The Cost of Living in Australia

thetasksirensarah
Mar 2, 2023
8 min read

The top 7 recommendations for living in Australia

Australia is not just home to crystal blue beaches, great living standards, warm summer days, culture, food and wine, Australia is also home to some of the highest quality education in the world!

The cost of living for international students who study in Australia is between $1300 to $2000 a month. This includes accommodation, food and transport, but prices do differ between states and cities. However, Australia’s minimum hourly wage is one of the highest in the world at $17.70 an hour, so work and study are easy to manage, and an easy way to cover general living expenses. If you chose to live in University accommodation in Australia, daily living costs drop, as most offer meals and are located within walking distance to campus, so travel, utility and grocery prices drop significantly

There are also a lot of different types of housing in Australia, and they’re all priced very differently. You can find cheap apartments and houses, but you have to be careful when choosing where you live. The higher the value you choose, the more expensive it will be. If you want something cheap but in a good neighbourhood, you’ll have to live in a nice older house with small apartments or large apartments in the outer suburbs.

Here are some of the living expenses for international students to consider when moving to Australia:

Accommodation

Accommodation costs for international students in Australia greatly vary depending on what your living situation is and where you are living. Hostels and Guesthouses cost around $90 to $150, Shared rentals between $95 and $125. On-campus living sits around $110 to $280 and Homestays are around $235 to $325 per week. Private renting is the most expensive form of accommodation (aside from buying) at $185 to $440. Also, be aware of Bond costs. Most places require a down payment of at least the first few weeks of renting, this can range from $500 to $2500. Also, be prepared for set-up costs, such as furniture and appliances, $6000 is a good starting amount.

Sites such as Unilodgers.com,Flatmates.com and Realestate.com are some of the best for finding well-priced accommodation.

Travel

Getting around Australia is reasonably easy due to the abundance of local transport. Melbourne was even rated as one of the worlds best for public transport. Australian travel costs are around $30-$60 per week. A one-way ticket in most states is around $3 to $6, however, many states no longer offer passes, and require travel cards, such as the Opal Card and Myki, so check each state's rules before getting on public transport. If you were to buy a car, many can be found online at a reasonable price, the ongoing post-purchase cost per week sits around $150-$260. So make sure to factor this in for your living costs in Australia.

Phone and Utility Bills

Utility costs in Australia vary from $10 to $30. Most data plans around 30GB sit at $30-$40 per month. Vodafone, Telstra and Optus are some reliable brands and cover most areas in Australia.

Food

Food prices in Australia vary depending on what you eat. Most Australian restaurants cost around $12-$25 per meal. Fast-food chains are much cheaper at $10-$15 per meal, but making your meals is always the cheapest option, and will cost anywhere from $80 to $250 each week. Australia is also home to a large variety of cuisines and cultures.

Australian supermarkets can be expensive compared to US supermarkets, with most goods costing around $1.50-$2.50 each. Be prepared to save money and start making your meals. The most popular supermarkets in Australia are Coles and Woolworths, but different states also have their own specialised food stores.

Leisure

Australia is full of different forms of entertainment, at a range of prices. The beaches and wineries are a great, cheap option as well as a great way to do some sightseeing. Australia is also home to many theme parks, festivals and family activities, that range from $25 - $150 for tickets or entry fees. Many of the events are cost-based and you can easily find other volunteering opportunities on the waterfront or around the larger cities. Many events are free to watch and participate in, especially for the younger generations and international students.

Adding all of these weekly costs of accommodation at $250 for renting independently, $150 for groceries, $40 for utilities, $50 for leisure and $30 for transport, living costs per week in Australia for international students sit around $520 per week. These prices may vary depending on your lifestyle, location and proximity to major cities.

Australia is home to a variety of cities and quality education institutions, so we have made a list of the best places to live, along with pricing guides for solo renting and expected weekly costs below.

Sydney

Sydney is often mistaken for the capital of Australia, and rightly so! Sydney is home to a bustling city, good food and situated right on the harbour. Surrounded by beaches and beautiful scenery, Sydney is the place to be for city living. Sydney is also known as the Central Business District of Australia and has some of the best educational institutions in the country. However, Sydney is also Australia’s most expensive place to live, with median rent prices at $600, but the perks of living so centrally outweigh the higher house prices.

Weekly living costs including rent, groceries at around $150, $40 for utilities, $50 for leisure and $30 for transport, weekly living expenses in Sydney sit at around $870, that’s about $147 a week. Sydney is a great place to live due to the nice weather and plenty of opportunities for work and leisure. Sydney, or NSW, is Australia's largest and most populous state in the southern part of the country. Sydney is a very modern city with a huge amount of shopping center's, restaurants, parks and museums.

