What’s it like to live in Brisbane?
Have you been wondering if the city of Brisbane is a good place to study? Our quick guide to Brisbane for
international students introduces you to Australia’s third largest city and gives you an idea of what it’s
really like to live and study in this laidback river city. Let’s take a look.
Brisbane Quick Facts
Brisbane is the capital of the sunshine state of Queensland. It has a population of roughly 2.6 million
people and is located along the banks of the Brisbane River and the shores of Moreton Bay.
Brisbane is famous for its warm climate, friendly people, and active outdoor lifestyle — with plenty of
beautiful parklands, botanical gardens, walking trails, and riverfront bikeways all within the confines of
the city.
Universities and RTOs
There are a number of local universities located in the city of Brisbane, including the
critically acclaimed University of Queensland (UQ). You’ll also find campuses for Registered Training
Organisations (RTOs) that offer premium-level VET qualifications.
The key providers are:
What’s exciting is that many of these campuses are located right in the heart of the CBD and alongside
the Brisbane river. It’s really fun going to uni by riverboat!
Affordability and Lifestyle
Brisbane is definitely one of the more affordable state capitals in Australia. Compared to Sydney,
Melbourne, Canberra, and Perth, you’ll find living costs are much cheaper in Brisbane.
If you’re still organising your study budget, we suggest checking out the Australia Cost of Living
Calculator. It’s a useful tool developed by the Australian government and allows you to prepare a
reasonably accurate budget based on the local costs of food, accommodation, transport, entertainment and
other essential services.
Getting a Job
International Students who live in Brisbane and hold a current Student Visa 500 will have no problems
finding a part-time job. Brisbane is a popular tourist destination so there is always a good range of job
vacancies in the hospitality, retail, and tourism sectors.
You’ll also find that most Australian universities offer free career advice and professional development
courses. Take advantage of these services and you will be able to confidently prepare a a resume, apply
for a job, and perform well in an Australian job interview.
Public Transport
Brisbane City is an active transport hub, providing metro buses, trains, and river ferry services around
the city and outer suburbs as well as to the nearby cities of Ipswich, Redlands, Moreton Bay, Gold Coast
and Sunshine Coast. Grab yourself a GO CARD to access all services at much cheaper prices.
Additionally, you’ll find a domestic and international airport, plus a large network of regional buses
and trains that connect Brisbane to the far reaches of Queensland in all directions. Queensland is an
incredibly big state and spans a whopping 1.853 million km².
For public transport timetables and fare prices in (and around) Brisbane, visit the TransLink website.
Alternately, for long-distance and interstate services, visit the Queensland Government website.
Accommodation
Like most Australian cities, student accommodation in Brisbane can by highly competitive. You’ll find a
full range of options including on-campus student accommodation, sharehouses, flats and apartments,
studios, and homestays.
While there are always short-term rentals available, we recommend sorting out your accommodation and
living arrangements as soon as possible because short-term stays quickly become expensive.
The best places to look for accommodation in Brisbane are:
Sharehouses
House and Apartment Rentals
Essential Services
When it comes to shopping for food, clothing, stationary, gadgets and computing supplies, Brisbane has
everything you need (and a whole lot more). No matter what your budget, you’re sure to find something in
your price range.
There are also plenty of medical centres, dentists and allied health professionals, hospitals and
healthcare centres that are easily accessible by public transport or within walking distance of the
universities.
Entertainment and Nightlife
If you like to dine-out or party during your downtime, Brisbane has a good range of nightclubs, cocktail
bars, pubs, restaurants, and live entertainment venues to choose from. In-line with the warm weather and
outdoors life-style, you’ll find some excellent outdoor bars, beer gardens, laneway bars, and rooftop bars
around Fortitude Valley, Paddington, and along the riverside.
Brisbane also hosts regular sporting events, cultural festivals, ballet recitals, music concerts, and
theatre featuring national and international artists and sports icons.
Outdoor Attractions
If you love the great outdoors, Brisbane has so much to offer international students. In the city of
Brisbane itself, you can enjoy the walkways and bike paths along the river system or the BBQ facilities
and public swimming pools at the Southbank beach and parklands.
Alternately, ride the bus or train to the Redlands area and enjoy stunning Moreton Bay or the pristine
lakes and beaches on North Stradbroke Island.
A little over an hour north of the city, you’ll find the Sunshine Coast and Hinterlands, which offer
white sandy beaches, rainforest, waterfalls, swimming holes, and the stunning Glasshouse Mountains. Then
just one hour south, is the Gold Coast and it’s famous surf beaches, broadwater, and elaborate system of
canals and waterways.
Health and Safety
Finally, Brisbane is 24-hour city that is (by world standards) very safe for both residents and visitors.
Brisbane has a diverse population and is well-known for it’s friendly people, easy going culture, and
highly responsive emergency services.
If you’re keen to learn more about personal safety in Brisbane, we recommend visiting the Personal Safety
page on the city government’s website.
Learn what it’s like to work here, how to manage your finances, arranging living arrangements and more.
Need help deciding on a University? Compare Australian Universities by their global and national rank.
A comprehensive guide to the student visa application process and how to take the first step.