Brisbane is one of Australia's most affordable major-city homestay destinations, with warm weather almost year-round, a growing international student community, and a relaxed outdoor lifestyle that makes settling in feel genuinely easy. If you're looking for quality homestay in Australia at a great price point, Brisbane is one of the best decisions you can make.
This guide covers everything new international students need to know about homestay in Brisbane: popular suburbs to live in, how to get around, what things cost, what the city is like day-to-day, and how to apply from your home country. Whether you're arriving from Japan, Vietnam, China, Latin America, or anywhere else, Brisbane is going to surprise you.
Brisbane has grown significantly as an international student destination over the past decade. With around 2.7 million residents, it is Australia's third-largest city and the capital of Queensland. The subtropical climate means warm, sunny days for most of the year, a contrast to the cooler winters of Melbourne and Sydney that many students from Asia, Latin America, and South-East Asia find genuinely appealing.
Brisbane is home to several major universities: the University of Queensland (UQ), Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and Griffith University, alongside a strong English language school sector. The city's proximity to the Gold Coast (just over an hour by train) means students can easily explore one of Australia's most iconic beach destinations on weekends.
Cost is also a significant factor. Brisbane's cost of living is materially lower than Sydney's, which translates directly into more accessible homestay rates without any compromise in the quality of the placement.
Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills are among Brisbane's most popular areas for international students, particularly from China, Japan, and Vietnam. The area has a dense concentration of Asian restaurants, supermarkets, and community organisations, alongside strong train and bus connections to the Brisbane CBD (approximately 30 minutes by train). Runcorn, nearby, offers similar characteristics at a slightly lower price point. All three suburbs are family-oriented and safe.
Chermside is Brisbane's major northern retail hub, home to one of Queensland's largest shopping centres and excellent bus connections to the CBD. The Chermside and Aspley area is popular for homestay families with a suburban, residential feel, quieter than the south but well-connected.
Students attending the University of Queensland often find homestay in the western suburbs most convenient. Indooroopilly sits on the train line to the CBD and is within easy reach of UQ's St Lucia campus. Kenmore and Taringa are leafy, family-friendly suburbs that attract professional host families.
For students whose schools are located in or near the CBD, inner south suburbs like Woolloongabba, Greenslopes, and Holland Park offer shorter commutes. These are established residential areas with good public transport and a mix of long-term families and young professionals.
Brisbane's public transport network is operated by Translink and covers trains, buses, and the CityCat ferry service. All modes use the go card, Queensland's rechargeable transit smart card, available at convenience stores and train stations.
Brisbane has a warm subtropical climate: hot and humid summers (December–February, with temperatures often above 30°C) and mild, dry winters (June–August, averaging 11–22°C). Rainfall is concentrated in summer, often as afternoon thunderstorms that clear quickly.
For students from tropical or subtropical regions, Brisbane's climate is often the most familiar and comfortable of all Australian cities. Brisbane's lifestyle is outdoor-oriented. South Bank Parklands, a riverside precinct with man-made beaches, restaurants, the Gallery of Modern Art, and the Queensland Museum, is one of the city's most loved spaces.
Brisbane's location makes it an excellent base for day trips:
Global experience places international students with vetted host families across Brisbane's major residential areas. Our team works with students from Japan, Vietnam, China, Latin America, and many other regions, and our multilingual staff can support you through the application process in your own language.
Homestay in Brisbane with Global experience includes a private bedroom, all meals, and utilities. Internet access may be available for a small additional cost of approximately AUD 10/week. AUD 380–470/week. To compare Brisbane with our other cities, see our guides for Sydney, Melbourne, and the Gold Coast.
Yes. Brisbane is Queensland's capital and Australia's third-largest city, with a warm subtropical climate, a growing university sector, and a relaxed outdoor lifestyle. It is more affordable than Sydney or Melbourne and has a rapidly expanding international student community.
Homestay in Brisbane costs AUD 380–470/week in 2026. This includes a private furnished bedroom, meals, and utilities.
Popular Brisbane suburbs for homestay include Sunnybank and Sunnybank Hills in the south (diverse, affordable, well-connected), Chermside and Aspley in the north (family-oriented, on bus routes to the CBD), and western suburbs such as Kenmore and Indooroopilly (quiet, leafy, close to the University of Queensland).
Brisbane's public transport covers trains, buses, and CityCat ferries, all accessed via the go card. The CityGlider bus runs through the inner city. The University of Queensland is served by its own dedicated UQ Lakes bus station.
Brisbane has a warm subtropical climate with hot, humid summers (December to February) and mild, dry winters (June to August). Average winter temperatures are 11–22°C, significantly warmer than Sydney or Melbourne. Students from tropical countries often find Brisbane's climate the most comfortable of the major Australian cities.
Searching for homestay Brisbane for international students, cheapest student accommodation Queensland, homestay near UQ or QUT Brisbane, family accommodation Brisbane for overseas students, or how to book homestay in Brisbane from Japan, Vietnam, or China? Our multilingual team handles exactly these questions every day. There are no silly questions when you're planning a big move like this.
Brisbane is waiting for you, and it's better than most students expect. Global experience has been placing international students in Brisbane homestay since 1999. With over 6,500 vetted host families and a team that speaks your language, we'll find you the right placement quickly and easily.