first of all, for your course i think you can go to the university's website and check the course and pricing there. do some survey and research online bro.   or you can even email the counselors 

lodging.....well, that AUD$ 180 is probably for the first few months of your life man, after that you might move into another place with your mates and stuff. you know the place well, you might even stay maybe a "distance" from your campus as usually rents there are cheaper.

as for food, first off, you're in melbourne. living expenses there are pretty high compared to adelaide but i'm sure around universities there are food cafeterias and stuff where you can probably can a meal for less than $10.  Again goes to what you eat and how much you eat.   i'd say put aside $20 a day for meals.

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Added on January 24, 2011, 12:23 am
if your lifestyle in perth is relaxing...me heading to adelaide...i wonder....  =?

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Added on January 24, 2011, 12:25 am
alright, i don't get the bank statement part for this. cuz the SIM ONLY has no contract so I can terminate it anytime, they don't need a bank statement for that right?  If i'm locking in 24 or 12 months, then yea, bank statement necessary.  hmm, cuz someone told me that the bank will only provide a statement the following month, and I gotta request for one on the day I open a account and it'll take 1 week!!  1 week is pretty long to be depending on roaming charges from malaysia man... T_T

wow!! what course are you studying??!  so expensive?!  o.o 

$20 a day x  30  =  $600 a month for food.

$150 x 4            =  $600 a month for rent

$1200 on expenses x 12  =  $14400 a year.
well remember you can work part time too, so that'd probably cover ur food and maybe other stuff like your phone bill and all. Rents also depending whether utilities are included.    but i heard from most of my friends that in the beginning only the  "x3" conversion of RM to $AUD would shock you. after a while you'd adjust and as you work part time and all, it won't be a big thing to you.

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Added on January 24, 2011, 3:13 pm
i reckon perth is more vibrant man. I've not head of people saying that Perth is dead as often as they say about adelaide.... T_T