Living Cost in Australia: Expenses, Rent & Saving Tips

An international student in Australia needs about AUD 1,693 to AUD 3,637 a month (₹1.13 lakh to ₹2.42 lakh) in 2026, and rent takes the biggest share. For a student visa, you must show at least AUD 29,710 (₹19.76 lakh) for 12 months of living costs, on top of tuition and travel.

Living expenses in Australia for international students come to about AUD 1,693 to AUD 3,637 a month in 2026, or ₹1.13 lakh to ₹2.42 lakh at 1 AUD = ₹66.5 (mid-market, 22 October 2026). The official figure you must show for a student visa is AUD 29,710 for 12 months (₹19.76 lakh), set by the Department of Home Affairs for applications lodged from 10 May 2024 and still in force in October 2026. That works out to about AUD 2,476 a month or AUD 571 a week. Rent is the largest cost: a shared room in Sydney or Melbourne costs AUD 300 to AUD 450 a week.

So, what is life really like in Australia? Why is Australia a good option for study? What’s the cost of living and studying in Australia? What are the rules for working while studying to support living? We attempt to answer the same here and more so read on for more information about the cost of living in Australia for Indian students.

All INR figures in this article use 1 AUD = ₹66.5 (mid-market, 22 October 2026). Your bank will apply its own rate and margin on the day you transfer money.

Cost of Living in Australia 2026: Key Figures

Here are the numbers most Indian students ask about first. Each official figure is listed with its source and the date it took effect.

How Much Money Do You Need to Show for an Australian Student Visa in 2026?

For a subclass 500 student visa, the Department of Home Affairs asks you to prove you can pay for three things: living costs, first-year tuition and travel. The living cost part is fixed by law.

• Living costs: AUD 29,710 for 12 months (₹19.76 lakh). Home Affairs raised this from AUD 24,505 for applications lodged from 10 May 2024, and it has not changed since.
• Tuition: The first year of fees shown on your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Travel: A return airfare to Australia, may be included in fully funded scholarships in Australia.
• Visa application charge: AUD 2,500 (₹1.66 lakh) for most applicants from 1 July 2026, up from AUD 2,000.

The AUD 29,710 figure breaks down to about AUD 2,476 a month (₹1.65 lakh) or AUD 571 a week (₹38,000). If your course is shorter than 12 months, Home Affairs accepts a pro rata amount.

Living Expenses in Australia for International Students Calculation

Now that you know where to begin, here is how to deep-dive into the cost of living in Australia. When discussing the cost of living for student visa holders in Australia, different expenses make up the cost of living in Australia. These expenses form an important part of the cost of living in Australia and they are as follows:

• Tuition costs
• Accommodation costs
• Travel costs
• Health insurance costs
• Utility costs
• Entertainment costs
• Personal expenses
• Food and groceries

As an Indian student, Let us discuss in detail each element of the living expenses in Australia. These elements together make up the cost of living in Australia and each of them have a different significance altogether.

1. Cost of Studying in Australia

The island country Australia attracts more and more international students from all around the globe. Some of the top universities and colleges in the world are located in Australia and thus, Australia is becoming the new favourite among students. The Australian education system is another factor that adds to its attractiveness. But how much does education in Australia cost? Here is the tuition fee breakup cost to study in Australia for Indian students after 12th:

Overall, the tuition costs for studying in Australia can vary university or institution-wise the applicants are applying for. Also based on the course level, the cost of studying can vary.

Read the Cost of Studying in Australia to know more. The tuition fee differs from university to university as well as the type of programme and course you opt for.

2. Accommodation Cost: How much is the Rent?

Accommodation can be of different types in Australia and the costs may vary per type. Here is a table for the types of accommodations available in Australia for international students:

Living in Which Australian City Is the Cheapest for International Students?

On rent alone, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane are cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne. Groceries and phone plans cost much the same across the country, so your city choice mainly changes your rent and transport bills. For a side-by-side view of the two biggest cities, read Sydney vs Melbourne: Which City Should You Choose?

