Brisbane

Brisbane, or “Brissy”, is the most populated -and the capital city of Queensland, making it the third-most populous city of Australia with more than 2.4 million people (2020). Brisbane is one of the oldest cities in Australia and the Brisbane central business district stands on the historic European settlement located by a beautiful peninsula of the Brisbane River. Today, Brisbane is one of the most diverse cities in Australia having around 33% of its metropolitan population being foreign-born. The timezone in Queensland and Brisbane is GMT +9:00.

Leading industries in Brisbane, sector of employment

Key growth industries in Brisbane are all types of business services, construction work, education, finance, government, health, manufacturing, mining, retail, and transport. Of these, construction, education, government, health and retail account for more than half of total employment in Brisbane, which gives a lot of work opportunities for students coming to Australia overseas.

Is Brisbane a good place to live in?

In the Economist’s 2019 Global Liveability Index, all five major Australian cities have come within the Top 20, and Brisbane has ranked as the 18^th most liveable city in the whole world. In fact, many Melbournians have recently started to move to Brisbane because of its smaller size, better house prices, and a lot warmer climate!

Accommodation in Brisbane for International Students

Which is the best suburb to live in Brisbane?

South Brisbane has been named Queensland’s most lifestyle-friendly suburb and, with its proximity to the South Bank precinct, vibrant dining scene, lush parklands and public transport options, it’s easy to understand why. Residents of South Brisbane have a short commute to the city centre – nine minutes by car, and 11 minutes using public transport. 96% of residents have education facilities within 500m of their front doors, and 65% have parklands within easy reach — making it the most lifestyle-friendly suburb!

How much are student accommodation and rent in Brisbane?

In Brisbane, you can expect to spend $160-$250 per week in a share house (usually living with professionals or other students), $200-$500 per week for managed student accommodation (this price will normally include amenities like 25-hour support and internet), or $450-$550 per week a room in a residential college (which tends to be located conveniently close to campuses).  Flatmates and Flatmate Finders are popular sites to find shared accommodation in Brisbane and will help you fall on the cheaper end ($160) of the rental price. The average cost of living on campus at a university in Brisbane area ranges between $300 – $550 per week (that usually includes food).

Does universities and colleges in Brisbane offer student apartments?

Yes. Many universities and vocational institutes in Brisbane have a variety of different student apartments and dorms both on-campus and off-campus. Make sure to book your dorm room early, since they tend to fill up pretty quickly!

How do I find accommodation in Melbourne?

• Flatmates.com.au
• Gumtree.com.au
• Hostelworld.com
• Realestate.com.au
• Domain.com.au
• Reiwa.com.au
• Different Facebook groups

Which accommodation should I select? Who provides accommodation for international students?

Depending a lot where you would like to stay and if you prefer more hustle-free, easier, campus-style of living – or if you prefer to live more independently by the beach. Many universities and vocational institutes in Brisbane have a variety of different student apartments and dorms to choose from, or you could find a perfect apartment from private markets.

Cost of living in Brisbane for International Students

How expensive is Brisbane? Is Brisbane more expensive than other cities?

Compared to the prices in Melbourne or Sydney, Brisbane comes the cheapest city to live in.

What is the living cost for international students in Brisbane?

The living cost in Brisbane for international students typically consists of the rent (on-campus or off-campus), school fees and other general living costs. You can find many good lunch and dinner deals around the city, as well as sales in supermarkets and retails shops.

What salary do you need to live in Brisbane? How much money do I need at the beginning in Brisbane?

It is recommended that you should have access to around A$3000* when you arrive in Brisbane to settle in and pay your bond (which is a security deposit for your landlord), and a budget of approx. A$300-A$400* per week to cover the cost of living in Brisbane.

*It is good to remember that the amounts depend on your rental cost and lifestyle.

How much does food cost in Brisbane?

The price of basic dining out menu, including a drink, in the business district in Brisbane, is around AU$15. The prices in the grocery stores are average Australian prices.

Jobs in Brisbane for International Students

Most international students do some amount of part-time work in Brisbane while studying to assisting with living expenses, meet new people and gain experience of an Australian workplace. There are many opportunities for you to undertake part-time work from a wide range of industries in Brisbane.

What sort of jobs can I do in Brisbane as an international student?

• Catering and hospitality business
• Retail and warehouse staff
• Office and retail cleaning industry
• Health and aged care
• Car wash and automotive industry
• Painting and construction
• Different office jobs
• And many more!

How much can international students earn in Brisbane?

