💸Cost of Living in Australia: A 2023 Guide

Hi! I’m Astronaut Alex 👨‍🚀🚀, and today, we’re talking about the cost of living in Australia. Do you know that it is the world’s sixth-largest country? Well, it can be expensive to study abroad but with the right knowledge of managing the expenses, you will be able to stay comfortably.

Are you curious about the cost of living in Australia for international students in 2023? Every year, the country attracts hundreds and thousands of learners due to its institutes ranking in the world’s top 100 universities and its lifestyle. But it can be expensive to live in Australia, especially as an international student. This blog will act as your guide in discovering the overall living cost in Australia. We will cover some essential costs like food, transportation, entertainment etc along with some tips on saving money while living there. So let’s get started!

Number of Australian universities in the top 100 (globally)	6
Number of higher education institutes	1,000
Total number of courses offered	22,000+
Student Satisfaction Rate	90%
Number of Student-friendly Australian cities	7
International Student Scholarship	AUD 300 million (invested)
Graduation rate	80%

Also Read: Best Country to Settle Abroad and Live Comfortably in 2023!

👩‍🎓Why Study in Australia?

Despite the high cost of living in Australia, international students prefer to study in the country due to its Level 1 universities. In addition, you can also expect a career growth of 15% annually. Let’s take a look at some more reasons why you should choose to study abroad in Australia:

1. The cost of living and studying in Australia is 40-60% lower than UK or the USA, making it a more preferred destination for overseas education.
2. All the courses that Australian universities offer have an up-to-date curriculum, infrastructure, and result-oriented faculty. 
3. From expensive to affordable, there’s a range of universities available for you to apply to as per your academic and career goals.
4. International students can also work part-time alongside their studies to gain work experience.
5. Graduates from Australian universities are readily hired by employers in the country, both in the public and private sectors.
6. Since the education system in Australia is quite similar to the Indian one, Indian students don’t face any major issues adjusting to it.

Also Read: Things You Should Know About Australian Culture

💸Cost of Living in Australia

For 2023, the average monthly cost of living in Australia is estimated to be around AUD 2,800 – 3,500 for international students. The country ranks among the top 10 in the Quality of Life and Human Development Index. Here’s a breakdown of all the essential costs incurred while living as a student in the “Land Down Under”:

Type of Expense	Cost (in AUD)
Rentals (on-campus)	860
Off-campus Accommodation	1,000-1,800
Food	400-600
Utilities	150-250
Entertainment	300
Transportation	200-300
Total Monthly Expense	2,110

The table above covers the most basic living costs in Australia. Let’s take a look at these costs in further detail.

🏘️Cost of Accommodation

Depending on the type of living quarters you choose, here’s how much the accommodations in Australia cost:

Type of Accommodation	Monthly Cost
Homestays	AUD 450 – 1,200
Halls of residence	AUD 440-1,110
Apartment	AUD 750 – 1,700
Shared apartment	AUD 650 – 950

Also Read: Australian Aboriginal Culture: Facts, History, Traditions, Beliefs, Culture 

🍎 Food and Groceries

Another important cost of living in Australia is food and groceries. Here’s a list of individual grocery items along with their prices:

Item	Price (in AUD)
Milk (1 lt)	1.24
Bread ( for 2 people)	2.78
Eggs (1 dozen)	5.36
White Rice (1 kg)	2.64
Apples (1 kg)	4.32
Local Cheese (500 g)	9
Tomatoes (1 kg)	5.08
Water (1.5 lt)	2.20
Potatoes (1 kg)	3.35
Fast Food Combo Meal	12

➡️Entertainment

This cost of living in Australia will depend on how frequently you go out with friends. Here’s what various modes of entertainment cost:

Item	Monthly cost
Movie ticket	AUD 15-20
Concert ticket	AUD 50-150
Sporting event ticket	AUD 30-100
Museum admission	AUD 10-20
Art gallery admission	AUD 10-20
Restaurant meal	AUD 20-50
Nightclub cover charge	AUD 10-20
Coffee	AUD 4-5
Beer	AUD 8-10

