Cost of Living in the Australia
Calculate the Approximate Living Expenses in Australia
Planning to study at an Australian university? You must be wondering what the cost of living in the Australia will be? The living expenses in Australia vary from one individual to individual and city to city, and it takes several factors into account to calculate the expenditures.
Average Monthly Cost of Living in the Australia
Sydney | 1450 AUD |
Brisbane | 1350 AUD |
Melbourne | 1300 AUD |
Perth | 1300 AUD |
Adelaide | 1160 AUD |
Hobart | 1250 AUD |

Average Monthly Cost of Accommodation in the Australia
Hostels and Guesthouses | 400-450 |
Shared Rental | 350-500 |
On-Campus | 440-750 |
Homestay | 800-1100 |
Rental | 700-1200 |
Average Cost of Study in the Australia
School | 7,800 to 30,000 |
English language studies | 300 Per Week |
Vocational Education and Training (Certificates I to IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma) |
4,000 to 22,000 |
Undergraduate Bachelor Degree | 20,000 to 45,000 |
Postgraduate Masters Degree | 22,000 to 50,000 |
Doctoral Degree | 18,000 to 42,000 |
Australian Cities with the Highest Cost of Living
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Perth
- Canberra
- Adelaide
Australian Cities with the Lowest Cost of Living
- Gold Coast
- Wollongong
- Hobart
- Sunshine Coast
- Cairns
Frequently Asked Questions
Australia is one of the most sought places for Indian students wanting to study abroad. This is because the cost of living in Australia is high than most of the other higher education hotspots. The average expense in Australia is around 1800 AUD or INR 101925 per month. However, you should always bear in mind that you can cover a substantial amount of your average expenditure in Australia by taking part-time jobs. This is because the rents and utility charges are high so does the wages.
As a student, you have to make certain adjustments for the expenses that are largely manageable. When you are going to Australia for higher education, managing the finances becomes a crucial part of your overall living expense in Australia. There are several ways to lower the average cost of living in Australia. Selecting a location with low rent and low utility bills always help you in saving a ton of money. Students have to pay a substantial amount as College fees, so keeping the average monthly expenses in Australia within the limit is always the priority. Students also take up part-time jobs to support their studies and their financial needs. Luckily, you have an excellent work ecosystem in Australia that gives decent wages according to the country’s labor laws. It helps student in maintaining their finances and continuing the study.
However, the cost of living in Australia very sharply from tier1 cities to other cities. Rents in places like Sydney and Melbourne can be very high, and so does the utility bill. So the living cost always varies, but prosperous cities also have more job options and better facilities coupled with a more efficient work ecosystem. So before selecting an institution, one must consider all the factors and which monthly living expenses in Australia should be given due consideration.
As a student, you have to make certain adjustments for the expenses that are largely manageable. When you are going to Australia for higher education, managing the finances becomes a crucial part of your overall living expense in Australia. There are several ways to lower the average cost of living in Australia. Selecting a location with low rent and low utility bills always help you in saving a ton of money. Students have to pay a substantial amount as College fees, so keeping the average monthly expenses in Australia within the limit is always the priority. Students also take up part-time jobs to support their studies and their financial needs. Luckily, you have an excellent work ecosystem in Australia that gives decent wages according to the country’s labor laws. It helps student in maintaining their finances and continuing the study.
However, the cost of living in Australia very sharply from tier1 cities to other cities. Rents in places like Sydney and Melbourne can be very high, and so does the utility bill. So the living cost always varies, but prosperous cities also have more job options and better facilities coupled with a more efficient work ecosystem. So before selecting an institution, one must consider all the factors and which monthly living expenses in Australia should be given due consideration.
Gold Coast is one of the cities with world-class universities and an affordable living cost in Australia per month. Bond University, situated in Gold Coast, is among the top most university in Australia and has Griffith University. The city is affordable and provides you with ample opportunity for employment after the completion of your studies.
