As an international student, you’re eligible for discounts on food, transport, entertainment, and services. Some are substantial (transport); others are modest (café discounts). Here’s where to find them and how much they save.
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
ISIC is the most recognized student identity card globally. In Australia, it unlocks 10–15% discounts at retailers, restaurants, and services.
Getting an ISIC Card
Cost: A$25–$35 for 12-month card.
Where to apply:
- STA Travel (travel agency with student discounts): https://www.statravel.com.au
- University student unions (some sell ISIC cards).
- Online: https://www.isic.org (order and pick up in Australia).
Timeline: Instant (if buying in-person); 1–2 weeks (if mailing).
Requirements:
- Proof of enrolment (university letter).
- Valid passport.
- Photo (passport-sized or digital).
ISIC Discounts: Where to Use It
| Retailer/Service | Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10–15% | Mostly independent cafés; chains rarely accept |
| Bookstores (Dymocks, Booktopia) | 10% | Australian retailers |
| Movie tickets | 10–20% | Village Cinemas, Hoyts (some locations) |
| Bars and nightclubs | 10–20% | Many Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane venues |
| Transport (coach services) | 10–15% | Greyhound, regional buses |
| Hostels | 10–20% | Backpacker accommodation |
| Tours and activities | 10–20% | Travel agencies, adventure companies |
| Gym memberships | 5–10% | Some gyms (Fitness First, etc.) |
| Online services (Spotify, etc.) | 10–20% | Digital services vary |
Reality: You’ll use ISIC mostly at restaurants/cafés and occasional entertainment. It pays for itself in a few visits.
ISIC Annual Savings Estimate
- 3 café visits/week at 10% discount (A$12/visit): A$150/year.
- Occasional movie tickets (2/month): A$50/year.
- Social activities (bars, tours): A$100/year.
- Total annual saving: A$300–$500.
The card pays for itself in 6 months.
Public Transport Concessions by City
Sydney: Opal Concession (Not Available to Most International Students)
The problem: NSW excludes most international students from Concession Opal rates.
Who qualifies:
- Australian citizens and permanent residents.
- Holders of Disability Support Pension (DSP).
- Age pensioners.
- Special exemptions (rare for international students).
Reality for most international students: You pay full Opal price (A$18.20/day weekday cap).
Annual cost (commuting 5 days/week): A$4,700–$5,200.
Melbourne: Myki Concession (Available to International Students)
Major advantage: Victoria includes eligible international students in Concession myki fares.
Who qualifies:
- Enrolled at a recognised higher-education institution.
- Most Go8 and other registered providers qualify.
How to apply:
- Contact your university international student office.
- Provide proof of enrolment.
- Application submitted to Public Transport Victoria (PTV).
- Processing: 2–4 weeks.
- Receive Concession myki card.
Concession myki costs:
- Daily cap: A$9.70 (weekday) / A$4.90 (weekend).
- Weekly cap: A$48.60 (vs A$97.20 full price).
Annual saving: A$2,500–$3,000 (if you commute 250 days/year).
This is one of the biggest student benefits in Australia.
Brisbane: Go Card Concession (Available to International Students)
Who qualifies:
- Enrolled at a recognised institution (most Go8 and private universities).
- Apply at Translink customer service centre.
How to apply:
- Visit Translink customer centre with student ID and enrolment letter.
- Concession card issued same-day.
Concession costs:
- Daily cap: A$5.40 (weekday) / A$2.70 (weekend).
- Weekly cap: A$27 (vs A$54 full price).
Annual saving: A$1,400–$1,500.
Perth: SmartRider Concession (Available to International Students)
Who qualifies: Enrolled at recognised institution.
How to apply: Visit Transperth customer centre with student ID and enrolment letter.
Concession costs:
- Daily cap: A$12 (weekday) / A$6 (weekend).
- Weekly cap: A$60 (vs A$125 full price).
Annual saving: A$600–$800.
Adelaide: MetroCard Concession (Available to International Students)
Who qualifies: Enrolled at recognised institution.
Concession costs:
- Daily cap: A$4–$6 (varies by zones).
- Weekly cap: A$30 (vs A$60 full price).
Annual saving: A$800–$1,000.
Digital Student Discounts
Spotify Student
Cost: A$5.99/month (vs A$12.99 for standard).
What you get:
- Unlimited streaming.
- Offline downloads.
- Ad-free.
- Student discount (47% off).
How to sign up:
- Go to https://www.spotify.com/student
- Verify student status (via email with .edu domain).
- Billed monthly.
Annual saving: A$84 (vs standard plan).
UNiDAYS
What it is: Platform offering discounts at 400+ retailers (UK-based, but available in Australia).
Retailers: Nike, Adidas, Apple, Amazon, JetBlue, beauty brands, etc.
Typical discounts: 10–30%.
How to use:
- Register at https://www.unidaysau.com (Australian version).
- Verify student status.
- Browse discounts and apply at checkout (online or in-store).
Cost: Free.
Annual saving: A$200–$500 (depending on spending).
