Furthering your studies in Australia
FOR many of the aspiring youths, living and studying abroad is seen as an ideal plan for their future. Australia, without any doubt, is a popular option for them as it is a land of opportunities.
Australia is a leading global education powerhouse with some of the world’s best facilities and educators, providing local and international students with a range of quality study options.
Besides, ranking of universities and tuition fees are not the only key factors for students and parents to consider.
The cost of living is also a crucial factor to take into consideration during our planning process to study in Australia.
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth are popular study destinations for students and each city has its own character that suits different individuals.
The cost of living in each of the cities differs as it depends largely on the students’ lifestyle and expenditure such as the type of accommodation the students choose to the way they dine.
Monthly key expenses include rental, groceries, transportation and utilities (mobile, gas, electricity, Internet, etc). For instance, Melbourne is a popular destination for Malaysian students and its one-bedroom accommodation cost varies from A$230 to A$450 (RM670 to RM1,310) per week in the city centre.
If students are willing to opt for shared accommodation, there is a possibility that the rental could go even lower.
There is no doubt that transportation in Australia is a key part of your weekly expenditure but don’t worry too much about it because some of the cities offer discounts to students. Take Perth as an example, tertiary students receive up to 60% off all travel costs.
Using a SmartRider card, it can cost as little as A$0.72 (RM2.10) for one journey. On the other hand, students who are living and studying in Melbourne and Adelaide city centre enjoy free tram service within the city centre itself.
Students who live in New South Wales (NSW) only pay A$2.70 (RM7.85) for their all-day travel on Sunday. This could be a big saver for the students in terms of their transportation cost. Students could also walk or ride a bicycle to the university if it is near enough to do so.
Eating in or out could make a difference in cost of living too. It is a common culture in Australia where students pack their lunch to university as it is a good way to save money. Some students will cook bigger portions of their dinner so that they can pack extra food for lunch the next day.
On the weekends, students can explore eateries with friends as some of the restaurants offer student rates.
Students can also download mobile apps which offer student discount on food and shopping to save some money.
The July 2019 intake is just around the corner. For those who are interested to pursue a step further to study in Australia, sign up now and attend a free admission at the Study in Australia Application Day on May 25 from 1pm to 4pm at V Wrap Café @ Level 1, Sunway Geo Avenue.