Student Intranet - News

Thursday, 26 March 2026

Money worries can be stressful, especially with rising living and fuel costs – you're not alone if you're feeling the financial pressure. The good news is that there’s plenty of practical support available to help you stay on track during semester and alleviate your money stress.

Simple tips for managing financial stress

Financial stress can affect your sleep, concentration and wellbeing, but small actions can make a big difference:

• Create a realistic budget
  Knowing what’s coming in and going out helps you feel more in control. The MoneySmart Student Life and Money page has easy budgeting tools and tips designed specifically for students.
• Plan ahead for bills and big expenses
  Setting aside small amounts each week can reduce pressure later. By saving just $20 a week for a year, you’d put away over $1,000!
• Plan your meals
  It saves money and brainpower. Throw in a couple of veggie meals to cut back on expensive ingredients, or get a student discount on a meal kit delivery services.
• Ask for help early
  Financial stress is common, and free support is available before things become overwhelming.

Explore practical money tips and tools at MoneySmart – Student Life and Money.

Save money by using public transport

With petrol prices adding up quickly, public transport can be a cost‑effective way to get to campus, work and social activities. Transperth offers buses, trains and ferries across the Perth metro area, with:

• Journey planning tools to help you map the cheapest and fastest routes
• Easy access to timetables and service updates
• Contactless payment options for extra convenience
• Concession rates for full-time students via your Tertiary SmartRider

Switching even some trips from driving to public transport can significantly reduce your weekly expenses.

Plan your journey and explore options.

Score big with student discounts

Being a student actually comes with some decent perks, including access to heaps of discounts on food, tech, clothing, entertainment and more. Here are a few worth signing up for if you haven’t already:

• Student Beans
  Get discounts on clothing, tech, food delivery, memberships, beauty products and more. It's free to join and super quick to verify your student status.
• UNiDAYS
  Another great one-stop shop for student deals. Think ASOS, Apple, The Iconic, Spotify, pizza deals – basically everything you’re tempted to buy, but cheaper. They also have discounts for meal kit delivery services, which can help with your meal planning!
• Student Edge
  Aside from discounts, Student Edge offers competitions, surveys that earn points, career tips and study help. There’s even free stuff and giveaways pretty regularly.
• Plus, ECU Guild Discounts
  Don’t forget the local perks – the ECU Guild also partners with businesses to give you discounts on food, retail, fitness and services:

A few sign-ups can make a huge difference to your weekly budget, and make treating yourself a little easier on the wallet.

Financial support for you

If you’re experiencing financial difficulty, ECU’s Student Success team can help you access:

• Emergency relief, including food assistance
• Support with rent, utilities and essential expenses
• Financial counselling and budgeting support
• Advice on scholarships, payments and hardship options

Go to ECU Financial Support Resourcesor emailstudentsuccess@ecu.edu.au to find out more.

The ECU Guild also offers practical financial help and support to ease day to day living costs.

You can also access the Emergency Relief and Food Access Service by calling 1800 979 777, or National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007.

If you’re unsure where to start, reaching out early can make a big difference.

Remember

Looking after your finances is part of looking after your wellbeing. Support is available, and reaching out is a sign of strength – not failure. There are a range of free and low-cost services you can access whilst studying at ECU:

• Careers and Employability
• Psychological Counselling Support
• The Living Room
• ECU Health Service
• Access and Inclusion
• Housing Support
• Health and Wellbeing Activities, many with food provided.

You’ve got more support than you might think. Use the discounts, make the most of the free services and reach out early if money stress hits.

Looking after your finances is part of looking after yourself, and we’re here to help every step of the way.