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Cheapest courses for international students in Australia in 2022

Compare the cheapest courses eligible for a Student Visa in Australia.

What has changed for foreign students in Australia?

Update (September 2024): Here are the cheapest courses in Australia for international students in 2024

Australia is becoming more attractive for international students again. Student Visa holders can now benefit from these pretty big changes in 2022:

Update (10th of October 2022): Unrestricted work rights for Student visa holders will end on 30 June 2023.

  • student visa holders can start working before their course starts – this is great because if you apply for your Student Visa with us way ahead of your course commencement date, you may arrive in Australia months before your course starts and just work or travel as much as you want
  • more flexibility with hybrid (blended) course delivery – less sitting in a classroom and more online learning

So, check if you are eligible to apply for a Student Visa, and let’s see what are the cheapest courses for international students in Australia you can choose from right now.

TIP: Get your Overseas Student Health Cover for just $571.02 (12 months). Compare all available OSHC providers here.

1. The cheapest diploma course for international students in Sydney

Lloyds International College offers the cheapest courses for international students in Australia at the moment. How much? $1,000 per term (every three months) and if you enrol with us now, your first term will be discounted even more to just $950. As a result, your total tuition fee for a one-year course will only be $3,950. The college will also charge you a $200 one-off enrolment fee.

Update (11th of October 2022): Following many other schools, Lloyds International College is raising its prices again. This time to $4,900 / year. Tuition fees can still be paid quarterly with $1,150 being the first instalment and $1,250 as the following ones.

Update (1st of July 2022): This promotion has ended and the college increased its prices to $4,500 / year, which is still one of the most affordable options. Your first term payment will be $1,050 and $1,150 thereafter.

This promotion is valid until the 30th of June 2022 30th of September 2022 31st of October 2022 and you can choose from these courses:

  • Diploma of Leadership and Management (1 year)
  • Advanced Diploma of Leadership and Management (1.5 years)
  • Certificate IV in Marketing and Communication (1 year)
  • Diploma of Marketing and Communication (1 year)
  • Advanced Diploma of Marketing and Communication (1.5 years)
  • Certificate II in Workplace Skills (1 year)
  • Certificate III or IV in Business (1 year each)

These courses can be combined into a package (e.g. Certificate IV + Diploma + Advanced Diploma). Therefore you can apply for up to a 3.5-year Student Visa with us. The college offers a new intake almost every month. Feel free to send us a message for more information, enrolment, and free Student Visa assistance from our registered migration agent.

TIP: Are you wondering what is the age limit for a Student Visa in Australia? Get this and all the other answers to your most burning Student Visa questions in our FAQs.

2. The cheapest hospitality course for international students in Sydney and in Gold Coast

The hospitality sector in Australia is experiencing huge staff shortages which may take years to recover from. If you are thinking of becoming a restaurant or a cafe manager, now may be the best time to start acquiring the skills. With our current discount, even the hospitality courses are among the cheapest ones for international students in Australia. In addition to theory, you will also undertake two terms of paid work placement which will further increase your chances to succeed in the job market.

These hospitality courses are offered by our partner school Pacific Training Group (PTG) and you can choose:

  • Certificate III in Hospitality (1 year)
  • Diploma of Hospitality Management (2 years)

If you’d like to learn more you can enrol in one of these course packages with a single Australian Student Visa:

  • Certificate III in Hospitality + Diploma of Hospitality Management (2 years)
  • Diploma of Hospitality Management + Advanced Diploma of Hospitality Management (2.5 years)

Any of these courses or course packages will now cost you only $1,400 per term (every three months), which is $5,600 per year. The college will also charge you a $100 enrolment fee. Further discounts are available if you decide to pay your entire tuition fee upfront.

Hurry up because this promotion is valid only until the 30th of June 2022!

Update (11th of October 2022): This special is available again for enrolments until the 31st of December 2022.

Update (25th of July 2022): The college is offering this promotional price again until the 31st of August 2022.

The next available intake dates for these cheap courses for international students are the 31st of October 2022, the 9th of January 2023, the 13th of February 2023, and the 3rd of March 2023.

