Escalating housing costs and limited affordable accommodation are increasingly influencing UOW graduates’ decisions to remain in the Wollongong area post-graduation.
UOW boasts a strong graduate employment rate, with 87% of graduates securing full-time employment within four months of completing their studies. Despite this success, there is limited data on the percentage of these graduates who choose to stay and work in the Illawarra.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that housing affordability plays a crucial role in this decision-making process. Recent alumni, Kathrine Reynolds said that when choosing from the opportunities provided to her post-graduation, finances including house prices played a big factor.
“When I graduated there was an opportunity that sent me out west and it was just such a clear decision as I might actually be able to afford a house out there one day,” Miss Reynolds said.
The housing market in Wollongong has become increasingly challenging for recent graduates. In early 2025, median house prices surged to $1.26 million, with suburbs like Coledale and Wombarra leading the trend. Rental vacancy rates have plummeted below 1 per cent, triggering a 7.4 per cent increase in rental prices over the past year. This steep rise means that tenants are now allocating approximately 40 per cent of their income to housing costs, a level indicative of rental stress.
Source: https://www.realestate.com.au/nsw/wollongong-2500/
These financial pressures are particularly acute for recent graduates, who often begin their careers in entry-level positions with modest salaries. The prospect of dedicating a significant portion of their income to housing can deter graduates from settling in Wollongong, prompting them to seek more affordable living situations elsewhere.
Source: https://dbr.abs.gov.au/region.html?lyr=sa4&rgn=107
Recognising the challenges posed by housing affordability, UOW has implemented initiatives to support students from low-income backgrounds. For instance, the university offers scholarships to students living in social or affordable housing in the Illawarra or Shoalhaven regions. While these efforts assist current students, the broader issue of affordable housing remains a significant concern for retaining graduates in the area.