How do I get around Brisbane?

Use a go card, or tap a contactless bank card or phone, on Translink buses, trains and ferries. Since 2024, Queensland has charged a flat 50 cent fare per trip across the Translink network. The CityCat ferries along the river are a scenic way to travel. Check translink.com.au for current fares.

Which suburbs are good for immigrants in Brisbane?

Sunnybank and the southern suburbs are multicultural, with great food and community groups. Logan is affordable and very diverse. West End suits people who want an inner-city, artsy life. Toowong and St Lucia suit students near the University of Queensland.

How much does it cost to live in Brisbane?

Brisbane is usually cheaper than Sydney but rents have risen fast. As of 2026, a room in a sharehouse is roughly $250 to $380 a week and a one-bedroom apartment roughly $450 to $650. Groceries for one person often cost $80 to $150 a week. These are approximate ranges only.

What is the weather like in Brisbane?

Brisbane is subtropical. Summers are hot and humid, with days around 29 to 31 degrees and heavy afternoon storms. Winters are mild, dry and sunny, with days around 21 to 23 degrees and cool nights. You will use sunscreen far more often than a heavy coat.

How do I meet people in Brisbane?

Join something that meets every week, such as a sports club, a running group, a language exchange or a volunteer group. Riverside markets, free events at South Bank and local libraries are easy places to start. Brisbane is growing quickly, so many people around you are also building new friendships.

How do I find a doctor in Brisbane?

Search for a general practitioner (GP) near your home and ask if they bulk bill. With Medicare, a bulk-billed visit costs you nothing. For health advice at any time in Queensland, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84. In an emergency, call 000.

Yes, some low-lying suburbs near the river and creeks have flooded in the past. Before you sign a lease, check the address on Brisbane City Council's flood map and ask the agent about the property's history. Contents insurance can also protect your belongings.

New in the city

New in Brisbane

Brisbane is warm, relaxed and growing quickly. It offers big-city life at a gentler pace than Sydney or Melbourne, and it is getting ready to host the 2032 Olympic Games. Here is how to settle in and make the most of it.

Last updated 6 October 2026

Getting around

Brisbane's public transport is run by Translink. You can use a go card, or tap a contactless bank card or your phone, on buses, trains and ferries. Tap on when you board and tap off when you leave.

The big news for your budget: since 2024, Queensland has charged a flat 50 cent fare for each trip on Translink services across South East Queensland. That makes Brisbane one of the cheapest cities in Australia to get around by public transport. Government fare policy can change, so check translink.com.au for current prices.

CityCat ferries run along the Brisbane River and link many popular suburbs, from the University of Queensland to the inner north. They are fast, frequent and a lovely way to commute.
Buses cover most of the city, including fast busway routes that avoid traffic.
Trains reach the outer suburbs and continue to the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast and Ipswich.

A car is useful in the outer suburbs, but not essential if you live close to a busway, train line or ferry stop.

Cost of living in Brisbane

Brisbane is usually more affordable than Sydney, but rents have climbed quickly as the city grows. The figures below are approximate ranges as of 2026. They vary a lot by suburb, so use them for planning only.

Room in a sharehouse: roughly $250 to $380 a week. Rooms near the river and the city cost more.
One-bedroom apartment: roughly $450 to $650 a week. Outer suburbs and areas south of the river are often cheaper.
Groceries for one person: often $80 to $150 a week, depending on where you shop and how much you cook.
Transport: with 50 cent fares, even a daily commute costs very little.
Power: summers are hot, and air conditioning can push up your electricity bill.

Rent is quoted per week in Australia. Your bond, usually up to four weeks' rent, must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Authority (RTA), not kept by the agent. Our guide on renting your first home explains applications, bonds and inspections.

Suburbs and who they suit

Brisbane's best-known inner suburbs sit close to the river, but there is good living right across the city:

West End and South Brisbane: multicultural, artsy and full of cafes and markets, with South Bank on the doorstep. Suits people who want inner-city life.
Fortitude Valley and New Farm: nightlife, music and riverside parks, close to the centre. Suits young workers who like to go out.
Toowong, St Lucia and Indooroopilly: green, hilly and close to the University of Queensland. Suits students and young families.
Sunnybank and the southern suburbs: very multicultural, with some of the best food in the city, large shopping centres and many community groups. Suits families.
Logan: a separate city on Brisbane's southern edge. Affordable, very diverse and family friendly. Suits people who want more space for their money.
Chermside and the north side: a big shopping and health hub, with good bus links into the city. Suits families and hospital workers.

Before you sign a lease, visit at different times of day, check the commute, and look up the address on the council's flood map.

Weather through the year

Brisbane is subtropical, which means warm to hot most of the year.

