Transportation from the airport

Catching the train from Brisbane Airport is easy. Brisbane Airtrain is one of the cheapest options to get from the international terminal into the city, and it only takes about 20 minutes. If you book ahead online, you may be able to access special deals or discounts.

Since it’s your first time in Brisbane and you’ll have heavy bags, you might like to treat yourself to a taxi or call an Uber to take you direct to the door of your accommodation. 

If you have any questions on arrival, you can chat to staff at the Visitor Information Centre, where one of the airport ambassadors will be happy to help. 

Getting around the city

Brisbane is a seamlessly connected city. It’s easy and cheap to travel by bus, ferry or train using a go card, which you can purchase at train stations and convenience stores everywhere. Once you have your official student identification card, you may be able to apply for the concession discount, giving you 50 per cent off every ride. 

If you want to save even more money, Brisbane has a free ferry service and a handful of free bus lines. If you have a free day, board the CityHopper ferry and get to know Brisbane from the winding river. You can hop on and off at various centrally located ferry terminals and explore the city’s various sights in a relaxing and fun way. 

Setting up the basics 

When you first arrive in Brisbane, you’ll need to get organised and complete a few basic administration tasks. While this sort of life admin is rarely fun, ticking these tasks off will make it easier to live in Brisbane. Think of it as short-term pain for long-term gain. 

Setting up a bank account in Brisbane  

You’ll need a bank account to access Australian dollars and withdraw cash from ATMs without big fees. There are plenty of different banks to choose from in Australia, and you’ll need to do a bit of research online and in person to find the right one for you.

Look for banks with benefits that suit your lifestyle – such as easy transfers to move money to or from your home country with low to no fees. 

To open a bank account in Brisbane, make sure you have the following documents:

• Passport 
• Student ID or COE
• Australian phone number 

Sometimes you can open a bank account from your home country before you arrive, so investigate this option with different banks. This will be handy for when you land at Brisbane Airport and you have Aussie dollars ready to buy coffee! 

Registering for a Tax File Number (TFN) in Brisbane  

If you want to work in Australia while you study, you will need to apply for a TFN. Once you’ve applied, it usually takes around 10 to 20 days to be approved. A letter will arrive at your address with your TFN. It is totally free to apply for, and you should organise it before looking for jobs.

Setting up a mobile number in Brisbane 

If you’re living in Australia, you’ll need an Aussie phone number. You can pick up a SIM card at the airport or at any convenience store. Before you arrive in Brisbane you should research the rates and plans offered by different companies and think about your needs. 

Most Australian phone plans include unlimited national calls and text messages, and limited internet data. Think about how much internet you’ll need, and research to see if your future phone plan includes international calls. Don’t forget to tell them that you’re a student, because sometimes they will give you a discount. Three of the biggest companies to look into are Vodafone, Optus, and Telstra. 

Once you have these three basic things organised, you’re ready to start enjoying and exploring this beautiful city. 

Exploring Brisbane 

Before – or shortly after – you arrive in Brisbane, you can plan your first adventures and get to know the city and its neighbourhoods. 

If you’re an active person, Brisbane has an extensive network of pathways and bikeways that you can use to explore the city at a slower pace. If you don’t have your own bike, you can download the Neuron app and rent an electric one by the minute. 

You could start with these fun suggestions: 

• Spend the day in South Bank. Here you can explore the 17-hectare riverfront South Bank Parklands, home to a man-made beach, a beautiful promenade, and picnic areas. Take a swim or walk to the nearby Cultural Centre, where you can explore free exhibitions at QAGOMA, or nerd out at the Queensland Museum. 
• Take the free CityHopper ferry from North Quay in the CBD to Sydney Street in New Farm. You’ll wind around the river curves of the inner-city and get to know the free stops. From Sydney Street, walk the New Farm Riverwalk pathway to Howard Smith Wharves and stop for a drink at Felons Brewing. Alternatively, you can walk towards the Brisbane Powerhouse, a cool arts precinct where there’s always something happening. 
• Lace up your sneakers and go to Kangaroo Point, where you can go rock climbing up the cliffs, kayaking or standup paddle boarding with Riverlife. If it’s late in the day, see if the Brisbane Jazz Club has a gig scheduled and enjoy the views of the city across the river from the venue. 
• Book a GreenCab tour and let someone else cycle you around Brisbane while you relax and take in the views. 
• Book a free Brisbane Greeter experience in the city centre, and let a passionate local lead you around the city, sharing stories and history along the way. After your tour, you could shop hundreds of stores in Queen Street Mall, then seek out cheap eats nearby. 
• Spend the afternoon exploring James Street, one of Brisbane’s chic neighbourhoods where you’ll find trendy boutiques and stores and places to eat. Stay for dinner and then walk to Fortitude Valley, Australia’s first designated Special Entertainment Precinct, where you can find a huge variety of live music venues and nightclubs. 
• If it’s a Saturday, do your weekly grocery shop at the West End Markets. Once you’ve stocked up on fruit and veg, you can wander the local op shops (thrift stores) for new clothing or homewares, or read a book beneath the trees in Orleigh Park. 

Settle into your new home, study the public transport system, and start exploring this beautiful city! You’ll soon discover the full range of fun activities you can do here – many for free! 

With so many people from other countries and backgrounds also living in the city, you’ll soon make friends who will be eager to discover new places with you.