The Cost of Living in Australia: How much You Can Expect to Spend in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane
Are you thinking about studying in Australia? If so, you can expect an amazing adventure, complete with a great education and lifelong memories. However, you might be wondering what you can expect from the cost of living.
To help you better understand how much money you’ll need for day-to-day expenses, we’ve put together this ultimate guide. Here, we outline what you expect to spend in Australia’s three biggest cities: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
The cost of living in Australia
Getting familiar with the cost of living is a great way to prepare yourself (and your wallet) for life in Australia. However, there are a few important things to note.
It’s key to remember that these ranges are simply estimates. Your actual expenses could look different depending on where you live, what you do and your lifestyle. Remember to consider all these factors when planning your budget.
The cost of living in Sydney
Accommodation
The cost of your rent will vary depending on the type of accommodation you choose.
If you opt for a private rental, you can expect to pay anywhere from *$200-$700 per week. Your rent will likely be on the lower end of this range if you choose to live with other people.
A room in a residential college will likely cost $450-$550 per week, while you’ll probably pay between $300-$700 per week for student accommodation.
A homestay - a living arrangement in which you live with a local family - will generally cost $250-$510 weekly.
Groceries
The amount you spend on groceries can depend on what you buy and how often you eat at home. On average, you can expect to pay anywhere from $80-$200 every week to stock your kitchen.
Entertainment and hobbies
Of course, you can’t forget to include some money for fun and excitement!
If you’re into fitness, you might want to get a gym membership, which generally costs $17-$40 per week. Sydney also has plenty of excellent restaurants and cafés that cater to every taste and budget. You can expect to spend between $25-$100 per week on entertainment and hobbies in Sydney.
Luckily, you can have fun for free in Sydney. Many landmarks, including Circular Quay (which houses the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House) and the Art Gallery of NSW, are free to explore.
Public transport
Getting an Opal card is the best way to travel around Sydney. Your Opal card even entitles you to capped pricing on public transport, which means you’ll never spend more than $16.80 per weekday, $50 per week or $8.40 per day on weekends to get around.
Some students are even entitled to concession fares, which means even more savings. Check your eligibility for a concession Opal card here.
The cost of living in Melbourne
Accommodation
Similar to Sydney, a private rental in Melbourne could cost anywhere between $200 and $700 on average. Again, the cost of your rent will depend largely on how many people you live with, the size of the unit and its location.
Living in a residential college in Melbourne will cost around $425-$695 per week, while student accommodation ranges from $200 to $700 weekly.
You can expect to pay $220-$395 per week for a homestay.
Groceries
In Melbourne, you’ll likely spend $80-$150 each week on groceries. Your grocery bill will likely vary week to week depending on the number and types of products you buy. For example, items like meat and fresh produce tend to be more expensive than
Entertainment and hobbies
When you’re planning your spending, don’t forget to include some extra cash for fun, entertainment and hobbies.
Your expenses in this category will depend on your interests. For example, if you love going to concerts, your entertainment costs might be higher. On average, you can expect to spend $25-$75 per week on entertainment and hobbies.
However, if you enjoy going to museums and art galleries, your costs might be lower. This is especially true because many of Melbourne’s cultural spaces are free to explore, including the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), ACMI and the Science Gallery Melbourne.
Public Transport
To use the buses, trams and trains in Melbourne, you can get a myki or opt for an International Student Travel Pass. Average tickets are $60 per week or $25 per week for those with concessions.
Don’t forget: if you jump on a tram in the city’s free tram zone, you won’t have to pay a thing!
The cost of living in Brisbane
Accommodation
In Brisbane, private rentals typically cost between $190 and $670 per week.
Student accommodation facilities can be priced anywhere between $200 and $700 per week. Residential college options tend to total around $420-$720 weekly.
If you choose to live in a homestay, you can expect to spend $250-$340 each week.
Groceries
An average weekly grocery shop in Brisbane will generally cost you $90-$135. As is the case in any city, this weekly expense can vary depending on your tastes and how regularly you cook at home.
Entertainment and hobbies
With lots of things to do and see, you’ll want to make sure you budget for fun and entertainment while living in Brisbane.
In Brisbane, you can expect to pay $12.50-$40 each week for a gym membership, while a trip to the cinema will cost between $10 and $40. On average, you can expect to spend $25-$75 per week on entertainment and hobbies.
Fortunately, there are many fun things to do in Brisbane that are completely free. Explore the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens, lounge in the sun at Streets Beach, have a picnic with friends at New Farm Park - the options are endless!
Public transport
You’ll need a go card to use the buses, trains and metro in Brisbane. Travel fares range from $3.55-$21.48 for a one-way, on-peak trip. Concession fares are available, which is a great way to save. You can also use the free city loop buses, which travel around Brisbane City, Spring Hill and South Brisbane.
You can also travel across the Brisbane River on the CityHopper ferry, which runs every day and is free to ride.
Ready to learn more? Discover our other awesome tips for studying abroad in Australia.
*All prices are in AUD.
Author: Kate Millar
