Brisbane sits between Sydney and the smaller capitals on price, with a warm climate and three large universities. Rents have been climbing fast, so it is less of a bargain than it used to be. This guide uses figures checked in October 2026. Visa fees, funds and work rules are in our Australia student visa guide.
Quick facts
| Main universities | University of Queensland, QUT, Griffith University |
| Median rent, whole dwellings | A$734 a week, up 6.4% over the year |
| A room in a share house | Roughly A$240 to A$350 a week, based on published listing data |
| Transport concession | Full-time international students have been able to apply for a concession go card. Confirm with Translink. |
| Time difference from India | 4.5 hours ahead all year (Queensland has no daylight saving) |
| Climate | Subtropical. Hot, humid summers with storms, and mild, sunny winters. |
The three main universities
- University of Queensland (UQ): the St Lucia campus sits on a bend of the Brisbane River, west of the city centre. UQ also has other campuses, including Gatton.
- Queensland University of Technology (QUT): Gardens Point in the city centre and Kelvin Grove just north of it.
- Griffith University: Nathan in the south, South Bank near the city, and further campuses including the Gold Coast.
Griffith is one of the providers listed in the Department of Education’s allocation reports, so ask about visa timing before you accept an offer. For course shortlists, see top universities for Indian students in Australia.
What it costs
The median weekly rent across all Brisbane dwellings was A$734 in the June quarter of 2026 (Cotality). That is up 6.4% in a year, among the faster rises of any capital. It is for a whole home, so rooms in share houses cost less, roughly A$240 to A$350 a week according to published listing data. At A$300 a week, a room costs about A$15,600 a year before food and bills.
The living-cost benchmark for the visa, A$29,710, is the same in every city. Brisbane leaves a little more room under it than Sydney, but not by as much as it did a few years ago. Use the Study Australia cost of living tool to compare.
Where students live
- UQ: St Lucia, Toowong, Indooroopilly, Taringa.
- QUT: the city centre, Spring Hill, Kelvin Grove.
- Griffith Nathan: Nathan, Mount Gravatt, Sunnybank.
- Griffith South Bank: South Brisbane, West End.
Main student accommodation providers in Brisbane
Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) comes furnished with bills and wifi included. Brisbane has a good range, from budget twin rooms to premium studios. This is a guide to the main providers, not a ranking, and prices are “from” prices that vary by room type and semester.
| Provider | What it offers in Brisbane | Indicative starting price |
| Scape | Buildings at St Lucia and Toowong (near UQ), South Bank and Merivale (near Griffith South Bank), plus Tribune and Regent | About A$289 to A$529 a week depending on the building (Scape’s own site) |
| UniLodge | UniLodge Brisbane City, a new 27-storey building at 41 George Street, plus South Bank, Toowong, Herston and Park Central | From A$319 a week at Brisbane City (UniLodge’s site) |
| Student One | City buildings on Adelaide, Elizabeth and Wharf Streets. It has offered a shuttle bus to UQ, so ask whether that still runs. | Roughly A$270 to A$440 a week, according to listing sites |
| Iglu | Iglu Brisbane City and Iglu Kelvin Grove, close to QUT’s Kelvin Grove campus | Check the provider’s site for current rates |
| University colleges | UQ has residential colleges at St Lucia | Varies widely. Ask UQ. |
A share-house room costs roughly A$240 to A$350 a week, so PBSA mostly costs a bit more, but includes bills and furniture. Match the building to your campus. A St Lucia or Toowong building suits UQ, a city or Kelvin Grove building suits QUT, and South Bank or Nathan-side housing suits Griffith. Book through the provider’s own website, ask what happens to your deposit if your visa is refused, and check the contract length.
Getting around
Trains, buses and the CityCat ferry run on the go card, and the network is gradually moving to a new Translink card. Full-time international students have been able to apply for a concession card by linking it to their student ID, but rules change, so check Translink before you rely on it. Brisbane is more spread out than Melbourne, so living close to a busway or train line to campus matters.
Weather you should plan for
Summers are hot and humid, and storms can be sharp. If you are used to a drier climate, expect to run air conditioning for part of the year and budget for the power bill. Winters are mild and sunny, which many students prefer to southern cold.
Is Brisbane the right city for you?
Brisbane suits you if you want a warm climate, a choice of three large universities, and rent below Sydney’s. It is less ideal if you need very low costs, because prices have been rising quickly. Perth and Adelaide have similar climates in summer. See the Perth guide and Adelaide guide.
Questions students ask
Is Brisbane cheaper than Sydney?
Yes. The June quarter 2026 median rent was A$734 a week in Brisbane and A$841 in Sydney. The gap shrinks if you compare shared rooms, so check listings for your suburb.
Do I need a car?
Not if you live near a train, bus or ferry link to campus. Some areas have thin public transport, so check routes before you sign a lease.
Can I work while studying?
Yes, up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and without a limit during scheduled breaks. See the visa guide for the conditions.
Need help choosing a city or a place to live?
If you are comparing cities, or want help matching student accommodation to your course and budget, send your details through our Talk to Our Expert page.
More Australian city guides
Compare Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Darwin, or read the Australia student visa guide for fees, funds and work rights. You can also go back to the Study in Australia from India overview.
Sources: Cotality Quarterly Rental Review, June quarter 2026 (via Canstar); published listing data; Department of Education provider allocation reports; Study Australia; Department of Home Affairs. Accommodation details from provider websites and listing sites. Last checked 8 October 2026. Confirm important details with the university or Home Affairs.
