Transport in Australia
Australia has a variety of modes of transportation when it comes to travelling around. So whether you are planning to go to your university, work or travel around just for leisure purposes, be sure that there are plenty of transportation options to choose from.
In this article, we discuss about the modes of transportation in Australia for international students in detail.
Modes of Public Transport
There are a variety of modes of public transport available across all major cities in Australia including:
- Train
- Tram
- Buses
- Ferries
The type of transportation available and the cost of travel on public transport varies in each city of Australia.
Public Transport in each State and Territory
Each state and territory has its own transport network authority and they are responsible for managing the public transport system in their state.
While international students are eligible for public transport concession in certain states and territories, there are few states where you need to pay full fare when travelling on public transport.
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Modes of Transport Available
Buses and Light Rail
Type of Ticketing Card Used
Myway Card
Concession for International students
International students studying in Canberra get a full concession on public transport.
Cost of Travel (Full-Fare)
$200.00 per month
Website for Contact
New South Wales (NSW)
Modes of Transport Available
Trains, Buses, Light Rail and Ferries
Type of Ticketing Card Used
Opal Card
Concession for International students
Generally, international students are not eligible for public transport concession in Sydney. Only those international students studying via Australian Government scholarships are eligible to apply for a concession.
Cost of Travel (Full-Fare)
$216.00 per month
Website for Contact
Northern Territory (NT)
Modes of Transport Available
Buses
Type of Ticketing Card Used
Tap and Ride Card
Concession for International students
Full Concession is available for international students in Darwin. In fact, international students can do unlimited travel for a whole week for just $7.
Cost of Travel (Full-Fare)
$86.00 per month
Website for Contact
Queensland (QLD)
Modes of Transport Available
Trains, Buses and Light Rail
Type of Ticketing Card Used
Go Card
Concession for International students
Full Concession available for international students studying in registered training organisations, TAFE and universities in Queensland.
Cost of Travel (Full-Fare)
$151.00 per month
Website for Contact
South Australia (SA)
Modes of Transport Available
Trains, Trams and Buses
Type of Ticketing Card Used
Metro Card
Concession for International students
As an International student in Adelaide, you are eligible to get a concession on public transport.
Cost of Travel (Full-Fare)
$101.00 per month
Website for Contact
Tasmania (TAS)
Modes of Transport Available
Buses
Type of Ticketing Card Used
Green Card
Concession for International students
International Students are eligible for the same travel concessions as local students.
Cost of Travel (Full-Fare)
$75.00 per month
Website for Contact
Victoria (VIC)
Modes of Transport Available
Trains, Trams and Buses
Type of Ticketing Card Used
Myki Card
Concession for International students
Only eligible students at participating universities, TAFE and other approved education providers can get 50% of annual myki also known as iUSEpass. Other students are not eligible for concessions.
Cost of Travel (Full-Fare)
$159.00 per month
Website for Contact
Western Australia (WA)
Modes of Transport Available
Trains, Buses and Ferries
Type of Ticketing Card Used
SmartRider Card
Concession for International students
International students are eligible to get a full concession on public transport in Perth.
Cost of Travel (Full-Fare)
$135.00 per month
Website for Contact
Driving
In Australia, overseas students are considered as temporary residents so they are usually allowed to drive on the licence from their home country. Although, it is still a good idea to check with your local road authority office.
Australians drive on the left side of the road with the majority of cars having steering on the right-hand side. Also, there are strict laws about driving and penalties are really high so make sure to follow the local road rules when driving in Australia.
You can buy a new or used car for your travel. If you are not going to use the car regularly, then you can even consider renting a car.
For a more detailed guide on driving in Australia, click here.
Travelling Interstate
As Australia is a huge country, most of the travellers prefer to use airline services when they travel interstate. You can drive also but it takes much longer to travel interstate.
When travelling interstate on a plane, you don’t need to carry a passport. However, you should always carry some sort of ID like Driving licence, Working with Children Check etc. Although there are many different airlines you can choose but mainly there are 4 airlines that you can use when travelling interstate:
Taxi
Australian taxi network is quite comprehensive. Taxis are also known as “Cabs” in Australia. You can hail a taxi from the Airport, city centre, shopping malls, train stations and from various locations etc. You can also hire a taxi by phone booking or using smartphone apps for the taxi company or just hail from the side of the road.
Although, most of the students avoid hiring Taxis as they are quite expensive in Australia. It is important to understand that taxi fares are not negotiable and you have to pay what the meter is showing. Also, keep in mind that you will usually need to pay an extra fee if you are using taxis late at night, from the airport, using toll roads or if pre-booking.
There are many taxi companies available in different states and territories but you can find one taxi company in all cities which is:
Ride Sharing
Ride-sharing service is legal in Australia. So when considering to travel, you can choose to use ride-sharing services. Lots of students like to use ride-sharing services than taxis as they are a much cheaper option to travel.
When booking a ride-sharing service, you will need to use the app or the website of that ride-sharing provider. There are many ride-sharing services providers in Australia. Some of them are:
Bikes
Australian cities are also famous for easy travel access for bikes. If you like riding bicycles then Australia is a great place for you. It is not only cheaper (as you can save up to $1000 per year) but much healthier option to travel as well.
You can actually buy a new or used bicycle from online marketplaces like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace or from stores like Kmart, Target or Big W.
It is very important to follow the road rules when riding a bike in Australia. You must wear a helmet and have lights at the front and back of the bicycle. It is a good idea to get yourself a lock for the bike to avoid any possible theft.
If you would rather rent a bike then buying, then you can consider using the following services:
- Adelaide Free Bikes
- Brisbane City Cycle
- Hobart Bike Hire
- Melbourne Bike Share
- Share A Bike Canberra
- Urbi (Perth)
We also suggest you to check public transport etiquette that you must follow in Australia