🚗Transportation

Having a well-developed transportation system, you can comfortably commute every day using public or private transport. Here’s how much the different means of transportation cost in Australia:

Transportation Mode	Average Cost
Local transport ticket (One-way)	AUD 3 – 6
Taxi Tariff	AUD 3.6 – 7
Gasoline (1 lt)	AUD 1.19 – 1.60
Taxi (1 km)	AUD 1.62 – 3.20
Monthly Pass	AUD 90-220

➡️Utilities and Bills

Here’s a breakdown of the cost of various utilities and bills that are incurred with the cost of living in Australia:

Utilities/Bills	Average Monthly Cost
Internet	AUD 70
Basic utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage etc)	AUD 200
Prepaid mobile (Local tariff)	AUD 0.10-1

Also Read: Best Student Travel Volunteer Programs 2023-24: Experience Life Abroad

🏫Cost of Studying in Australia

In addition to the cost of living in Australia, the tuition fee is also a cost that students need to keep in mind. The study cost depends on whether you choose to enrol in a public or private university. Here’s a list of some top universities in Australia with their tuition fees:

Type	University	Tuition Fee
Public university	University of Melbourne	AUD 31,870
	University of New South Wales	AUD 23,140
	University of Sydney	AUD 44,500
	The University of Queensland	AUD 34,960
	Australian National University	AUD 34,960
Private university	Bond University	AUD 43,200
	Carnegie Mellon University	AUD 58,000
	Torrents University	AUD 34,480
	Avolande University	AUD 34,736

💸Cost of Living in Top Australian Cities in 2023

Apart from your lifestyle, the cost of living in Australia can also vary with the city you choose to settle in and the university you study. So let’s take a look at the average monthly cost of living for international students in the top 5 Australian cities in 2023.

City	Monthly Living Cost
Sydney	AUD 3,500 – 4,500
Melbourne	AUD 2,800 – 3,500
Canberra	AUD 2,200 – 3,000
Gold Coast	AUD 2,500 – 3,300
Adelaide	AUD 2,400 – 3,200
Brisbane	AUD 2,500 – 3,300
Perth	AUD 2,600 – 3,400

📌Tips to Reduce the Cost of Living in Australia

With the cost of living in Australia quite high, it’s crucial to save money whenever possible as a student. Given below are some tips that can help you ease the overall living cost in Australia:

1. Consider living in a shared apartment or student dormitory to save money. Look for cheaper accommodation outside the city centre or in less desirable areas.
2. Since eating out can be expensive in Australia, cooking your own meals is a great way to save money and eat healthier.
3. Public transportation is an affordable way to get around Australia. Use your student discounts while taking public transport.
4. Many businesses in Australia offer student discounts. Be sure to ask about student discounts before you make a purchase.
5. Look for free or low-cost activities such as visiting parks, museums, and galleries. You can also find free events and festivals happening throughout the year.

Relevant Reads

Expats Living Abroad: Everything You Need to Know!	How to Deal With Family Expectations While Studying Abroad?
Top 10 Universities in Australia: A 2023 Guide	Weathering the Change: Adjusting and Adapting to New Weather While Studying Abroad
Embracing New Found Independence While Studying Abroad	Creating a New Identity: Embracing a Fresh Start Abroad

Mr. Astronaut👨‍🚀🚀- “ Kiddos, I have answered all your queries with the utmost precision that I was capable of. Now, I will be taking my leave, but if you think that I might have missed something do check out the FAQ section or drop a comment. I always respond!”

FAQs

We hope that this blog helped you discover the cost of living in Australia for international students in 2023. To explore more of the student life abroad, subscribe to Leverage Edu. You can also contact us at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session to get started on your study abroad journey today. Thank you for reading, and all the best!