The University of Tasmania has begun offering students from abroad and interstate the opportunity to "jump to the head of the accommodation queue" if they accept their offers and pay a "commencement fee".
The offer, which was emailed out on Monday, stated: “Avoid the usual accommodation waiting lists. Accept your offer immediately and we will allocate you a single room in Hobart accommodation without putting you in a queue behind others.”
"Be quick, first come first served! Places in uni accommodation are limited so act now to avoid disappointment. This offer closes 14 December 2018."
The move has angered existing students who were told to look on Gumtree as the university couldn't guarantee them a place to live.
UTAS offer for new students Source: Supplied
UTAS on Friday announced that they would deliver a further 300 new places for the first semester of 2019 to "relieve the stress and uncertainty for students", however, pupils say they were promised first dibs at the accommodation now being offered to others.
Student Jane Ma* told SBS Mandarin that those already living in the accommodation provided by UTAS were told that they would have first preference.
“They said we have the high priority," she said.
“But the university now says the new students can jump the queue. The university stripped our priority and stabbed us in the back."
Many students say they have been left in limbo.
“No one confirmed yet whether we can stay or we have to leave,” Ms Ma said.
Ms Ma also took her protest to the footpath of state parliament by writing “UTAS students have become homeless”.
More than 50 students took to the streets of Hobart last week to express their anger and asked the university to solve the accommodation shortage.
Another student Mike Zhang* told SBS Mandarin that “there were many students from other countries and other states who have participated in the protest".
UTAS students protest the accommodation policy, writing "UTAS students become homeless" in Chinese Source: Supplied
“There was a Russian girl. She told me it is very hard for her to find proper accommodation as an international student. There are very few places available near to the university,” he said.
Hobart leads the way as Australia's most unaffordable city, according to the Rental Affordability Index (RAI). 
Mr Zhang said that January and February were difficult months to find a room to rent due to market demand.
UTAS students protest for uni's accommodation policy Source: Supplied
“Late January and early February are hard for us to find the accommodation,” he said.
“We can only find houses where you need at least 30 minutes to drive to the university.” 
Ms Ma wrote a letter to University Vice-Chancellor Professor Rufus Black, calling for him to intervene in the current crisis.
UTAS students protest the accommodation policy Source: Supplied
In his response obtained by SBS Mandarin, the professor stated that the university was working “to address student concerns” and “ensure that we navigate the intake for 2019 in the most fair and equitable way possible”.
Prof Black recognised that the university has a "deep challenge around having too many applicants for available rooms”.
For Ms Ma, no matter what decision will be made by UTAS, students were always destined to come out as the losers.
“At least one party will be hurt”, she said.
“If we stay, the future students who already paid the upfront were cheated by the university. Is it unfair if the university lets the new students take our rooms.”
MS Ma confirmed with SBS Mandarin that the university is offering her a room at MidCity Accommodation instead of letting her keep the room she is living in now.
“I just want to finish my study here without so much trouble. It’s only one year left," she said.
"They asked me to move again.”
SBS Mandarin has contacted Student Living, the university department responsible for student accommodation, for comment.
*not their real names
