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Brisbane is one of the most affordable capital cities in Australia to live in. The cost of transport, food and entertainment is average for Australian cities. Brisbane caters for a diverse range of lifestyles and can easily be enjoyed even on a student budget. We estimate you will need a minimum of AUD$16,500 for essential living expenses per year. This is only a guide as the cost of living in Brisbane will obviously vary depending on your accommodation and lifestyle. You may need more money to cover initial establishment cost (see below), textbooks and other educational expenses, and incidental expenses. In estimating incidental expenses you should consider items such as medical, recreational, sight-seeing & travel, week-end entertainment and any other activities to maintain a healthy and balanced lifestyle. In the experience of many international students their incidental items are likely to total at least $1000 a year. Again the cost of entertainment and recreation are a matter of personal taste. Costs for accommodation and food can be reduced by sharing with friends and budgeting carefully. A budget should be used to find out what you can afford after you have paid the essential expenses. Trying to maintain a lifestyle beyond your financial means can cause serious problems and eventually interfere with your studies. Make sure that you have enough money to cover the essential expenses without having to rely on income from a part-time job, which is not always available. Do not assume you will find a job quickly. If you experience financial difficulty at anytime during your studies at QUT speak to an International Student Adviser at ISS. You can also find tips for living cheaply here. Some overseas banks may require you to obtain a letter from QUT outlining your living expenses before they transfer funds for your living expenses. This Cost Analysis letter can be obtained from QUT's Student Centre. Here's an example of a person's weekly expenses based on a two bedroom unit, which is the most popular accommodation for international students at QUT.
* All prices quoted here are estimates only and to be used as a guide only. These prices are subject to inflation and currency fluctuaions.They are accurate as at Jan 2008. Establishment costsRemember there is also the one off expenses of establishing a home and other incidential expenses (eg. textbooks, medical, clothing, recreation, entertainment, visas renewals) so its advisable to budget for an extra AU$1500 - $2500. Some of these expenses are matters of personal taste; the amount you spend varies, depending on your priorities, the lifestyle you choose, and your available budget. Of course you'll also need some cash when you first arrive. Establishment Costs based on $300 two bedroom unit
* refundable
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