🇦🇺 Travel & Living in Australia
A practical arrival and living guide for students heading to Australia — transport, housing, money, safety and your first week.
So you're moving to Australia to study. Here's the practical, non-academic side: how to arrive, settle in and live well on a student budget.
Getting there & around
Most international students fly into Sydney (SYD), Melbourne (MEL), Brisbane (BNE) or Perth (PER). Book early — flights from Europe or Asia are long (17–22 hours) and expensive. Within cities, each major metro has its own transit card: Sydney uses the Opal card, Melbourne the myki, and Brisbane the go card. Buy one at the airport on arrival and top it up at convenience stores. Intercity travel options include cheap domestic flights (Jetstar, Virgin Australia), long-distance coaches (Greyhound Australia) and the occasional scenic train (the XPT between Sydney and Melbourne takes 11 hours but is comfortable).
Where to live
On-campus residences fill fast — apply the moment you receive your offer letter. Off-campus, students share houses through sites like Domain, realestate.com.au and Facebook groups. Most leases are 6–12 months; landlords require a bond of four weeks' rent lodged with the state's tenancy authority (you get it back when you leave). Costs vary enormously: expect to pay more in Sydney and Melbourne than in Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth. Living close to a tram or train line saves money and time.
Cost of living & budgeting
Australia is expensive by global standards, but student discounts and casual work rights (your student visa allows up to 48 hours per fortnight) make it manageable.
| Item | Rough monthly (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Shared room (regional city) | 700–1,000 |
| Shared room (Sydney/Melbourne) | 1,100–1,700 |
| Groceries (Aldi/Coles) | 300–450 |
| Monthly transit card top-up | 80–140 |
| Phone plan (SIM only) | 15–35 |
Tip: Aldi and Coles' own-brand lines cut grocery bills significantly; student cards get 10% off at some supermarkets and most cinemas — always carry your student ID.
Money, SIM & admin
Open a student bank account once you arrive: CommBank, ANZ and NAB all have no-fee student accounts that you can start online before you land. You'll need your passport and a local address. For a SIM, Amaysim, Boost (runs on Telstra's network) and Optus all offer prepaid plans from around AUD 10–15/month; pick one up at any supermarket or convenience store at the airport. Enrol in Medicare if your country has a reciprocal healthcare agreement with Australia (check before you travel).
Safety & health
Australia is very safe, but the sun is intense — UV levels are genuinely dangerous; use SPF 50+ year-round. Emergency number is 000. Beaches are safest between the red-and-yellow flags patrolled by lifesavers; rips kill unprepared swimmers every year. Your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory and bundled with your visa — register with a GP early for non-emergency care.
Culture & student life
Australians are informal and direct. First names in class, casual dress and a flat social hierarchy are the norm. Sport is central to campus life (AFL, cricket, rugby, surf clubs), but debating societies, international student associations and hackathons are equally active. Tipping is not expected, though small tips in restaurants are appreciated. Hospitality work is the most common casual job for students.
Your first week
- Register at the international student office, hand over your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and get your student ID.
- Buy a transit card at the airport and learn the bus or train route to campus.
- Open a bank account and pick up a prepaid SIM.
- Register your OSHC and find the nearest bulk-billing GP.
- Check the noticeboard or student portal for welcome events — orientation week (O-Week) is the fastest way to meet people and find accommodation leads.