Cost of Living in Australia

A mixture of illustrations of the Australian flag, a coffee cup, a shirt, a building, and a photo of a student working.

Are you thinking about studying in Australia? If so, you’re in for the adventure of a lifetime. Not only are Australia’s academic institutions top tier, so are its natural beauty and quality of life. Before you head Down Under, you should make an estimate of your living expenses. This will help you establish and stick to a budget. To save you effort and time, we’ve assessed the cost of living in Australia below.

Unsure of where you’d like to study? Read our blogs on the cost of living in the United Kingdom and the United States to help inform your decision.

Note: These cost of living numbers were accurate when this blog was published (April 2022). Due to inflation, they have since become out-of-date, but an update is planned for 2024.

Living Expenses

Your living expenses will depend on many factors. Housing options for international students can be split into two categories: on-campus and off-campus. Costs will vary depending on where you’re living in Australia. Typically, rural areas will be more affordable than living in a city; living expenses in Sydney can be almost double that of other parts of Australia. Despite where you end up living, the cost of personal hygiene items and food will stay relatively the same. 

Below, we’ve provided an estimate of the cost of living expenses in Australia (as of April 2022).

Tip: Hostels and guesthouses aren’t the best choices for everyday living. However, if you plan to do some travelling while studying in Australia, they’re budget-friendly options. 

Infographics of on-campus living, off-campus (rural) living, off-campus (city) living, food, laundry, and personal hygiene, and the related expenses.

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Utilities

Utilities like heating, electricity, and water make your household pleasant and livable. The monthly cost of utilities can vary depending on your:

  • Location
  • Lifestyle
  • City and regional regulations
  • Local climate

If you’re looking for a better monthly estimate, ask your apartment manager, realtor, or landlord about the average cost of utilities. If you’re not in contact with one, use a cost of living calculator like Numbeo

Don’t forget to add the cost of your mobile phone, television, and internet into your budget. Luckily, if you live on-campus, your television and internet bills are included in your monthly rent. 

Tip: Buying a phone in Australia? Pay off your phone as soon as you can or buy it outright to save money on your monthly phone bill.

Infographics of a mobile phone, utilities, internet, and the related costs.

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Leisure

It’s important to also have fun while studying abroad. When deciding what you want to include in your leisure budget, ask yourself the following questions:

  • How do I like to spend my weekends?
  • What makes me feel good about myself?
  • Which activities make me the happiest?
  • What helps me unwind after a stressful day?

After answering these questions, you’ll have a good idea of what to include in your leisure budget. You may decide that a gym membership or surfing lessons will help you unwind and make you feel good about yourself. Or, maybe you feel happiest during a night out with friends. Whatever you choose to spend your money on is totally up to you. Just remember to save enough to cover your expenses in case of an emergency or change in circumstances.

Infographics of clothing, miscellaneous entertainment, shopping, movie theatre tickets, bottle of wine, pint of beer, night out, eating out, and a gym membership, and the related costs.

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Transportation and Academic Supplies

To help you establish the transportation portion of your budget, we’ll be looking at two options: taking public transport and owning a car. Most international students will end up using the former. If you live off-campus, you’ll spend more on public transportation than if you live on-campus. Although buying and maintaining a car can be pricey, it can save you a ton of time spent waiting for the bus, and allow you more freedom to explore your new home. Depending on your financial situation, you may find one option more suitable for your study abroad journey.

Infographics of transportation and the related costs.

Textbooks and academic supplies are areas where you can save money if you’re strategic. When shopping for highlighters, sticky notes, and binders, only buy what you need, and try to reuse supplies from previous semesters where you can. Campus job fairs and other large events are also great places to pick up free branded pens, notepads, and other supplies! When hunting for textbooks, check out what’s available to rent through your institution’s library or on Amazon. If you can’t rent it, head over to your institution’s book store or Facebook Marketplace to see if you can purchase it secondhand.

Infographics of academic supplies and the related costs.

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It’s crucial to consider all of these factors when planning to study abroad. Having a good grasp on your financial health and creating a monthly budget should be a significant part of your preparation. Reference this blog when you want to start planning!

We can help you bring your study abroad dreams to life. Head over to the ApplyBoard Platform to find your perfect Australian academic institution and course today!

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