Students at Charles Sturt University Port Macquarie campus say the State Government must extend transport concessions to international students to alleviate financial pressure.
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NSW is the only state or territory in Australia that does not provide transport concessions for international students.
Domestic students automatically receive a 50% discount on public transport.
International Student Club Port Macquarie advisor Ayub Alam Khan said it is a major issue for international students at CSU.
Mr Khan said only around one fifth of students are able to live on the CSU Port Macquarie campus with most commuting to and from university.
He said international students found it difficult to survive financially.
In Port Macquarie students pay $7 return which is $35 a week, that can put food on the table for a week.
- Ayun Alam Khan
Mr Khan said the lack of public transport in Port Macquarie was also a problem for international students.
"We have classes at 8am and often finish at 8pm at night and there is no public transport after 6.30pm.
"It is very hard for us to get back into town."
Twenty-five-year-old international student Haris bin Tanveer concurs.
He said he often resorted to walking into town, the seven kilometre journey usually takes him around an hour each way.
Mr Tanveer said international students want to be good ambassadors for Port Macquarie and contribute to the community but can only do that with stronger support from the State Government.
He cited the recent hackathon where international students provided free IT help to local businesses and community groups.
The Kendall Tennis Club was one of the organisations which benefited from the help of the international students.
"They are lovely students," said President Wendy Hudson.
"They have been great, updating and making flyers for our youth and girls programs, menus for our canteen, they are currently working on a new club brochure and newsletters."
Ms Hudson said the club is run by volunteers who have limited time and experience with IT so the help had been very much appreciated.
Despite international students contributing approximately $11 billion to the NSW economy each year, the NSW government has chosen not to allow these concessions.
- Kath Attree
Acting Director of Engagement at CSU Kath Attree said the current arrangement around transport concessions was "highly inequitable".
Ms Attree said the university was trying its best to help students, last year it arranged a taxi for students who had late class.
But Ms Attree said the responsibility rests with the State Government.
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has been contacted for comment.
