Being a student can be challenging, especially when managing your finances while juggling coursework, exams, and a social life. However, there's a silver lining—student discounts! As a student in Australia, you have access to a variety of discounts and deals that can help make your daily life a little easier on the wallet. From food to transportation to tech, these savings can add up quickly, making it worth your while to take advantage of them.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to some of the best student discounts you should know about in Australia:
1. Student Advantage Cards (Tertiary Student Cards)
Many Australian universities and colleges issue student cards that come with a variety of perks. These cards often provide access to discounts both on and off-campus. However, for broader access to student deals, consider getting a Student Advantage Card or Student Identity Card (ISIC). This card is accepted at hundreds of retailers nationwide and offers exclusive discounts on everything from fashion to food to entertainment.
Key Benefits:
- Discounts on fashion brands like ASOS, Myer, and H&M
- Special deals on tech products at Apple and Samsung stores
- Offers on travel and experiences through platforms like BookMyShow
2. UniDays
UniDays is one of the most popular student discount platforms in Australia. After signing up with your student email address, you'll get access to exclusive online and in-store discounts from over 1,000 top brands. These discounts often include fashion, beauty, tech, fitness, and more.
Popular Brands Offering Discounts on UniDays:
- Nike – Get up to 10-20% off on activewear and shoes
- Adobe – Up to 60% off on creative software like Photoshop, Illustrator, and more
- Apple – Save up to 10% on Apple products, accessories, and more
- ASOS – Up to 10% off on trendy clothing and accessories
- HP – Discounts on laptops, printers, and accessories
3. Student Travel Cards
If you're a student in Australia, getting a Student Travel Card or a GoCard (for those in Queensland) or a Myki Card(for Melbourne) will save you a ton of money on public transportation. These cards typically offer significant discounts on train, bus, and tram fares for students.
- NSW Student Opal Card – In New South Wales, students can benefit from discounted train, bus, and ferry fares. The Opal card is essential for public transport in Sydney and surrounding areas.
- Myki Card – If you live in Melbourne, the Myki student concession card offers discounted travel on trains, trams, and buses across the city.
- GoCard – In Queensland, a Student GoCard provides discounted travel on all forms of public transport within Brisbane and regional areas.
For students traveling long distances, you can also access discounts with Greyhound Australia (bus travel) and V/Line(train services), provided you present your student ID at the time of booking.
4. Food and Dining Discounts
Saving on food is a must, and there are plenty of student discounts available in Australia for dining out or grabbing a quick bite.
- Subway – Show your student ID to get discounts on your sandwich or salad at participating stores. Some Subway outlets also offer “Sub of the Day” deals at a reduced price.
- Domino’s Pizza – Students can enjoy discounts on pizza orders by using promo codes specifically for students. These codes often provide 25-30% off large pizzas.
- Guzman y Gomez – Many locations offer student discounts, such as 10% off your meal when you show your student card.
- McDonald's – While they don’t have an official student discount, you can often find student-exclusive deals on platforms like Student Beans or UniDays.
5. Technology and Gadgets
Students rely on tech for their studies, and discounts on gadgets and software can save you hundreds of dollars. Whether you're looking for a new laptop, headphones, or software, there are many discounts available.
- Apple Education Store – Apple provides students with discounted prices on products like MacBooks, iPads, and accessories. They also often bundle free extras, such as headphones or gift cards.
- Microsoft Store – Students can get significant discounts on Windows operating systems, Office 365, and various software. Microsoft also offers discounts on Surface laptops for students.
- JB Hi-Fi – This Australian electronics retailer offers student discounts on a wide range of tech products, from laptops to headphones to cameras. Just show your student ID at the counter or check the website for student-only deals.
6. Movie and Entertainment Discounts
Need a break from studying? There are plenty of student discounts on entertainment and activities to help you unwind without breaking the bank.
- Event Cinemas – Students can access discounted movie tickets by signing up for the Event Cinema Student Club. You can also find discounted tickets during student-exclusive promotions.
- Hoyts – The Hoyts Rewards program allows students to save money on tickets, snacks, and even earn rewards towards free movies. Hoyts also runs "Student Mondays" where tickets are cheaper.
- Netflix, Spotify, and other subscriptions – Many streaming services offer student discounts, including Spotify Premium (for $5.99/month) and Apple Music. If you're a fan of TV shows or music, this is a great way to access content for less.
7. Fitness and Health Discounts
Staying healthy while studying can sometimes be a challenge, but discounts on fitness memberships and health products can make it easier to stay active.
- Fitness First – Fitness First offers student discounts on memberships, which can include access to gyms and fitness classes. Many gyms also offer no-lock-in contracts, so you can cancel after the semester ends.
- F45 – If you're into high-intensity interval training (HIIT), F45 offers discounted rates for students on their workout plans.
- Lorna Jane and Nike – Both of these activewear brands offer student discounts, so you can gear up for your next workout without breaking your budget.
8. Retail and Fashion Discounts
Students love fashion, and fortunately, many retailers offer exclusive discounts to make it more affordable. Here's a look at some of the best offers:
- H&M – A student discount of 10% is available at H&M stores in Australia when you show your student ID.
- Zara – Occasionally, Zara runs student promotions where students can save up to 15% off full-priced items.
- Adidas – Adidas offers discounts to students, particularly on athletic wear and sneakers. Check platforms like UniDays for the latest offers.
9. Online Shopping Discounts
For students who prefer shopping online, many e-commerce websites offer exclusive discounts:
- eBay – Students can get exclusive eBay Plus membership discounts, which provide free shipping and additional savings on thousands of items.
- The Iconic – Australia’s leading fashion retailer offers special student deals and discounts on trendy clothing, shoes, and accessories.
- Booktopia – If you’re looking for textbooks or novels, Booktopia offers student discounts on a wide range of titles.
10. Insurance and Banking Discounts
As a student, you may also be eligible for special deals on insurance, banking, and more.
- NRMA Insurance – NRMA offers discounted car insurance rates for students who are under 25.
- Commonwealth Bank – The Student Options Account offers fee-free banking for students, making it easy to manage your finances.
- Medibank – Students can access discounted health insurance through Medibank and other providers with tailored student plans.