Cost of university
We know it can feel daunting preparing for university, especially if you're moving out of home or interstate.
There's a lot to think about, like where you're going to live and how much it's going to cost.
Here are some tips to help you get ready for university.
What is HECS and CSP?
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme designed to help students pay for their tuition fees.
It is a loan that is repaid to the government through the tax system once your income exceeds the threshold for compulsory repayments. You also have the flexibility to make voluntary repayments.
Undergraduate domestic students have a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) which means the government pays for a portion of your tuition fees. The amount not covered by the government is known as the Student Contribution and this can be covered by your HECS-HELP loan.
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What to budget for while studying at university
There are many expenses you will need to consider when budgeting to live in Canberra for university. How much it costs will depend on factors such as where you choose to live, how you get around and what you spend on discretionary items like eating out.
Accommodation
If you are considering renting a room in a share house near campus, you can expect to pay somewhere around $300 a week. This will vary depending on where you choose to live, whether you live in a house or an apartment, and how many people you are sharing with.
Don’t forget to budget for utilities such as electricity, gas or hot water and internet. You will usually share these costs evenly in a share house.
If you want to live on your own off campus, studio and one bedroom apartments are fairly common in Canberra. You can expect to pay somewhere between $450 and $600 per week as well as utilities.
If you choose to live on campus, how much you pay for accommodation will depend on which residence you choose. There are 18 unique residences on campus with both catered and self-catered options.
Transport
It is easy to get around Canberra on public transport and tertiary student fares make it even more affordable. There is a daily cap which means you won’t spend more than $4.80 per day across both buses and light rail. Be sure to check your eligibility to ensure you get discounted fares.
If you are driving, consider running costs such as insurance, registration and fuel. You will also need to check that there is car parking available where you live, particularly if you are sharing an apartment. If you plan to drive to university, make sure you budget for parking fees.
The most affordable way to get around town is by bicycle or scooter. Canberra is a bike friendly city and you will find it easy to get to where you need to go. By investing in a bicycle or scooter, you will save a lot of money on transportation in the long run.
Food
It can be expensive to eat out regularly and you can expect to pay somewhere between $20 and $30 for a meal if you are eating out at a restaurant. Look for specials and student discounts which can help you save a lot of money if you enjoy eating out. Online forums are packed with recommendations of where to eat.
Eating on campus is generally a lot cheaper and you will find lots of dining and takeaway options in the Kambri precinct ranging from pub food to pho. You can usually find a meal for between $10 and $15 with lunch the best time for specials.
If you enjoy cooking for yourself you can save a lot of money planning out your meals for the week. If you like variety, think about what different meals you can cook using the same ingredients. If you are living with housemates, you might consider sharing meals as it’s usually cheaper to cook for a group of people than it is for one.
Living on campus in one of our catered residences means you don’t have to think about what you’re going to eat. While you pay a higher rate to live in a catered residence, you may end up saving a lot of money if you’re eating all your meals in the dining hall. There are both fully catered and flexi-catered options available.
Entertainment
There is so much you can see and do in Canberra. Being the national capital, there are many institutions you can visit for free, including the National Gallery of Australia, National Arboretum and the National Botanic Gardens, to name a few.
If you are a fan of the theatre, be sure to check out the Canberra Theatre Centre. Tickets for shows there can range from about $30 to $150. There are also a range of events and shows on campus at Llewellyn Hall.
You can get cheap cinema tickets at Dendy or Hoyts with a student discount. You might pay as little as $9 for movie tickets if you go at the right time. Typical student prices for movie tickets are between $12 and $15.
Miscellaneous
If you like working out or going for a swim, you can join a gym on campus or near where you live from between $15 and $30 per week. You can also take advantage of free fitness classes on campus available to all students.
Don’t forget to factor in your other recurring costs such as your mobile phone plan, streaming services and memberships.
There are a range of other expenses you need to consider, like hair and beauty, doctors and medication, cosmetics and toiletries, and books. Spend some time figuring out how much you spend on these and what you can afford while you are at university.
Contingency
If you are working while you are studying, you may wish to set aside a portion of your pay for any unforeseen expenses.
Planning your budget
We recommend that you spend some time planning your own budget that reflects your circumstances.
Check out the Moneysmart budget planning tool to start running the numbers.
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How payments for on-campus accommodation work
Payments for on campus accommodation are made fortnightly through direct debit from your nominated bank account. Bank transactions are filed on Thursdays and may take up to 48 hours to be fully processed.
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What food relief is available to support students?
There are a range of food relief services available to support students at ANU as well as the wider Canberra community.
