From: 9121248e@lux.latrobe.edu.au (JacK)
Newsgroups: aus.students.overseas
Subject: Re: Standard of Living
Date: 3 Sep 92 05:53:31 GMT
Organization: La Trobe University

In article <1992Sep2.122947.3111@newsroom.utas.edu.au> u907736@postoffice.utas.edu.au (Edmund Chia) writes:
>I had a conversation with a friend the other day on Austudy and we came to
>the conclusion that it was a pretty decent allowance. However, a large
>number of Australian students on Austudy don't seem to think so. Therefore,
>either these students were trying to exploit the system OR overseas students
>tend to have different ideas as to what constitutes a decent standard of
>living. Note - students who cram 10 to a room and eat white rice in soy
>sauce daily do not figure in my comparison.
>
>Basic cost of living(based on personal experience and those of my friends)
>
>Rent - $35/week to $55/week(average rent from student union housing office
>                            is $45/week)
>
>Food - Rice(20kg) $24.50/-(most expensive)
>     - Steak(good quality) - $7-15/kg
>     - Beef(cheaper cuts) - $4/kg
>     - Lamb - $2-5/kg (depending on season or mood of supermarket)
>     - Chicken - $3-5/kg
>     - Veggies - Cabbage/Cauliflower/Lettuce - about $1(usually less)
>     - Veggies - Green peppers($4-7/kg)
>     - Onions/Potatoes - about $0.8/kg (much cheaper when in season)
>     - Scallops - $15-20/kg , King Prawns - $20-23/kg
>     - Fish(orange roughy-$12-13/kg) flatheads, trout, etc - much cheaper
>
>On average, expenses for food for overseas students range from $10/week
>to $40/week. Those who spend less usually 'share' grocery expenses,
>meals, and cooking responsibilities.
>
>Just wonder what its like in the other states.
>
>Edmund

*****************************

Well.....Edmund.....what you have considered above are merely
the living expenses (and they are increasing too...)
I am sure "those" Australian students are not
complaining the cost of food and rent......i think we all agree
\it is very reasonable in Melbourne......or anywhere else in Aus...


But....there are more things to life than a few kilos of rice and
steaks.....what about the social expenses...??????....
you can't have everyone sit in a flat and stare at a television...all
night...... we are young.....we need to go out to have some fun....
and yes...we could work for that money...but in this kind  of bad
ecnomic times....a job is hard to find...believe me...i tried.....

Then..there is the cost of books....pens ..pencils...which may not
cost a bucket  each time...but they do add up to big bills...
especially..the books.....

and not forget the cost of travel....some student may not be able
to afford a place close to uni. 


all and all....the Austudy money don't really go too far.....

I mean everyone would like to have a few more dollars left to their
bank account...after paying all the bills.....

and that's why students want more Austudy payment....

**************************************************************************
                            || THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Jack Liu		    || I hope if dogs ever take over the world,   
La Trobe University         || and they choose a king, they don't just 
Melbourne, Australia        || go by size, because i bet there are some 
Internet Address:           || chihuahuas with some good ideas.......
 9121248e@lux.latrobe.edu.au|| :-)
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Newsgroups: aus.students.overseas