When Tasnim Upama moved to Australia to study, she never imagined her new life would consist of thinking about every cent she spends.
The accounting student at Charles Darwin University is having to do exactly that, as many international students struggle to cope with the rising cost of living across the nation.
"Before coming to Darwin, I never thought I'd have … this much cost [to bear]," Ms Upama said.
Between rent, power, petrol, baby needs, general expenses and university fees, she is struggling to make ends meet.
Two jobs not enough to pay the bills
Ms Upama is taking some time off work to care for her seven-month-old baby, while her husband Mohammad Islam drives for a ride-sharing service and also works part time at a supermarket.
"We started to send her in [to] childcare but it's very expensive for us because we don't get any subsidy from government, so we had to take her back from the childcare," she said.
Mr Islam said two jobs were proving inadequate to meet all their expenses.
"Most of the income depends on Uber [but] because of the increase of the petrol price, my income is stuck in a position," he said.
The couple is now looking to the future, for any sense of relief.
"As she finishes her degree, hopefully we will be fine," Mr Islam said.
Students across the country 'not able to cope' with costs
As of December last year, there were more than 300,000 student visa holders in Australia, with just under 2,000 at Charles Darwin University.
International Officer of the National Union of Students, Dhruv Sabharwal, said international students across Australia have been raising concerns over rising costs.
"First and top most is the rent but I'm just not talking about the rent … even the groceries and stuff, they keep on rising, the public transport too.
"The main purpose of an international student is to do their coursework over here, but that's getting affected just because of the rising costs."
People all over Australia are battling increasing prices, but Georgie Beatty, president of the National Union of Students, said it was "particularly difficult for students".
'No buffer' to ride cost-of-living pressures
International students, particularly in the NT, are among the worst affected.
A recent Northern Territory Council of Social Services (NTCOSS) report shows cost rises in several areas are well above national averages.
NTCOSS policy officer Sarah Holder said low-income earners, such as many international students, are hit hardest.
"The cost of living in the Northern Territory has increased significantly for key services and living costs, including housing, transport and fuel," she said.
Ms Holder said Darwin's consumer price index (CPI) was significantly higher than the rest of the country.
"For example, the CPI for housing rose by around 16 per cent in Darwin compared to four per cent nationally, and fuel rose by just over 41 per cent in Darwin compared to just over 32 per cent nationally," she said.
"For people like international students, they're not actually eligible for income support measures, so they actually really don't have any buffer to be able to ride out these increases in cost of living."
Australia becoming 'less attractive' to international students
Ms Upama said her financial struggles were taking a toll on her mental health.
"If I consider my tuition fees, and then living costs, baby products, groceries … altogether it's very stressful for us at the moment," she said.
"I feel a lot of stress, whenever I think about my baby."
Mr Sabharwal said the impact of keeping up with rising costs had a "drastic" impact on the mental health of international students.
"Everyone is so stressed … I have seen people break down at uni," he said.
He said not being able to support themselves, not having enough time to study, having to work "extensive" hours and sometimes being forced to work below minimum wage are all contributing to declining mental health.
"We are being a burden on our family, we are not able to meet the minimum requirements that we need to financially," he said.
He warned authorities their international student "cash cow" may dry up if steps aren't taken to improve conditions for students.
"We are being left behind and we are being ignored."
