Cost of Living in Australia: Tips for International Students & Travellers

Education
September 20, 2025

The current job market in Australia shows very positive outcomes, with a 3.8% unemployment rate. Thus, the employment ratio of the population is 63.5% in the country. Healthcare, nursing and midwifery, social assistance, technical and scientific services, education, media, and communication are the growing industries set to give 3/5 of all jobs. So studying in Australia can give you a lucrative career growth. But the question is the cost of living in Australia for international students. Without knowing the average cost of living, you can’t move on.

Average Cost of Living in Australia

Australia is no doubt an expensive country to study and live in. But if you have a cut-throat budget, you can easily manage your study and daily expenses without any hassle. According to the Department inof Home Affairs, Australia, a student’s cost of living in Australia can be around 16 to 17 lakh INR per year. Though it varies from city to city, and the living style of the candidate. Let’s see the average cost of living every month for international students and travellers.

Particulars	Average Cost of Living	Description
Accommodation (Rent)	600 – 1,500	Shared apartment/hostel is cheaper; city centres are more expensive
Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water, Internet)	150 – 250	Often included in student housing packages; extra if renting privately
Food & Groceries	300 – 600	Cooking at home is cheaper; eating out frequently raises costs
Public Transport	100 – 200	Student discounts available; varies by city (Opal card in Sydney, Myki in Melbourne).
Internet and Mobile	40 – 80	Prepaid SIMs are widely available; student bundles can lower costs
Health Insurance	45 – 60	Mandatory for students; cost depends on provider.
Study Materials & Stationery	40 – 100	Textbooks, photocopies, and online resources.
Personal Expenses (Clothing, Entertainment, Gym, etc.)	150 – 300	Depends on lifestyle choices and frequency of outings.
Travel / Leisure	100 – 250	Weekend trips, social events, or short domestic travel.
Total (Students – Average Range)	1,500 – 2,900	As estimated by the Australian Government guidelines for international students.
Total (Travellers / Tourists – Weekly)	1,200 – 2,000	Includes hotel stays, eating out, attractions, and short-term travel.

Australia is the finest country for higher education. Top-class universities, bespoke education and global exposure set Australia apart from other nations for higher studies among international students. Also, 3/5 employment is about to increase in the high-skill job sectors that need at least a UG-level degree. The above table shows all major expenses, which will help you budget the cost of living in Australia. If you are an international student, then you know the average cost of living, or if you are a traveller, then this charge will help you a lot in understanding the budget for travelling in the country.

Final Thoughts

Australia is, beyond doubt, a top study destination for higher study aspirants. According to the QS World University Rankings, Australia is one of the countries that comes among the top 5 higher study destinations in the world, especially for students who wish to pursue a post-graduation abroad. If you are planning to study in Australia, rest assured, you have chosen the best country in the world.

In November 2022, the Australian High Commission in New Delhi released a report stating that there were 1,00,009 students from India studying UG and PG programs in Australia; out of which almost 20,000 were enrolled for different types of management programs, including business administration. The report also showed that around 80% of the enrolled students in top programmes in Australia were international students.

Among the other higher student destinations in the world, Australia is more expensive than the USA or the UK. If you have a tight budget and have insufficient funds to study or travel, then the cost of living in Australia can be expensive. If you don’t know how to proceed, a study abroad consultant like Education Vibes can be your great help.