Newcastle

2 hours North of Sydney is the quieter city suburb of Newcastle. This old mining town is now a bustling city with beautiful beaches cheaper renting prices of $550, including other weekly expenses, the approximate weekly cost of living in Newcastle is $860. Newcastle is a city of a large number of residential properties and commercial properties. This city has a lot of attractions, including the beaches, the coastal community, and various attractions, along with great study options for international students.

Wollongong

An hour south of Sydney is the small city of Wollongong. With a quieter city and surrounding beaches, Wollongong is a great place to live for those still wanting to be within arm’s reach of bustling Sydney. Housing prices are also much lower, with renting prices at $550, so including groceries, utilities, public transport and leisure, the approximate weekly cost of living is $820. However, this is a conservative figure. Wollongong also has one of the lowest crime rates, with a rate of 0.017 (per 100,000). in Sydney. The real estate market in Wollongong is quite strong, but it does not dwarf the market in Sydney. That being said, there are plenty of opportunities for investors to tap into.

Brisbane

Brisbane is located in the warm, tropical state of Queensland. This is the place to be for lovers of hot weather and bustling cities. Renting is around $500, so including groceries, utilities, public transport and leisure, the approximate weekly cost of living is $770. Brisbane is also a mere hour drive from the glistening beaches of the Gold Coast and home to the Great barrier reef.

Brisbane is thought to be one of the cheapest and third-largest cities in Australia, along with being the home of quality education. As one of Australia’s largest cities, Brisbane has a high concentration of accommodation. This means a huge choice of places to stay around the city. The most popular places are the city’s central business district and the trendy South Bank precinct.

Gold Coast

An hour south of Brisbane is the sunny Gold Coast. With some of Australia’s best beaches and surf-lover central (hence the alternate name Surfers Paradise), the Gold Coast is a must-visit part of Queensland for lovers of the sun and sea. The Gold Coast is also home to Australia’s most famous theme parks, such as Dreamworld, Sea World and Warner Bros. Movie World, and some of Australia’s top study institutions.

On top of being a great family-friendly spot, the Gold Coast is home to some beautiful, well-priced rental homes for $500, so including groceries, utilities, public transport and leisure, weekly living costs sit around $770. The cost of living on the Gold Coast is relatively affordable for international students. However, there are some exceptions to this, such as accommodation. You’ll need to be sure you’re investing in a quality property. If you’re looking to buy a house on the Gold Coast, you should consider whether it needs some renovations or not.

Adelaide

The sleepy city of Adelaide is considered one of the cheapest cities to live in within Australia for international students, and the third most livable place on earth. It is known for its unparalleled wine and food. With great transport, scenery and house prices, Adelaide is the perfect spot for lovers of quieter cities. Renting is just $450, so including groceries, utilities, public transport and leisure, the approximate weekly cost of living is $720.00.

Adelaide is also fantastic for families with young children. The beaches, especially at Glenelg, are safe and beautiful and the Adelaide city tram makes transport a breeze. All this plus local attraction like Adelaide Zoo, Henley Beach and the beachfront studio apartments at Rundle Park make Adelaide a very affordable place to live.

Melbourne

Melbourne is the boho neighbor to Sydney. With fantastic Universities, some of the best study in Australia, some of the world’s best public transport and shopping precincts, Melbourne is a great, cheaper alternative to Sydney. With renting prices at just $380 a week, Melbourne is also one of the cheapest inner-city living prices in Australia and weekly living costs are as low as $650.

While being the cheapest option on this list, Melbourne is also great for younger students in their 20's, as the city has an onslaught of music, live events, fashion and nightlife. Melbourne also offers plenty of shared accommodation, which will bring weekly expenses down even further. Due to the top-of-the-line transport in Melbourne, it is very easy to live there without a car and lower your transport costs. Trams in the inner city are also free, so living in the central business district is a cheap way to live in Australia for international students, while still getting a quality University education.

Make sure to do your research before moving to a new city, and budget for the worst-case scenario. Despite how a location may seem at first, living and eating cheaply in Australia is not as difficult as in other countries. Also make sure to do your research on the best University for you, as there are so many choices of quality institutions to choose from.

Factors such as living environment, eating out, transportation, as well as schooling and quality of life will play a major role in determining your true costs. Also, don't forget to check the laws and migration rules before moving and applying for your necessary forms. So, do some research, and we hope to see you down in Australia soon!