Overview & Location
64 O’Connell St sits in West Melbourne, Victoria 3003, roughly a 1–2 km walk from the Melbourne city centre. The address places you close to free tram zones — one resident noted “1 minute access to a free tram” — which can help reduce daily transport costs if you study or work in the CBD. The residence is a short distance from RMIT University (the only institution named in the city-wide data), though it is not on campus.
The building is a shared student-style property, not a private apartment block. It is managed by an operator and appears to house multiple residents in individual rooms with shared or semi-private facilities. The external image shows a multi-storey brick building with a garden area, and the tag “garden” is confirmed. Other tags include “BBQ” (indicating outdoor grilling space), “bills included” (utility costs covered in the weekly price), and “dual occupancy” (some rooms may allow two people — check with the operator).
Pricing & Lease Terms
The weekly rent for 64 O’Connell St ranges from AUD 360 to AUD 410 (indicative — confirm with the operator). This is higher than the city’s overall from-price of AUD 219/week, which likely refers to the cheapest available room type (e.g., a bed in a multi-share dorm) across the 137 properties in Melbourne listed on the same platform. 64 O’Connell St does not offer dormitory beds; the available unit types are “non_ensuite” (private room, bathroom shared) and “independent_house” (likely a self-contained house or studio). For a private room in a central location, the 360–410 range is positioned above budget but not at premium levels — comparable to mid-to-upper student housing in Melbourne.
The minimum lease term is 26 weeks (roughly six months), which means you cannot stay for a full academic semester if your university term is shorter than that. Confirm with the operator whether a shorter lease is possible under special circumstances. The property does not list an exact available-from date — check for current vacancies.
Deposit: Not provided in the data; ask the operator.
Bills included: Yes (tagged). This covers utilities such as electricity, water, gas, and internet (confirm extent). This can simplify budgeting, especially for international students unfamiliar with Australian billing cycles.
Room Types & Suitability
Non-ensuite room
A private bedroom with shared bathroom and kitchen/living areas. Typically the more affordable option within this property. Suitable for students who do not mind sharing bathroom facilities and want a social environment. The weekly price falls at the lower end of the range (around AUD 360). If you need your own bathroom, you would likely look at ensuites or studios elsewhere.
Independent house
This could be a self-contained unit (house or apartment) within the same complex, possibly with its own bathroom and kitchen. It would sit at the higher end of the price band (AUD 400+). Suitable for couples (dual occupancy tag) or students who want more privacy and space. The tag “dual occupancy” suggests that some units allow two people, which may reduce the per-person cost if you share with a partner or friend (subject to operator approval).
Who this residence suits
- Students who prioritise location (close to free tram, short ride to CBD).
- Those comfortable with shared facilities (non-ensuite) or who want a private house (independent).
- Residents who want bills included for predictable costs.
- People who value outdoor space — the property has a garden and BBQ area.
- Those willing to sign a 26-week minimum lease.
Who this may not suit
- Anyone needing a short-term stay (less than six months).
- Residents who prefer ensuite bathrooms without sharing.
- Students on a very tight budget — the weekly price is above Melbourne’s cheapest option (AUD 219/week for a share room elsewhere).
- Those concerned about building maintenance — see resident reviews below.
Resident Reviews
Three reviews are available from Google (total 18 reviews, average 4.2 stars). We quote each verbatim.
“One of the best, cheapest, private rooms with a bathroom in the city with 1 minute access to a free tram! Also include cleaning services for the kitchen in the morning that professionally fix any mess created by other residents. The only downside is that sometimes the hot water and lift is broken (like once a year?), b” — Muhammad Yasirroni, 5 stars
This positive review highlights the value-for-money proposition (private room with bathroom — likely an ensuite or private bathroom, though the official unit types list “non_ensuite” — this could indicate a different room type or a misclassification; verify with the operator). The free tram access and kitchen cleaning service are strong pluses. The reviewer acknowledges intermittent hot water/lift issues as a minor inconvenience.
“When you are a student studying in the heart of the city, living in suburbs is not the best idea. To suit your pocket, O’Connell Residence is a good option. It was one of the best things that happened to me. If you are planning to work and study more, be at work most of your time and just need an accommodation that is “ — Jude Fernandes, 4 stars
Jude endorses the residence as a practical choice for students who spend most of their time at work/study and just need a functional base. The review implies the location is suburban but accessible, and the accommodation is affordable relative to central options.
“I’d Give 0 stars if I could. The place is filled with Asbestos, everything is broken, the lift is broken 80% of the time and its atleast 50 years old and theres no emergency phone inside either. The property manager, Sonia Tang, never responds, never answers messages. The admin at birchridge - Warren P Vine is a horrib” — raj big bang theory, 1 star
This negative review raises serious concerns about asbestos, maintenance, lift reliability, and property management communication. Asbestos claims are especially grave — if true, the building may pose health risks. However, this is a single review among 18, and the average rating is still 4.2. The operator should be asked to clarify the building’s condition and any recent inspections.
Summary: The positive reviews emphasise location, cleanliness service, and affordability. The negative review warns of building defects and poor management. Weighing the 4.2 average (with only one 1-star) suggests most residents are satisfied, but you should personally inspect the property and ask about maintenance history before signing.
Booking Timing & Tips
- Available from: Not specified. Check the platform for current listings. Typically, student accommodation in Melbourne fills up by November–January for the February intake. For a July 2026 start, enquire in April – June 2026.
- Minimum lease: 26 weeks. If you plan to stay only one semester (e.g., Feb–Jun), that fits. For a full academic year (Feb–Nov), you would need to extend or rebook.
- Dual occupancy: If you are a couple or want to share a room, enquire about the extra cost (if any) and whether the room is large enough.
- Bills included: Confirm what exactly is covered — electricity, gas, water, internet, and any caps (e.g., limited GB for internet).
- Inspection: Given the mixed reviews, a physical viewing (or virtual video tour) is strongly recommended. Check the condition of the lift, hot water system, and general cleanliness.
FAQ
H3: Can I stay for less than 26 weeks?
The minimum lease is 26 weeks. Some operators may offer shorter terms for a higher weekly rate or during periods of low demand. You must confirm directly with the property manager. If you need a 4–12 week stay, look for short-stay student apartments or hostels.
H3: Are utilities and internet really included?
The tag “bills included” is present, but you should verify with the operator which bills are covered — water, electricity, gas, and internet. Some properties may charge a weekly fee that includes all utilities up to a reasonable usage limit. Ask if there is any extra fee for air conditioning or heating during winter.
H3: Is the building safe? What about the asbestos claim in the review?
One review mentions asbestos. This is a serious issue. You should ask the operator whether the building has undergone asbestos testing and removal (common in older Melbourne buildings). Check the most recent building inspection certificate. If the operator cannot provide a clear answer, consider other properties. The average rating of 4.2 suggests most residents do not report such problems, but due diligence is essential.
Sources & data date
The prices, tags, reviews, and property details in this article are based on data from the Amber platform, accessed in July 2026. All prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Review quotes are reproduced verbatim from Google reviews (author names and star ratings as given). The city from-price of AUD 219/week is the lowest available among 137 properties in Melbourne on the same platform at the time of compilation.
For the most current availability and prices, please use the on-site assistant to check live listings.
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