Cost of living in Albany, Australia for International Students 

Planning to study in Australia? Albany is an excellent choice for international students. You can immerse yourself in a stunning natural landscape, access high-quality education and diverse employment opportunities, and enjoy a safe environment at a more affordable price than Australia’s major cities. The city is home to respected institutions like the University of Western Australia (UWA) Albany Campus, Curtin University, and South Regional TAFE Albany Campus. The affordable cost of living in Albany, coupled with its regional benefits, makes it an increasingly popular student destination. For the 2025-26 academic year, a realistic weekly budget for an international student in Albany is in the range of AUD500 to AUD750, depending on your lifestyle.

By choosing Albany, you can secure a high-quality Australian education without the financial pressures of a major city, making it a competitive and financially sensible choice for your academic journey. This blog covers everything you need to know about the cost of living in this city.

Why Choose Albany to Study Abroad?

Albany, a regional city in Western Australia, presents a compelling alternative for international students seeking a high-quality Australian education without the financial strain of major metropolitan areas. Here’s a detailed look at why you should consider Albany for your study abroad journey.

Albany’s most significant advantage is its affordability. The cost of living is substantially lower than in cities like Sydney or Melbourne. For the 2025-26 academic year, a student can realistically budget between AUD 500 and AUD 750 per week for all expenses. This includes:

• Accommodation: Rent is a major saving. A room in a shared house is typically between AUD200 and AUD450 per week, while purpose-built student housing may start at around AUD$400 per week.
• Groceries and Transportation: Day-to-day costs are also lower. Weekly grocery bills are estimated at around AUD 120-150, and transportation via the local bus service is very affordable.

• Despite its smaller size, Albany is home to respected institutions with a strong focus on student support and high-quality teaching. The University of Western Australia (UWA) Albany Campus and Curtin University both offer degrees, with a particular emphasis on fields like marine science, environmental science, and conservation.
• International students on a student visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester. Albany’s local economy offers diverse employment opportunities in sectors like agriculture, forestry, fishing, hospitality, and construction, making it easier to find part-time work to support your studies.
• Albany offers a serene and picturesque environment that is a stark contrast to the hustle and bustle of a major city. You’ll be surrounded by a stunning natural landscape, including spectacular beaches, rugged coastlines, and national parks.

Also Read: Cost of Living in France For Indian Students

Cost of Living in Albany for International Students

Studying in Albany offers a compelling blend of quality education and a comfortable, budget-friendly lifestyle. The cost of living is a significant advantage, allowing international students to manage their expenses more easily compared to Australia’s major cities.

Here is a general breakdown of the estimated weekly costs for an international student in Albany for the 2025-26 academic year.

Expense Category	Estimated Weekly Cost (AUD)	Details
Accommodation	AUD200−AUD450	Room in a shared house or apartment. On-campus options can be more expensive (e.g., Albany Residential College charges over AUD 26,000 annually for international students).
Groceries	AUD120−AUD150	Estimated cost for a single person who cooks at home. Shopping at supermarkets and local markets can help keep costs down.
Utilities	AUD30−AUD50	Includes electricity, gas, and internet, typically split with housemates.
Transportation	AUD5−AUD35	Public bus services (TransAlbany) offer an affordable way to get around the city. Student discounts are available.
Personal Expenses	AUD80−AUD100	Covers a mobile phone plan, toiletries, entertainment, and other miscellaneous items.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)	AUD10−AUD20	A mandatory requirement for all student visa holders. This cost is typically paid monthly or annually.
Total Estimated Weekly Cost	AUD500−AUD750	This range reflects a conservative to moderate lifestyle. The exact amount will depend on personal spending habits.

Housing Expenses 

For international students, a significant portion of the cost of living in Albany is allocated to housing, but the options are more affordable than in Australia’s major cities. Here is a table outlining the estimated costs for various housing types for the 2025-26 academic year.

Housing	Expense
Buy an Apartment Outside of the Centre (Price per Square Meter)	AUD 3,000 to AUD 4,500
Buy an Apartment in the City Centre (Price per Square Meter)	AUD  AUD 4,000 to AUD 6,000
Cost of rent (2 bedroom apartment) per month) in the city centre	AUD 1,600 to AUD 2,200
Cost of rent (2 bedroom apartment) per month) outside the city centre	AUD 1,200 to AUD 1,800
Cost of rent (1 bedroom apartment) per month) in the city centre	AUD 1,200 to AUD 1,600
Cost of rent (1 bedroom apartment) per month) outside the city centre	AUD 900 to AUD 1,300
Cost of rent (3 bedroom) in the city century ( 80 m2 or 860 ft2)	AUD 1972

Transportation Expenses

The cost of living in Albany also includes the transportation costs. You can travel by bus, car, taxi, or by air charter.

