Plan your everyday expenses and accommodation.
Understand the costs you're likely to face as a student, so you can keep to a realistic budget.
These Australian government websites have lots of information and advice:
You can find accommodation on or off campus.
Costs will depend on the property you choose. The information below provides approximate monthly costs for accommodation.
| Living Costs | Weekly Cost | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Shared house/flat | $90 -$200 | Find a place |
| One bedroom flat | $130 - $280 | Find a place |
| Utilities (gas and electricity) | ||
| $10 - $15 | Compare Energy Offers | |
| Total* | $100 - $295 |
*These are basic living costs only - see below for other costs you will also need to consider.
| Living Costs | Weekly Cost | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Bond (4 weeks rent) | $360 - $1120 | |
| Rent in advance (2 weeks rent) | $180 - $560 | |
| Utilities connection | $100 - $200 | Compare Energy Offers |
| Total** | $640 - $1880 |
**This does not include any furniture or household items you might need to purchase
A weekly grocery bill for one person is usually between $80–$280. You can save money by buying groceries at supermarkets.
Expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and may include:
| Living Costs | Weekly Cost | More Information |
|---|---|---|
| Transport - car owner | Varies | Buying a Car |
| Transport - no car (public transport) | $25 - $50 | Transport concessions |
| Utilities (gas and electricity) | ||
| $10 - $15 | Compare Energy Offers | |
| Entertainment and personal costs | $50 - $150 | |
| Mobile phone and internet | $10 - $15 | Compare phone and internet plans |
| Textbooks and Stationery | $35 - $60 | Textbooks |
| Total* | $130 - $290 |
*These are basic living costs only - see below for other costs you will also need to consider.
This largely comes down to personal preferences. Be honest with yourself about your spending habits when it comes to clothing, footwear and accessories and be prepared to limit or change your spending habits if necessary. Don't forget to budget for any special clothing requirements for your course.
You may need to budget for the cost of childcare, either while you attend classes on campus or during intensive schools. Childcare is available on some Charles Sturt campuses.
Again, this comes down to personal preferences and is an important area of expense to consider in order to make the most of the social side of the university experience.
Textbooks can be one of the biggest study-related expenses, with books costing $100 – 150 per subject per session. It's not always necessary to purchase textbooks new – you may be able to buy second hand textbooks (make sure to check the edition) or share books. Talk to your lecturers and to students who have already completed the subject about which books they found to be the most useful, when deciding which ones to buy.
Depending on your study style you may find yourself printing and photocopying a lot.
Create a budget and start saving.
You'll need to plan ahead to meet the costs of travel, accommodation and other factors associated with time away from home.
Budget for:
Review your insurance, utilities and loans every twelve months or when they fall due. Check to see what deals the competitors are advertising and call your provider to let them know you're thinking about switching to take advantage of a better offer. This will often prompt them to offer you a matching price.
There are lots of ways to stay healthy while you study, and this includes budgeting for those times when you may need to access health services. You may choose to get private health insurance (or might be covered under an existing family policy), or to take advantage of services available on campus and in the community.
Look for a fee-free or low fee bank account. Move your savings out of your everyday transaction account and into a savings account with a competitive interest rate.
Apply for an Equity Grant, available to eligible undergraduate students.
Look for student discounts on new computers, software, peripherals and other personal devices.
Look for second hand textbooks (make sure to check the edition) or share books. Talk to your lecturers and to students who have already completed the subject about which books they found to be the most useful, when deciding which ones to buy.
Ask local businesses (hairdressers, for example) if they have student rates or student deals. And if you do come across a great student deal, let us know so that we can spread the word.