Summer (December to February): hot and humid, with days often around 29 to 31 degrees. Short, heavy afternoon storms are common. Storm season runs roughly from October to March.
Autumn (March to May): still warm, slowly drying out and becoming more comfortable.
Winter (June to August): mild, dry and sunny, with days around 21 to 23 degrees. Nights can be cool, and many homes are built for heat, not cold, so a warm blanket helps.
Spring (September to November): warm and bright, with purple jacaranda trees flowering across the city.

The sun is strong all year. Wear a hat and sunscreen, and drink plenty of water in summer.

Healthcare

For most health needs, start with a general practitioner (GP) at a local clinic. Search for clinics near your home and ask if they bulk bill. If you have Medicare and the clinic bulk bills, the visit costs you nothing.

Check whether you can get a Medicare card. Eligibility depends on your visa. Many temporary visa holders need private health insurance, and student visa holders need Overseas Student Health Cover.

Numbers to save:

000 for emergencies (ambulance, police, fire).
13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84 for free health advice from a registered nurse in Queensland, any time.
Medicare Urgent Care Clinics treat urgent problems that are not life-threatening, without an appointment. Search "urgent care" on healthdirect to find one.

Work and study

Health care is one of Brisbane's largest employers. Other major industries include education, construction, professional services, public administration, transport and logistics, tourism and hospitality. Building work for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is adding demand in construction and related trades. Hospitality, retail, warehouse and care work are common first jobs.

Everyone working in Australia has the same rights to minimum pay and safe conditions, whatever their visa. Our guide on finding your first job in Australia covers resumes, job sites and your rights at work. Brisbane has several universities and many TAFE campuses if you want to study or retrain.

Community life

Brisbane's outdoor, unhurried lifestyle makes meeting people feel natural. Good places to start:

Festivals: Brisbane Festival in September, the Ekka (the Royal Queensland Show) in August, and Harmony Week events in March. South Bank hosts free events and markets through the year.
Libraries: Brisbane City Council libraries are free to join. Many run English conversation groups, job help and family activities.
Sports clubs: soccer, rugby league, cricket, netball, touch football and running clubs welcome new members, often with social teams.
Language exchange: relaxed meetups where you practise English and help others with your language.
Places of worship: Brisbane has churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, gurdwaras and other places of worship, many with their own community groups.
Volunteering: community gardens, charities and local events always need helpers.

Our guide to making friends after moving to Australia has more ideas. On Nyvo, you can find community events and local businesses run by people from the immigrant community across Brisbane.

First-week checklist

Apply for your Tax File Number.
Open an Australian bank account.
Get an Australian phone number.
Check if you can get a Medicare card and find a local GP.
Get a go card, or set up contactless payment on your phone.
Start your search for your first home.
Join one weekly activity to start making friends.

Official sources

Translink: fares, timetables and journey planning in South East Queensland.
Queensland Government: state services, including support for multicultural communities.
Brisbane City Council: council services, libraries, events and the flood map.
Residential Tenancies Authority: renting rights and rental bonds in Queensland.
healthdirect: free health information and a service finder.
Fair Work Ombudsman: pay rates and workplace rights.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get around Brisbane?: Use a go card, or tap a contactless bank card or phone, on Translink buses, trains and ferries. Since 2024, Queensland has charged a flat 50 cent fare per trip across the Translink network. The CityCat ferries along the river are a scenic way to travel. Check translink.com.au for current fares.
Which suburbs are good for immigrants in Brisbane?: Sunnybank and the southern suburbs are multicultural, with great food and community groups. Logan is affordable and very diverse. West End suits people who want an inner-city, artsy life. Toowong and St Lucia suit students near the University of Queensland.
How much does it cost to live in Brisbane?: Brisbane is usually cheaper than Sydney but rents have risen fast. As of 2026, a room in a sharehouse is roughly $250 to $380 a week and a one-bedroom apartment roughly $450 to $650. Groceries for one person often cost $80 to $150 a week. These are approximate ranges only.
What is the weather like in Brisbane?: Brisbane is subtropical. Summers are hot and humid, with days around 29 to 31 degrees and heavy afternoon storms. Winters are mild, dry and sunny, with days around 21 to 23 degrees and cool nights. You will use sunscreen far more often than a heavy coat.
How do I meet people in Brisbane?: Join something that meets every week, such as a sports club, a running group, a language exchange or a volunteer group. Riverside markets, free events at South Bank and local libraries are easy places to start. Brisbane is growing quickly, so many people around you are also building new friendships.
How do I find a doctor in Brisbane?: Search for a general practitioner (GP) near your home and ask if they bulk bill. With Medicare, a bulk-billed visit costs you nothing. For health advice at any time in Queensland, call 13 HEALTH on 13 43 25 84. In an emergency, call 000.
Does Brisbane flood?: Yes, some low-lying suburbs near the river and creeks have flooded in the past. Before you sign a lease, check the address on Brisbane City Council's flood map and ask the agent about the property's history. Contents insurance can also protect your belongings.