As a student in Australia, you need at least AUD $1550 per month. That’s a massive amount and only a bare minimum. This sheds light on the need to stretch your arm no further than your sleeve will reach. To do that, you need to be money-savvy and employ several savings techniques, particularly, if you are an international student.
International student enrollments in Australia
Known for being one of the most diverse as well as welcoming countries, millions of international students enrolled in Australian educational institutes. Monash University, RMIT University and University of Sydney top the list of universities that have the highest number of students in Australia. In 2017, the number of students studying in Australia reached a record.
“International education is now our third largest export sector generating more than $21 billion of economic activity in Australia, supporting many jobs and providing benefits to both Australian and international students,” said Simon Birmingham, Federal Education Minister.
The graph below shows a distribution of international student enrolments in Australia based on the education they are availing:
Source: Internationaleducation.gov
Do students in Australia save?
As per a survey, 89% of the students studying in the country are satisfied with their experience. However, this doesn’t mean that living in Australia is easy. Australia is a costly country such that a product which you can purchase for $7 in the US, is priced at $22 in Australia.
This begs the question; do students in Australia save? And if they do, do they do so regularly? The graph below shows that most students in Australia do save on either a weekly or a monthly basis. Though, the amount of money they manage to save varies.
Source:researchgate.net
Are you a student in Australia struggling with saving bucks? Worry not, we’ve got your back. Let’s walk you through a list of ways you can save money as a student in Australia:
Ways you can save money as a student in Australia:
1 - Don’t purchase new books
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Spending a huge amount of money on textbooks doesn’t make any sense since the books are going to be of little use once the semester is over. A better idea is to explore options that provide secondhand books. The Student Union or a book exchange program may be able to help you here. You can purchase secondhand books for way fewer prices. You can rent books from any seniors you’re friends with as well. If none of these options works for you, try e-books or cheap online stores.
2 - Activate your student card
Source: Tenor.com
In most parts of the world, student cards can be very useful when it comes to availing different products at reduced prices. This applies to Australia as well. Through your student card you can save quite a few bucks on movies, retail shopping, etc. You can combine your student card discounts with any sales that allow for it and enjoy further cut down prices. Though in the beginning it may seem that you’re saving only a few dollars with your student card but know that a little can go a long way.
3 - Use public transport
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Don’t hop into an uber or taxi for roaming around the city. Save money by choosing public transportation. This way, you will be able to learn how to navigate your way through the city as well. Buses, light rail, trains, and ferries provide public transport. Sometimes students are offered concessions as well by using the local transportation card. For instance, if you are studying in Perth be sure to register your TransPerth card as a full-time student.
4 - Make use of coupons and discount codes
Source: Tenor.com
To purchase anything from tickets for a movie to clothing, you can make the most of coupons and discount codes. Start by searching for coupons on couponing sites. Hunt for coupons on brands’ social media profiles and websites. You can also find coupons in newsletters so be sure to subscribe to your favorite brands. Enroll in rewards or loyalty programs. You can search for coupons on blogs, vlogs, and other influencer channels too.
5 - Bring your lunch from home
Source: Tenor.com
Eating out or at the campus, canteen can be heavy on your pocket. It would be cheaper for you to cook and pack your own lunch at home for school. You can either assemble a sandwich for yourself every morning or you can take the previous night’s leftovers for school lunch. Similarly, rather than spending a herculean amount on buying coffee or tea daily, prepare your drink at home and take it along in a travel mug.
6 - Consider eating out on weekdays
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In the mood of dining out? Move all your hangout plans with pals from the weekend to any weekday. On weekdays, you’ll be able to find several deals and discounts for students at a number of bars and restaurants. You can get the same deal which you could fetch on a weekend for half the price on a weekday. So, if you’re in the mood for cheap food, make the most of weekly specials.
7 - Don’t join the gym
Source: Tenor.com
Are you a fitness freak who thinks his life is incomplete without exercise? Don’t waste your precious bills on the gym. Study commitments will probably make you miss many days anyway. A better idea is to go running in a park or at a beach. Several beaches and parks in Australia have free fitness stations. So, you can exercise at home or run on tracks that don’t charge at all. Another alternative? Any free yoga or fitness classes being offered by your university.
8 - Avail university-run health services
Source: Tenor.com
Medical bills can pile up fast if you are not careful. Rather than going to a clinic or visiting a doctor somewhere in the city, turn to your university. Some health facilities such as counseling, dental checkups, etc. are likely to be offered for a substantially low cost by your university. Several times, such services are also offered to the university’s students for free.
9 - Visit local markets and food stands
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Australia, as mentioned above, is pretty expensive when it comes to eating out. It’s challenging to find places that offer cheap food. Which is why it is better to purchase groceries and cook at home. So, where you should buy fresh produce from? Check out farmers markets which have food stands which sell food for cheap. Looking for cheap entertainment? You can enjoy live music along with food and drinks in these markets. Moreover, clothing can also be bought from here.
10 - Get a part-time job
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Whether you are a local Aussie student or a student who’s studying abroad, a part-time job can help you make and save money. On your student visa, you are allowed to commit to 40 hours of work in a fortnight. You can search for job openings on job boards or get in touch with your Resident Director who can assist you with finding a suitable job in the area. If you have skills such as copywriting, graphic designing, etc. you can find work online as well in marketplaces such as Upwork.
To sum up, life as a student in Australia can be costly. Some ways you can save money include using coupons, shopping from local markets, using public transport and making the most of any university facilities or student perks available.