement

The Occupancy Agreement may be amended at any point in time by Avondale University. Please click on the link for the most recent version of the Conditions of Occupancy .

Schedule of Charges

For most students there should be limited additional charges as part of their standard stay. There are additional accommodation/rent charges for early arrivals and extended stays outside the semester periods.

Some of the following charges may apply:

Cleaning charge - $150 (includes common areas)
Covering smoke detector - $150
Damages charge - on a case-by-case basis (cost plus labour)
Discipline fine - $50 per infringement of the Occupancy agreement
Fire service call out - $ charged at full invoice cost of the call out
Mattress protector replacement - $50
Mattress replacement - $300
Noise curfew breached - $50
Overnight guest breach - $50
Room move fee - $150
Work health safety (WHS) breach - $150

Late Payment Charges

Late payment charges may be applied to the accounts of Avondale University students who do not pay their Residence Hall fees by the due date. For more information please refer to the financial policies Student Late Payment Charge.