Study in Brisbane – Australia

People looking to pursue higher studies are opting to study in Brisbane for several reasons. From having a top-notch educational infrastructure to high-paying jobs, Brisbane has it all. However, knowing about it will help in understanding why you should study here.

About Brisbane

Brisbane is Queensland’s capital city and has a population of 2.6 million approximately. Also, it is the third-most populous Australian city. Take a look below to know about this amazing city in detail before applying to study in Brisbane.

  • Established
    1859, Brisbane was declared the capital city of Queensland after its separation from New South Wales.
  • Geography
    Area of 15,842 km2 (6,116.6 sq. mi).
  • Demographics
    Approximately 2.6 million people are residing in this city. It primarily includes people with English, Australian, Italian, Scottish, Irish, German, Aboriginal, Indian, and other backgrounds.
  • Language
    77.3% of inhabitants of this city speak English at home according to the 2021 census published by Australian authorities.
  • Economy
    Brisbane is considered to be a global city and its GDP is one of the largest when compared with other regions of Asia-Pacific.The powerful sectors of this city include banking, mining, transportation, IT, insurance, real estate, etc. Some of the highest-paying jobs in Australia are available here.
  • Education
    Some of the best universities such as Queensland University of Technology (QUT), University of Queensland (UQ), James Cook University, Bond University, etc. are situated in this city.
  • Climate
    Minimum is 16.6°C and the mean maximum is 26.6°C. The maximum average temperature of Brisbane stays 26°C or above from October till April

Why study in Brisbane?

You should study in this city for the 10 reasons given below:

  • Lifestyle

    Brisbane has one of the best lifestyles that people can enjoy especially when studying at a university. From numerous outdoor activities to enjoying Brisbane’s nightlife; this city offers it all. Students can enjoy annual and cultural sports along with an energetic and vibrant nightlife; hence, people can study in Brisbane enjoy their free time.

  • Weather

    Over 250 days annually, students can enjoy the sunshine and that is what most the students love about this city. It is a place with numerous water bodies and its weather makes beaches and other water areas an ideal place to take a dip year-round. According to the Australian Meteorology Bureau, the average high stays around 30.4°C and the average low is 10.4°C.

  • Innovation

    Information technology is one of the strongest sectors in Brisbane and thus, innovation and development are quite remarkable in this city. Innovations from brilliant minds are what lead to the amazing infrastructure and development people see here.

  • Multicultural

    Brisbane has immigrants from all over the world. Its 2021 census portrays that 31.7% of the inhabitants of this city are immigrants (born overseas). Also, the census shows that 52.2% of habitants of Brisbane have either one or both parents who were born overseas. In addition, in the immigration population in the metropolitan area list, Brisbane stands at 26th. Immigrants include China, England, New Zealand, India, Philippines, etc. Such multicultural aspects attract international scholars to study in Brisbane.

  • World Class Education

    University of Queensland ranks in the top 50th worldwide in the best university list. Apart from it, there are several public and private colleges that rank worldwide making Brisbane an excellent place to pursue higher degrees. Some other popular universities are QUT, University of Sunshine Coast, James Cook University, Griffith University, etc.

  • Cheaper Transport

    The growth and remarkable infrastructure of this city have led to people enjoying a cheaper transport system. Also, scholars often get student discount that aids in commuting affordably. In addition, scholars can opt for a free inner city bus transport system between 7 am and 6 pm on weekdays. Also, there are free ferry services that make transportation in Brisbane quite cheap. Affordable living is why many students choose to study in Brisbane.

  • Multilingual

    The 2021 census shows that 77.3% of inhabitants speak English. However, other common languages spoken at home comprises 2.5% Mandarin, 1.1% Vietnamese, 0.9% Punjabi, 0.9% Cantonese, and 0.8% Spanish. This data shows how multilingual and multicultural Brisbane is in modern times.

  • Healthcare

    Several hospitals under Queensland Health serve Brisbane residents. Some of these are Metro South, Metro North, Children’s Health Queensland, etc. There are 4 private and 8 public hospitals along with numerous small private and public facilities.

  • Tourism

    Numerous spots have helped Brisbane become a remarkable tourist spot. Some of the must-visit places include Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Suncorp Stadium, world famous the Australia Zoo, Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, etc.

  • Safety

    According to BestCities.Org, Brisbane was named the 7th safest city globally due to the low crime stats. Hence, students prefer to study in Brisbane.

Best universities to study in Brisbane

Australian Catholic University

James Cook University

Queensland University of Technology

Bond University

Griffith University

Transportation in Brisbane

Take a look at the advanced transportation system in Brisbane!

  • Public Transport

    TransLink Go Card is what you need to use public transportation like buses, ferries, and trains in Brisbane. Amazing road and rail network along with frequent bus and train schedules is what makes commuting here quite easy. Also, there is free inner-city transportation available which is amazing for international students.

  • Cycling

    A lot of people prefer riding their cycles on extensive bike paths available throughout the city. It is quite an inexpensive and healthy way to commute within city limits.

  • Airport

    31 airlines offer their services at Brisbane airport. Flights are available for 50 domestic places along with 29 international destinations. An OAG 2016 report, this large-sized airport was fifth-best in performance worldwide.

  • Other transport

    Driving a personal or rented car, rideshare, and taxis are the other transportation available in this city. People often use rideshare like Uber, Lyft, DiDi, etc. or simply rent a car for commuting if they don’t own a car.

Cost of living in Brisbane

Single room rent in Brisbane is $550 monthly and food expense monthly is around $200. The rest of the monthly expenses include transport, entertainment, electricity & gas & water, mobile & internet would cost $60 each. Total of which comes to $990 and makes it lucrative for people to study in Brisbane.

Disclaimer: The said expense is for a single student and it excludes all course-related expenditures. However, this expense might vary depending on the lifestyle a student chooses.

Type of Living Costs Estimated Average Costs
Rent $640 AUD
Food $150 AUD
Transport $50 AUD
Internet $50 AUD
Electricity $50 AUD
Entertainment $50 AUD
Total Average Cost $990 AUD
* The above-mentioned expenses are just an estimation. They are subjected to variations according to the type of lifestyle which includes personal consumption, lifestyle, and type of lodging. The Department of Home Affairs from the Australian Government suggests $20,920 as the starting point for a single person’s annual expenses.

Free things to do in Brisbane

  • Queensland Art

    Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art

    World-renowned art exhibitions take place here. Most viewings are free; however, for some exhibitions tickets are compulsory.

  • Farmer’s market

    Farmer’s market

    Every suburb on weekends has a farmer’s market of their own. Take a stroll through such markets and get fresh produce if needed; however, buying such items would cost money.

  • New Farm Park

    New Farm Park

    It is one of the most popular parks where you can sit for free and check out awesome views of the river and cruises. Also, people can opt for a picnic here or play games with their friends.

  • Queensland Museum

    Queensland Museum

    Over 40 interactive exhibitions are present here for people to explore. You can enter for free and explore; however, a few of them would require tickets to enter.

  • Opt for hiking adventures

    Opt for hiking adventures

    Gold Creek Reservoir, Holmans Break, and Summit Track are a few of the hiking trails that are within 30 km of Brisbane city.

  • Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

    Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

    This planetarium is free to enter and within the Botanic Garden of Mount Coot-tha. It will offer you to take a mesmerizing astronomical journey.

So many things to do for free along with an excellent education system, great lifestyle, and more is why you need to study in Brisbane.

Get Free Course Guide