3. Cost of Travelling in Australia

The cost of travelling is also an integral part of computing the cost of living in Australia. Here is how much it can cost students to travel 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

On average, students would at least need AUD 300 - AUD 400 to travel in Australia or to other adjoining cities in Australia.

4. Health Insurance and Medical Expenses in Australia Cost

OSHC is compulsory. You need it before your visa is granted and must keep it for your whole stay. As of the November 2025 Department of Health, Disability and Ageing fact sheet, five insurers sell OSHC: Allianz Care Australia, Bupa, Medibank, ahm (part of Medibank) and nib. CBHS International Health stopped selling new OSHC policies from 1 November 2025.

Single cover for 12 months costs about AUD 665 to AUD 806 (₹44,200–₹53,600) in 2026, depending on the insurer and policy level (see each insurer’s current single-cover quote). Couple and family cover costs several times more. Many universities let you pay OSHC along with your tuition deposit.

5. Utility Costs in Australia

The cost of utilities in Australia is another major aspect of the cost of living in Australia. The utilities are your phone bills, electricity bills and even your internet bills. Here is how much you'd ideally spend on utilities in Australia:

How Much Is the Cost of Living in Australia per Month for International Students?

A single student sharing a room will spend roughly AUD 1,693 to AUD 3,637 a month. The low end assumes a shared room in Adelaide, Perth or Brisbane and cooking at home. The high end assumes a shared room in Sydney or Melbourne with more spending on food and going out.

Weekly costs are converted to monthly at 52 weeks ÷ 12 months. INR is at 1 AUD = ₹66.5 (22 Oct 2026), rounded to the nearest ₹100. Tuition, visa fees and flights are not included.

So in all, it depends on how you wish to live. There’s a lot to spend in Australia…but you need not despair. You can always earn that extra amount to make your stay worthwhile.

How Much Do You Need If You're Bringing a Partner or Child?

For most new applicants, no. From 2 October 2026, student visa applicants can no longer include a partner or dependent children in their application unless an exemption applies. The additional Australian student visa fee with family also applies. Current student visa holders also cannot add family members after their visa is granted, and Home Affairs says there are no exemptions to that rule.

You may still be able to include family members when you apply if you are:

• Studying a PhD
• Sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) or Defence
• Receiving a foreign government scholarship
• An eligible student from a Pacific country or an ASEAN member country

Applications lodged before 2 October 2026, including those with family members, are assessed under the old rules.

Funds to Show If You Qualify to Bring Family

If an exemption applies, you must show extra funds for each family member on top of your own AUD 29,710. Children have two separate amounts: a living cost amount for every child, plus a school cost amount for each school-age child.

Each family member also adds to the visa application charge: AUD 1,530 for each applicant aged 18 or over and AUD 500 for each applicant under 18.

Money Saving Tips to Reduce Your Living Costs in Australia

Small choices in the first few weeks make a big difference over a full year. These are the steps that save students the most:

• Share a house or apartment instead of renting a studio.
• Choose a suburb on a train line rather than the CBD.
• Cook at home and buy supermarket own-brand groceries.
• Check whether your state offers transport concessions to international students.
• Compare OSHC quotes from all five insurers before you pay.
• Buy second-hand furniture and kitchen items from student groups and marketplaces.

Scholarships & Education Loans to Cover Living Costs in Australia

Some fully funded scholarships in Australia cover living costs as well as tuition. If you need a loan, Indian banks and NBFCs offer education loans that can include living expenses; a sanction letter from a recognised lender is accepted as evidence of funds. Read our guide to the education loan for Australia for lenders and documents.

Plan for AUD 1,693 to AUD 3,637 a month (₹1.13 lakh to ₹2.42 lakh) to live in Australia as a single student in 2026, with rent taking the largest share. For your visa, show at least AUD 29,710 (₹19.76 lakh) for living costs plus tuition and travel. If you plan to bring a partner or children, check the 2 October 2026 rules first, because most new applicants can no longer include family.

We conclude thus that Australia promises an experience unlike any other. For your intellectual appetite, it has enough to keep you on your toes. But there are many more things that add to your experience as a student…and Australia promises you both the options and the opportunities to go exploring!