Wollongong is yet another place that has become a popular study destination for international students. It is only 80 kilometers away from Sydney. In addition, it has the University of Wollongong, which is rated as one of the topmost universities in Australia. Show the place has a lot to offer, including world-class education and a feasible average expense in Australia.
The University Of Hobart is situated in the heart of Hobart City. The place is one of the most affordable when it comes to monthly living expenses in Australia. The place might not look like Sydney or Melbourne, but Australia’s average monthly expense may want you to consider Hobart as your preferred destination for your higher education.
To your surprise, despite Adelaide being such a famous location and world-class housing institutions, the place is one of the cheapest to live for international students. The University of Adelaide, which always appears among the top 1% of universities globally, is the best institution in the City. However, the more attractive feature is the affordable cost of living in Australia for Indian students make Adelaide a preferred destination for thousands of students.
Brisbane is another top city and Australia’s third-largest city, a world-class institution like the University of Queensland. However, the average expenditure in Australia is usually higher in the towns like Brisbane, so you might want to consider other locations before finalizing your place of study.
Wollongong is yet another place that has become a popular study destination for international students. It is only 80 kilometers away from Sydney. In addition, it has the University of Wollongong, which is rated as one of the topmost universities in Australia. Show the place has a lot to offer, including world-class education and a feasible average expense in Australia.
The University Of Hobart is situated in the heart of Hobart City. The place is one of the most affordable when it comes to monthly living expenses in Australia. The place might not look like Sydney or Melbourne, but Australia’s average monthly expense may want you to consider Hobart as your preferred destination for your higher education.
To your surprise, despite Adelaide being such a famous location and world-class housing institutions, the place is one of the cheapest to live for international students. The University of Adelaide, which always appears among the top 1% of universities globally, is the best institution in the City. However, the more attractive feature is the affordable cost of living in Australia for Indian students make Adelaide a preferred destination for thousands of students.
Brisbane is another top city and Australia’s third-largest city, a world-class institution like the University of Queensland. However, the average expenditure in Australia is usually higher in the towns like Brisbane, so you might want to consider other locations before finalizing your place of study.
Studying at a world-class University is every student's dream, but that doesn't necessarily mean that you have to live in the country’s top cities. The same goes for Australia. It has multiple locations where you can have quality education and an affordable living expense in Australia.
The cost of living in a city like Sydney can be a pricey affair for students, and the average monthly cost of living in Australia is way higher than in other cities. The cost of groceries and other utilities is also increased when compared with other cities. All the top companies and world-class institutions make Sydney one of the most sought locations for both students and businesspersons.
Melbourne is the second most expensive place to live in Australia. If you are planning to take admission to a university in Melbourne, the chances are very likely that your average expenditure in Australia will go up. The annual living expenses in Australia can be more than 30,000 AUD in a city like Melbourne, while living costs can be around 22,000 AUD in a city like Hobart.
Perth is yet another costly location with an annual expense approaching close to 29,200 AUD. The cost of living in Australia can be high, but the cost can be exponentially high in cities like Perth. Therefore, you must consider the prospects before taking admission since the living cost in Australia per month will keep affecting your finances.
The rents are high in Canberra, but the other components of the monthly living expenses in Australia are also high. The annual expenses are more than 28,000 AUD. The cost of food in Canberra can be around 300 AUD, depending on your lifestyle and locality.
The cost of living in a city like Sydney can be a pricey affair for students, and the average monthly cost of living in Australia is way higher than in other cities. The cost of groceries and other utilities is also increased when compared with other cities. All the top companies and world-class institutions make Sydney one of the most sought locations for both students and businesspersons.
Melbourne is the second most expensive place to live in Australia. If you are planning to take admission to a university in Melbourne, the chances are very likely that your average expenditure in Australia will go up. The annual living expenses in Australia can be more than 30,000 AUD in a city like Melbourne, while living costs can be around 22,000 AUD in a city like Hobart.