Contact us if you have any questions or if you’d like to enrol and get your Australian Student Visa. Our team will assist you step-by-step with your enrolment and with your visa application.

3. The cheapest Student Visa course in Melbourne

Greenwich Management College usually offers some of the cheapest courses for international students in Australia. There’s no exception now and especially if you are looking at studying in Melbourne.

If you are in Australia already, you can study at Greenwich College for just $850 / every two months. If you are overseas, the college will charge you $1,000 / every two months. A one-year course will cost you $5,100 or $6,000. There is a very low upfront cost for all applicants.

Update (20th of October 2022): Greenwich College has not extended the onshore promotion and both onshore and offshore students now pay $1,000 every two months. However, the college now offers a 50% discount on the last term for onshore students.

Which are the cheapest Student Visa courses in Melbourne?

For the price we mention above, you can choose courses in Business, Leadership and Management, Project Management, Marketing and Communication, or Event Management. Various durations or course packages are available.

The best part? The weekend timetable is still available for some of the courses so you can work or travel all week long and attend your course on Saturdays. Pretty neat, right?

Send us a message if that sounds interesting and we’ll help you to study some of the cheapest courses for international students in Australia.

You can enrol in all these courses at both Greenwich College campuses – in Melbourne or in Sydney.

Cheap courses at new campuses

Update (20th of October 2022): Greenwich College has recently opened a new campus for international students in Brisbane and is opening another one in Gold Coast in January 2023. If you choose to study there, you can get a special price of $4,950 / year (when applying onshore) or $5,400 (offshore application).

Please note: Greenwich Management College is very popular among international students right now so you may need to wait a little longer until you receive your Offer Letter.

4. Affordable pathway course for international students in Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne

When researching the cheapest courses for international students in Australia, you may also want to consider what (if anything) you will do after you complete your course. With Australian Learning Group (ALG; previously also known as 4Life College) you can plan a bit longer term.

Graduating from some of their courses (e.g. a Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care) could make you eligible for a 485 Graduate Visa allowing you to stay in Australia with full-time work rights for up to 2 years after you complete your course. For the eligibility criteria please refer to the website of the Department of Home Affairs or send us a message.

Another option is to take one of the courses at ALG as part of a package with a Bachelor’s degree at the Ikon Institute of Australia. If you are accepted, you get a 25% discount on your tuition fees at Ikon. This promotion is no longer available.

Courses at the Australian Learning Group start at $1,990 / every three months or $725 per month and there are four intakes per year. The college will also charge you a $595 joining fee.

Update (12th of October 2022): ALG is raising prices for its 2023 intakes. Courses now start at $2,150 / every three months or $775 per month.

Contact us if you are interested in a longer course pathway. Our registered migration agent will help you to make the right decision aligned with your long-term goals.

TIP: Are you wondering whether you’ll need to provide a bank statement (so-called “show money”) when applying for your Student Visa with one of these cheapest courses for international students in Australia? Get this and other Student Visa questions answered in our FAQs.

All prices in this article are in Australian Dollars (AUD). Please note that when you are applying for an Australian Student Visa, you will also need to pay a fee to the Department of Home Affairs and also to get Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Get your free quote for the whole package here or reach out to us via Messenger to speak with one of our colleagues. You can join students from 60+ countries who study in Australia with Study Anywhere.

TIP: Compare all eligible OSHC providers here. Get your Overseas Student Health Cover for just $571.02 (12 months).

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Australian Student Visa Changes

Here are the most recent updates regarding Student Visa in Australia. Borders are still closed, but there is some good news for international students.

Update (14th of October 2021):

Australian borders will reopen soon and the first international students will return to Australia in December 2021.

Original blog article: Did you know that some students will not have to pay for their next visa application?

