Accommodation and Living Costs
Accomodation
The city of Armidale offers lots of different accommodation options for students including fully catered lodging, boarding houses, share houses and private rentals.
Living Costs
Migration regulations in Australia require international students to show evidence that they can contribute to the cost of living and studying in Australia. This helps to ensure students are better able to make the most of their studies and have a safe and enjoyable experience in Australia. While international students are able to supplement their income with money earned through part-time work in Australia, the ‘living costs’ requirement helps to support the success of students in their studies by ensuring that they don’t have to rely on such work to meet all their expenses. From 1 July 2012, the basic rate of living costs under the Migration regulations increased. Under these regulations prospective student visa applicants and their family members must have access to the following funds to meet the living costs requirements: • A$18,610 a year for the main student; • A$6,515 a year for the student’s partner; • A$3,720 a year for the student’s first child; and • A$2,790 a year for every other child and where required. Students must demonstrate that the funds they are relying upon to meet the costs of studying in Australia will be genuinely available to them during their stay in Australia. The figures above are indicative only and that costs can vary significantly depending on where you live in Australia. You should be prepared in case your living costs are greater than the indicated figures. For more information visit
Living On-campus versus- Off-campus
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Establishment costs |
off campus |
on campus * |
|
Bond (one months rent)** |
$320-480 |
$88 (application fee) $275 maintenance fee |
|
Two weeks rent in advance |
$120-240 |
n/a |
|
Utilities |
$150 |
$150 (phone + internet) |
|
General Costs (furniture, linen, heating etc) |
$200-700 |
n/a |
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trimester costs |
off campus |
on campus |
|
Textbooks |
$200-400 |
$200-400 |
|
Stationery |
$50 |
$50 |
|
Utilities |
$250-450 |
$150 |
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weekly costs |
off campus |
on campus * |
|
Rent |
$80-120 |
$240-350 |
|
Food |
$60-70 |
(inclusive) |
|
Utilities |
$30-40 |
$10-20 |
|
Travel (bus travel or petrol for car) |
$25-30 |
$10-20 |
|
Recreation |
$40 |
$40 |
|
Clothing |
$25 |
$25 |
|
Personal (toiletries etc) |
$30 |
$30 |
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* Students only pay for approximately 220 (of 365) days per year ie when lectures are in session. Students can negotiate with colleges to stay over break periods though they may be required to relocate to another college on-campus. ** Based on renting 1 bedroom (in a 3 bedroom house) between AUD $80-120 per week. All prices in Australia Dollars (AUD). |
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Shopping
Australia’s major town centres and capital cities have world-class shopping facilities. Hours are generally 9.00am to 5.30pm seven days a week, with late night shopping until 9.00pm on Thursdays or Fridays. Mainstream grocery stores in Armidale include Coles and Woolworths. Below is a list of average costs for everyday grocery products in Australia: • loaf of bread – A$2.50 to A$3.00; • two litres of milk – A$2.20 to A$2.90; • newspaper – A$1.50 to A$3.00; • box of breakfast cereal – A$3.00 to A$4.00; • jar of instant coffee – A$3.00 to A$4.00; • bottle of soft drink – A$1.50 to A$3.00; • bottle of shampoo – A$2.50 to A$4.50; • bar of soap – A$1.50 to A$2.50; • one apple – 50 cents to 80 cents; • one banana – 60 cents to 90 cents; • beef (500 grams) – A$7.00 to A$8.00; and • chicken (600 grams) – A$7.00 to A$8.00