Are you wondering about the cost of living in Australia? Or What is life like in Australia? Or what the cost of studying in Australia in 2024 is? Well, no worries! We are here to help you out with the average cost of living in Australia for international students in 2024. As per the latest records 567,505 international students enrolled in educational programs in Australia in January 2024. It is a preferable choice for international students with a quality education and a world-class lifestyle. Keep reading further to know more about the average cost of living in Australia for international students in 2024.
Table of contents
- Cost of Living in Australia: An Overview
- City Wise Cost of Living in Australia
- Cost of Student Accommodation in Australia
- Cost of Studying in Australia
- Cost of Utility Bills in Australia
- Cost of Transportation in Australia
- Cost of Food and Groceries in Australia
- Cost of Healthcare in Australia
- FAQs on the Cost of Living in Australia 2024
Cost of Living in Australia: An Overview
The cost of living in Australia varies between AUD 20,000 to AUD 39,000 on an annual basis. The various expenses while living in Australia include everything from student accommodation to the cost of studying, cost of utilities, transportation, food, entertainment, and healthcare. From tuition fees averaging INR 20 lakh annually to the cost of living in Australia up to INR 10 lakhs. As per the reports of the Department of Education of Australia, 7,46,080 international students enrolled for higher education between January and September 2023 which is 31% more than in 2022. It is the third most preferred destination in the English-speaking world due to its high quality and globally recognised education system.
| Cost of Living in Australia | Monthly Expenses |
| Accommodation | AUD 1000 – AUD 2,000 |
| Travel | AUD 400 – AUD 500 |
| OHSC Cover | AUD 118 |
| Utility Cost | AUD 300 – 500 |
| Entertainment | AUD 200 – AUD 300 |
| Personal/Miscellaneous Expenses | AUD 180 – AUD 200 |
| Groceries & Food | AUD 50 – AUD 120 |
| Total Cost of living in Australia | AUD 2248 – 3738 |
City Wise Cost of Living in Australia
If you are planning to escalate your career to further heights in Australia and are wondering about the cost of living in Australia in 2024, you are at the right place! While calculating the cost of living in Australia in 2024, it is really important to check out the cost of living in various cities of Australia. The cost of living in Australia varies from city to city and of course, depending on your lifestyle and preferences. Here, we have compiled a list of the cost of living in Australia in various cities for you.
| Cities in Australia | Cost of living in Australia (Monthly) |
| Canberra | AUD 4500 |
| Sydney | AUD 4000 |
| Melbourne | AUD 3900 |
| Perth | AUD 3800 |
| Brisbane | AUD 3600 |
| Hobart | AUD 3500 |
| Adelaide | AUD 3300 |
| Darwin | AUD 3300 |
Cost of Student Accommodation in Australia
The cost of student accommodation in Australia varies between AUD 800 to AUD 2,000. It may vary as per your choice whether you have chosen a shared apartment or on-campus student accommodation in Australia or a homestay. The cost of living in Australia is something that varies as per your budget, choices, and preferences for student accommodation in Australia.
The primary expense to the cost of living in Australia is the cost of student housing properties. The cost of living in Australia can be reduced drastically if you successfully can decrease the cost of student accommodation. Here, we have compiled a list of types of student housing properties with their average prices.
| Types of Accommodations in Australia | Monthly Living Expenses in Australia |
| On-campus dormitory | AUD 1000 – AUD 1,400 |
| Shared apartment | AUD 1000 – AUD 1,200 |
| Homestay | AUD 1,000 – AUD 1,500 |
| Studio apartment | AUD 1,500 – AUD 2,000 |
Cost of Studying in Australia
While calculating the cost of living in Australia, it is really important to consider the cost of studying. The cost of studying depends on the type of educational institution you have chosen and the course you want to pursue in Australia. With home to some of the top and world-class prestigious universities, Australia promises to provide you with a quality education. Here we have compiled a list of available courses and the annual tuition fees.
| Course | Tuition Fees per year |
| UG Courses | 20,000 to 50,000 AUD (approx.) |
| PG Courses | 22,000 to 60,000 AUD (approx.) |
| Doctorate Degree | 22,000 to 70,000 AUD (approx.) |
| Vocational Course | 4,000 to 30,000 AUD (approx.) |
| Diploma | 26,000 – 40,000 AUD (approx.) |
| English language course | 500 AUD per week (approx.) |
| MBA | 11,000 to 121,000 AUD (approx.) |
On average the tuition fees for studying in the educational institutions of Australia varies between AUD 20,000 to AUD 70,000. Here, we have compiled a list of top universities offering top courses with their tuition fees. It will ease your process of identifying a suitable course as per your budget and interests.
