Rising costs force Vietnamese students to seek survival strategies in Australia

The cost-of-living crisis in Australia is reshaping the experience of Vietnamese international students, who are adopting increasingly desperate measures to afford their studies and accommodation. Rental prices in major Australian cities have climbed steeply, forcing many students to abandon inner-city suburbs for distant neighborhoods with longer commutes in exchange for cheaper housing.

Educational expenses have compounded the financial strain, with university tuition continuing to rise while living costs—from groceries to transport—have accelerated beyond wage growth. Vietnamese students report juggling multiple part-time employment arrangements alongside full academic commitments, a balancing act that threatens both their financial stability and their ability to focus on their studies.

Many have adopted frugal consumption habits, regularly hunting for supermarket discounts and bulk-buying cheaper food items to reduce weekly expenses. Some students have turned to community support networks and shared accommodation arrangements with fellow compatriots to distribute costs more efficiently.

The pressures facing Vietnamese students mirror broader challenges confronting international students in Australia, where visa holders have historically relied on part-time work to supplement limited savings and family support. As inflation persists across the Australian economy, educational institutions and policymakers face growing scrutiny over the sustainability of international student experiences and whether current support mechanisms adequately address the rising financial barriers.