I’m a uni student at QUT in Brisbane, Queensland. Currently, I’m juggling a combined Business and Data Science degree, along with part-time work for a marketing firm and holding the treasurer role for one of the student societies at uni.
As an international student, I know how hard budgeting and saving up money can be, along with the unexpected expenses you could come across. So I have decided to break down my weekly spending as a full-time student in Australia.
Rent: $250
To no one’s surprise, rent is the biggest of all the expenses in this list.
Despite being a numerical figure that differs from place to place, the median range for rent across the country is $270 to $340 per week. Again, as mentioned before, it is place to place, and by luck, one might be able to land the rent below $200 or maybe much less.
I currently stay with two close friends, with each of us equally paying an amount of $250 per week.
Groceries: $60
Since I am more inclined to meal prepping than cooking spontaneously, I only go grocery shopping once a week. Sometimes I do experiment with new dishes, and so the spending can go up. Rice, eggs, milk, vegetables, fruits, and meats are the obvious ‘musts’ that I get each week - going shopping with a list can help me be more strict about what products make it into the basket.
Phone, Mobile Data and Wi-Fi: $25
A prepaid phone plan that includes my mobile data is also a must since I’m often out and about. Along with that, a $10 share for Wi-Fi, which I am sharing with my friends.
Some student accommodations include WiFi without any extra payment, so it’s worth checking this before purchasing a new broadband.
Eating Out: $50
For a city with a diverse range of cuisines like Brisbane, it’s hard not to slip and catch some great food outside. Along with that, I’m more or less used to having a morning coffee, either in uni or on my way to uni or work. So, having a little bit of extra room in the budget will allow you to enjoy these things more!
However, student clubs have events and so do student accommodations, where you can often get free food or coupons.
Uni Costs: $30
If not weekly, printing costs are a common cost borne by any uni student. Along with that, physical study materials such as a textbook, along with stationery too, could add to this cost.
Again, this can depend on what your university already provides, as some libraries on campus give you a credit for printing or allow you to borrow reading materials.
Miscellaneous Cost: $75
Catching a movie (with popcorn too, of course), is an expensive yet fun activity. So as a cinephile myself, a movie is something which I just cannot say no to. Also, a hang-out with friends, such as bowling or an arcade, could also be enough to empty your wallet. Another common expense will be the weekly transactions taken by my preferred music streaming service, along with other movie streaming services too.
Travel or transport might also be a necessity for you, if so you should learn more about the transport system in each city and what discounts are available to you.
What I’ve learnt so far
Rent is your biggest expense, so be prepared for it, but again, one should be thoughtful initially while choosing the place themselves. So, hopefully, lower rent.
Secondly, cooking at home does help a lot, and if you aren’t meal prepping as a student, you are doing it wrong - it's barely time-consuming, doesn’t take much of your effort, and has many more positive impacts.
The last tip I can give is to note down in your phone or write down your income and expenses per week, so you can get a better idea of your spending and therefore how you can reduce it.
