Jot down every cent that you use everyday, do that immediately when you get home everyday... Keep all the receipts that you get.
And keep in mind that everything that you pay costs 3 times more expensive, so you will cringe and be thrifty.

Seriously, learn how to cook. Cooking your own meals will only cost you 15-20 AUD per week, while eating ONE meal outside will already suck 8-10 bucks from your wallet. Prepare a little extra for tomorrow's lunch instead of heading off to the cafe. Almost every one brings a lunchbox so don't feel ashamed. Microwave ovens and pantries are easily found.

Use your feet. Get a pair of good quality sneakers (from Msia of course, don't buy there) and walk whenever you could. It's good exercise too and the weather is great for walking. Lots of beautiful stuff and people too ( ) to see when you're on your feet.

Think like an auntie. You can't really haggle in Australia, but at least buy wisely whenever shopping for groceries. In Melbourne's Vic Market, different stalls sell the exact same stuff at different prices. It sounds stupid, but it's just the way it is... Scout first before paying. And shop at Aldi or Asian groceries whenever you can. Keep abreast of offers and deals from supermarkets like Safeway and IGA... when there's cheap tin food or milk cartons, grab 10 of them.

Reduce entertainment... if you're a clubbing kaki, too bad for you if you're not rich. Try to save on entertainment stuff like movies, go rent a DVD instead and share the costs with a bunch of friends. A movie costs around 10-12AUD while a DVD can go for 1 buck. If you still want to save that very penny, BT is your friend... just don't get caught.

In simple words, be a cheapskate... it sounds coarse and unrefined, but if your daddy doesn't print money, it's the best way to survive.
If your daddy prints money, you're gonna live like a king in Australia.

No, they wouldn't. There more worried about you bringing your food into Australia than pirated software on your notebook. However, don't bring the whole CD shop over! Just bring one or 2 DVD's containing the software you need.

Simple. Don't spend beyond your means. Be a foochow.

But seriously, StarGhazzer has already said quite a few things. I'll add in a bit:

1)Get a high interest bank account. Most banks will have something like a sub-account where you can earn high interest on your money (up to 7% pa), and there is no minimum. Your money will be in a separate account, so to use the money in it you have to transfer from the sub-account to your main account. It gives me an incentive to save, and it also ensures that I don't use too much money in one shot, as most of my money is parked in a sub-account.

2)Learn how to buy. Avoid the chopped meats. Chicken breast meat will go for about $10/kg, but if you want them chopped up they go for something like $16/kg. This is where my mental maths comes in handy. Or just bring along a calculator to see which is more value for money. Who cares if you look weird?

Look down. Most of the pricey stuff is at eye level. Look at the bottom shelves, where usually the same thing goes for less. For instance, normal pasta wheat goes for $2, but if you do buy Homebrand, its only 60cents for the same thing, and it tastes the same (to me, at least). However, Homebrand is NOT always the cheapest, nor always value for money, and heres a free tip: avoid Homebrand meats.

3)Have a budget. For me, I get by with $220/wk. That includes rent and all. If your grocery bill comes up to more than $40 for one person, seriously consider a change of lifestyle. I never use a supermarket trolley, always a basket. If it starts being too heavy to carry, it means I'm buying too much.

4)Remember, you're there to study, not have (too much) fun. I never buy DVD's. As a matter of fact, I borrow them from the public library or even the uni library. Most of the stuff is boring and weird, but there are a few gems now and then. I got "Apollo 13" from my library. Its a good movie.

5)Get a bike. It gives you freedom, and if you live close enough to uni and/or the shops, thats less bus tickets. A 2nd hand bike is usually good value for money. I got mine for $90. Gears are a bit dodgy, but on the whole it works fine. Unless you live in a area which is like the Himalayas (*coughindooroopillycough*).

These are just some of the ways I do things. But the rule of thumb is simple: do research.

hai...
how long you being in UNISA? 
simple overview about adelaide please..?
life style,food,house renting and so on.

Yup. Plez give some details about adelaide too. I am going for Foundation in Uni Adelaide. Going end of January lolx...Wanna organize LYN Adelaide gathering somewhere in CNY??

If you are going back Malaysia often, then its better to buy electronic items or sometimes clothings.
I think, fruit wise, (cherrries and kiwi's) are utmost priorities to buy here. :-)
My timetable was crazy, thats why i dont work during the semester, only during the holidays (26 hours per week, i think thats insane)

Now i wish it rains. Not so heavily, but a slight drizzle next week will be good. 41 degrees morning/afternoon, 36 degrees at night.

thanks for sharing some informations.
erm..actually im going to UNISA for my student exchage program and it will starts on 18 Febuary till 4 July...still waiting for my application later from UNISA..the person whos in-change was Ms.Janene Pellarin,Regional Officer - Student Mobility,UniSA International. <----you know her? hehe..
dont know yet where is my campus..