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Upon arrival you should have a minimum of AUD$2,000, in addition to the monthly average, to cover the initial cost of books and establishment expenses, such as rental bond payment and basic furniture items.

 

Recreation and entertainment are matters of personal taste: the amount spent depends on your interests, budget and where you choose to live. The figures given do not include the costs of large non-essential items such as household equipment or a car. UNSW is well supplied with public transport, with numerous bus routes passing the campus from the city and many suburbs. It is generally not advisable for any student to own a car unless absolutely necessary for everyday transportation. Owning and maintaining a motor vehicle is expensive in Australia.

The 10 week summer vacation time (December through February) requires special financial planning. Estimate your expenses for this period carefully and add to expenses for the academic year in order to reach a realistic total amount for the calendar year.

 

Staying in Australia for the vacation costs more but there are savings on air-fares, and on re-establishment fees if you do not move to a new house or flat. You may be able to get a summer job over the semester break.

 

The Living Expenses table details some of the prices of things which you will need in your day to day living. The figures provided here do not include the costs of large nonessential items such as luxury household equipment (eg. television, video) or a car. Many students find that these additional expenses can cause serious problems for someone on a limited budget.

NOTE - All prices quoted here are subject to inflation and currency fluctuations. The current inflation rate in Australia is very low.