Cost of Living in Australia for International Students — City-by-City Breakdown for 2026

Understanding the cost of living in Australia is essential for international students planning their budget. While Australia offers an exceptional quality of life, it is also one of the more expensive countries to live in — and costs vary dramatically depending on where you study.

The Australian Government requires student visa applicants to demonstrate access to at least AUD 24,505 per year for living expenses (as of 2026), but your actual costs will depend on the city, your accommodation choices, and your lifestyle.

This guide provides a realistic, city-by-city breakdown of what international students can expect to spend, covering accommodation, food, transport, health insurance, and practical tips to manage your budget effectively.

Accommodation is typically the largest component of your living costs, accounting for 40% to 60% of your total budget. Here are the main options and their approximate weekly costs:

Shared house or apartment (share house):

• Sydney: AUD 250 to AUD 400 per week
• Melbourne: AUD 200 to AUD 350 per week
• Brisbane: AUD 180 to AUD 300 per week
• Perth: AUD 180 to AUD 300 per week
• Adelaide: AUD 150 to AUD 250 per week
• Regional areas: AUD 120 to AUD 220 per week

Purpose-built student accommodation:

• Sydney: AUD 350 to AUD 600 per week
• Melbourne: AUD 300 to AUD 500 per week
• Brisbane: AUD 250 to AUD 450 per week
• Other cities: AUD 200 to AUD 400 per week

University-managed accommodation (on-campus):

• Typically AUD 250 to AUD 500 per week depending on the room type and location. Includes utilities and sometimes meals.

Studio apartment (living alone):

• Sydney: AUD 400 to AUD 650 per week
• Melbourne: AUD 350 to AUD 550 per week
• Other capitals: AUD 250 to AUD 450 per week

For most international students, a shared house or apartment offers the best balance of cost and comfort. Websites like Flatmates.com.au, Facebook groups, and university accommodation services are the most common ways to find share accommodation.

Food costs depend heavily on whether you cook at home or eat out. Here is what to expect:

Groceries (cooking at home):

• Budget: AUD 80 to AUD 120 per week if you shop at supermarkets (Woolworths, Coles, Aldi) and local markets.
• Aldi is consistently the cheapest supermarket in Australia and stocks most essential items.
• Fresh produce markets (e.g., Paddy's Markets in Sydney, Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne) offer cheaper fruit, vegetables, and meat than supermarkets.

Eating out:

• A meal at a budget restaurant or food court: AUD 12 to AUD 20
• A meal at a mid-range restaurant: AUD 25 to AUD 45
• Coffee: AUD 4.50 to AUD 6.50
• Fast food meal: AUD 12 to AUD 16

Students who cook at home most of the time can expect to spend approximately AUD 350 to AUD 500 per month on food. Eating out regularly can easily double this amount.

Money-saving tips: Buy in bulk at Costco if you share with housemates, cook large batches and freeze portions, take advantage of supermarket specials and half-price deals (especially on items approaching their use-by date), and bring lunch to campus rather than buying it.

Getting around in Australian cities is manageable, and most students rely on public transport:

Public transport costs (with concession card where available):

• Sydney (Opal card): AUD 30 to AUD 50 per week. NSW offers a concession Opal card for international students at certain institutions.
• Melbourne (Myki card): AUD 25 to AUD 45 per week. International students are not automatically eligible for concession fares in Victoria unless enrolled at a participating institution — check with your university.
• Brisbane (Go card): AUD 20 to AUD 40 per week. Queensland offers concession fares for international students.
• Perth (SmartRider card): AUD 20 to AUD 35 per week.
• Adelaide (Metroo card): AUD 15 to AUD 30 per week. South Australia offers concession fares for all full-time students.

Other transport options:

• Cycling: Many Australian cities have bike lanes and bike-share programs. A second-hand bicycle costs AUD 50 to AUD 200.
• Ride-share (Uber, DiDi): Useful for occasional trips but expensive for daily commuting.
• Driving: A second-hand car costs AUD 3,000 to AUD 8,000 but adds insurance, registration, fuel, and parking costs. Generally not cost-effective for students in major cities with good public transport.

Choose accommodation close to your campus or along a direct public transport route to minimise commuting costs and time.

All international students on a student visa must maintain Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the entire duration of their visa. OSHC is not optional — it is a visa condition.

