Living costs

Cost of living in Australia for international students

The Department's figure is AUD 29,710 a year. Real spending ranges from AUD 20,000 in a regional town to AUD 32,000 in Sydney, and the gap is almost entirely rent. Here is what a student actually spends, city by city.

By city
Weekly budgets
Ways to cut it

Checked against Department of Home Affairs and Study Australia sources · Last reviewed 21 September 2026

The short answer

A single international student in Australia spends roughly AUD 400 to 620 a week, or AUD 21,000 to 32,000 a year, depending on the city and housing. Sydney is the most expensive, followed by Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth; Adelaide, Canberra, Hobart, Darwin and regional cities are 20 to 35 percent cheaper. Rent is 40 to 50 percent of the total. For the visa you must show AUD 29,710 regardless of where you study.

Annual living costs by city, 2026

Single student, shared accommodation, moderate spending (AUD)
City	Rent / week (room)	Other / week	Total / year	Regional for PR?
Sydney	280–380	230–260	28,000–32,000	No
Melbourne	250–340	220–250	26,000–30,000	No
Brisbane	230–310	210–240	24,000–28,000	No
Perth	220–300	210–240	23,500–27,500	Yes
Adelaide	200–280	200–230	22,000–26,000	Yes
Canberra	220–290	200–230	22,500–26,500	Yes
Gold Coast	220–300	200–230	22,500–27,000	Yes
Hobart / Darwin	190–270	200–230	21,000–25,500	Yes
Regional town (e.g. Ballarat, Toowoomba, Launceston)	160–240	190–220	19,500–23,500	Yes

The regional column matters. Every city outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane is both cheaper to live in and worth 5 extra PR points, which is the argument the study to PR pathway makes at length.

A realistic weekly budget

Melbourne, shared house, single student (AUD/week)
Item	Frugal	Moderate
Rent (room, shared)	230	300
Groceries	80	110
Utilities and internet (share)	25	35
Public transport (concession)	30	45
Phone	10	20
Eating out and social	30	70
OSHC (annualised)	13	15
Textbooks, clothing, misc	20	40
Total	438	635

Rent

Shared houses and apartments are the norm; a private room in a share house is the benchmark price above. Studios and one-bedroom apartments add AUD 150 to 300 a week. On-campus accommodation is convenient and usually includes utilities but is priced at the upper end. Homestay, at AUD 300 to 400 a week including meals, suits the first semester. Expect a bond of four weeks' rent plus two to four weeks in advance, and be wary of listings that ask for payment before an inspection. Rent is the reason a Sydney budget is AUD 8,000 to 10,000 a year higher than Adelaide's for an identical lifestyle.

Food, transport and everything else

Groceries for a student who cooks run AUD 80 to 120 a week; Aldi and the Indian, Nepali and Asian grocers are markedly cheaper than Coles and Woolworths. Public transport concessions are available to international students in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and Tasmania; New South Wales does not offer them, which adds AUD 20 to 30 a week in Sydney. Prepaid mobile plans start at AUD 10 to 20 a month. Overseas Student Health Cover is roughly AUD 600 to 800 a year and covers doctors, hospitals and some medicines; it does not cover dental or optical. See the cost of studying calculator for how living costs combine with tuition.

Saving money

Choose the city before the university. Adelaide, Perth, Hobart and Canberra are cheaper and regional.
Share. A room in a three-bedroom house is the single largest saving available.
Work the 48 hours. See study and work; a casual job covers rent almost everywhere outside Sydney.
Cook and shop at discount grocers. Halves the food line.
Use student concessions on transport, software, gym, cinemas and phone plans.
Buy OSHC through a partner. The same cover varies 20 percent by insurer.

Common questions

Cost of living in Australia FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Australia as an international student?

Roughly AUD 21,000 to 32,000 a year for a single student in shared accommodation, from regional towns at the low end to Sydney at the top. The visa requires proof of AUD 29,710 regardless of city.

Which is the cheapest city in Australia for international students?

Among the capitals, Adelaide and Hobart are the cheapest, followed by Perth and Canberra. Regional towns such as Ballarat, Toowoomba and Launceston are cheaper still. All of these are also regional for PR points.

How much is rent in Australia for students?

A private room in a shared house costs AUD 160 to 240 a week in regional towns, 200 to 280 in Adelaide and Hobart, 230 to 310 in Brisbane and Perth, 250 to 340 in Melbourne and 280 to 380 in Sydney.

Do international students get transport concessions in Australia?

Yes in Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, the ACT and Tasmania. New South Wales does not offer international students a concession.

Can I cover my living costs by working part-time?

Outside Sydney, largely yes. 24 hours a week at casual rates earns around AUD 1,300 to 1,700 a fortnight before tax, against a shared-room rent of AUD 500 to 700 a fortnight.

Reviewed by the ApplyOn education and migration team
Visa settings checked against Department of Home Affairs and Study Australia sources. Last reviewed 21 September 2026. ApplyOn Pty Ltd is an Australian registered EdTech company founded by a migration agent; migration advice is provided through MARA-registered professionals. This page is general information, not immigration assistance for your circumstances.