Australian Government is making several visa changes in order to help international students who are planning to study in Australia and those who already have their Student Visas, but their studies are impacted by the pandemic:

  • The Government will recommence granting student visas in all locations lodged outside Australia. This means when borders re-open, students will already have visas and be able to make arrangements to travel.
  • International students will be able to lodge a further student visa application free of charge if they are unable to complete their studies within their original visa validity due to COVID-19.
  • Student visa holders studying online outside Australia due to COVID-19 will be able to use that study to count towards the Australian study requirement for a post-study work visa.
  • Graduates who held a student visa will be eligible to apply for a post-study work visa outside Australia if they are unable to return due to COVID-19.
  • Additional time will be given for applicants to provide English language results where COVID-19 has disrupted access to these services.

What should you do?

These are welcomed changes, especially for those of you who already have their Student Visas. E.g. if you were on holiday in your home country when the borders got shut and you were unable to return to Australia. The real change for all new offshore applicants will be when the travel ban gets lifted.

Until then we recommend our offshore clients just enrol (for as little as $250 AUD) and wait with their visa application until the borders are re-opened. If this is your case, let us know and we can help you to find the right course. This way you don’t miss out on the current course promotions without having to pay the Student Visa fee until you are sure you can come to Australia. Schools were forced to temporarily lower their tuition fees due to the pandemic so why not take advantage of it?

Are you in Australia at the moment and your current visa (e.g. a Working Holiday Visa) is expiring soon? There are no major changes for you and you will need to apply for a new visa. Despite the current situation, most of our onshore clients usually get their Student Visas granted very quickly. Feel free to request a quote from Study Anywhere and we can help you to move to a Student Visa or to renew your current Student Visa.

New visa options for Hong Kong citizens

Australia is also starting to offer several visa options for Hongkongers because of the escalated situation between mainland China and Hong Kong. The main change for students is perhaps the longer duration of the Graduate Visa. Students from Hong Kong will now be able to get 5 years of Graduate Visa (instead of 18 or 24 months). Feel free to contact us if you are interested in studying a course eligible for the Graduate Visa.

Do you have any questions about the Australian Student Visa? Check out Frequently Asked Questions.

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Is your visa going to expire any time from now until the end of this year? 

As we are heading towards the end of the year and the holiday season is just around the corner, it’s good to plan ahead and be organised.

If your visa is going to expire any time soon, don’t leave it to the last minute. Many schools will close for the Christmas holiday and come back at the beginning of January. If this is your case, start the visa process as soon as possible in order to avoid the stress of getting everything done on time.

We still have some special offers for different courses, that you can find interesting. Among them some Black Friday promotions and we’re also still accepting enrolments for our most affordable course for international students in Sydney.

Just contact us and we will be in touch with all the details and we can also check if you are eligible. If you are not sure or have any questions, feel free to have a chat with us on Facebook Messenger.

If you decide to go ahead, our registered migration agent will help you for free with your Student Visa application and you can join students from 43 countries who are already studying with Study Anywhere.

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Australian Department of Home Affairs is changing the Student Visa application fee from the 1st of July 2019.

The cost of a Student Visa in Australia (Subclass 500) is now $620 (an increase from $575). If you will be applying in Australia and your current visa was granted while you were in Australia, be prepared that the Department of Home Affairs will charge you another $700 (Subsequent Temporary Application Charge) on top of the $620. This is often the case when someone is moving from the second year of Working Holiday Visa and this fee has not changed since 1. 7. 2019.

If you are planning to include your partner in your Student Visa application, you will be charged another $430 (Additional Applicant Charge 18+) by the Department of Home Affairs.

Do you want to save as much money on your Student Visa in Australia as possible? Why not take advantage of our current special offer? You can choose the cheapest course in Sydney and study for as little as $4,000 / year ($1,000 every three months). Contact us now for a free quote and all the details.

Students enrolling with Study Anywhere will get free assistance with their Student Visa applications by our registered migration agent.

All prices are in Australian Dollars (AUD). Please, check the website of the Department of Home Affairs for all the details about a Student Visa in Australia and FAQs on our website.

