Students who plan to embark on an academic journey abroad should consider Australia as an option. No doubt that Australia is one of the top destinations for International Students due to its advantages.This article will cover some of the benefits of studying in Australia along with a list on the Cheapest Cities to Study in Australia for International Students and university recommendations.
Why Study in Australia?
- Experience Australian Culture
Australians are said to have a laid-back approach to life with multicultural communities due to its unique history. As such, International Students are able to experience a relaxed lifestyle while appreciating diverse Australian cultures, including learning about indigenous Australian communities.
- Access Plenty of Resources
There are plenty of resources online for International Students to use as a guide for navigating life in Australia. The Australian Government has a website which specifically provides a multitude of information beneficial for International Students in Australia. For instance, in terms of budgeting and finances, the Australian Government has a Cost of Living calculator.
- Financial Assistance
Financial assistance and aid is always available. Australia Scholarships for International Students are plentiful; you just have to meet their requirements and do proper research. Or, you can reach out to us for more information on financial assistance for studying in Australia.
- Working Allowed
Can International Students work in Australia? Yes, they can. Minimum wages for employees over 21 years of age is AU$ 23.23 per hour. International Students are granted up to 48 hours per fortnight or 24 hours weekly with no limit during semester breaks. These conditions are granted to help International Students with their living costs and to build working experiences. However, be sure to check your visa conditions and know your rights as a worker.
- Protection of International Students
The Australian Government has designed new measures to protect International Students back in November 2023. To ensure students have access to the highest quality education and training, a new Vocational Education and Training (VET) Integrity Unit was set up by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Their page also provides resources including for mental health help.
Cheapest Cities to Study in Australia for International Students
According to this article on Cheapest Student Cities, these are some of the preferable cities in Australia for International Students. Students can also utilise online living costs calculators to properly budget and plan their finances to study in Australia. Average budgets can differ based on your location, type of accommodation, and lifestyle – whether you eat out more, price range of your groceries, money spent on entertainment, and expenses on clothing.
The estimated weekly living budget for each city is based on the Australian Government Cost of Living Calculator and the numbeo.com website. Under university recommendations, annual indicative fees only refer to bachelor degree fees.
Let’s look at five of the Cheapest Cities to Study in Australia for International Students.
5. Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital of the Victoria state of Australia. Melbourne is the second most populated city after Sydney, known as Australia’s cultural hub with diverse job opportunities. Melbourne is also regarded as the coffee capital of Australia, so you might have to squeeze in some bucks to spend on your morning coffee runs.
Estimated Average Weekly Living Budget
Aspects | Estimated Weekly Cost |
Accommodation (Suburbs – Shared House) | AU$ 234 |
Public Transport | AU$ 50 |
Groceries & Food | AU$ 119 |
Leisure | AU$ 21 |
Note: These are only estimated costs and may vary according to your lifestyle and spending habits.
Melbourne Universities Recommendation
University | Recommended Study Areas | General Intakes | Annual Indicative Fee Range (2024) |
Monash University | Pharmacy, Pharmacology or Pharmaceutical Science | February, July, November | AU$ 36,500 – AU$ 87,000 |
La Trobe University | Health, Arts, Social Sciences & Communications | March, July | AU$ 32,600 – AU$ 76,000 |
Deakin University | Exercise and Sport Science, Nursing, Business | February, July, October | AU$ 29,728 – AU$ 73,992 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
4. Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, located in South East Queensland. Brisbane is known to be a major centre of research and innovation in the Asia-Pacific, particularly in medicine and biotechnology. If you’re looking to save money on personal finances, particularly with gym, you can look out for social sports teams and clubs through your respective universities.
Estimated Average Weekly Living Budget
Aspects | Estimated Weekly Cost |
Accommodation (Suburbs – Shared House) | AU$ 242 |
Public Transport | AU$ 50 |
Groceries & Food | AU$ 63 |
Leisure | AU$ 18 |
Note: These are only estimated costs and may vary according to your lifestyle and spending habits.
