“What will be the exact living costs in Australia for international students?“ is one major question that runs through the minds of students who are planning to move to Australia, live their dream life and earn a prestigious Australian degree.
Understanding what factors determine your total living cost in Australia is undoubtedly a priority. As an education representative in Australia, we at Bright College feel that educating international students on education and living expense is more than crucial.
In this blog, we will cover topics associated with living expenses in Australia for International Students.
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Factors that determine the living costs in Australia for international students
With a dream of earning an Australian degree, around 400 thousand students (Data of Jan-Mar 2022) fly to Australia. The education consultancies in their native country and near ones would have once discussed the average cost of living in Australia with them; however, things are not that simple and easy.
The overall cost of living in Australia for international students depends on several factors, such as the city you choose to live in, travel distance from the working station, accommodation mode, fooding, groceries, utilities, etc.
Let’s dive deeper into the factors that determine living costs in Australia for international students
Area of the residence
The area/city in which you choose to study and reside is one of the most crucial factors determining your living costs in Australia. Australia is a big country with six states where living costs differ.
In the capital city of Queensland, Brisbane, the average living cost ranges between $480 and $1760 per month. In New South Wales, Sydney, the living cost for international students is somewhere between 1,400 and 2,500 AUD/month.
Likewise, the cost of living in Melbourne for international students starts from 1,500 AUD/month. In other cities like Adelaide, Canberra, Darwin, and Hobart, the cost ranges from 500 to 600 Australian Dollars per week.
Travel Distance from the Working station
Moving from your home to university and later to your workplace may need the use of a bus or train. Public transportation might be costly, but it is still less expensive than driving a car.
However, if you want to acquire your vehicle or ride, you may have to pay for gas, parking fees, rideshare costs, and car rental fees.
Let’s talk more about the transportation facility in each state.
The Northern Territory is the first state in Australia to provide free bus transportation to all students. International students in NSW are given the Concession Opal card, which entitles them to half-priced rates on all Sydney trains and buses.
Taxis, buses, and light rail are all options for getting to Canberra. There are also excellent cycling and walking paths.
In addition, if you have a concession card, you may be entitled to reduced or free prices on Transport Canberra bus and light rail services.
Full-time students in Queensland can receive a public transportation concession card.
Moving towards Melbourne, here public transportation choices include bus, tram, and train, and students can utilise Myki electronic smart cards for transportation.
Trains, buses, and ferry services are available in Western Australia, while in Tasmania, full-time students, including international students, may acquire tertiary concession tickets for $3.00 per day.
Accommodation mode
Accommodation is another vital aspect that determines the overall living cost in Australia for international students. After researching “Australian university fees” on the internet, students might want to check on accommodation options for international students. To be precise, accommodation options -On-campus and Off-campus- are available.
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Off-campus accommodation
Off-campus housing allows students to choose where they want to live, with whom they want to live, and on what budget. On off-campus, you can live independently.
Options for Off-campus Accommodation in Australia
Homestay
Homestay is the perfect choice if you wish to live in a home atmosphere and learn about the culture of Australia. Here, you will be living with an Australian family in their house. In fact, laundry and meals are taken care of in homestays.
Private rental
Numerous real-estate websites allow you to search for and apply for property online. For private rental, you have two options: single and shared. A single rental where one person is paying for the entire flat can get heavy on the person’s pocket.
Thus, sharing the rental can be a better option as shared rentals allow you to divide the cost of utilities and reduce your lodging expenditures. But the most critical thing to do is personally visit the location before paying the money.
Stay with Relatives
Having relatives in a foreign land is just a big blessing. International students who have relatives in Australia can stay less stressed about managing living expenses in Australia as they can have support from relatives. This certainly helps students save money and then share some with relatives.
On-campus accommodation
If you opt to live in an on-campus residence, you will save a lot of time on the commute, meals, cleaning, and washing. Here, safety is excellent. Furthermore, the cost of living in a university-sponsored house is greater due to the facilities offered.
Here are some popular on-campus accommodation options for international students in Australia.
Residential College
Residential colleges often charge between $200 and $750 a week. Students and faculty from a university live together in this building.
The institution provides necessities and access to the university library, the internet, and study rooms. Residential College is beneficial for first-year students who wish to know their classmates.
Halls of residence
Residence halls are secure and comfortable housing nearby your educational institution or university. A week’s stay here may cost you from $165 to $440. This is a low-cost option for international students since it emphasises creating community links.
Student hostels
Hostels are relatively economical for international students, with weekly rates ranging between $100 and $400. Because you will be sharing kitchens and restrooms with other students, you will have the opportunity to socialise with them.
Food and recreation costs
Food is expensive in Australia and makes up a large portion of living expenses in Australia for international students. When dining out, the typical cost of a meal might range from AUD 20 and AUD 100.
However, the cost varies depending on the sort of eatery. You can also cook if you enjoy home-cooked meals. The typical monthly grocery bill may range from AUD 500 to AUD 1000.
When thinking of killing boredom or getting some laughs, you can opt for recreational activities: movies, pubs, your living expenses can get high. Although it brings you joy, it can give you a sour feeling afterwards when you get short on paying the bills.
To be honest, the total cost of living in Australia is ultimately decided by your spending.
Tips to minimise living expenses in Australia for international students
- Study living expenses in Australia for international students and list down the cost of living in every city.
- Set a budget plan every week, keep track of your outings, and save as much as possible.
- Choose your student accommodation wisely, and if you happen to move from one place to another, you can check on the moving costs calculator Australia.
- If you are on off-campus accommodation, you can go to street and flea markets to buy groceries, clothes, and drinks.
Why Study in Perth, Australia?
Australia is a global leader in international education, providing students with some of the best learning and teaching materials available. Many international students attend Australian institutions.
Universities’ inexpensive tuition fees and affordable cost of living in Australia contribute to the inviting academic environment.
Perth is a major city in Australia, and it has a great food culture, chill vibes, and beautiful weather. Perth, known as the “Education City”, is home to reputable colleges.
The education system of Perth is recognised as one of the best systems in the world. It has world-class universities, prestigious schools, and vocational institutions that provide high-quality education.
These educational institutions in Perth also promote the social aspects of student life by providing various engaging activities. When it comes to living expenses in Perth for international students, it ranges from $450 to $650. Similarly, for transportation in Perth, buses and other forms of public transit are easily accessible at reasonable prices.
Also, students prefer cycling or walking distances from their educational institutions.
Why Bright College?
Bright College is the ultimate destination for international students looking to study in Australia. Bright College Australia is a Perth-based Registered Training Organization.
The college strives to give students a world-class education as well as hands-on experience with skills. In addition, the college offers certificates in patisserie, commercial cookery, hospitality, baking, leadership and management of human resources, and business administration.
To know more about us, please visit our website.
