Five tips on saving money as an international student

Five tips on saving money as an international student

We’ve put our local knowledge to good use with five tips to save money as an international student in Melbourne.

Starting out as a university student and in a new country is incredibly exciting! You have so much to look forward to – from making friends, to exploring the city, picking up a new hobby and checking out all the fun and exciting events on offer in and around your new home.   

Sticking to a budget and staying on top of your finances will go a long way to ensuring you get to enjoy all that Melbourne has to offer and make the most of your student experience. To help, we’ve put our local knowledge to good use with five tips to save money as an international student. 

RMIT students

#1: Take advantage of exclusive student discounts

Make the most of your RMIT student status with access to a number of exclusive discounts.

Websites such as StudentEdge and UNiDAYS are both free to join with your university email address and offer perks such as AUD$12.50 movie tickets and retail discounts. It’s as simple as signing up and accessing your unique codes.

Melbourne’s food scene is renowned and will no doubt be a highlight of your student experience! While eating out at restaurants can be costly, there are many affordable options in and around campus – check out our top picks for cheap eats around RMIT’s City campus.

#2: Visit a farmer’s market and keep your eye on supermarket specials

Add a local farmer’s market to your weekend routine and save on your weekly grocery shop. Providing a fantastic excuse to venture outside the city, you can stock up on healthy produce, from fresh fruit and vegetables to eggs, poultry and baked goods, all while supporting our local growers.

The Queen Victoria Market – located just a short walk from campus – is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and across the weekend with an array of food vendors and fresh produce on offer. But be sure to do a Google search to find farmers markets on the outskirts of the city and through the suburbs on Saturdays or Sundays.

When you’re shopping for other groceries, keep your eye out for weekly specials at larger commercial supermarkets. You can often find your favourite snacks and essentials in generic or home brand varieties, and with barely any difference in quality or taste. Sometimes, going with the lesser-known option is the perfect way to save some money as a student.

#3: Fill your calendar with events and exhibits that won’t break the bank

Melbourne has so much to offer to keep you entertained, with no shortage of attractions, sporting events, concerts, festivals and cultural experiences. While some events offer student or concession tickets at a discounted rate, there are also plenty that are completely free! 

As proud partners of RMIT, the National Gallery of Victoria and the Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) are great places to start, showcasing Melbourne’s diverse art scene with free exhibits across the year. Both are located right near Fed Square, which is Melbourne’s leading destination for community festivals, live music and other free events.

If musical theatre is more to your liking, download the TodayTix app for last-minute deals and lottery tickets to the latest shows in Melbourne. 

Group of students walking down Bowen St

#4: Be travel savvy

Forget the worries and costs of catching an Uber, Victoria's public transport makes getting around Melbourne and the rest of the state simple and cost effective! 

Myki is your all-in-one ticket to travel, so purchasing a card is one of the first things to put on your to-do list when you arrive. As a student, you may be eligible for a concession myki or an International Student Travel Pass, discounting the cost of your travel. 

RMIT’s three campuses are easily accessible via public transport, and as an added bonus, our City campus is within Melbourne’s Free Tram Zone, so you can jump on and off trams within this zone at no cost.   

As a bonus tip, train trips in Melbourne are completely free if you touch on and off before 7:15am, so if you’re an early riser, consider getting to campus and getting your study done early to save yourself the cost of a morning commute.   

#5: Shop at second-hand stores

In need of a new outfit or a few household items to help you settle in? Before heading straight to a commercial retailer, be sure to check out a local recycling or thrift store. 

Buying second-hand is not only a more sustainable and environmentally friendly option, it’s kinder on your savings balance too! Appliances that are sold at these stored are tested and checked for safety, so you can rest assured your pre-loved purchase will serve the exact purpose you’re after. And, while vintage clothing remains on trend, you’ll be fighting your friends for that one-of-a-kind piece you find among the racks. 

Story: Jacqueline Guldon

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information