Study in Brisbane, Australia

About Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, on the east coast of Australia, and is built along the curves of the Brisbane River. Greater Brisbane had 2,526,238 residents at the 2021 Census, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). It is a large city with a relaxed pace, warm weather for most of the year and a compact city centre (the CBD) where most English language schools are located.

Students are a visible part of the city. At the 2021 Census, 138,872 people in Greater Brisbane were attending a university or other higher education institution. Brisbane City Council notes that the International Olympic Committee has chosen Brisbane as host city of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Studying in Brisbane

SpainExchange lists 4 active schools in Brisbane: 1 university and 3 English language schools. The University of Queensland (UQ) offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees, and states that it has experts across more than 1,000 specialisations. According to the university, its researchers administered the world's first HPV vaccine, Gardasil, 20 years ago. All Australian courses are taught in English, so international degree students usually need to show their English level when they apply.

English courses for international students in Australia are called ELICOS and last from five to 60 weeks, depending on your level, according to Study Australia. In the Brisbane CBD, Impact English College runs General English, Extreme English, Barista/Café English, Cambridge FCE and CAE, IELTS/EAP and Business English courses and applies an English-only policy, with students from more than 35 countries. SPC Brisbane opened in 2017 and teaches General English, IELTS test preparation and study tour programmes. English Path Brisbane occupies two floors of a heritage building at 115 Queen Street, with space for up to 324 students. Typical options in the city include:

• General English from beginner to advanced level
• IELTS, EAP and Cambridge exam preparation
• Business English and work-related courses such as Barista/Café English
• study tours for groups
• homestay, shared houses and student residences arranged through the school

Cost of living for students

No official source publishes a typical student rent for Brisbane. As a reference, the median weekly rent for a whole dwelling in Greater Brisbane was $380 at the 2021 Census; a room in a shared house usually costs less, but rents have changed since then. Study Australia's cost of living calculator gives a broad estimate, with costs last updated in November 2023. If you rent privately, expect to pay a bond, usually equal to four weeks' rent; in managed student accommodation, bills such as electricity and internet are usually included in the rent.

Public transport is very cheap. All Translink fares in Queensland are a flat 50 cents per journey, however far you travel and however you pay, and tertiary students pay the same 50 cents. The Airtrain to the airport is the exception: it is run by a separate operator, and fares start from $23.30 between the Brisbane City stations and the airport (effective 27 April 2026). On a student visa you can work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session.

Getting around and daily life

Translink runs Brisbane's buses, trains, ferries and trams, and you can pay with a go card or a contactless bank card. Brisbane City Council also runs free City Loop buses around the CBD and the CityCat river ferries. The Airtrain links Brisbane's domestic and international airport terminals with the city in about 20 minutes, from 4.30am to 10pm, every 15 minutes at peak times, and continues to the Gold Coast.

Brisbane is warm for most of the year, and the seasons are the reverse of those in Europe and North America. At the Bureau of Meteorology's Brisbane station (records since 1999), the average daily maximum is 30.4 °C in January and 22.0 °C in July, and the average minimum is 21.7 °C in January and 10.5 °C in July. Most rain falls in summer: February averages 176.1 mm.

Frequently asked questions

Is Brisbane a good place to learn English?

Brisbane has several English language schools in the CBD that offer General English, IELTS and Cambridge exam preparation and accommodation services. Courses for student visa holders (ELICOS) last from five to 60 weeks depending on your level.

How much does public transport cost in Brisbane?

All Translink buses, trains, ferries and trams cost a flat 50 cents per journey. The Airtrain to the airport is separate, with fares from $23.30.

Which university is in Brisbane?

SpainExchange lists the University of Queensland (UQ), which offers undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees, all taught in English.

How do I get from Brisbane Airport to the city?

The Airtrain runs from the domestic and international terminals to the city stations in about 20 minutes, between 4.30am and 10pm.