Food support ANU
| Service | Support Available | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Community Connect Food Relief |
| student.life@anu.edu.au |
| ANU Student Association Free Breakfast |
| sa.studentspace@anu.edu.au |
| ANU Student AssociationFood Vouchers |
| sa.admin@anu.edu.au |
| BKSS Student Bites Program |
| sa.admin@anu.edu.au |
| ANU Students' Association Lunch Vouchers |
| sa.admin@anu.edu.au |
Food support in Canberra
| Service | Support Available | More information |
|---|---|---|
| Canberra City Corps - Salvation Army |
| 02 6248 7191 |
| The Junction - Anglicare |
| junctioninfo@anglicare.com.au 02 6232 2423 |
| Blue Door - St Vincent de Paul |
| BlueDoor.cg@vinnies.org.au |
| Ainslie Community Pantry |
| ainsliecommunitypantry@gmail.com |
| The Food Co-op |
| info@cbrfoodcoop.org.au 02 6230 7505 |
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How to find somewhere to rent in Canberra
Finding university accommodation is a simple process which you may already have applied for. Applications are found here and if you apply before 20 December, you are guaranteed a place.
For other accommodation; finding the right rental property can sometimes take time, and perseverance is needed to secure accommodation. Be prepared to commit time and effort to secure a rental property.
The most affordable style of renting is typically in a share house, which a property shared between multiple tenants, with shared common spaces.
This is a great way to save money, through splitting bills and costs with others, but can also be a wonderful rite of passage, through which you make friends for life!
Popular ways of finding housemates include:
- Facebook groups dedicated helping prospective housemates in specific areas.
- Flatmates, which is a website that allows you to both find a group with which to start a share house or join an existing house.
- Friends and friends of friends. Don’t be afraid to reach out to your networks.
If you are joining an existing share house due to a housemate moving out, there is a process called a lease transfer through which the lease is updated to remove the name of the outgoing housemate and replace it with yours.
When you join a share house, you are likely to be required to pay a bond, which can be no more than four weeks rent. At the end of your tenancy agreement, the bond will be returned to you in full, and the landlord can only make deductions under specific circumstances.
As a renter, it’s important to know your rights and responsibilities. A great resource for first time renters is the Renting Book, written by the ACT Justice and Community Safety Directorate.
If you find yourself in a position requiring legal advice, the Australian National University Student Association (ANUSA) runs an accredited community legal centre that provides free and confidential legal advice to ANU students.
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What scholarships are available?
ANU has a range of scholarships on offer to both commencing and continuing students. Check out our range of scholarships throughout your time at ANU.
What financial assistance is available to students?
If you find yourself in need of financial assistance, there are support services that can help you.
ANUSA Assistance Grant
These grants are designed to provide financial assistance to eligible enrolled students who are experiencing sudden or unexpected financial hardship that is adversely affecting their education.
The main criteria for a grant are the demonstration of a genuine need and that continued study may be in jeopardy due to financial hardship.
The maximum grant available is $750 per semester.
To be eligible, you must be enrolled as an ANU Undergraduate student and be able to demonstrate financial need.
An ANUSA Emergency Grant may be used to cover:
- Unexpected medical bills
- Accommodation (such as a bond)
- Short-term living expenses (such as due to delayed income)
- Emergency travel costs or travel costs related to medical issues
ANUSA Voucher Programs
Undergraduate students who are experiencing financial hardship may be able to access $50 in grocery vouchers per semester.
Transport vouchers are also available for students who are unable to pay for public transport. Up to 20 Transport Canberra vouchers may be granted to eligible students per semester based on their circumstances.
ANU Book Bursary
Eligible students may apply for a bursary to assist those facing financial hardship to purchase books which are essential to their studies.
Emergency accommodation bursaries
There are emergency accommodation bursaries available for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Students who reside in a residential hall or college may be able to access internal bursaries.
Student Urgent Relief Bursary
Through the generosity of our community and donors, the Student Urgent Relief Bursary provides support to ANU students who are experiencing financial hardship and require immediate financial assistance.
Students may apply for more than one expense but the maximum total amount disbursed may not exceed $1,000. This payment is not a loan and successful applicants do not have to repay the money.
There is no deadline to apply and every effort will be taken to process applications in a timely manner, generally on a weekly basis. Funds are limited and the bursary will operate until current funds are fully spent.
Rent Relief Fund
The Rent Relief Fund is an ACT Government initiative which involves providing financial assistance to eligible households in the form of grants for up to 4 weeks rent, capped at $2,500.
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What Centrelink payments could I receive?