Transportation	Expense
Standard taxi charge per kilometre	AUD 2.00 – AUD 2.50
Standard fare (per one-way bus trip)	AUD 2.40 – AUD 3.50
Gasoline (1 liter)	AUD 1.80 – AUD 2.10
Volkswagen Golf or similar new car	AUD 30,000 – AUD 40,00
Toyota Corolla Sedan or similar new car	AUD 25,000 to AUD 30,000

Food Expense

While calculating the cost of living Albany, you need to consider the food expense. The 

Food	Expense
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	AUD 22.5
Domestic Beer	AUD 11.5
Meal for 2 People at a Mid-range Restaurant	AUD 120.0
Cappuccino (regular)	AUD 6.0
Imported Beer	AUD 10.0
McMeal at McDonald’s	AUD 12.0
Coke/Pepsi bottle	AUD 3.5
Water bottle	AUD 2.5

Grocery Expense 

At Albany, you will find grocery stores near your student housing. You can purchase commodities from there.  The average grocery expenses are provided below:

Markets	Expense
Loaf of Fresh White Bread	AUD 2.2
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	AUD 1.36
Eggs (regular) (12)	AUD 4.15
Rice (white), (1kg)	AUD 1.8
Local Cheese (1kg)	AUD 9.83
Beef Round (1kg)	AUD 20
Banana (1kg)	AUD 2.73
Apples (1kg)	AUD 3.41
Oranges (1kg)	AUD 3.19
Potato (1kg)	AUD 2.79
Tomato (1kg)	AUD 4.14
Onion (1kg)	AUD 1.72
Water (1.5 liter bottle)	AUD 1.01
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)	AUD 14.8
Domestic Beer	AUD 4.62
Toothpaste	AUD 2.91

Utility Expenses 

Utility expenses are at times unavoidable. For this reason, we have included the expenses for utilities in this list for ‘Cost of Living Albany’.

Utility	Expense
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan  (10GB+ Data & calls) per month	AUD 40 to AUD 70
Basic facilities  like heating, cooling, electricity, etc for an 85m2 apartment  (monthly)	AUD 250 to AUD 400
High-speed internet (60Mbps or more) per month	AUD 70 to AUD 100

Childcare Expense 

Childcare expenses include the cost of preschool, primary school, etc. You will incur these expenses if you have a child in your family.

Childcare	Expense
International primary education (school fee per month)	AUD 14826
Preschool/Kindergarten fee per month	AUD 1866
Diaper cost per child per year	AUD 800 – AUD 1,500

Healthcare Expenses 

Healthcare is one of the lowest in Albany compared to the national average. For healthcare emergencies, you need to be aware fo the expenditure that can be incurred.

Healthcare	Expenses
Doctor’s visit	AUD 56.3
Cold medicine, 1 week	AUD 6.51
Veterinary visit	AUD 60 – AUD 10
Dentist visit  (general consultation)	AUD 100 – AUD 180
Optometrist visit	AUD 60 – AUD 12
RX Drug	AUD 15 – AUD 1000

Entertainment Expense 

The entertainment expenses would cover the cost of sports activities gym expenses, and other leisure activities. The cost of living Albany also includes this. The reason is, as a student you will like to spend money on leisure activities.

Entertainment	Expense
Haircut, simple	AUD 20
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult	AUD 41
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat	AUD 15.7
Brand Jeans	AUD 77.7
Brand Sneakers	AUD 105

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Average Tuition Fees in Albany for International Students

As an international student, while considering the cost of living Albany you need to take into account the tuition fees. The tuition fees incurred would depend on your level of study, and the university you are enrolled in. Below we have provided the estimated tuition fees.

Education Level	Total Tuition Fees
Bachelor of Agribusiness	AUD 147,000
Bachelor of Biomedical Science	AUD 146,100
Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Psychology)	AUD 46,100
Doctor of Clinical Dentistry	AUD 227,100
Doctor of Medicine	AUD 363,600
Graduate Certificate in Educational Research	AUD 9,300
Master of International Law – Coursework	AUD 47,600
Master of Professional Engineering	AUD 99,600

To learn about the cost of living in Australia, watch the video below:

Things to Consider While Moving to Albany

There are a few things you need to consider before deciding that you want to stay in Albany. We have listed them below:

• Albany is a regional city. It cannot be classified as a country town or as a major metropolitan area. However. It offers the best of both worlds. The population of this city is below 40,000. 
• The cost of real estate is moderate. The housing costs are better than the metropolitan areas.
• The city is for those who want to enjoy nature, and like a quiet pace of life. Apart from the landscape, you can take part in yoga classes, gym classes, basketball classes and more. The place has an active arts community, and regularly hosts events like the  Taste Great Southern Festival.
• It is the gateway to Western Australia:  You won’t have to travel for more than 15 minutes to take part in activities. Denmark and Mt Barker is only a short drive away
• You can work in industries like Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing, Hospitality & Accommodation, Construction, Public Administration & Safety. Jobs are easily available in this area.
• During summer you can enjoy the days outdoors. However, winters will have some cold days. The rainfall is healthy, and Autumn is known for its colourful flowers

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FAQs

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So, this was all about the cost of living in Albany, Australia. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.