Typical OSHC costs:

• Single student: AUD 500 to AUD 700 per year (approximately AUD 42 to AUD 58 per month)
• Couple: AUD 1,200 to AUD 1,600 per year
• Family (couple + children): AUD 1,800 to AUD 2,500 per year

OSHC covers visits to the doctor (GP), some specialist consultations, public hospital treatment, ambulance services, and some prescription medications. It does not cover dental, optical, physiotherapy, or pre-existing conditions without waiting periods.

Your university may have a preferred OSHC provider and can arrange cover as part of your enrolment. The major OSHC providers are Medibank, Bupa, Allianz, ahm, and nib. Compare policies on price and benefits — the cheapest option is not always the best value.

Here is a summary of estimated monthly living costs (excluding tuition) for a single international student in each major Australian city:

Sydney:

• Accommodation: AUD 1,000 to AUD 1,600/month (share house)
• Food: AUD 400 to AUD 550/month
• Transport: AUD 130 to AUD 200/month
• Phone and internet: AUD 50 to AUD 80/month
• Other (entertainment, personal): AUD 150 to AUD 300/month
• Total: AUD 1,730 to AUD 2,730/month

Melbourne:

• Accommodation: AUD 850 to AUD 1,400/month
• Food: AUD 380 to AUD 520/month
• Transport: AUD 110 to AUD 180/month
• Phone and internet: AUD 50 to AUD 80/month
• Other: AUD 150 to AUD 300/month
• Total: AUD 1,540 to AUD 2,480/month

Brisbane:

• Accommodation: AUD 720 to AUD 1,200/month
• Food: AUD 350 to AUD 500/month
• Transport: AUD 90 to AUD 160/month
• Phone and internet: AUD 50 to AUD 80/month
• Other: AUD 130 to AUD 280/month
• Total: AUD 1,340 to AUD 2,220/month

Perth:

• Accommodation: AUD 720 to AUD 1,200/month
• Food: AUD 350 to AUD 500/month
• Transport: AUD 85 to AUD 150/month
• Phone and internet: AUD 50 to AUD 80/month
• Other: AUD 130 to AUD 270/month
• Total: AUD 1,335 to AUD 2,200/month

Adelaide:

• Accommodation: AUD 600 to AUD 1,000/month
• Food: AUD 320 to AUD 480/month
• Transport: AUD 65 to AUD 130/month
• Phone and internet: AUD 50 to AUD 75/month
• Other: AUD 120 to AUD 250/month
• Total: AUD 1,155 to AUD 1,935/month

Regional areas (e.g., Toowoomba, Ballarat, Townsville):

• Total: AUD 900 to AUD 1,600/month

These figures illustrate why city choice matters so much. Studying in Adelaide or a regional area can save you AUD 6,000 to AUD 12,000 per year in living costs compared to Sydney — money that can go towards tuition, savings, or reducing your need to work excessive hours.

Managing your finances effectively is one of the most important skills you will develop during your time in Australia. Here are proven strategies from students who have done it successfully:

• Create a monthly budget: Track your income (from part-time work and savings/family support) and expenses. Use free budgeting apps like Money Smart (by the Australian Government) or simple spreadsheets.
• Open an Australian bank account early: Australian banks like Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, NAB, and Westpac all offer student accounts with no monthly fees. Open your account soon after arriving.
• Understand the tax system: If you work in Australia, you will pay tax. Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website. Without a TFN, your employer will withhold tax at the highest rate.
• Work during semester breaks: You can work unlimited hours during scheduled semester breaks, which is a great opportunity to boost your savings. Learn more about student visa work rights.
• Use student discounts: Your university student card unlocks discounts on public transport (in some states), software, streaming services, gym memberships, and retail stores. Always ask if a student discount is available.
• Avoid unnecessary debt: Credit cards and buy-now-pay-later services (like Afterpay) can be tempting but dangerous for students on limited budgets. If you use credit, pay the balance in full each month.
• Plan for upfront costs: Your first month in Australia will be the most expensive — bond (deposit), rent in advance, furniture, textbooks, and setting up essentials. Budget an additional AUD 2,000 to AUD 4,000 above your normal monthly expenses for the first month.

For a personalised study plan that factors in both tuition and living costs, create a free Tilt SAMS account and work with an advisor who can help you find the right balance of quality and affordability.