Australia is one of the top destinations that many students choose to pursue their higher education. However, the cost of living is higher in Australia than in many other countries.  Especially for indian students, from the cost of accommodation to the cost of utilities, each expense costs them much higher than in India. 

Understanding these costs in advance helps students to make smart decisions on accommodation, food, and travel, and helps them spend their expenses wisely. 

This blog will cover all the information about the living expenses and the costs that students have to plan for their living in Australia.

What is the cost of Living in Australia?

The cost of living in Australia is the calculation of a set of expenses of an individual for a particular period of time. This time period could be weekly, monthly, or even annually.  In general, he estimated the cost of living in Australia for international students ranges between AUD 5000 - AUD 6,000 for a single individual. Whereas the cost of living would go up for a family. The cost of living in Australia generally includes..

  • Accommodation costs

  • Travel costs

  • Health insurance costs

  • Utility Costs

  • Entertainment costs

  • Personal expenses

  • Food and groceries

Why is understanding the cost of living in Australia important?

  • Understanding the cost of living is important for Indian and International students because this helps them plan their finances even before they land in Australia.
  • From paying high rents to spending on entertainment, a preplanned budget helps avoid any unexpected financial stress once you arrive.
  • Especially when you are planning to stay in expensive countries like Australia, a clear budget helps you avoid overspending. This can also lead to saving some finances for some emergencies.
  • In short, understanding the cost of living helps you stay financially secure, focus on your studies, and make the nest of your experience in Australia.
Request a callback for financial advice
Request a Callback  

Living expenses in Australia

  • Australia remains the favourite for many Indian students because of the world-class education. The favourable conditions in Australia attract not just Indian students, but also more and more international students. 

Cost of Accommodation in Australia

  • The accommodation cost generally varies based on the city that you choose to study in and the type of stay(single/shared). For example, Sydney in Australia is known to be the most expensive, followed by Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, and Adelaide.

However, the average cost of living in Australia is given below: 

Accommodation Type

Approximate Living Expenses

On-campus dormitory

AUD 800 - AUD 1,400

Shared Apartment

AUD 600 - AUD 1,200

Homestay 

AUD 1,000 - AUD 1,400

Shared Rental 

AUD 500 - AUD 900

Single Rental

AUD 400 - AUD 1,700

Some cities that are affordable to stay in Australia are Darwin, Perth, Hobart, Gold Coast, Brisbane, and Canberra. 

Cost of Travelling in Australia

Most of the Australian universities offer private transport services that help students travel on campus to nearby areas. 

For short distances, you can use local trains and buses. A short ride on a bus or train can cost approximately AUD 3. A weekly pass costs approximately AUD 20 and AUD 80 monthly. However, some discounts are available in almost all states. The general transportation cost in Australia:

Transportation

Cost

One-way ticket (Local Transport)

4.5 AUD

Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price)

143.48 AUD

Taxi Start (Standard Tariff)

5.65 AUD

Taxi 1 km (Standard Tariff)

2.70 AUD

Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff)

58.40 AUD

Gasoline (1 Liter)

1.81 AUD

Cost of Health Insurance and Medical Expenses in Australia

While international students live to study in Australia, health insurance coverage is important for a secure stay. In Australia, the student health insurance, or Overseas Student Health Cover(OSHC), is required for your visa application and to cover medical expenses during your stay. The cost of OSHC is around AUD 500.

Below are some of the OSHC providers in Australia

OSHC Providers in Australia

The cost of OHSC(Per year)

CBHS

AUD 1,160.70

AHM OHSC

AUD 1,214

NIB

AUD 1,305.16

Medi Bank

AUD 1,319

Allianz Care

AUD 1,324

Bupa

AUD 1,405

Cost of Utilities in Australia

The cost of utilities in Australia is one of the important aspects to be considered while calculating the cost of living expenses. Below is the average cost of the utilities in Australia

Utilities(Monthly)

Cost

Basic Utilities for 85 m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage

269.21 A$

Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data)

41.69 A$

Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher)

81.98 A$

The Cost of Food and Groceries

The food and Groceries are again one of the important expenses that cover a major share of living expenses in Australia. 

Below are the approximate costs of each of the foods and groceries 

Food and Grocery

Cost

Milk (Regular, 1 Liter)

2.45 A$

Fresh White Bread (500 g Loaf)

3.84 A$

White Rice (1 kg)

3.17 A$

Eggs (12, Large Size)

6.99 A$

Local Cheese (1 kg)

13.78 A$

Chicken Fillets (1 kg)

12.99 A$

Apples (1 kg)

4.99 A$

Oranges (1 kg)

4.56 A$

Bottled Water (1.5 Liter)

2.39 A$

Personal Expenses In Australia

The personal expenses in Australia vary from person to person. This depends on the spending capacity, need, etc.  For example, an individual can ideally spend around AUD 70-AUD 80 per week on average. This is an estimated cost of expenses; however, the exact expense may vary from person to person based on individual needs, as we have already discussed.

Entertainment Expenses in Australia

  • Australia is an island continent with beautiful beaches. You often find people spending free time at the beach. Plenty of options are available, such as deep-sea diving, water sports, etc.
  • Australia also has abundant wildlife that you can explore, and the country also offers you excellent wildlife terrains that can give you a wonderful experience.
  • Apart from these,  there are some pubs, clubs, and lounges, restaurants, especially an opera house, etc, which are also the places that students can visit.
  • On average, for entertainment expenses, the students can spend around AUD 100 -AUD 120..

The overall cost of Living

In simple words, in Australia, as a developed nation, the cost of living is higher compared to that of India. But as a student, it is important to keep a check on your spending and save for emergencies. 

An overview of the cost of living expenses is given below so that students can make informed decisions and plan their finances. 

Parameter

Monthly Expenses( in AUD)

Accomodation

AUD 400- AUD 2,500

Travel

AUD 300- AUD 400

OHSC cover

AUD 500

Utility Costs

AUD 250- AUD 500

Entertainment

AUD 100- AUD 150

Personal/Miscellaneous Expenses

AUD 80-AUD 100

Groceries/ Food

AUD 60-AUD 150

Total Expenses range between AUD 1500 and AUD 4000 (₹82,500 - ₹2,20,000)

Note: These numbers, however, vary from university to university and from city to city, as well as the spending habits of the individual.

Money Saving Tips while living in Australia

The cost of living in a foreign country is an important concern for many Indian students. Though Australia is an expensive country, some smart spending can save thousands of dollars each year. Managing your food, accommodation, and transport brings you the biggest savings.

Below are some practical tips where you can save on your spending:

Prefer shared and suburban Housing: 

By sharing and living in a suburban city, you can reduce the rent cost by 20% - 30%. Not just rent, but you can also save on food and electricity, and other utilities.

Use Public Transport: 

A weekly student pass saves you a lot of money over choosing private transport. Therefore, opt for public transport.

Cook at Home:

Food cooked at home can cost you better than eating outside in restaurants. In fact, groceries are also expensive, so plan and list out the necessary groceries that are only essential. 

Use student discounts:

Use discounts that are available at restaurants and retailers. This may help you save hundreds of dollars.

Choose to work part-time:

Working for 15 to 20 hrs a week can cover most of your basic weekly costs for food, utilities, and transport. Therefore, research and find a job that you can balance with your studies.

Planning and smart budgeting help students manage their finances in a foreign country. Review your monthly expenses each month, which will identify where you are overspending. A monthly review will help to fix overspending. Ultimately, all these habits can help you save money for emergencies.

Student Visa (Subclass 500) 

  • This is the subclass 500 visa allows you to pursue higher education in Australia. Students need to enroll in a course at an Australian educational institution first, then apply for a student visa. After that, you will be issued a confirmation of enrollment(CoE) from the provider.
  • From 1st July 2025, the cost of a student visa has become AUD 2000 per visa application. The processing time may vary from person to person.
  • Students are required to show proof of funds of approximately AUD 22,000, as living expenses, to get this visa.
Request a callback from our education loan experts
Request a Callback  

Education Loans to study in Australia

  • As we previously discussed, Australia is one of the expensive countries to pursue higher education. However, many students have to leave their dream of achieving academic goals because of financial challenges. But worry not, education loans come to your rescue. 
  • Many financial institutions are offering education loans, encouraging students to pursue higher education abroad. Students can easily apply for and get approved for their education loans. 
  • WeMakeScholars, an organisation partnered with over 15 public and private lenders. When you apply for an education loan through us, our experienced team will help you find the most suitable loan for your higher studies.
  • From the loan application to the loan disbursement, we have a dedicated team that will walk you through the entire loan process without any hassle. We also lend post-sanction support, where students often face issues.. 

How to apply for an Education loan Via WeMakeScholars

Below are the steps to follow to apply through WeMakeScholars

  • Fill in all the details in the loan application provided on our website.

  • Our Financial Officer will contact you within 2 days.

  • Once you receive a callback, provide all the details asked by our Financial Officer.

  • Our financial officer will check your loan eligibility and will connect you to the right lender.

  • Submit all the documents shared by our team in our WeMakeScholars document portal only.

  • Once you submit your documents, your file will be logged in.

  • Within 6 working days, you will receive your loan sanction letter from the bank.

Conclusion

Studying in Australia as an International student can be a rewarding experience for Indian students. But the cost of living is high compared to India. However, a proper understanding and proper planning can help students manage their finances efficiently. This blog provides all the costs related to living expenses in Australia, thus helping students plan their budget.