One of the first questions any student asks is how much it costs to live in Australia. The honest answer is: it depends —above all on the city and your lifestyle. In this guide we give you indicative ranges for 2026, city by city and expense by expense, so you can plan your budget realistically. All figures are in Australian dollars (AUD) and are a reference, not a fixed price.
Overview
By far the biggest expense is accommodation: it can represent between 40% and 55% of your monthly budget. Next come food and transport. The good news is that with the student visa you can work up to 48 hours every two weeks during the course, which helps cover a good part of these costs. Even so, it is advisable to arrive with savings and not depend 100% on work from day one.
Accommodation
This is the expense that varies most depending on the city and the neighbourhood. These are the most common options (indicative figures):
- Sharehouse: the most popular and affordable option. A room usually ranges from AUD $180 to $350 per week depending on the city and whether the room is private or shared.
- Homestay (with a local family): around AUD $300 to $400 per week, normally with meals included. Ideal for the first months while you adapt and improve your English.
- Student residence: between AUD $250 and $500+ per week. More expensive, but comfortable and already furnished, with services included.
In your first weeks, a homestay or a residence takes the pressure off; afterwards, most people move to a sharehouse to save. We help you organise your arrival accommodation.
Food and groceries
Cooking at home is what makes the biggest difference to your budget. Shopping at supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths or Aldi, a student usually spends between AUD $80 and $150 per week. Eating out is expensive: a cheap meal is around AUD $15 to $25, so keeping outings for special occasions helps a lot.
Public transport
Australia has good public transport (train, tram, bus) with a rechargeable card depending on the city (Opal in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne, etc.). Typical spending is around AUD $30 to $50 per week. In several cities international students have limited discounts, and many opt for cycling or walking if they live near campus.
Mobile and internet
A mobile plan with data costs around AUD $20 to $40 per month (Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and low-cost operators). If you live in a sharehouse, home internet is usually split between flatmates and works out at about AUD $15 to $25 per month per person.
Leisure and extras
This covers everything else: outings, gym, clothes, weekend trips and little treats. It is the most flexible item: you can adjust it a lot depending on your month. As a reference, budget between AUD $100 and $250 per month. Many city plans (beaches, parks, free events) cost little or nothing.
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🎥 Book your free video callIndicative monthly budget
This table is an indicative reference of monthly spending for a student with a moderate lifestyle. It varies a lot depending on the city (Sydney and Melbourne are more expensive; Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane are usually more affordable) and on your daily decisions.
| Item | Budget (AUD/month) | Moderate (AUD/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $800 | $1,300 |
| Food and groceries | $350 | $550 |
| Transport | $120 | $180 |
| Mobile and internet | $45 | $65 |
| Leisure and others | $120 | $250 |
| Approximate total | $1,435 | $2,345 |
Indicative figures in AUD for 2026. They do not include OSHC insurance, the course tuition or the airfare, and may vary significantly depending on the city, the season and your lifestyle.
How work helps cover much of your expenses
The student visa allows you to work up to 48 hours every two weeks during the course (with no limit during academic holiday periods). With the Australian minimum wage, that part-time work usually covers a good part of day-to-day expenses —accommodation, food and transport— especially if you share a flat and cook at home.
It is important to be realistic: work helps a lot, but it is advisable to arrive with savings for landing (first weeks of accommodation, deposit, transport, etc.) and not depend 100% on a job from day one. We explain this in depth in our guide to working and studying in Australia.
Differences by city
The cost of living changes a lot depending on where you study:
- Sydney and Melbourne: the most expensive, especially in accommodation, but with more courses and jobs on offer.
- Brisbane: a good balance of cost, climate and opportunities.
- Adelaide and Perth: usually the most affordable, with more accessible accommodation.
To choose well, also compare the courses, the climate and job prospects. We break it down in our guide to the best cities to study in Australia. And if you want to see the cost of the program as well as day-to-day life, look at how much it costs to study in Australia.
How we help you (and why with us)
- 🏢 Our own office in Melbourne and our own staff who support you from start to finish.
- 🛡️ Migration assistance provided by a registered migration agent (MARN 2318321).
- 🎯 We build a realistic budget with you based on your city and course, so you arrive with your finances clear.
- 🤝 We support you on arrival: accommodation, bank account and job search.
- 💬 Close support by video call and WhatsApp. +800 students over the last 8 years.
Plan your budget before you travel
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🎥 Book your free video callFrequently asked questions
As an indicative reference, between AUD $1,800 and $2,800 per month including accommodation, food, transport, mobile and leisure. It varies a lot depending on the city: Sydney and Melbourne are more expensive than Adelaide, Perth or Brisbane.
Around AUD $29,710 for 12 months, in addition to the course and the airfare. The amount is set by the Government and may change each year.
The visa allows you to work up to 48 hours every two weeks during the course. That part-time work usually covers a large part of daily expenses, although it is advisable to arrive with savings and not rely on work alone.
Generally Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane have a lower cost of living than Sydney and Melbourne, especially in accommodation. The courses, the climate and jobs also play a part.
A room in a sharehouse ranges from AUD $180 to $350 per week; homestay is around $300 to $400 (with meals) and residences from $250 to $500+ per week. These are indicative figures that change by area and season.