Recommended Universities in Brisbane
University | Recommended Study Areas | General Intakes | Annual Indicative Fee Range (2024) |
Queensland University of Technology | Health, Business, Communication | February, July | AU$ 32,400 – AU$ 41,700 |
Griffith University | Computer Science, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Finance | March, July, November | AU$ 32,500 – AU$ 65,000 |
James Cook University Brisbane | Medicine, Dentistry, Marine Science, Nursing, Arts & Society | January, May, September | AU$ 32,040 – AU$ 66,960 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
3. Adelaide
Adelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the largest city in the state. The city of Adelaide is very lively with many local festivals, hiking up the cost of leisure as compared to other cities. However, Adelaide has one of the most accessible public transportation systems together with many student discounts and deals.
Estimated Average Weekly Living Budget
Aspects | Estimated Weekly Cost |
Accommodation (Suburbs – Shared House) | AU$ 227 |
Public Transport | AU$ 29 |
Groceries & Food | AU$ 119 |
Leisure | AU$ 128 |
Note: These are only estimated costs and may vary according to your lifestyle and spending habits.
Recommended Universities in Adelaide
University | Recommended Study Areas | General Intakes | Annual Indicative Fee Range (2024) |
University of Adelaide | Life Science, Medicine, Natural Sciences | February, July | AU$ 39,000 – AU$ 94,000 |
University of South Australia | Hospitality & Leisure Management, Nursing, Art & Design | February, July | AU$ 30,900 – AU$ 43,500 |
Flinders University | Nursing, Medicine, Science & Mathematics | February, July | AU$ 32,900 – AU$ 42,900 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
2. Canberra
Canberra, also known as the capital city of Australia (Nope, it’s not Sydney!) is home to many prestigious establishments such as the Parliament House, national monuments and museums. Canberra is known to be one of the more affordable cities for International Students with many cheap eats due to their high student population.
Estimated Average Weekly Living Budget
Aspects | Estimated Weekly Cost |
Accommodation (Suburbs – Shared House) | AU$ 307 |
Public Transport | AU$ 43 |
Groceries & Food | AU$ 119 |
Leisure | AU$ 72 |
Note: These are only estimated costs and may vary according to your lifestyle and spending habits.
Recommended Universities in Canberra
University | Recommended Study Areas | General Intakes | Annual Indicative Fee Range (2024) |
Australian National University | Arts, Society & Culture, International Relations, Legal Studies | February, July | AU$ 42,220 – AU$ 52,185 |
University of Canberra | Information Technology, Education, Healthcare | February, July | AU$ 31,000 – AU$ 38,700 |
Charles Sturt University | Agriculture, Accounting & Environmental Science | March, July, November | AU$ 22,320 – AU$ 41,360 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
1. Gold Coast
Gold Coast is located in Queensland and is a coastal city of Australia. Gold Coast is a major tourist location known to have many surfing beaches and theme parks. Students have the chance to wind down after stressful classes or exams through the many walking trails in Gold Coast. Study programmes at universities in Gold Coast are usually found to be significantly lower than those in other cities of Australia.
Estimated Average Weekly Living Budget
Aspects | Estimated Weekly Cost |
Accommodation (Suburbs – Shared House) | AU$ 238 |
Public Transport | AU$ 18 |
Groceries & Food | AU$ 63 |
Leisure | AU$ 18 |
Note: These are only estimated costs and may vary according to your lifestyle and spending habits.
Recommended Universities in Gold Coast
University | Recommended Study Areas | General Intakes | Annual Indicative Fee Range (2024) |
Bond University | Health Science, Law, Actuarial Science | January, May, September | AU$ 45,840 – AU$ 62,740 |
Griffith University | Medicine, Dentistry, Health | March, July, November | AU$ 32,500 – AU$ 65,000 |
Southern Cross University | Life Sciences & Medicine, Business, Arts & Humanities | January, February, June | AU$ 30,832 – AU$ 36,960 |
Contact us right now for a free consultation if you’d like more details about the costs, the format of the programme, and the entry requirements!
For more information regarding the university, programme offered, entry requirements and fees, contact Excel Education.
About The Author
Hannah Hir
Hannah appreciates various art forms, especially Asian literature, film and music. Most of her favorite Malaysian kuihs are green-coloured.
