Budget Skills for International Students in Australia
Moving to Australia for study brings incredible opportunities. But managing finances in a new country? That's where things get tricky. Rent, groceries, transport — it all adds up faster than you'd expect.
We've worked with students from 40+ countries since 2019. And here's what we've noticed: most arrive without knowing how Australian banking works, what typical expenses look like, or how to present a budget that actually reflects their reality.
That's the gap we're filling. Not generic money advice you could find anywhere, but practical budget presentation skills that help you communicate your financial situation clearly — whether that's to your family back home, your student advisor, or a rental agent.
Next Intake: July 2026
Our six-month program runs twice yearly. The winter intake opens for applications in March 2026, with classes starting in July. Small cohorts mean you get direct guidance from experienced instructors who understand the international student experience.
How the Learning Path Works
We built this curriculum by talking to students about what they actually struggled with. Not theoretical financial planning, but the real stuff — presenting a budget to parents who want to see where their money goes, explaining expenses to housing agents, or making sense of your own spending patterns.
Australian Finance Foundations
You can't present a budget if you don't understand the system first. This module covers how Australian banking actually works, typical student expenses by city, and what costs catch people off guard.
- Setting up and managing Australian bank accounts
- Understanding costs: rent, utilities, groceries, transport
- Tax basics for international students
- Common financial surprises and how to plan for them
Budget Creation and Structure
This is where you learn to build budgets that make sense for your situation. We use real student scenarios — different living arrangements, part-time work patterns, and family support structures.
- Building monthly and semester budgets
- Tracking expenses without making it complicated
- Planning for irregular costs like textbooks and travel
- Adjusting budgets when circumstances change
Presentation and Communication
Here's the core skill: taking your budget and presenting it clearly to different audiences. Your parents need different information than your rental agent. We teach you how to adapt your presentation.
- Creating clear, honest budget documents
- Presenting financial needs to family members
- Communicating with housing agents and landlords
- Speaking with student advisors about financial concerns
Skill Development Throughout the Program
Financial Documentation Skills
Months 1-2Budget Analysis and Adjustment
Months 2-4Presentation and Communication
Months 4-6Practical Application and Confidence
Throughout ProgramLearn From Someone Who Gets It
Tobias Lund isn't just teaching financial skills from a textbook. He spent seven years advising international students at three Australian universities before designing this program. He's heard every budget question, seen every financial mistake, and knows what actually helps.
Tobias Lund
Lead Instructor & Program Designer
Teaching Approach
Real Scenarios, Real Solutions
Every lesson uses actual situations Tobias encountered advising students. You'll work through cases like explaining unexpected medical costs to worried parents, or presenting a revised budget after losing part-time work.
- Case studies from actual student experiences
- Practice with realistic financial situations
- Group discussions on common challenges
Direct Feedback on Your Work
Small class sizes mean Tobias reviews your actual budget presentations. He'll tell you what's working and what's confusing, based on his experience seeing hundreds of student budgets.
- Individual review of your budget documents
- Specific suggestions for improvement
- Practice presentations with constructive feedback
Adapted to Your Background
Students from different countries have different financial systems back home. Tobias adjusts explanations based on where you're from — he knows that banking works differently in Malaysia than it does in Brazil.
- Context for different home country systems
- Cultural considerations in family communication
- Flexible examples that match your situation
Beyond the Classroom
The real learning happens when you apply these skills to your actual life. Tobias holds optional office hours every week where you can bring your real budget questions — whether that's about an upcoming conversation with your family or a confusing bank statement.
Past students say these sessions were often more valuable than formal classes. It's where abstract lessons become practical solutions for your specific situation.