How Much Does It Actually Cost to Live in Australia as a Student?

You've probably seen the government says you need $29,710 per year. Let's talk about what that actually looks like week by week — because nobody budgets annually.

Monthly Budget Overview

Tight Budget

Category	Monthly Cost
Rent	$800-1,000
Groceries	$280-350
Transport	$150-200
Phone/Internet	$40-60
Utilities	$60-100
Total	$1,330-1,710

Comfortable Budget

Category	Monthly Cost
Rent	$1,200-1,500
Groceries	$400-500
Transport	$200-250
Phone/Internet	$50-80
Utilities	$80-120
Entertainment	$100-200
Total	$2,030-2,650

Rent

By City (Room in Sharehouse)

• Sydney: $1,200-1,700/month
• Melbourne: $1,000-1,400/month
• Brisbane: $800-1,200/month
• Perth: $800-1,100/month
• Adelaide: $650-950/month

Saving on Rent

• Live further from CBD (30+ min commute)
• Share a room (common in expensive cities)
• Look in less trendy suburbs
• Avoid peak moving times (semester start)

Groceries

Weekly Shopping Budget

• Budget: $60-80/week
• Moderate: $80-110/week
• Comfortable: $120-150/week

Saving on Groceries

• Aldi is usually cheapest
• Woolworths/Coles: Check weekly specials
• Cook at home — eating out is expensive
• Buy in bulk, share with housemates
• Asian grocery stores for staples

Sample Weekly Shop ($70)

• Rice/pasta: $5
• Vegetables: $15
• Protein (chicken, eggs, legumes): $20
• Dairy: $10
• Bread, fruit, basics: $20

Transport

Public Transport Costs

City	Weekly (Concession)
Sydney	$35-50
Melbourne	$35-45
Brisbane	$30-40
Perth	$25-35
Adelaide	$20-30

Saving on Transport

• Get concession card (student discount)
• Register your card (refund if lost)
• Bike for short trips
• Walk when weather permits

Utilities

If Not Included in Rent

• Electricity: $40-80/month per person
• Gas: $20-40/month per person
• Water: Often included
• Internet: $15-25/month per person (shared)

Saving on Utilities

• Turn off aircon/heater when possible
• Short showers
• LED bulbs
• Off-peak appliance use

Phone & Internet

Mobile Plans

• Budget: $15-25/month
• Standard: $30-45/month
• Heavy use: $50+/month

Home Internet

Usually shared in a house:

• NBN (standard): $60-90/month total
• Split 3-4 ways: $15-30/month each

Entertainment & Social

Occasional Expenses

• Coffee: $4-6 each
• Meals out: $15-25
• Drinks at bar: $10-15 each
• Movies: $15-22 (student discount)
• Gym: $10-25/week

Free/Cheap Activities

• Beach and parks (free)
• University events (often free)
• Hiking trails (free)
• Library (free)
• Student club activities

Unexpected Expenses

Budget extra for:

• Medical expenses (gaps not covered by OSHC)
• Textbooks (can be $100-300/semester)
• Course materials
• Emergency travel
• Visa costs (extensions, etc.)

Working to Cover Costs

Typical Student Income

Working 20 hours/week at $25/hour:

• Weekly: $500 before tax
• Monthly: ~$2,000 before tax
• After tax: ~$1,700/month

This can cover basic expenses in most cities, with savings in cheaper locations.

Immigration Financial Requirements

Note: Visa requirements ask you to demonstrate access to $29,710/year for living costs (updated 2025). This aligns with realistic budgets if you're careful.

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Reality check: Living costs are manageable but require budgeting. Track your spending (apps like Up or MoneyBrilliant help). The first few months are tightest — it gets easier once you have work and know the system.