Microsoft Office 365 (OneDrive, Word, Excel)
For students: Often free through your university.
How to access:
- Log in to your university portal.
- Download Office 365 apps.
- Use on up to 5 devices simultaneously.
Cost: Free (included in enrollment).
Normal cost: A$12/month or A$140/year.
Amazon Prime Student
Cost: A$3/month (vs A$9/month standard).
What you get:
- Free shipping on eligible items.
- Prime Video (movies/TV).
- Prime Music.
- Early access to sales.
How to sign up: https://www.amazon.com.au/primesstudent (requires .edu email).
Annual saving: A$72.
Retail and Entertainment Discounts
Bookstores
- Dymocks: 10% with ISIC (or student email).
- Booktopia: 10% with student email registration.
Cost: Free to register.
Movie Tickets
| Cinema | Regular Price | Student Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoyts | A$20 | A$17–$18 | Most locations |
| Village Cinemas | A$22 | A$18–$19 | Varies by location |
| Event Cinemas | A$20 | A$16–$17 | Tuesdays: A$10 (all customers) |
Monthly saving (2 movies): A$10–$20.
Gym Memberships
Student discounts: 5–15% at Fitness First, Anytime Fitness, some YMCAs.
Cost: A$10–$20/month (with discount) vs A$25–$40 (regular).
Annual saving: A$120–$240.
Hostel Accommodations
ISIC gets 10–20% at most Australian hostels (Wicked Camels, Wandering Camel, etc.).
Cost: Usually A$20–$40/night (with discount) vs A$25–$50 (regular).
Free or Low-Cost Activities
University Facilities
- Gym: Usually included in student fees (or A$5–$10/semester).
- Swimming pool: Free (many universities have on-campus pools).
- Library: Free (unlimited access).
- Counselling: Free (3–5 sessions/semester).
- Clubs and societies: Free membership (activities vary in cost).
Public Libraries
Australian public libraries offer:
- Free borrowing (books, DVDs, CDs).
- Free WiFi.
- Free events and workshops.
- Free computer access.
Museums and Art Galleries
Many Australian museums offer:
- Free entry (especially to permanent collections).
- Free-entry days (usually one weekday/month).
Examples: Art Gallery of NSW (free entry), Australian Museum (free entry days).
Festivals and Markets
- Street festivals (usually free).
- Farmers’ markets (entry free; buying is optional).
- Live music in parks (free).
Airline and Travel Discounts
STA Travel
What it is: Travel agency specializing in student travel.
Discounts:
- 10–20% on flights (especially to/from home country).
- Youth hostel bookings.
- Travel insurance.
Cost: No membership fee (just book through them).
Website: https://www.statravel.com.au
Greyhound Buses (Regional Travel)
Student discount: 10–15% on coach tickets (interstate travel).
How to claim: Present ISIC card at time of booking.
Cost: Typically A$50–$150 (discounted) for interstate trips.
Miscellaneous Discounts
| Service | Discount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Adobe Creative Cloud | 60% off | A$10–$15/month (vs A$30) |
| JetBrains software (for coding) | Free | IDEs, if student status verified |
| GitHub Student Pack | Free | A$100+ in free tools for coders |
| Canva Pro | 50% off | A$15/month (vs A$30) |
| ASUS, HP, Dell | Student discounts | 10–20% on laptops/devices |
Annual Savings Summary
| Discount Type | Annual Saving |
|---|---|
| Transport Concession (Melbourne myki) | A$2,500–$3,000 |
| Spotify Student | A$84 |
| Streaming services (all combined) | A$200–$300 |
| Restaurants/cafés (ISIC) | A$300–$500 |
| Movie tickets | A$100–$150 |
| Gym membership | A$120–$240 |
| Travel/flights | A$300–$800 (if traveling) |
| TOTAL (conservative) | A$3,600–$4,000+ |
If you’re in Melbourne: Transport alone saves A$2,500+, making your total annual savings A$4,000–$5,000.
FAQ
Q: Is ISIC worth getting? A: Yes. It pays for itself in 3–6 months if you use it regularly at cafés and entertainment.
Q: Can international students get transport concessions? A: It depends on the city. Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide offer concessions to eligible international students. Sydney (Opal) does not.
Q: How much do I save with Myki Concession in Melbourne? A: A$2,500–$3,000/year (from full adult fare to concession).
Q: Can I use UNiDAYS if I’m an international student? A: Yes. Register with your university email (.edu domain).
Q: Are there discounts on groceries? A: Not standard (unlike UK Tesco Student Discount). Use loyalty programs (Coles Rewards, Woolworths Rewards) for 1–4% cashback.
Q: Do part-time jobs offer student discounts? A: Yes. Many employers (cafés, retail, hospitality) offer staff discounts (10–50% depending on workplace).
Sources
- ISIC Australia
- STA Travel Australia
- Spotify Student
- UNiDAYS Australia
- Public Transport Victoria: Myki Concession
- Transport Queensland: Go Card Concession
Last reviewed: April 2026. Cost figures move with inflation — verify with the linked source if you’re budgeting precisely.