Cost of Living in Australia: Expenses You Need to Know

Hi! I’m Astronaut Alex 👨‍🚀🚀, and today, we’re talking about the cost of living in Australia. Do you know that Australia is the world’s sixth-largest country? Well, it can be expensive to study here in Australia 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? Do you know 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: Cost of Living in Sydney: A Comprehensive Guide on Sydney’s Expense

💸Cost of Living in Australia

The average monthly cost of living in Australia is estimated to be around AUD 4000 for international students in city centre area. However, it can vary according to the various preference of a individual. 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	Approx Cost
Rentals (on-campus)	AUD 860
Off-campus Accommodation	AUD 1,250 – AUD 2300
Food	AUD 400 – AUD 600
Utilities	AUD 200 – AUD 324
Entertainment	AUD 300
Transportation	AUD 100 – AUD 300
Total Monthly Expense	AUD 4000

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 in Australia

Renting an apartment is a big deal in Australia because it covers the major portion of the cost of living. The cost of housing rent here depends on the location you choose to live in and the type of apartment you prefer. Here’s how much the accommodations in Australia cost:

Type of Accommodation	Monthly Cost
Homestays	AUD 450 – AUD 1,200
Halls of residence	AUD 440 – AUD 1,110
Shared apartment	AUD 650 – AUD 950
One-bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	AUD 2,340
One-bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	AUD 1,831
Three -bedroom Apartment in the City Centre	AUD 3,734
Three -bedroom Apartment Outside of the Centre	AUD 2,710

Also Read: Cost of Living in Canberra: A Comprehensive Guide

🍎 Cost of Food and Groceries in Australia

Another important category of cost of living in Australia is food and groceries expenses. In Australia groceries conclude the prices of basic food items like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, water, milk, bread and other readable items. In the table below, we have given a a list of individual grocery items and restaurants food along with their costs:

Items	Approx Costs
Milk (1 lit)	AUD 2.31
Bread ( for 2 people)	AUD 3.74
Eggs (1 dozen)	AUD 6.08
White Rice (1 kg)	AUD 3.26
Apples (1 kg)	AUD 4.84
Local Cheese (500 g)	AUD 15.41
Tomatoes (1 kg)	AUD 6.63
Water (1.5 lt)	AUD 2.56
Potatoes (1 kg)	AUD 3.71
Fast Food Combo Meal	AUD 15
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant	AUD 25
Meal for 2 People in Mid-range Restaurant	AUD 130

➡️Cost of Entertainment in Australia

Entertainment costs in Australia depend on many factors, such as going to the movies, eating at restaurants, attending pubs, concerts, sporting events, and others. Entertainment costs can vary according to the location and kind of entertainment an individual prefers and how frequently you go out with friends. It might affect your cost of living in Australia, Here’s what various modes of entertainment cost:

Item	Monthly cost
Movie ticket	AUD 22
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 6
Beer	AUD 11-12

🚗Cost of Transportation in Australia

Having a well-developed transportation system, you can comfortably commute every day using public or private transport. The average monthly cost of a transportation pass might affect the cost of living in Australia, but it is essential to consider while making a budget. Here’s how much the different means of transportation cost in Australia:

Transportation Mode	Average Cost
Local transport ticket (One-way)	AUD 3 – AUD 7.50
Taxi Tariff	AUD 3.9 – AUD 8.50
Gasoline (1 lit)	AUD 1.19 – AUD 1.60
Taxi (1 km)	AUD 1.70 – AUD 2.30
Monthly Pass	AUD 100 – AUD 244

➡️Cost of Utilities Bills in Australia

When considering the cost of living in Australia, one important factor to consider is the cost of utilities there. Utilities refer to essential services such as electricity, water, gas, heating, and other necessities for everyday life. Moreover, understanding the cost of utilities in Australia can give you a better idea of managing the overall expenses while living in a country.

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 with 60+ Mbps, Unlimited Data	AUD 42
Basic utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage etc)	AUD 324
Prepaid mobile (Local tariff)	AUD 42

Also Read: Cost of Living in Cuba: A Comprehensive Guide on Cuba’s Expense

🏫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

💸Average Cost of Living in Top Australian Cities

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

👩‍🎓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.

📌Tips to Reduce the Cost of Living in Australia

Along with the cost of living in Australia, it’s crucial to save money wherever possible while moving to Manitoba for higher education or a job. 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:

Cost of Living in Warsaw: A Guide on Expected Expenses	Cost of Living in Spain: A Comprehensive Guide
Cost of Living in Estonia: A Comprehensive Guide	A Guide to Cost of Living in San Diego
Cost of Living in Wellington: Overall Expenses Guide	Cost of Living in Cardiff: House Rent, Food, Expenses [2024]

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 on Cost of Living in Australia

This was all about the cost of living in Australia, if you are also looking to study in Manitoba and want to admit in your dream course from your dream university, reach out to Leverage edu our experts will help and guide you with smooth process