Perth is yet another costly location with an annual expense approaching close to 29,200 AUD. The cost of living in Australia can be high, but the cost can be exponentially high in cities like Perth. Therefore, you must consider the prospects before taking admission since the living cost in Australia per month will keep affecting your finances.
The rents are high in Canberra, but the other components of the monthly living expenses in Australia are also high. The annual expenses are more than 28,000 AUD. The cost of food in Canberra can be around 300 AUD, depending on your lifestyle and locality.
The cost of education has several aspects viz. the place where you are planning to take the admission, the course you are choosing, etc. But the cost of education is usually high in top cities, and there is very least possibility of getting an institution with less fee in Sydney or Melbourne. On average, the fee for undergraduate courses is anywhere between 20,000-45,000 AUD per annum, while the fee for post-graduate courses is 22,000-55,0000 AUD per annum. So the cost of education will impact your finances. Therefore, it’s advised to choose a university whose fee structure will not overly affect the living expenses in Australia.
Australia has a unique education system where universities charge fees per unit. On average, a student has to have 9 units in a semester to be considered as a full-time student, and if we compare it with the standard courses, they usually have 12 units per semester. This makes the fee structure and education system unique in its way. The course time also varies, and a bachelor’s degree is a three-year course while an Honours degree is four years. A bachelor’s degree has 24 units, and an Honours degree has 32 units.
For post-graduation courses are, and the course duration is one and half years comprising of 12 units.
Now coming to different aspects of education cost. Charges of student visas in almost 575 Australian dollars, while medical examinations are conducted in universities, cost anywhere between 30-50 Australian dollars. If we incorporate the cost of study material, it could cost anywhere between 500 to 1500 Australian dollars. So the cost of education has a lot to do with the course you are choosing and the duration of that course. You should always analyze the job prospects before choosing the university.
Australia has a unique education system where universities charge fees per unit. On average, a student has to have 9 units in a semester to be considered as a full-time student, and if we compare it with the standard courses, they usually have 12 units per semester. This makes the fee structure and education system unique in its way. The course time also varies, and a bachelor’s degree is a three-year course while an Honours degree is four years. A bachelor’s degree has 24 units, and an Honours degree has 32 units.
For post-graduation courses are, and the course duration is one and half years comprising of 12 units.
Now coming to different aspects of education cost. Charges of student visas in almost 575 Australian dollars, while medical examinations are conducted in universities, cost anywhere between 30-50 Australian dollars. If we incorporate the cost of study material, it could cost anywhere between 500 to 1500 Australian dollars. So the cost of education has a lot to do with the course you are choosing and the duration of that course. You should always analyze the job prospects before choosing the university.
The price of living in Australia can be a bit high in top most cities and the city centers. However, the average monthly cost of living in Australia is directly dependent on the society where you live and the city’s per capita income. Therefore, one should always do a comparative analysis to ascertain the cost of living in Australia for Indian students. By doing this, you will be able to manage your finances better and reduce the average cost of living in Australia.
There are cities like Adelaide where you will get world-class infrastructure and living facilities with affordable rent. Adelaide provides you with one of the most affordable monthly living expenses in Australia. This is why hundreds of thousands of Indian students choose to pursue their higher education at universities in Adelaide. We have given the comparison of two of the most sought destination by Indian students.
There are cities like Adelaide where you will get world-class infrastructure and living facilities with affordable rent. Adelaide provides you with one of the most affordable monthly living expenses in Australia. This is why hundreds of thousands of Indian students choose to pursue their higher education at universities in Adelaide. We have given the comparison of two of the most sought destination by Indian students.
Living in a relatively less costly city helps you a lot in terms of the average monthly cost of living in Australia. While if you choose a city like Melbourne or Perth, there are chances of having a high average monthly cost of living in Australia. However, there is enough upside to living In a metropole because it provides you with ample job opportunities that will help you cover your cost of living in Australia.
