Student finances

Budgeting

During your time as a student, there might be a range of expenses you have to budget for – and these can really add up.

Check our cost of living information to get an idea of everyday costs in Brisbane for accommodation and rent, as well as other monthly expenses such as food, utilities and transport. 

Cost of living

Study Australia provides a helpful online cost of living calculator to estimate your weekly, monthly, and yearly living costs in greater detail.

If you're an international student, we recommend you open an Australian bank account. Many Australian banks offer accounts with no withdrawal or account fees for international students.

Concession and student discounts

You may be eligible for concession prices and student discounts with several providers (such as cinemas, museums and select food and drink venues). Discounts are usually only available to full-time students, but you should check with each service provider for more information.

Help with saving money

While the numbers can seem intimidating, it’s still possible to save money. Whether you’re trying to establish a budget, or you’re finding it difficult to manage your expenses, we encourage all students to make use of the support resources on campus.

Support and wellbeing services

Student Support and Wellbeing Services and UQ Union have budget workshops and advisors to help you with your finances.

You can book an appointment with an advisor for one-on-one help, or sign up for a workshop.

UQ Union can also help eligible students apply for Centrelink payments, or arrange for a one-off emergency loan.