Study

So how much money will you need? You can get a general idea about expenses by looking at catalogs or application information provided by the university. Remember, however, that tuition rates vary tremendously. Some universities could be cheaper than others, but this is not always true, so to get the best idea of expenses you need to contact the schools you are interested in. The cost of living in different parts of Australia also varies. In general, living in urban areas (in or near a big city) is more expensive than living in smaller towns or rural areas. Renting an apartment in a big city can cost twice as much as it does in a smaller town because there is such high demand for housing in large Australian cities. Likewise, food, clothing, entertainment, and other living expenses may be more expensive in a city. Budgeting is a continuous process. At this stage, work on a "big picture" budget that will include tuition, room and board, transportation, and living expenses. Later you can be more specific, taking into consideration all the additional expenses of moving and settling in. Remember, you should never count on earning enough from working in Australia to pay your way. See our section on Working in Australia for more complete information.