A student on a Student Visa is entitled to earn a minimum wage of $19.49 per hour or $740.80 per 38-hour week (before tax) for working both on-campus and off-campus during the period of their full-time study. Average pay is usually higher, so you are likely to earn more.

How can an international student get a job in Brisbane?

International students in Brisbane often work within the construction, hospitality and childcare section; however, students are working in a wide range of different jobs. It is essential to look for work in the area that you will be studying in and, therefore, internships are an option to gain work experience and a future paid job.

Is it hard to get a job as an international student in Brisbane?

Having a part-time job is often an essential part of studying abroad and international students are a big part of the job market in Brisbane. The Student Visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week. Make sure you’re realistic about the work you can take on with your level of experience – but try to pick an area that will help you in your career. Jobs that aren’t in your field can still help you gain transferable skills that will be valuable and look great on your resume!

What is the minimum salary in Australia?

The current minimum wage in Australia is $740.80 per week, which equates to a minimum hourly rate of $19.49. However, usually, the pay is higher depending on your field of work. Many hospitality jobs also offer penalty rates.

Transport in Brisbane

The rush hours in Brisbane are typically before 8:30am and after 3:30pm on weekdays. Public buses, trains, trams, taxis and rideshare services are the options for you if you don’t want to worry about parking. You can also make the most of Brisbane’s wonderful outdoor climate by biking around town. There are extensive bicycle paths running throughout the city and pedal-power offers a healthy and inexpensive way of getting around. You can hire a Brisbane City Council CityCycle bike at key inner-city destinations and set off to explore. Helmets are also available with many of the bikes at stations across the network.

How does public transport work in Brisbane?

With convenient public transportation, you can easily move around Brisbane without a hassle. Brisbane prides itself on being green and its sustainability, so it’s no wonder that public transport is one of the best ways to get around the city. Public buses, trains, trams, taxis and rideshare services (Brisbane is home to Uber, Didi, Ola, Lyft and GoCatch) are the options for you if you don’t want to worry about parking. With the Brisbane, TransLink goes card you can travel seamlessly on all TransLink bus, ferry and rail services across south-east Queensland. You can get your go card from retailers and QR stations, online or over the phone, and top up your card balance like a prepaid mobile phone whenever it suits you.

Is public transport free in Brisbane?

The free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop bus services circle the city every 10 minutes and stop at destinations in the CBD and Spring Hill precincts between 7am to 6pm weekdays. You can also glide between Brisbane’s inner-city precincts by hopping on the free City Hopper ferry service, which travels along the river from North Quay to Sydney St, New Farm.

How much does public transport cost in Brisbane?

Adult tickets are for everyone aged 16 years and older and the prices for the tickets start from $2.70 per trip with go card (off-peak) and $1.35 – $1.69 with the international student concession fare! You can save up to 20 per cent by travelling off-peak hours, which are between 8:30am – 3:30pm and 7pm – 6am on weekdays and all day on weekends and public holidays. These services are also quieter and you’re more likely to find a seat.

How to use public transport in Brisbane?

To use public transport, including buses, trains, and trams in Brisbane, it’s recommended that you purchase a GoCard for use on the Brisbane metropolitan network. You can get your go card from retailers and QR stations, online or over the phone, and top up your card balance like a prepaid mobile phone whenever it suits you.

GoCard also has a convenient app to plan your trips.

What is the most popular mode of transportation in Brisbane?

Public transportation, such as train and buses, is quite easy when travelling within the city, but it is also easy to use Uber, Didi, Ola, Lyft and GoCatch while going out in the evenings.

Education in Brisbane for International Students

Brisbane’s international student enrolments have now increased to 78,000 annually, because of the city’s world-class educational institutions and the attraction of Brisbane’s easy-going lifestyle and amazing nature by the beach!

Is Brisbane a good place for international students?

Brisbane is a very diverse city, with around 33% of residents born outside Australia and 20% speaking a language other than English at home. This makes Brisbane an exceptionally inclusive city, where international students will feel right at home.

What are the best Universities in Brisbane?

Brisbane offers many universities; Griffith University, Central Queensland University, James Cook University, University of Southern Queensland, The University of Queensland and the Queensland University of Technology. However, it contains many more campuses throughout the whole state from over 10 universities.

CQU differs from others by offering campuses in many regional areas, while JCU is mostly known for its Marine Biology courses with classes held on islands and Endeavour College of Natural Health providing courses to improve health and wellbeing.

What can I study in Brisbane?

You can study vocational courses, English courses, both Bachelor and Master’s degrees or PhD for example in fields such as business, education, management, media design, and public health and anything else!