At first, living in Australia appears to be a costly affair, but if the accommodation is rightly chosen, then the average monthly expenses in Australia can be managed with ease. Students have multiple staying options, from on-campus stay to rental apartments. In the first year of the course, most of the students choose to live on the campus, but afterward, they share an Apartment as it is cost-friendly and gives you a homely environment.
At first, living in Australia appears to be a costly affair, but if the accommodation is rightly chosen, then the average monthly expenses in Australia can be managed with ease. Students have multiple staying options, from on-campus stay to rental apartments. In the first year of the course, most of the students choose to live on the campus, but afterward, they share an Apartment as it is cost-friendly and gives you a homely environment.
Australia has one of the most diverse community bases in the world. Thus you will get every type of food, but the affordability aspect may differ from one city to another. The food is usually costly in cities like Sydney and Melbourne, which accentuate the average monthly cost of living in Australia for students. But the cost of food can be managed easily if you are ready to cook at your place and avoid frequent outings. Average expenditure in Australia is usually affected the most by the food cost after the cost of the rent. It almost accounts for 25 to 30% of your total living expenses in Australia.
However, some employers provide lunch when you are working part-time. The cost of food also varies on your lifestyle. For instance, the cost of cigarettes is around 40 AUD for a pack, and beer is 5 AUD.
However, some employers provide lunch when you are working part-time. The cost of food also varies on your lifestyle. For instance, the cost of cigarettes is around 40 AUD for a pack, and beer is 5 AUD.
Transportation cost is an incredible part of average expenditure in Australia. Australia, in this sense, is a lot safer and has a robust public transport system that helps you commute easily from one place to another. The transportation cost in cities like Melbourne and Sydney is high, but the transport system is much more robust over there than those with relatively weaker transport systems.
Students in Australia also tend to buy pre-owned cars as the Australian car market is very developed, and you can easily get a sedan within 200000 INR. Students buy cars from their part-time job money itself, so you don't have to worry about asking for money from your parents. You can buy cars from as low as 500 AUD or 28000 INR.
Students in Australia also tend to buy pre-owned cars as the Australian car market is very developed, and you can easily get a sedan within 200000 INR. Students buy cars from their part-time job money itself, so you don't have to worry about asking for money from your parents. You can buy cars from as low as 500 AUD or 28000 INR.
The cost of other expenses is highly subjective and can be managed easily if you choose to let go of some of your extravagant expenses. Students tend to waste a lot of money when they go abroad for education, and this is where it takes a toll on your living expense in Australia. Once you make certain ground rules for spending, the size of other expenses starts to shrink, and it will help you in managing the average monthly expenses in Australia. Of course, there will be certain expenses like the stationery materials, internet bills and study-related travels which certainly can’t be avoided. But better management can always be done, which will be reflected in your average expenditure in Australia. Many people do part-time work, and it helps them cover a substantial part of their expenses. And the best part is that you can always get a decent-paying part-time job in Australia.
It is a part of the other expenses, and it varies from one student to another. For instance, a cinema ticket usually costs 20 AUD, and if you are planning to go to dinner after the movie, the total cost for one person will be more than 70 AUD. Also, the mode of transport in frequent traveling may add extra bills on your entertainment and outings.
The part-time job salary before taxes is around 720 AUD per week, but it varies from one city to another. Some may earn less, or some may earn more than this. It all depends on your skill sets. The part-time salary will help you in covering all your average monthly expenses in Australia.
In some cities like Adelaide, you can go pretty much anywhere in 20 minutes by cycle. However, in a city like Sydney, students use both pre-owned cars and public transports. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. Having a car gives you the liberty to live in an affordable neighborhood outside the city limits.
Masters courses in Engineering, Accounting, and Finance, MBA, etc., are one of the most attractive courses. They will land you in high-paying jobs without taking a toll on your monthly living expenses in Australia at the time of your studies.