You may be eligible for financial assistance from Centrelink if you are an Australian student studying full time. The amount you receive will depend on factors such as your income and where you live while you study.
There are three main payments available to eligible students to help with living expenses while you are at university.
- Youth Allowance for students aged 24 years and younger studying full time
- Austudy for students aged 25 years and older studying full time
- ABSTUDY for Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander students
There are other payments and financial supports available to eligible students who receive one of the payments listed above.
If you are moving away from home to study, you may be eligible for Rent Assistance to help pay your rent. The amount will depend on how much rent you pay and your living arrangements.
If you are relocating from a regional or remote area, you may be eligible for a one off payment to help with the cost of moving to study.
There is financial support available to help cover the cost of travel home if you have moved away from home to study. This could cover return flights or other transportation up to twice a year for eligible students.
There are loans available to students twice a year that can help you pay for things you need for university, like a laptop or textbooks. It is worth keeping in mind that this is a loan you need to pay back to the government once you start earning a certain amount of income.
These payments can help ease the financial burden while you are studying at university. Please refer to Centrelink to determine what payments you may be able to receive.
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Tips for saving as a student
Food and groceries
Groceries are essential, and cooking at home is usually cheaper than dining out. Here are some ways to eat well and save on food costs:
- Plan your meals. Avoid waste by planning meals that share ingredients. This reduces both waste and cost.
- Batch cook and freeze. Prepare meals in bulk and freeze portions for busy days. This saves time and money.
- Healthy recipes. The ACT Government’s The Mixing Bowl offers recipes designed for one or two people, ideal for students.
- ANUSA Student Bites Program. ANU students can get weekly fresh grocery bags for a small donation. Watch the Brian Kenyon Student Space (BKSS) Facebook page for updates.
- Compare prices online. Check supermarket online catalogues for weekly deals. This can help you save a significant amount on groceries. ALDI supermarkets are a favourite amongst uni students as prices are generally lower on most grocery basics.
Transport
It is easy to get around Canberra on public transport with buses and light rail services.
As a student you will get access to discounted rates on public transport. Just show your student ID when you buy your first MyWay card.
Canberra has an extensive network of bike paths, making it easy and scenic to get around by bike. There’s also a thriving second-hand bike market if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option.
You can also buy or rent an electric scooter to get around the city. But don’t forget to wear a helmet.
Textbooks
Textbooks can be a significant expense but you can reduce costs by purchasing them second-hand.
Check out Facebook groups, Marketplace or Student VIP. You can also recoup some of your textbook costs by
selling them when you don’t need them anymore.
If buying textbooks is a financial challenge, the ANU Student Association may be able to offer support.
Eating out and shopping
Look out for discounts and student deals when dining out or shopping.
Always ask if student discounts are available, as many places offer them even if not advertised.
Many venues in Canberra offer discounted meals and deals on certain nights, with Thursday being popular for student discounts.
Student deal websites like UNiDAYS, Student Edge and Student Beans all offer exclusive student discounts.You will just need to verify your student status.
Sport and exercise
Staying active doesn’t have to be expensive.
ANU Sport offers memberships from $12 per week. You will get access to fitness facilities and classes on campus.
Free fitness classes are available courtesy of ANUSA five times each week. Popular classes include BODYPUMP, RPM and yoga.
Canberra’s scenic bike paths are accessible from campus and provide a free way to stay active and get around, whether you are cycling, walking or running.
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Can I get help doing my taxes?
The ANU Tax Clinic assists taxpayers in understanding their tax affairs and meeting their tax obligations. The friendly, student-led clinic provides clients with information and guidance under the supervision of experienced tax practitioners.
Information is provided on a wide range of both simple and complex tax matters. Appointments are available via phone, videoconferencing, or in person. All assistance provided by the ANU Tax Clinic is free and confidential.
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What NDIS support is available?
The NDIS can consider funding the extra supports you need at university because of your disability. The supports should allow you to go about your daily activities.
This might include:
- Personal care supports while you’re at university or undertaking approved placements
- Transport to and from university, if you can’t drive or use public transport
- Training for university or employers (during placements) about your support needs
- Support to take part in specific projects run by the university for people with disabilities
The NDIS does not fund:
- Changes to the buildings to make sure you can access it, like ramps
- Changes to your learning materials to make sure it suits your needs
- Textbooks or general equipment you need for your education or training
- Course fees
You should talk to your NDIS contact or support coordinator about help available in your local area.
ANU Support for Students with Disabilities
ANU supports students with disability to ensure full and equal access to their studies without disadvantage.