How good is education in Australia?

The Education Index, published with the UN’s Human Development Index in 2018, based on data from 2017, listed Australia the second highest in the world! Australia is also a leading global provider of education to international students – and, after the United States and the United Kingdom, is ranked as the third-largest provider of international education.

Weather in Brisbane

What is the warmest and coldest months of the year in Brisbane?

Brisbane has a humid subtropical climate with year-round period with warm to hot temperatures. Brisbane generally experiences 3 months of mild cool winter from June to August.

The warmest month is January with an average maximum temperature of 29°C. The coldest month is July with an average maximum temperature of 20°C.

When is the best time to visit Brisbane?

The best time to visit Brisbane is from March to May, which would be autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Temperatures during this season hover between 20 – 30°C with little rainfall later in the season. September-October is also a suitable period.

If you don’t mind a hot summer, visit Brisbane in December, January or February for the hottest beach days!

Does it rain a lot in Brisbane?

Brisbane has its highest rainfalls during summer, which can bring thunderstorms and occasional floods. Average rainfall during this time is 426.6 mm.

What are the seasons in Brisbane?

• Summer: December to February
• Autumn: March to May
• Winter: June to August
• Spring: September to November

Culture in Brisbane

Brisbane has many cultural institutions, such as museums and galleries and it hosts events, live music and festivals. In general, the culture of Brisbane derives from mainstream Australian culture and incorporates a strong history in the performing arts, music and sport.

Is Brisbane a global city?

Brisbane is classified as a global city. It is currently the 172nd biggest city in the world and already sits inside the top 80 for globally linked economies. Since 2000, Brisbane is ranked within the top 30% of the world’s fastest-growing cities, particularly for job creation.

5 interesting facts about Brisbane:

• Brisbane was known to the early Aboriginal people as Meanjin, which means “place shaped like a spike”.
• Brisbane has 283 days of sunshine a year.
• China Town in Fortitude Valley was part of the movie set in Jackie Chan’s movie Jackie Chan’s First Strike.
• Queen Street was a barracks between 1827 and 1830 for up to 1000 convicts.
• Brisbane City Hall is the largest city hall in Australia.
• North Stradbroke Island and Moreton Island are the second and third-largest sand islands in the world.

What is Brisbane famous for?

Brisbane is famous for its sunny beaches, South Bank and its river, the Botanic Gardens and the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which is an ideal place to spend a day! Other Australian animals such as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, dingoes, snakes, and even crocodiles live in this compact sanctuary nestled on the Brisbane River.

What is the food culture like in Brisbane?

One of the best-known dishes in Brisbane is 1889 Enoteca’s ridiculously rich gnocchi and it has been the restaurant’s bestseller for seven years straight! Other foods that Brisbane is famous for are Gonuts (a version of the croissant-doughnut hybrid, the cronut), wings, ramen and breakfast carbonara!

Lifestyle in Brisbane

Why is Brisbane liveable city?

Brisbane is a very liveable city. In matter of fact, Brisbane has proven to be the most affordable and liveable capital city! Brisbane also had the lowest entry price and highest rental yield compared to Sydney, which had the highest entry price yet the lowest rental yield. Brisbane received a perfect score for healthcare and education and tied instability with Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Perth, but was found to be lacking in infrastructure. 

Are there many clubs and restaurants in Brisbane?

Nightlife and restaurants in Brisbane and in general in Australia are good. Brisbane has a lot of different types of cafes and restaurant with different cuisines from around the world. Bars, clubs and pubs can also be found all over Brisbane. Remember that you will need to bring your ID any time you enter one of these venues after 10pm.

How to spend your free time in Brisbane?

Brisbane has a lot to offer on weekdays and weekends. Discover the beautiful Brisbane Botanic Gardens or the sunny beaches, catch the CityHopper along the river, go visit the local farmers’ markets or explore the planet at the Queensland Museum!

What to do during your free time in Brisbane?

Discover Brisbane from a different perspective as you glide along the river in a kayak beneath the stars. Finish the work week and hop on over to Riverlife at Kangaroo Point on a Friday night to enjoy 90 minutes of paddling under the Story Bridge before stopping to take in sensational city views over a classic Aussie barbecue in a riverside marquee or see the city by night with Brisbane Lights Tours that take you past all of Brisbane’s big attractions including Government House, Mt Coot-tha, the Story Bridge and the surrounding suburbs that boast some of Brisbane’s rich history! You can also travel by bus and CityCat with full commentary and many opportunities to stop along the way and take that perfect night shot.