We are pleased to announce the latest addition to the Study Australia range of digital tools and resources for international students: The Cost of Living Calculator.
The Calculator, developed in collaboration with Insider Guides, assists students to estimate how much it could cost to have the lifestyle they choose in Australia.
It is important to note that the Calculator provides approximations only, intended as a guide for students keen to estimate their costs in Australia.
A simple tool powered by robust data
The interactive and mobile-responsive tool is designed to help students estimate how much it could cost to have the lifestyle they choose in Australia. It allows them to compare accommodation arrangements, transportation options as well as other lifestyle choices.
The need for such a tool is supported by SEO data which highlights "cost" as a leading keyword search among prospective international students.
Austrade has partnered with Insider Guides to develop and deliver the Calculator, to tailor and evolve existing resources which meet the needs of the Study Australia global audience.
Significant sets of data have been collated and calculated based on a set of rules and logic. For example, when researching share house costs, a wide range of data inputs were used to determine 36 separate room pricings. Numbeo API, CPI based data was also used to provide updated and accurate results, and data sets were further validated by the Economics Department at the University of Sydney.
Managing expectations
Providing additional information as context for the questions being asked helps to manage expectations. At each step of the calculator, you can click "more info" and a pop-up window will appear.
Example:
