Cost of Living for Students in Australia
College fees are not the only expense – students need to find accommodation, travel to and from university, buy books, stationery, and spend a little on eating outside and entertainment. This cost of living for students varies across Australia depending upon the location of the university. In general the overall cost of living for students pursuing education in metropolitan areas is much higher.
The total cost of living can vary greatly depending on the city and your lifestyle. However, here is a general estimate of the monthly living expenses for a student in Australia:
In major cities like Sydney, Melbourne, or Brisbane:
- AUD 1,500 to AUD 2,500 per month (including rent, food, transport, and personal expenses).
In smaller cities or regional areas:
- AUD 1,200 to AUD 1,800 per month.
A majority of the cost for students is associated with accommodation; with single room accommodation in urban areas start around AUD 350 per-week and in non urban areas at AUD 250. Other thing to remember here is that a refundable bond for the accommodation has to be paid upfront. This bond could be around 4 to 8 weeks of rent.
Students may also get shared accommodation with Gas/electricity and internet paid for. gumtree is a good place to start searching for shared accommodation. To avoid daily public transport costs, which will also help in saving time, it is recommended to pick up accommodation in walking distance of the campus.
Consider riding a bike as an alternative to driving or taking public transport. Cycling can be a great way to keep fit while getting you around town.
Some university students can get discounts, which are typically accessed using a valid student card. These include concession prices for many public services such as trains, cinemas, museums and more.
Fooding expenses are not that high with an average of 60 to 80 AUD if cooking at home. Eating out could be slightly expensive with average cheaper meals costing around 12 AUD in most of Australia.
According to the department of home affairs, International students are required to show evidence of having genuine access to sufficient funds to be granted a Student visa. Applicants may have to demonstrate sufficient funds to cover these expenses for the first one or two years in Australia, depending on their assessment level. See more here.
As an overseas student, you and your accompanying family must have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of your student visa in Australia. OSHC will help you to pay for any medical and hospital care you may need while studying in Australia.
The first year period fee, Student Visa costs and the Overseas Student Health cover are the minimum costs students have to bear even before they arrive in Australia.
Approximate Monthly Costs for Students in Australia
| Expense | Estimated Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | AUD 900 to AUD 1,800 |
| Food and Groceries | AUD 400 to AUD 600 |
| Public Transport | AUD 50 to AUD 200 |
| Utilities and Internet | AUD 50 to AUD 200 |
| Mobile phone and personal expenses | AUD 300 to AUD 500 |
| Total | AUD 1,700 to AUD 4,300 |
Most university websites provide an estimate of a cost of living for students according to the region in which they operate. For detailed costs of living including groceries, leisure and travelling please see Cost of Living in Australia.
Tips to save Money for Students
- Share accommodation or look for affordable housing options.
- Cook at home instead of eating out.
- Use public transport and take advantage of student discounts on travel.
- Get a student card for discounts on entertainment, food, and shopping.
- Engage in free or low-cost activities like visiting parks, beaches, or free events.
- Shop smart by purchasing second-hand goods or waiting for sales.
- Use public services like the university library and student health services.
- Limit credit card use and track your spending with budgeting apps.
- Work part-time to supplement your income and gain experience.
- Track your expenses using apps
Owning a car can add significant costs, including fuel, insurance, registration, and parking fees, which can be expensive in larger cities. The cost of fuel is approximately AUD 1.50 to AUD 2.00 per liter.
Try the Cost of Living Calculator for students here – https://costofliving.studyaustralia.gov.au