Australia · Queensland

Brisbane city

The capital of Queensland, a subtropical river city and the host of the 2032 Olympic Games.

Photo: King Eliot, CC0

#40The University of Queensland, QS 2027

6,459Nepal-born people in Greater Brisbane (2021 Census)

50cfares on Translink public transport

2032Olympic and Paralympic Games host city

In short

Studying in Brisbane: the short answer

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, a warm subtropical city on the Brisbane River, and will host the 2032 Olympic Games. The University of Queensland is ranked #40 in the QS 2027 world rankings, and Griffith and QUT are also ranked. 6,459 Nepal-born people lived in Greater Brisbane at the 2021 Census. Public transport fares are 50 cents on Translink. Students can work up to 48 hours a fortnight during study, and you need to show at least AUD 29,710 a year for living costs for your visa. The main intakes are February and July.

Universities

Universities in Brisbane

Ranks are from the QS World University Rankings 2027.

University	QS 2027	Main Brisbane campus
The University of Queensland (UQ)	#40	St Lucia (south-west of the city)
Griffith University	#230	Nathan, South Bank and Mount Gravatt (plus the Gold Coast)
Queensland University of Technology (QUT)	#240	Gardens Point (city) and Kelvin Grove

Source: QS World University Rankings 2027. Checked 14 November 2026.

Living in Brisbane

Costs, transport and work

Money to show

AUD 29,710

a year for living costs, the student visa minimum. Sharing a house or flat is the cheapest option.

Transport

50 cents

Fares on Translink trains, buses, ferries and trams are 50 cents with a go card, and CityHopper ferries are free. See Translink.

Work while you study

48 hours

a fortnight during study periods, and full-time during scheduled breaks.

Where to live

Live near your campus

Brisbane’s river, trains and buses connect the main campuses, so start your search near your campus.

St Lucia and Toowong

Around UQ, with CityCat ferries and buses to the city.

City and South Brisbane

Near QUT Gardens Point and Griffith South Bank, central and busy.

Kelvin Grove and Red Hill

Inner suburbs around QUT’s Kelvin Grove campus.

Nathan, Mount Gravatt and Sunnybank

Southern suburbs near Griffith, with lots of Asian food in Sunnybank.

Landmarks

Brisbane in pictures

Places you will get to know in your first few weeks.

Story Bridge, Brisbane — **Story Bridge**Brisbane’s best-known bridge, over the river near the city.

Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane — **Kangaroo Point Cliffs**Riverside cliffs with walking paths and city views.

South Bank, Brisbane — **South Bank**Parklands, a free swimming lagoon and the arbour walk.

Mount Coot-tha, Brisbane — **Mount Coot-tha**The lookout with views across the whole city.

Riverfire, Brisbane — **Riverfire**Fireworks over the Story Bridge during the Brisbane Festival.

Brisbane at night, Brisbane — **Brisbane at night**The city lights from across the river.

Brisbane sign, Brisbane — **Brisbane sign**The famous sign at South Bank, a favourite photo spot.

Brisbane River, Brisbane — **Brisbane River**The river runs right through the city and past the campuses.

Photo credits

Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Story Bridge by Cyron Ray Macey (CC BY 2.0); Kangaroo Point Cliffs and South Bank by Kgbo (CC BY-SA 4.0); Mount Coot-tha by John Robert McPherson (CC BY-SA 4.0); Riverfire by pauls parking (CC BY 2.0); Brisbane at night by Jdude700 (CC BY-SA 4.0); Brisbane sign and the main photo by King Eliot (CC0); Brisbane River by MusikAnimal (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Student life

Things students love about Brisbane

🚌

50-cent fares

Every Translink trip on trains, buses, ferries and trams costs 50 cents.

⛴

Free river ferries

CityHopper ferries are free, and CityCats connect UQ to the city along the river.

🏝

South Bank lagoon

A free, lifeguarded swimming lagoon in the middle of the city.

☀

Warm weather

A subtropical climate means warm weather for most of the year.

🏖

Gold and Sunshine Coasts

Famous beaches are a train or bus ride away for a day trip.

🏋

Olympic city

Brisbane hosts the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

What’s on

Festivals, sport and concerts through the year

Brisbane has plenty on through the year. These are the big ones.

May to July

State of Origin

Rugby league’s biggest series, with games at Suncorp Stadium.

August

The Ekka

The Royal Queensland Show, Brisbane’s big annual show.

September

Brisbane Festival

Three weeks of shows, ending with Riverfire fireworks over the river.

March to September

AFL and NRL seasons

Brisbane Lions at the Gabba and Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

Throughout the year

Concerts

Big tours play the Brisbane Entertainment Centre and Suncorp Stadium.

Weekends

Markets

Night and weekend markets at South Bank and around the city.

2032

Olympic Games

Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Community

Nepali festivals

Nepali community groups celebrate Dashain, Tihar and Holi together each year.

Months are usual timings; check each event’s website for exact dates.

Questions

Questions about studying in Brisbane

Is Brisbane good for Nepali students?

Yes, for many. Brisbane has the University of Queensland (#40 in QS 2027), warm weather, 50-cent public transport and a Nepali community of 6,459 Nepal-born people (2021 Census).

Which universities are in Brisbane?

The University of Queensland (#40), Griffith University (#230) and QUT (#240) in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

How much money do I need to live in Brisbane?

For a student visa you must show at least AUD 29,710 a year for living costs. Rent is usually the biggest cost, and sharing a house or flat is the cheapest option. See the full money-to-show guide.

How much is public transport in Brisbane?

Translink fares are 50 cents per trip on trains, buses, ferries and trams, and CityHopper ferries are free. Check Translink.

Can I work while studying in Brisbane?

Yes. International students can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during study periods and full-time during scheduled breaks.

Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne?

Brisbane is warmer and usually more relaxed. Sydney and Melbourne have bigger Nepali communities. See our Sydney and Melbourne guides, or talk to a counsellor.

Next step

Planning to study in Brisbane in 2027?

Get a free plan from an NEC counsellor: the right course and university, the money to show and a timeline for February or July 2027.

Get my free 2027 plan Back to Study in Australia

More cities

Other cities in Australia

Not sure Brisbane is right for you? Compare the other main student cities.

Victoria

Melbourne

Ranked #3 for liveability in the world (EIU 2026)

Melbourne city guide →

New South Wales

Sydney

Australia’s largest Nepali community

Sydney city guide →

Western Australia

Perth

Free buses and trains in the city centre

Perth city guide →

South Australia

Adelaide

Free city trams and buses

Adelaide city guide →

Compare all five cities side by side → · Study in Australia guide →

Last updated: 14 November 2026, by the NEC counselling team in Kathmandu. Sources: QS World University Rankings 2027; Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2021 Census; Department of Home Affairs, Student visa (subclass 500) for the AUD 29,710 living-cost figure. City photos: Sydney by Benh LIEU SONG and Adelaide by Yu Chu Chin, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0). Fees, rules and event dates change, so check official sites before you apply.

Start Your Study Abroad Journey

Share a few details with us and our counsellors will guide you toward the right course, university, and destination.

Free, honest counsellingNo fee to talk through your options with a counsellor.
Rated 4.8★ in 950+ Google reviewsTrusted by students and parents across Nepal.
Helping Nepali students since 200125 years of admissions and visa experience.
Led by a director who studied abroadOur director graduated from Monash University (Australia) and Tufts University (USA).
Visit us in PutalisadakRamshah Path, Kathmandu, opposite Star Mall.