Accommodation

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

The University of Canberra’s 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. 

UC’s 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 $560 per week for a private rental. You’ll 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 Canberra’s incredible hospitality scene.

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’s 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’ll probably also want to get out and experience everything Canberra has to offer, and with many free activities around, this is absolutely possible while living off a student budget.

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

Not everything is free, though, so if you’re 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 walk and cycle. Not only are these good options for your physical health, but they are also great ways to save some money on travel. 

If you’re not a cyclist or are planning to live further from campus, then public transport is the way to go. To use the city’s great network of buses and light rail, you’ll need a MyWay card, which you can pick up from a newsagent or order online. 

As a student, you’ll be eligible for a concession card, which entitles you to discounted travel costs of just $1.61 per trip. Your fares will even be capped at $4.80 per day, so you’ll 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’s 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’ll 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’re 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