Student Support
The cost of being a student
As a guide, DIAC recommends the estimated cost for a single student studying in Australia (including accommodation, meals, textbooks, personal incidentals, transportation and entertainment) comes to a total of approximately AUD$12,000 per year. If married, you will need at least AUD$4,200 a year for your spouse and AUD$2,400 for each child. School age children will require tuition fees for school as well. For an indication of school fees, please visit: NSW – www.schools.nsw.edu.au/international In addition to this amount there will be the cost of a return trip home and international phone calls. For more information please refer to the DIAC website.
You may spend more or less, depending on the course you choose to study, where you choose to live and your lifestyle. AEI suggests the average international student in Australia spends about $335 per week on accommodation, food, clothing, entertainment, transport, international and domestic travel, telephone, and incidental costs. For more information please refer to the Study in Australia website.
The following is an example of some of the annual costs involved in being a student at CSU. Please be reminded that this is intended to be used as a guide when preparing a budget. The living costs vary from student to student depending on their lifestyle and preferences.
| ACADEMIC COSTS (compulsory costs per year) |
MINIMUM | MAXIMUM |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee | as scheduled | |
| Text books, stationery, equipment etc | $500 | $1,000 |
| Overseas Students Health Cover (OSHC) | $348 | $696 |
| Internet charges | $80 | $400 |
| Photocopying charges | $30 | $30 |
| There may be additional costs associated with your course, for example, travel and living expenses during practicum, protective clothing and specialist equipment. | ||
| PERSONAL COSTS | MINIMUM | MAXIMIM |
|---|---|---|
| Rental Establishment costs | $600 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $5,200 | $6,240 |
| Contributions to household costs | $1,400 | $2,800 |
| University accommodation | as scheduled | |
| Food | $2,880 | $4,600 |
| Uni bus expenses | $520 | $1,040 |
| Miscellaneous (entertainment, clothes, repairs) | $1,200 | $2,400 |
| *not shown are costs associated with owning a car, mobile telephone and other luxury items | ||
| GROCERY ITEMS | COST | FRUIT, VEGETABLES & HERBS | COST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pasta, dehydrated (kg) | $2.50 | Oranges (kg) | $3.00 |
| Instant noodles (pack) | $1.00 | Apples (kg) | $3.50 |
| Rice 9kg) | $2.50 | Bananas (kg) | $4.00 |
| Bread, white sliced (loaf) | $3.00 | Taro | $5.00 |
| Eggs (dozen) | $3.50 | Eggplant | $4.00 |
| Milk (1 litre) | $1.50 | Garlic | $9.00 |
| Soy milk (1 litre) | $1.50 | Onions | $2.70 |
| Butter (250g) | $1.50 | Ginger | $9.00 |
| Chicken, whole | $9.00 | Potatoes | $2.30 |
| Tea bags 50pack | $2.50 | Carrots | $2.30 |
| TAKEAWAY FOOD | OTHER ITEMS | ||
| Hamburger | $5.50 | Petrol unleaded (litre) | $1.45 |
| Cooked noodles (bowl) | $8.00 | Movies (student card) | $9.00 |
| Pizza (large) | $10.00 | Toilet paper | $3.00 |
| Fries (serve) | $2.50 | Video rental (new release) | $7.00 |
| Mineral water (1.5 litre) | $2.50 | Jeans (pants) | $120.00 |
| Coke soft drink | $2.00 | Jumper (Sweater) | $60.00 |
| HOUSEHOLD ITEMS | |||
| Joggers (sandshoes) | $40.00 | Bathing soap | $1.20 |
| Film processing (24 film) | $12.00 | Deodorant | $3.00 |
| Digital Prints | $0.50 | Hair shampoo | $6.50 |
| Toothbrush | $4.00 | Toothpaste | $3.00 |
| Note: These prices are only a guide, as the price of fruit, vegetables and other goods can vary depending on location and market factors. | |||