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The article is written by Jane Churchill

DO/VISIT

  1. Take a stroll at Springbrook Natural Bridge: Springbrook is nestled in the Hinterland and home to some of the states most spectacular bush walks and scenery. For a unique experience, head out at night and you can check out the glow worms.
  2. Swim at Tallebudgera or Currumbin Alley: If you’re not a huge fan of swimming in the surf or if you are just after a more relaxing experience, Tallebudgera Creek and Currumbin Alley are patrolled swim areas with picturesque aqua water and no waves!
  3. Have a Sunset Picnic at Burleigh Headland: Every single weekend Burleigh Hill is packed with young people having a drink and nibbles with friends whilst the sun sets over the city. It is the perfect spot to capture the most incredible Gold Coast view.
  4. Check out local artists, creatives, boutiques, foodies, small businesses and designers at The Village Markets at Burleigh: Held on the first and third Sunday of every month at Burleigh Heads State School between 8:30AM and 2PM.
  5. Buy Fresh Produce at the weekly Miami Organic Farmers Market: Held every Sunday at Miami State High School from 6AM to 12PM.
  6. Have a drink at Melbas on the Park: A popular student bar & nightclub located in Surfers Paradise.
  7. Swim at Curtis Falls on Tamborine Mountain: Being only a 30-minute drive from the city, swimming in a waterfall is ultimate city escape.
  8. Relax at Currumbin Valley Rock Pools: Natural swimming pools with rope swings, picnic tables and toilet facilities. However be wary about going during school holidays!
  9. Elsewhere Nightclub: An alternative dance club with a focus on European deep house DJs. Free Entry on Sundays before 11PM.
  10. Catch a gig at Mo’s Desert Clubhouse in Burleigh: One of the few, but great, music venues on the Gold Coast.

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EAT

  1. Niche & Co or BlendLove: Voted the best Acai bowls on the coast.
  2. Justin Lane: Italian Pizzeria and Rooftop Bar in Burleigh Heads, with a view of the ocean.
  3. Paddock Bakery: A local breakfast hotspot that bakes their own bread on site.
  4. The Night Quarter: A weekly street food market (and live music venue) at Helensvale, opposite the tram/train station. Open every Friday night.
  5. The Collective Palm Beach: A more upscale but unique Dinner Destination (Reservations Essential).
  6. BSKT Cafe: Have a healthy brunch and then attend a Yoga Class upstairs.
  7. The Yard Cafe: Local Cuisine & Live Music in Nobby Beach.
  8. Randy Wallhole: Hipster cafe in close proximity to Griffith University.
  9. The Burleigh Social: Famous for its Smashed Avocado.
  10. Mandala: Vegan Restaurant and Bar with live music every Thursday. And on Tuesday, it’s unlimited Pizza night!
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One or two years not long enough for you in Australia? No worries! Here’s all you need to know if you want to study in the land down under.

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1. Is it better to apply onshore or offshore?

Long story short: Onshore if you can, although the application might be a bit more expensive.

At the moment, a standard single Student Visa application fee is $560 plus a credit card surcharge (that’s the fee that the Immigration charges, Study Anywhere won’t charge you anything extra). But, if this isn’t the first time you’ve applied, you will also be charged $700 on top of that by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

Typically, if you are switching from the second year of Work and Holidays, you will pay $560 + $700 + credit card surcharge.

But before you book that flight to Bali or New Zealand to apply from there, consider this: Most of our Work and Holiday clients still prefer to apply for a Student Visa onshore. Why? 

  1. Bridging Visa is your friend – When Student Visa is lodged onshore, the applicant typically receives a Bridging Visa A almost instantly. This allows them to not only stay in Australia but with the same conditions as their current Visa. Essentially, until you hear from the Immigration regarding your Student Visa application, you can work under the same conditions as you have on your Work and Holiday Visa. How neat is that!
  2. Last minute lodgment is possible – if you are running out of time and your Work and Holiday is about to expire in a few days, we probably can still make it.
  3. Waiting offshore could be frustrating – itʼs hard to know how long it will take for the Immigration to let you know about your Student Visa application. And while drinking smoothies in Seminyak might sound like the perfect way to kill some time, your holiday could be longer than you would like it to be while you wait to hear from Immigration. So mindful exercises in Ubud wonʼt be helping that much if your bank account is getting slimmer every day.
  4. If something goes really wrong – should your onshore student visa get refused you have the option to appeal this decision with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). When you are applying offshore, you donʼt have this option.

