Living Cost in Australia for International Students
Australia is the 3rd biggest educational destination in the world, after the USA and UK. What are the living costs involved for international students in Australia?
The living cost in Australia for International students is between 1,400 and 2,500 AUD/month. A couple (married student) in Australia spends on average $4,118 per month for their living expenses. Therefore, students must plan their budget according to their situation and lifestyle.
For a few years now, Australia has gained the reputation of being the premier educational destination for many international students. Australia is the 3rd biggest educational destination in the world after the USA and UK, but the living cost in Australia for international students is comparatively, but not to significant degree, cheaper. In terms of student mix, cost of living, living standards and job opportunities, Australia has 30 of the best cities in the world.
Australia had more than 107,000 Indian students between 2018 and 2019. The most popular programs opted for by Indian students in Australia are Accounting, Business Administration, Hotel Management, Healthcare and Information Technology.
Table of contents
- Recommended Budget
- Housing Charges in Australia
- Transportation Costs in Australia
- Food Expense
- Entertainment Charges
- Mobile and Internet Charges
- Miscellaneous Living Expenses for Australian Students
- Why Study in Australia?
- Top Universities in Australia
- Scholarships in Australia for International Students
Recommended Budget
Australia has one of the best higher education systems in the world. That being said, the cost of living in Australia for Indian students can be expensive. However, in 2020, Australia recorded the highest number of international students in its institutions, at more than 650,000 international students.
On average, the cost of undergraduate courses will amount to between AUD 20,000 and AUD 45,000 per annum. For graduate and doctoral programs, the average cost will amount to between AUD 22,000 and AUD 50,000 per annum. In terms of living costs in Australia for international students, the amount will be between AUD 1,500 and AUD 2,500 per month. However, the living costs will differ across cities in Australia. The table below shows the average living costs across the major cities in Australia:
| City | Recommended Monthly Budget |
| Sydney | AUD 1,900 |
| Adelaide | AUD 1,300 |
| Brisbane | AUD 1,400 |
| Melbourne | AUD 1,500 |
| Canberra | AUD 1,400 |
Housing Charges in Australia
Most international students in Australia opt for private residences or homestays, as universities in Australia have limited number of dormitories set up for international students. Students may opt to live in student halls of residence as it removes the pressure of sourcing food and paying for utilities. In terms of private accommodation, students may choose to live on their own or find flatmates. Homestays are provisions where a student stays with a local family in Australia for the duration of their university program.
The table below shows the average costs of the different kinds of accommodation available to international students in Australia:
| Accommodation Type | Average Cost per Month |
| Student Halls of Residence | AUD 440 to AUD 1,100 |
| Private Accommodation (Shared) | AUD 380 to AUD 850 |
| Private Accommodation (Single) | AUD 750 to AUD 1,700 |
| Homestay | AUD 450 to AUD 1,200 |
Transportation Costs in Australia
Universities generally have private transport services for student living on-campus, and for those that want to travel to and from remote areas. Depending on which city the student is studying in, a monthly transport pass will cost between AUD 30 and AUD 70.
Students can also opt to travel around using bicycles, and the average rental cost per day amounts to between AUD 25 and AUD 40 a day.
Food Expense
Generally, students spend between AUD 500 and AUD 1,000 on groceries every month. There are cheap alternatives for students to choose with supermarkets like Aldi, Coles and Woolworths.
Students can also keep a budget for eating at restaurants and dining out. Australia is a melting pot of many cultures, and students can choose from many cuisine available to them like Greek, Italian, East Asian and Indian food. On average, a meal would cost about AUD 18, whereas a 3-course mean for 2 people would cost AUD 80.
Entertainment Charges
There are plenty of things to do and places to explore as a student living in Australia. The island-continent has plenty of beaches, the great outback, a diverse and unique set of flora and fauna, and there are many activities to pursue while exploring these ecosystems.
Australia has a great surf culture, and Australians are generally known for adventure sports. Students can engage in deep sea diving, or explore the lush rainforests or the great Australian outback. The urban life also has a lot to offer to international students, in its bars, clubs, lounges, and speciality restaurants. On average, students must keep a monthly budget of AUD 200 for entertainment charges while studying in Australia.
Mobile and Internet Charges
It is best for international students to buy a SIM card when they get to Australia. There are prepaid and postpaid plans for students to choose from. Prepaid SIM cards are sold in groceries and supermarkets, and require a simple set-up process. Contract or postpaid SIM cards are the more viable option, as students can take the plan for the period of their study in Australia.
Internet plans are also similar to those of mobile phone plans. On average, students will have to spend about AUD 70 on mobile and internet charges in Australia.
Miscellaneous Living Expenses for Australian Students
Students have to account for miscellaneous expenses when planning to move to Australia, as these expenses are essential for living in an given country. These expenses include, clothing, grooming and personal care expenses that students would require throughout the year. Miscellaneous expenses can be one off expenses or floating, depending on what the item is. On average, miscellaneous expenses would amount to around AUD 250 per month.
Why Study in Australia?
Below are some reasons why you should consider choosing Australia as your study abroad destination:
- Australia has a robust higher education system which is one of the best in the world.
- Australia is one of the safest countries in the world for international students.
- There are more than 1,000 scholarships available to students, in Australian universities.
- Australia has a high standard of living.
- After graduation, students have ample opportunities in terms of finding gainful employment.
Top Universities in Australia
Australia has 7 of the top 100 best universities in the world. Some of the top universities in Australia are as follows:
- Australian National University
- University of New South Wales
- University of Melbourne
- University of Western Sydney
- Monash University
- University of Queensland
- University of Adelaide
- University of Canberra
- James Cook University
- University of South Australia
Scholarships in Australia for International Students
Students can avail themselves of various scholarships in Australia through universities, government, public/private institutions. These scholarships can be partially or fully funded depending upon certain factors. Listed below are some of the most prominent scholarships in Australia for international students:
- Australia Awards Scholarships
- Destination Australia Scholarships
- International Postgraduate Research Scholarships (IPRS)
- University of Sydney International Research Scholarships
- Macquarie University International Scholarships
- Griffith Remarkable Scholarships
- University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships
- Adelaide Global Excellence Scholarships for International Students
- Fulbright Program
Read More: Scholarships in Australia for International Students
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