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Canberra is the capital of Australia. It uniquely blends culture, history, politics, and natural beauty. Canberra is located in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and was purposefully designed as the capital in the early 20th century. The cost of living in Canberra for international expats is around AUD 4851 per month including rent.
The overall cost of living in Canberra is 29% lower than in Sydney. Moreover, Canberra is a popular destination for international students. But in 2024, how much will it cost to live in Canberra as an expat student? This blog post will show the various aspects of Canberra’s expenses, such as education, housing, food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and many others. So, let’s begin our discussion without any further delay.
This Blog Includes:
Cost of Living in Canberra for International Students
The average cost of living in Canberra for international students is AUD 2,076 per month without rent, which is more affordable. Although the cost of living in Canberra may be higher than in some other cities in Australia, you can still enjoy a high quality of life, excellent amenities, and access to various cultural and recreational opportunities.
Below, we have provided a general breakdown of the general cost of living in Canberra for international expats in various categories. This will give you an idea of how much money they will need to have with them before moving to Canberra.
Cost of Housing in Canberra
The cost of living in Canberra for a single person is around AUD 2,775 per month. There are various accommodation options available for expats according to their budget and lifestyle. Some of the costs of housing in Canberra are as follows:
| Apartment Location | Monthly Rent |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | AUD 2,775.64 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | AUD 2,203.88 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | AUD 4,249.95 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | AUD 3,189.28 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Australia: A 2023 Guide
Cost of Grocery in Canberra
The cost of groceries in Canberra is approximately AUD 188 monthly, covering various essentials such as food, dairy products, beverages, etc. These grocery expenses significantly contribute to the overall cost of living in Canberra. Provided below is a cost of grocery items along with their corresponding Costs:
| Grocery Item | Approx. Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | AUD 2.73 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | AUD 3.87 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | AUD 3.33 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | AUD 6.89 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | AUD 17.92 |
| Apples (1kg) | AUD 5.15 |
| Banana (1kg) | AUD 4.25 |
| Oranges (1kg) | AUD 5.30 |
| Tomato (1kg) | AUD 8.86 |
| Potato (1kg) | AUD 3.98 |
| Onion (1kg) | AUD 3.47 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | AUD 3.90 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | AUD 3.43 |
| Other non veg food items | AUD 115 |
Cost of Utilities in Canberra
The basic utility cost for a single person in Canberra is around AUD 392.40. It is a relatively modest sum, given the overall cost of living in Canberra. This utility cost covers heating, electricity, gas, a mobile phone plan, and internet service. For your reference, Here’s a breakdown of the costs for basic Cost of Utilities in Canberra for international students in the country:
| Utility Type | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| Basic Utility for 85m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | AUD 392.40 |
| Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone (with Calls & 10GB+ Data) | AUD 51.08 |
| Internet (60+ Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | AUD 107.43 |
Cost of Transportation in Canberra
Transportation in Canberra is very convenient, and people can go anywhere they need to quickly and affordably. It offers trains, buses, and ferries for local transport. Transportation pass for local transport is around AUD 180 per month in the overall cost of living in Canberra. Here are various different modes of transportation costs every month on can be required:
| Mode of Transport | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | AUD 4.75 |
| Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | AUD 180 |
| Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | AUD 6 |
| Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | AUD 2.60 |
| 1-liter Gasoline | AUD 60 |
| 1 liter Gasoline | AUD 2.11 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Taiwan: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Average Tuition Fees in Canberra
Along with the cost of living in Canberra for international students, it is also important to include their university tuition fees. Before moving to Canberra, it is most important for students to understand whether they can afford the average tuition fees of the Canberra’s Universities.
For your reference, we have given the cost of average tuition fees assessed by the few universities in Canberra in the table below:
| University Name | Average Tuition Fees (per year) |
| Australian National University | AUD 48,227 |
| University of Canberra | AUD 34,780 |
| College of Business and Economics, ANU | AUD 46,951 |
Things to Consider Before Moving to Canberra
Now that you have understood the cost of living in Canberra in various categories in detail. Besides finalizing the budget for the cost of living in Canberra, there are plenty of options for expats to know. Here are some essential things expat students should consider before moving to Canberra for their higher studies:
Low Crime Rate in Canberra
Canberra, Australia, has the highest average income of around AUD 4,386.14, and the lowest unemployment rate made it a low crime rate, which has helped make it one of the most liveable cities in the world.
Amazing Weather in Canberra
Canberra has dry summers and wet winters but has opposite weather conditions. February is the hottest month in this city, with a temperature of around 31.6°C, while the coldest month is July, with a temperature of around 7.9°C. Rainfalls in Canberra occur from May to September.
Health Insurance is Required
Anyone who considers living in Canberra will have to pay their health care bills using cash, which can be very high, or they will have to take private health insurance. It means you have to include health insurance costs in the cost of living in the Canberra budget.
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FAQs
Answer: The average cost of living in Canberra is around AUD 4851 a month without tuition fees. This means the cost of living for a student is decent compared to other cities in Australia.
Answer: The average rent in Canberra, Australia, for a single person, is around AUD 2,775 in the city center, while it is around AUD 2,203 outside the city area. Rent is a major portion of the cost of living in Canberra, Australia, so select your living location according to your budget.
Answer: The average monthly salary in Canberra is AUD 4,386, which is enough for one person because the cost of living in Canberra without rent is around AUD 2,076. This means that you can save some money while living in Canberra.
Answer: The cost of living in Canberra is comparatively lower than in Melbourne. It is around AUD 2,076, while the cost of living in Melbourne is around AUD 1,654 without rent.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Canberra. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counseling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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