Best student discounts and money hacks in Australia

If you're one of Australia's 1.8 million uni and vocational students, you're probably used to juggling work and study while stretching your funds to keep life comfortable. Here are the saving hacks and smart financial moves that will net you more money.

Best student discounts in Australia

A valid ID from your uni or tertiary institution can unlock savings on a big range of products, from a new laptop or tablet, to drinks and meals around campus.

Check the terms and conditions of different deals to make sure you're eligible, especially if you're only studying part-time.

Student discounts on laptops, tablets and tech

Provide an eligible student ID or student union card to Apple and you'll be able to save hundreds of dollars on the company's laptops, tablets and accessories by shopping through its online Education Store.

For example, the company's recently-released MacBook Neo is available for $150 cheaper here than on the brand's main online store, while more advanced laptops are similarly discounted.

Creating an account and verifying your student status with discount aggregator UniDays, meanwhile, can open-up access to 25%-off Samsung products and markdowns on tech from other major brands.

Concession transport fares for students

Most major city public transport networks offer cheaper concession tickets to local students whose enrolment has been confirmed by their uni or training college.

These discount fares will save you a lot compared to travelling on an ordinary adult pass, but your regular student ID card may not be enough to unlock them.

Some state transit bodies require you to apply for and be given a special concession card that you'll be required to use to get access to these cheaper fares.

For example, tertiary students in NSW and Victoria can get metro and regional tickets that are 50% cheaper than regular fares, but both state governments say you must first be carrying a special concession entitlement card approved and issued by them.

Cheap student travel passes are available in most other major cities with public trains, buses or trams, so check your local transit authority.

Student discounts on entertainment and event tickets

Some major ticket providers such as Ticketek might offer concession passes to their events, but it can be up to the event promoters themselves whether these are available.

Cinema chains are more likely to offer cheaper student tickets, but shop around if you've got competing theatres in the same area to see if these really do offer the best prices.

Food and dining discounts for students

Comparing options will also come in handy when scouting out spots to eat around campus. Cafes, pubs and restaurants near popular unis often offer discounts to anyone carrying a current student ID, so see what's available.

Note that these deals, which can include discounted food or free entry to ticketed events, might only be available on certain days or times.

The student association or union at your institution should have information on the best offers near you, while discount platforms like UniDays can be a source of deals redeemable at national restaurant chains.

Smart financial moves

Being enrolled in higher education, taking on an apprenticeship, living away from home while you're young or even just juggling study and work can make you eligible for payments from the government.

Of course there are plenty of caveats here, such as your age, income and family assets, but some of these lesser-known schemes can leave you better off financially for the long term.

Are you eligible for Youth Allowance or Austudy?

Receiving payments under Youth Allowance or Austudy can net you hundreds of dollars extra per fortnight, depending on your age and living situation.

See Services Australia's page on Top payments for higher education for more info.

Best student bank accounts and banking perks

Fees for keeping your money in the bank aren't as common as they used to be, but some major lenders will still charge you $5 or $6 a month for the privilege of holding onto your savings.

Luckily, some of these banks will waive these fees if you're a full-time student and under a certain age.

But it's worth remembering that some other banks don't charge any of these monthly admin fees whatsoever and may even offer better savings rates, so don't throw your funds at the first lender to catch your eye.

How students can get up to $1000 extra in super

If you're working part-time while you study, the fact you're earning less than a full-timer can actually open the door to getting extra money put into your superannuation.

Your employer should already be making contributions into your super account, but if your take home wages are less than $64,000 a year, you might be eligible for a co-contribution -- an extra payment chipped-in by the federal government.

This means any extra money you put into your superannuation after you've paid your tax (on top of what your employer's already put in there) matched by the government, who'll put the same amount of their money into your super account.

This co-contribution is capped at $500 per year and should arrive in your account a few months after you lodge your tax return for the year when you made that extra payment into your super.

If you're earning less than $37,000 a year, you'll automatically also get the low-income super tax offset (LISTO) - another maximum $500 payment the government makes to boost the super balances of lower-paid workers.

As part of its mission to help students better manage their finances, Money has partnered with Arc, the not-for-profit student organisation at UNSW, to provide Arc members with free digital subscriptions to Money, giving students access to trusted personal finance information and tools designed to help them make smarter financial decisions. 

Get stories like this in our newsletters.