Living in Australia

Students should arrive in Australia with at least AUD400 for expenses in the first few days. It is recommended that you have easy access to at least another AUD2000 to AUD3000 during the first few weeks in Queensland. These extra funds will be needed to get you established and will be used on expenses such as:

• Textbooks and study needs purchases
• Rental bond (security deposit equal to 4 weeks rent)
• Rent in advance (equal to 2 weeks rent)
• Security deposits & re-connection fees of electricity, gas and telephone
• Climate suitable clothing
• Household items- for example bed linen, blankets, pillows, cooking utensils, furniture dependant on your choice of accommodation. Homestay, Residential Colleges and some off-campus accommodation providers furnish the room you rent.  In Australia, many sole lease apartments and hourses (that is, where you rent the entire apartment or house for yourself) come unfurnished.

Living expenses depend on your lifestyle, interests and available finances and an on-campus cost of living guide (PDF 338 kb) is available as an estimate to living costs in Australia.

During your stay within Australia you may also require information on:

• Managing money
• Tax & Tax File numbers
• Students with dependents
• Driving in Australia
• Transport in Australia
• Safety and security
• The International Friendship Program at USQ

For additional information about jobs in Australia, the cost of homes and living access the National Library of Australia which links to the websites of Australian newspapers. Stay in touch with news from home via The International Public Library of the Regents of the University of Michigan for online newspapers from around the world.

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