Queensland University of Technology

Brisbane
Queensland 4000
Web address: www.international.qut.edu.au
ADS contact phone: +61 3 9627 4853
ADS contact fax: +61 3 9627 4863
Relevant campuses: Brisbane – Gardens Point, Kelvin Grove, Carseldine

Community and surrounds

Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is the only Queensland university with a full service campus right in the heart of the Brisbane Central Business District. The Kelvin Grove campus lies two kilometres to the north and the Carseldine campus is 13 kilometres from the city.

QUT's three campuses are located in Brisbane, the capital city of the state of Queensland. Brisbane itself has a population of 1.7 million people while the greater Brisbane area, which includes Brisbane city and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts, has almost two million people.

Brisbane is a modern and vibrant city that is small enough to be welcoming while still big enough to have all the attractions you would expect of a major capital city. Brisbane is known as Australia’s most liveable city because it is clean and safe, and has a subtropical climate of warm summers and cool, sunny winters.

It is a perfect stepping stone to the wonders of Queensland, including Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef, and is only an hour away from the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.

Climate

Brisbane is blessed with a temperate subtropical climate. The average Summer temperature ranges from 20 to 30 degrees Celsius with very high humidity, while Winter is a mild 11 to 21 degrees. January to March is Brisbane’s rainy season.

Cost of living and accommodation

Brisbane is one of the most affordable capital cities in Australia to live in. Accommodation costs are lower than in Sydney and Melbourne. The cost of transport, food and entertainment is average for Australian cities, and Brisbane caters for a diverse range of lifestyles and can easily be enjoyed even on a student budget.

Students will need a minimum of AU$14,000 for essential living expenses per year. Costs for accommodation and food can be reduced by sharing with friends and budgeting carefully. Use the budget calculator to work out expenses in Australian dollars and foreign currency.

QUT’s International Student Services caters especially for international students and can assist in finding temporary and permanent accommodation before arrival in Australia. QUT’s central location makes finding affordable and convenient accommodation easy and with the help of International Student Services, most students find suitable permanent accommodation within a week of arriving in Brisbane.

Campus descriptions

QUT has three thriving campuses at Gardens Point, Kelvin Grove and Carseldine.

Gardens Point is the only campus in Brisbane’s CBD offering full student services. Situated on the Brisbane River, adjacent to the City Botanical Gardens and Queensland’s Parliament House, the location reinforces QUT’s links with business and industry while creating a dynamic environment for students.

The campus is linked with South Bank Parklands by the Goodwill Bridge (a pedestrian and bicycle bridge). Public transport options include regular ferries, trains and buses, as well as a free student bus service between QUT campuses.

The Kelvin Grove campus has become the hub of innovative space and enterprise, housing the QUT Creative Industries Precinct, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and adjacent to the Kelvin Grove Urban Village.

The Kelvin Grove campus is situated on a beautiful hilltop, located only two kilometres or 10 minutes north of the city centre. The campus is well serviced by buses and is a 15-minute walk from the Roma Street Transit Centre.

Situated in Brisbane’s northern suburbs, QUT’s Carseldine campus has a strong community focus and an established reputation for applied studies. It is located in Brisbane’s growing northern suburbs, 13 kilometres north of the city centre. The campus is easily accessible by train or bus and offers free on-campus parking.

International student population

QUT is one of Australia’s leading universities with nearly 40,000 students including 5000 international students from over 100 countries. As testament to its commitment to creating a culturally diverse educational environment, the university has been awarded five stars for international enrolments and four stars for diversity (Good Universities Guide 2006).

QUT also actively supports the activities of international student associations and holds many events throughout the year to celebrate cultural diversity including an international festival.

Family and community services

International Student Services (ISS) can provide assistance to students with families by:
• helping with the preparation of bringing spouses and children to Australia
• liaising with schools and government departments
• assisting to find suitable child care
• putting students in touch with other parents through the International Womens’ Group and organising family activities and outings

ISS also provides professional, confidential and free counselling to international students on study, personal, relationship, cultural and finance issues.

Childcare facilities

QUT’s International Student Services can assist students to find suitable child care. QUT has a child care centre on each campus; however places are limited.

Queensland Childcare Centres operate between 7am - 6pm and very few operate outside these hours. All centres are registered with the government to ensure a minimum standard of care is maintained.

For school age children, the Queensland school system offers high quality education at an affordable price for international students.

Facilities for special needs

The University provides special assistance for students with disabilities who need support services or course accommodations. Students with a permanent or temporary disability or medical condition should contact Disability Services for assistance or visit one of the student centres on each campus.

Special services include a peer notetaker scheme, adaptive technology labs, night security transport, assistive hearing technology, assessment support and designated parking.

QUT campuses endeavour to cater for students of all abilities and most buildings and facilities are designed and constructed according to the appropriate Australian standard. All major renovations are checked for accessibility and there is an ongoing exercise to make all established buildings accessible.

Foods for different cultures

QUT offers many enjoyable options for eating and drinking. Canteens serve juices, sandwiches, snacks and hot dishes covering a range of international cuisines. Halal and vegetarian meals are available on all campuses. Stylish cafés offer excellent coffee and light meals, and the QUT Student Guild runs a licensed club on each campus.

Gardens Point and Kelvin Groves’ central locations means that they are near to asian supermarkets and other international specialty stores in the inner city area.

Brisbane is a multicultural city hosting authentic international cuisine such as Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, Indian, African and Greek to name a few.

Religious facilities

QUT caters to students of all religions with its multi-faith chaplaincy centre, including Bahai, Buddhist, Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and Muslim.

Religious groups of all persuasions are welcome to use the “Drop in Room”
for access to tea/coffee making facilities and to meet and chat. Similarly, there is an air conditioned meeting room with a capacity of 20 persons that all are welcome to access via bookings with the Chaplain. Services, group activities, seminars and lectures are coordinated by the Chaplain.

Prayer rooms are located at Gardens Point and Jumaa or community prayers are held each Friday.

Public transport

Many forms of public transport are available to QUT students, staff and visitors to all campuses.

Students can travel to and from QUT's campuses using buses, trains and taxis, while a river ferry or the CityCat take passengers to Gardens Point campus.

QUT provides shuttle buses to assist students and staff travelling between campuses for the purpose of attending lectures or attending to University business.

International Student Services provides an Airport Reception service for students new to Brisbane to transport them safely to their accommodation upon arrival.

Brisbane also has an efficient Airtrain service that links Brisbane and the Gold Coast to the Brisbane International and Domestic Airports.