Year exchange

A meal at an average restaurant in Sydney will generally cost between $20-$50, excluding drinks. Food on campus is usually more affordable than eating outside, with many options under $20. Sydney-siders typically spend $160 on groceries every week. An average 10-12-minute public transport journey costs around $5, with a 30% off-peak discount available. The average renter pays around $550 a week for a one-bedroom apartment around the Kensington campus, plus utility bills. On-campus student accommodation can be a convenient and affordable option as they are bill-included and some also come with catering.

As an international student, you can work for up to 48 hours every fortnight. As of 1 July 2025 the National Minimum Wage is $24.95 per hour before tax. It's not a bad idea to accumulate some real-world work experience aside of study by working part time.

Just by showing your UNSW student card, you can get discounts on a range of products and services, just like domestic students. When you arrive, you can sign up for Arc membership at UNSW to unlock exclusive perks. You may also consider signing up for a program like Student Edge or UNiDAYS to access discount codes and deals from thousands of retailers. You can also score discounted tickets to sporting events, concerts, art shows and other activities, like going to the movies, visiting the zoo or taking a jet boat ride on Sydney Harbour.

Seasons in Australia are opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. Summer happens from December to February, when temperatures reach 30°C and above – perfect for beach days. In winter, from June to August, the days remain sunny for the most part, with average temperatures between 8.8 - 17°C. If you want to visit the snow, Sydney is a 5-hour road trip from Australia's most popular snow resort, where you can ski and snowboard.

From UNSW, you can easily get to the famous Bondi Beach or Coogee Beach from campus in 30 minutes. Centennial Park is located between the Kensington and Paddington campuses. Sydney has over 100 beaches along the coastline. For day trips, Lane Cove National Park has great walking trails, and you can spend a weekend in the Blue Mountains or Kiama for a city getaway. The International Student Welcome Centre also runs the Coogee to Bondi Walk tour, where you can meet new friends and learn how to stay safe on Australian beaches.