| QS WUR 2025 | University | Top Courses | Tuition Fees |
| 13 | The University of Melbourne | Bachelor of Agriculture Master of Architectural Engineering Master of Business Analytics | AUD 45,000-47,000 |
| 37 | Monash University | Bachelor of Architectural Design Master of Information Technology Master of Data Science Master of Advanced Nursing | AUD 37,000-45,000 |
| 88 | University of Technology Sydney | Bachelor of Business Bachelor of Economics Bachelor of Accounting Master of Artificial Intelligence Master of Physiotherapy | AUD 1,256 per credit |
| 30 | Australian National University (ANU) | Bachelor of Philosophy (Hons) Science Master of Applied Data Analytics Master of Museum and Heritage Studies Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering | AUD 46,000-48,000 |
| 167 | University of Wollongong (UOW) | Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) Bachelor of Mathematics Bachelor of Computer Science Master of Public Health Master of Psychology MBA | AUD 14,000/semester-16,000/semester |
| 82 | The University of Adelaide | Master of Engineering (Mining) Master of Petroleum Engineering Bachelor of Oral Health Bachelor of Nursing | AUD 45,000-48,000 |
| 19 | The University of New South Wales (UNSW) | Master of Mining Engineering Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) (Mechanical) Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical & Manufacturing) | AUD 7,000-11,000 |
| 77 | The University of Western Australia (UWA) | Master of Professional Engineering Master of Biological Science & Master of Biotechnology Bachelor of Marine Sciences | AUD 9,000 |
| 40 | The University of Queensland | Master of Tourism, Hotel & Event Management Bachelor of Health, Sport & Physical Education | AUD 2,900-3,500/credit |
| 18 | The University of Sydney | MBA Master of Engineering Bachelor of Science Bachelor of Economics | AUD 50,000-54,000 |
Cost of Utility Bills in Australia
Another important expense that contributes to the cost of living in Australia is the cost of utilities. It includes the cost of your phone bills, electricity bills, and even your internet bills. It is advisable to confirm with your student accommodation provider about the inclusion of the utilities in the rent of accommodation. Here is how much you’d ideally spend on utilities in Australia.
| Utilities in Australia for Indian Students | Cost of Utilities in Australia (Monthly) |
| Electricity | AUD 1000 – AUD 150 |
| Gas | AUD 70 – AUD 100 |
| Water | AUD 50 – AUD 100 |
| Internet | AUD 80 – AUD 100 |
| Mobile Phone | AUD 50 – AUD 80 |
Cost of Transportation in Australia
The cost of travelling in Australia varies between AUD 300 and AUD 400. It is also an important component of computing the cost of living in Australia. With well connected public transport system, you can also avail monthly public transport passes to minimise the cost of transportation in Australia. You can also use prepaid travel cards for discounted fares on public transport. Here is how much it can cost you as a student to travel to Australia.
| Transportation for Students | Cost of Transportation in Australia |
| Single bus/train ticket (city) | AUD 10 |
| Monthly public transport pass | AUD 100 – AUD 200 |
| Domestic flight (one-way) | AUD 200 – AUD 300 |
| Car rental (per day) | AUD 50 – AUD 100 |
Cost of Food and Groceries in Australia
On an average student can expect to spend AUD 65 – AUD 103 on food and grocery items in Australia. It is an important component of the cost of living in Australia and you can increase or decrease it as per your choices and preferences. Always try to plan your food in advance and shop accordingly. Instead of spending dining out, consider cooking at home. Also, try to avoid impulsive buying at the last moment. Here is how much you will ideally spend on food and groceries that actually contribute to the cost of living in Australia:
| Food and Grocery Items in Australia | Cost of Food/Groceries in Australia |
| Chicken (1kg) | AUD 10 – AUD 15 |
| Bread (loaf) | AUD 3 – AUD 4 |
| Eggs (dozen) | AUD 5 – AUD 7 |
| Rice (1kg) | AUD 3 – AUD 5 |
| Milk (1 liter) | AUD 2 – AUD 3 |
| Apples (1kg) | AUD 4 – AUD 6 |
| Bananas (1kg) | AUD 4 – AUD 5 |
| Cheese (500g) | AUD 6 – AUD 8 |
| Tomatoes (1kg) | AUD 5 – AUD 7 |
| Coffee (200g) | AUD 6 – AUD 8 |
| Restaurant meal (inexpensive) | AUD 20 – AUD 30 |
| Fast food combo meal | AUD 15 – AUD 20 |
Cost of Healthcare in Australia
The cost of healthcare for an international student varies between AUD 500 to AUD 800 annually. There is a medicare system in Australia that covers the medical expenses for the international students as well as for the residents. As an international student, you are required to purchase Overseas Student Health Cover(OSHC). Here are some of the OHSC providers in the table below:
| OHSC Providers in Australia | Cost of OHSC (Annual) |
| CBHS | AUD 1,160.70 |
| AHM OHSC | AUD 1,214 |
| NIB | AUD 1,305.16 |
| Medi Bank | AUD 1,319 |
| Allianz Care | AUD 1,324 |
| Bupa | AUD 1,405 |
FAQs on the Cost of Living in Australia 2024
For international students, the average cost of living in Australia is approximately AUD 1,500 to AUD 3,500. This includes accommodation, food, transportation, and other personal expenses. Costs can vary based on the city and lifestyle.
Consider sharing accommodation, using public transport, buying groceries in bulk, and taking advantage of student discounts. Additionally, cooking at home and participating in free or low-cost student activities can help reduce expenses.
The monthly passes generally range from AUD 100 to AUD 200, depending on the city and distance travelled. And, if you love cycle you can buy a bicycle that might cost between AUD 200 and AUD 500, and it’s a popular, economical choice for getting around.
International students are required to have Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). The cost for OSHC is typically around AUD 500 to AUD 800 per year, depending on the provider and coverage level.
International students are generally allowed to work up to 40 hours per fortnight during the academic term and full-time during holidays. This can help cover some of your living costs, but it is important to balance work with study commitments.
Hope you liked reading about the average cost of living in Australia. Reach out to Fly Homes now at 1800572118 to secure the finest accommodation abroad.
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