COST OF LIVING

    PUBLIC TRANSPORT

    Most of Australia’s capital cities have travel cards that make getting around super easy. Many of them even feature discounted travel for students and people who travel often. Keep in mind that each state has its own rules on international students’ eligibility to access concession discounts. If you do get a concession card, you can expect to spend roughly A$25 per week on public transport. Without a concession card, you may spend up to A$60 per week or more depending on how much you travel.

    ENTERTAINMENT AND HOBBIES

    Your entertainment and hobby expenses will depend largely on your interests. For example, if you love working out, you may want to sign up for a gym membership. This will likely cost around A$17 to A$40 per week depending on the location and membership you choose. Are you a big movie fan? A cinema ticket in Australia typically costs between A$10 and A$20. When it comes to eating out, there are many options suited to any budget, big or small.

    Budget Pie Chart Graph

    ACCOMMODATION

    Rent and other accommodation costs will vary between cities and accommodation styles. For example, if you rent a room in a share house, you’ll probably spend between A$200 to A$700 per week. If you rent your own place, you’ll probably be paying much more. Learn more about the costs of various accommodation styles in the Accommodation section.

    GROCERIES

    ​The amount you spend on groceries will depends on your food preferences. However, you can probably expect to spend between A$80 and A$150 per week. Here are the approximate prices of some common food items:
    • A 2kg bag of rice = A$3
    • A 1L bottle of milk = A$1.25-$2.50
    • Two large chicken breasts = A$10
    • 1kg of carrots = A$2-$3
    • 1kg of apples = A$3.90-$6