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2. Not everyone can apply onshore

If youʼd like to apply onshore, you need to check your current Visa conditions. Just find your current Visa in your e-mail, and check if you have or don’t have ‘No further stayʼ listed among your Visa conditions.

If not – happy days – and you can apply onshore. If yes, book that flight to Thailand or back home and surprise your parents. Our registered migration agent can lodge your Student Visa application from anywhere.

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3. Your course must start no longer than 8 weeks after your Work and Holiday Visa is about to expire

If you have made a firm decision and would like to apply for your Student Visa onshore, you can get into the course selection. Finding and enrolling in a course is pretty easy with the Study Anywhere platform and you can always send us a message if you have any specific requirements.

There is just one thing to keep in mind: make sure your course will start no longer than 8 weeks after your current Visa is about to expire.

Before you start searching for courses that commence exactly 8 weeks after your current Work and Holiday Visa expires, consider this: In the case your onshore application for a Student Visa gets approved really quickly (which doesnʼt happen very often) and your course has not commenced yet, you are not allowed work at all because the work permit on a Student Visa only starts when your course has started.

Not a situation you would like to be in, right?

Applying for a course that starts within 4 weeks after your Work and Holiday Visa expires, is usually the best option.

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4. How expensive it really is to study in Australia?

Long story short: It can be really expensive but it doesn’t have to be.

Majority of our Work and Holiday clients who are applying for a Student Visa pick a course from a sector that is called Vocational Education and Training (VET) –  Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas…

These courses are usually much more affordable than universities and much more flexible with the attendance. You can find your ideal course via Study Anywhere, see the reviews and apply to get the free Visa assistance by the migration lawyer.

All the courses listed on the page are part of CRICOS – which is a must for a Student Visa application.

The most popular courses for people switching from Work and Holiday Visa are Leadership and Management, Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Travel and Tourism, Event Management, and Early Childhood Education and Care (eligible for a Graduate visa).

Some of these courses only cost around $1,350 every three months and would allow you to study and to apply for a Student Visa for up to 4 years.

The minimum upfront payment for a course would be somewhere around $1,550 ($1,350 + $200 enrolment fee).

Then you just need to take in account that you will need an Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) to be able to apply for a Student Visa in Australia which costs around $500 for a 1-year policy.

Only some applicants from Sweden, Belgium and Norway donʼt need to get an OSHC to be able to apply for a Student Visa. Feel free to send us a message for a free quote so you can see the full breakdown of costs you need to expect when transitioning from the Work and Holiday to a Student Visa.

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5. Myth busted – ‘You can only work 20 hours per week on a Student Visaʼ

Long story short: There is a work limitation, but in some cases, you can work more.

This is where people often get it wrong. Australian Student Visa will let you work up to 40 hours fortnightly (e.g. you can work 20 hours one week and 20 hours the next week) when your course is on. What people often forget though, is that during the holidays you can work unlimited hours, which is when students usually try to save up some money. Most of the VET courses have up to 16 weeks of holidays per year to give students the opportunity to work and travel.

Please note: This article is an observation of questions that our Work and Holiday applicants usually have and answers our migration lawyer gives them. Feel free to send us a message or an e-mail (hello@studyanywhere.com.au) if youʼd like to get a migration law advice from a registered migration agent.

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This article is written by Alanna Tomazin

While studying abroad you probably want to know who the best phone operator is to go with so you can keep contact with your family and friends back home as well as get the greatest deal on data, international calls, and the best mobile service. So we’ve come up with a few phone providers and tips to make your decision just that little bit easier.

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Phone Tips

While studying and living here in Australia it is best to purchase a SIM card or an Australian mobile number when you arrive here, as using your home phone number can actually be quite costly.

There are two types of mobile phone accounts you can choose from:

Pre-paid:

A pre-paid service gives you heaps of flexibility because you can control how much you spend and can stop using the service anytime. You simply top up with credit as needed which can be purchased at service stations, shops and even over the phone and online. You can purchase pre-paid SIM cards in many shops and supermarkets as well as the mobile phone providers listed below.

