Situated on the banks of the Brisbane River, Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia and also the host of the 2032 Olympic Games. Brisbane is also gearing up to become one of the top destinations in the world for higher education. This is owed to the presence of two of Australia’s best universities: The University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology.
These universities invite several thousand students every year to pursue higher education in Brisbane, and this ultimately leads to an influx of students. This has created a huge demand for student accommodation Brisbane, which has ultimately led to a huge spike in property prices in the city. Therefore, in this blog, we shall try to understand why international students are choosing Brisbane for affordable living.
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Lower Cost of Living Compared to Other Australian Cities
Brisbane is one of the most affordable cities in Australia in terms of rent, transportation and cost of living. Where the average rent of student apartments in Sydney and Melbourne is around AUD 1200 to AUD 1500 per month, the average rent in Brisbane is just AUD 800. This is a minimum of AUD 400 saving per month and AUD 4800 annually in just rent.
Even in terms of groceries, transport, entertainment and other utilities, Brisbane is more affordable than Melbourne and Sydney. If you want to save even more money in rent and utilities, try to go for shared accommodations or student residencies, as they generally include utility bills in the rent! The table below outlines some of the major expenses that students might incur in Brisbane.
| Expense Category | Amount (In AUD/Per Month) |
| Accommodation | 800-1000 |
| Food | 150-300 |
| Transportation | 100-200 |
| Utilities and Subscription | 50-100 |
| Miscellaneous | 100-200 |
| Total | 1200– 1600 |
Note: These figures are tentative and may change based on your lifestyle and expenses.
Student Accommodation Options in Brisbane
Student accommodation in Brisbane are of two types, University Halls and PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations). University Halls are accommodations managed by the university itself. The issue with them is that these accommodations are very low in number and are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Whereas PBSAs are private buildings that are built specially for students. Let’s learn more about them in brief:
- Shared Apartments – In these apartments, students get to have a room that is shared by 2/3 occupants, along with a shared washroom, shared kitchen, and a shared living room. Shared apartments are the most affordable type of student accommodation.
- En-Suite Accommodations – In an En-Suite Accommodation, students get to have an entire room to themselves that is attached to a washroom, a shared living room and a kitchen.
- Studio Apartments – A studio apartment is the most expensive, luxurious and comfortable type of student accommodation where students get to have an entire room to themselves along with an attached kitchen and washroom. All for just one person!
Make sure to start the accommodation hunt as early as possible because the earlier you start, the more options you’ll have, along with better prices. Students are recommended to seek assistance from an experienced student accommodation service provider like University Living to get the best student rooms in Brisbane!
Convenient Public Transport and Commute Times
Brisbane has an extensive network of public transit systems to help its more than 2.5 million residents travel all across the city in peace. The city has a comprehensive system of trains, buses, ferries, and metro rail systems. These have been explained below:
- Trains – The train system in Brisbane connects major parts of the Central Business District with major areas such as South Bank, Indooroopilly, and Brisbane Airport. The major hubs are Roma Street, Central Station, and South Brisbane.
- Buses – Buses are the lifeline of Brisbane, with the system covering almost all of the suburbs in Brisbane. High-frequency routes operate through dedicated busways such as the Southeast Busway and Northern Busway, helping reduce traffic delays.
- Brisbane Metro – It’s an all-electric mode of transit in Brisbane. This is a new service that started in 2025. The major reason for developing Sydney metro was to improve inner-city travel and to provide frequent services linking major corridors and transport interchanges.
- CityCat Ferries – Ferries are probably the most fun mode of transportation in Brisbane. Operated by CityCat, these ferries travel along the Brisbane River, and the stops include South Bank, West End, and the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus.
These modes of public transport operate continuously and tirelessly 24/7, providing last-mile connectivity to the residents of Brisbane.
Conclusion
Brisbane is undoubtedly going to be one of the top destinations to study abroad in the next 5-7 years, and this is mainly because Brisbane’s affordability and lifestyle advantages continue to attract international students. Brisbane offers a balanced mix of quality education and manageable living costs. Students can definitely come to the city to pursue their higher education, and must make sure that they start planning early, as this will help them secure better housing and budgeting options
