Accommodation

Housing costs in Canberra are very affordable for international students, especially if you choose to live on campus.

The University of Canberra鈥檚 accommodation guarantee assures every new or continuing international student a place in UC student housing. To sign up, simply check the accommodation guarantee box when you accept your study offer. 

鲍颁鈥檚 on-campus housing options range from multi-share rooms to private units. Rates start at $195.50 per week (inclusive of utilities), and include all your amenities like electricity, water and internet, making it an incredibly convenient option. 

If you plan to live off-campus, you can expect to pay around $160 weekly for a room in a shared house and more than for a private rental. You鈥檒l also have to factor in additional costs for utilities and transport. 

Food and entertainment

When planning your food budget, remember to account for meals at home and at restaurants so you can enjoy .

Prices can vary a lot depending on where you choose to shop. Look out for catalogue discounts and stock up on pantry essentials like bread, cereal, and condiments while they are cheap. 

Generally, it鈥檚 best to budget $80 to $120 per week for groceries. Factor in an additional $30 to $50 for any meal out at a restaurant.

You鈥檒l probably also want to get out and experience everything Canberra has to offer, and with around, this is absolutely possible while living off a student budget.

There are a number of free and low-cost to explore. Make sure you head to , the heart of politics in Australia, and take advantage of their . 

Not everything is free, though, so if you鈥檙e planning on heading out for a day of fun, remember to keep your student card handy. This will allow you to access an abundance of exclusive discounts, deals and special offers for students. 

Overall, an entertainment budget of $50 to $80 per week will give you plenty of opportunities to explore this amazing city.

Transport

With plenty of safe bike and pedestrian paths, Canberra is a fantastic place to . Not only are these good options for your physical health, but they are also great ways to save some money on travel. 

If you鈥檙e not a cyclist or are planning to live further from campus, then public transport is the way to go. To use the city鈥檚 great network of buses and light rail, you鈥檒l need a , which you can pick up from a newsagent or order online. 

As a student, you鈥檒l be eligible for a concession card, which entitles you to of just $1.61 per trip. Your fares will even be capped at $4.80 per day, so you鈥檒l never spend more than this, no matter how far you go! Plus, tertiary students - like you! - are capped at 40 paid trips. All trips after the cap are free that month if you tap on and off.What does living in the cheapest student city mean for me?

Canberra鈥檚 lower cost of living means your dollars will go further, giving you the flexibility to enjoy the activities and experiences you want. This also means you鈥檒l spend less time budgeting your finances and more time enjoying student life! 

It also means that you will be able to save money to travel to other Australian cities and explore this beautiful country. 

Easy ways to save money in Canberra as a student

If you鈥檙e looking for even more ways to save money in Canberra, why not try:

• Using your student ID to access discounts
• Finding cheap eats 
• Shopping at sale times
• Enjoying free experiences 
• Exploring the beautiful natural environment