Budgeting certainly isn’t the most exciting thing about life as an international student, but it’s important to consider. The better prepared you are financially, the easier it’s going to be to save money for travelling, going out and all the fun parts of life in Australia.
Surviving on a budget:
Knowing how and where to shop, particularly for groceries, can help you save a lot of money. Research the different supermarkets in Australia, and look into local and independent stores - each will offer their own discounts and specials each week. Some businesses will also offer membership or rewards programs, which can help you access exclusive deals.
The cost of travelling between your accommodation and campus can add up quickly. You can often save money on public transport by travelling outside of peak hours. Depending on the city you live in, you may be entitled to discounts as a student, also known as concession discounts, so check the conditions in your area. You can also consider cycling!
When you move to a new country and need to shop for clothes, familiarise yourself with the price range of different stores. There are plenty of excellent stores in Australia where you can buy basics cheaply. If you don’t mind shopping second-hand, look for bargains at op-shops - the Australian version of thrift stores.
As a student, you can take advantage of a lot of different discounts. For example, look out for cheaper movie tickets, special deals at clothing stores, and discounted tickets to events and venues such as museums and galleries. Use sites like UNiDAYS to Student Edge to find exclusive savings.
TIP
As a nib member, you can also access nib Rewards, which has offers allowing you to save on everyday purchases such as groceries, petrol and event tickets.
There are plenty of ways to stay fit and healthy as a student that don’t involve premium gym memberships. Take advantage of Australia’s beautiful weather by walking, jogging or cycling outside, utilise public workout equipment in parks, join a local sports club, or see if your campus has its own gym - these will usually be cheaper than public gym chains.