Contract:

 If you’re going to be studying and living here in Australia for a long period of time then a contract might work out cheaper for you. There are numerous mobile phone operators such as the ones listed below which offer phone plans with a fixed price per month for a certain number of calls, texts, and data.

 

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Telstra

 Staying in touch with loved ones and friends is the most important thing, no matter where either of you is. Telstra is Australia’s largest mobile network and they have some amazing international packs on offer allowing you to make calls as often and as long as you like.

 

Telstra also offers the best service even when you’re in the most rural and remote areas, they will have you covered. It’s also the best in case of an emergency.

To check out what coverage and data speeds are available in your area head online to Telstra.

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Optus

If you’re calling overseas a lot in Australia then an Optus International Minute Pack is what you need! An International Minute Pack is an easy and inexpensive way to save on calls to mobiles and fixed lines in 32 countries while you’re here in Australia.

For more information head over to Optus online on how to create an account and start making those phone calls!

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Vodafone

Vodafone offers easy and affordable calls from Australia either on a plan or pre-paid.

If you’re after a plan with no lock-in contracts check out more information here and if you want something where you recharge on the go then a pre-paid Vodafone gives you a 35-day expiry on selected Data and Talk Combo Packs and recharges. This is a cheap and effective way to go.

 

Tip: Data combos have heaps of data, and Talk Combos give you 1000 standard international minutes from Australia to either 15 or 25 selected destinations. How good is that!

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Virgin Mobile

Virgin mobile includes standard international calls as part of all of their post-paid plans. You can check out their call rates here.

One of the best things about Virgin Mobile is that they offer International SMS. Sending a text to anywhere overseas from Australia should not cost much more than sending one to your neighbour!

 Tip: You can find more info on how to set up mobile plans or how to use pre-paid at Virgin Mobile.

 

 

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Pros and Cons Of Living With Roommates

The article is written by Loren Howarth

As you take the leap from home to come and study in Australia, finding a place of your own is at the top of the agenda. Unfortunately due to the rising cost of housing and subsequently rent, living by yourself in a major city is quite unlikely. For the time being, you can live with roommates and make the most of this incredibly fun and youthful experience. But this can have some downsides.

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Cleaning 

Pro: When you live with other people, it isn’t just up to you to clean up. Instead, the role is often divided by a roster system, or everyone just helps out cleaning common places such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living rooms, leaving everyone to maintain their own bedrooms. This creates a decreased workload, and you won’t be stuck cleaning an entire apartment or townhouse by yourself.

Con: Sometimes, no one wants to clean. Although you will endeavor to help each other out, it’s likely that there will be instances of people blatantly ignoring overfull garbage bins and pans which have been left soaking in the sink for days. Soon the mess will increase, and then it will be down to who gives in first to be stuck cleaning.

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Having other people live with you 

Pros: When you live with other people, you can gain true best friends. These will be people you look forward to hanging out with at the end of a long day, and simply knowing that there will be someone you can vent to or simply chat to is reassuring in itself. You will also be able to meet more new people through your roommates.

Cons: Sometimes though, you can come across people you don’t get along with. This doesn’t necessarily mean you will become enemies, but it just means you won’t become best friends either. It could be someone who tells you off for leaving your music on or even someone who simply transforms the entire apartment into their bedroom. If you come across someone like this, try your best to talk to them about how it makes you feel and if that doesn’t solve anything, maybe it’s time to find somewhere new.

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Cost 

 Pros: Generally speaking, you’ll most likely pay less. By living with roommates and splitting up the rent, as well as other bills such as internet and electricity, this will be sure to leave some spare cash in your pocket. So if you can tolerate living with other people and want more money to spend on adventures and activities while living in Australia, it makes more financial sense to share housing.

Cons: Literally everything is shared. Nothing you buy is just yours anymore when you choose to live with other people. If you go grocery shopping for yourself and stock up the fridge, chances are everyone else will also consume some of the food you have purchased. Or even a luxury shampoo and conditioner that you splurge on, will most likely be used by your roommates who have run out of their own.

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