Living Cost in Australia for International Students 2023

6 mins read74.3K Views 6 Comments
clickHere
Aishwarya
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert
Updated on Aug 31, 2023 12:10 IST
Australia has fascinated students for a multitude of reasons but the topmost is the lifestyle it promises. With colleges ranking amongst the Top 100 of the world, the Universities of Australia have seen a definitive increase in their international student numbers in recent years. What adds to the excellent education system of Australia is, unlike any other country. Though living costs in Australia are at a higher end, studying in Australia is still a cheaper option for students in comparison to the USA, UK and Canada. The annual average living expense in Australia for international students is between AUD 30,000 to AUD 34,000.
cost of living in australia

Adding to the expense, the quality of life, the various entertainment options as well and a higher student income by means of a relaxed international student work permit have added to the popularity of Australia as a Study Abroad destination.

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

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. Owing to its proximity to the Indian sub-continent, Indian students prefer to study in Australia rather than in Western countries. But how much does education in Australia costs? 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.

Cost of Living in Australia

Australia ranks amongst the top 10 in the Human Development Index as well as the Quality of Life Index. In simple words, a developed nation, Australia is amongst the top countries of the world in terms of its education system, GDP and purchasing power parity indexes. With a high level of income, people living and working there also enjoy a high level of health awareness, an excellent medical system as well as a politically stable economy.

But as a student, these are hardly the indices you would wish to worry about. What matters is how much it would cost to stay in Australia. So, here’s the above jargon simplified to numbers per month for Australian living costs:

Score Predictor

Predict your English proficiency score by sharing few details

Share 12th Board, Percentage, english score
Get estimated scores or IELTS, TOEFL & PTE


 Monthly Expenses

In AUD

In INR

Rentals (On-Campus Accommodation)

860

48,500

Transportation Pass

210

11,850

Basic Amenities*

800

28,150

Entertainment

300

16,900

Estimated Total Monthly Expense

2,170

105,200

*Basic Amenities include your food/ grocery bills.

These figures, however, talk about the basics and would vary from university to university as well as the style of living you wish to maintain. If you would rather wish to stay in independent accommodation or alternatively, your university does not have a hostel facility (though rare), then you would end up spending anywhere between AUD 1,000 – AUD 1,750 for a single room unit. Also, the level of expense may vary considerably for entertainment. If you are an exploring kind and would rather spend your weekend exploring the magnificent outback, the monthly expenses can roughly denote your weekly expenses as well.

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.

Cost of Living in Sydney & Melbourne

The cost of living in Sydney is expensive in comparison to the cost of living in Melbourne. As per the recent July 2022 data for the average costs of living, it can be noted that those who are living or earning in Sydney tend to pay more than those living in Melbourne. The cost comparisons for living in Sydney and Melbourne are tabulated below for reference:

Expenses  Cost of Living in Sydney Cost of Living in Melbourne
Housing and Utilities AUD 3,224 AUD 2,300
Public Transport AUD 193 AUD 156
Private Transport* AUD 32,000 AUD 30,000
Food and Drink AUD 20 - AUD 40 AUD 15 - AUD 25
Clothes and Shoes AUD 150 - AUD 200 AUD 200
Entertainment AUD 41 AUD 40
Personal Care and Hygiene AUD 63 AUD 69
Insurance  AUD 250 AUD 200
Total Cost

AUD 7,428 (Public Transport) or,

AUD 39,235 (Private Transport)

AUD 2,990 (Public Transport) or,

AUD 32,834 (Private Transport)

*Private Transport: These expenses are counted since the purchase of the vehicle plus the cost of fuel and the cost of maintenance. Thus, the costs may also vary depending upon the choice of vehicle purchased.

The average monthly cost of living in Sydney for an individual is approximately AUD 4,100 on average while the cost of living in Melbourne is AUD 2,000 on average. Yet, Melbourne is less expensive in comparison to Sydney.

Working While Studying in Australia

Australian Immigration Laws are comparatively easy when it comes to working while studying. A slight request would often make you eligible to work in Australia as an international student. Though the rules might vary, generally students are allowed to work for up to 48 hours a fortnight.

The other aspect if the availability of jobs and there is no dearth of the same either. Companies, local businesses, and retail shops often hire students (both domestic and international). As an international student, you are protected by the same labour laws as the domestic student populace which also means the minimum wages. As a student, you can expect around $17 per hour.

The kinds of jobs are also varied. There are both on-campus jobs as well as local jobs available and often universities have an office which would help you find the right one for you. The kinds of industry students are employed in vary from retail to hospitality to administrative/ teaching jobs. It is important to note that Australia offers excellent post-study work options for International students. In order to support the living expenses, AUD 30,000 - AUD 40,000 should be the minimum salary to live in Australia from India.

You might be interested in these free downloads
Canada Student Visa Guide: Requirements, Fees, Application Process
Canada Student Visa Guide: Requirements, Fees, App...45k downloads
Study in Canada: Timeline for September 2024 Intake (Fall Intake)
Study in Canada: Timeline for September 2024 Intak...35k downloads
Study Guide to Canada for Indian Students: Admissions, Eligibility, Costs, Jobs
Study Guide to Canada for Indian Students: Admissi...56k downloads

Entertainment Options in Australia

Now that we have covered the expense and the income options as a student, we might as well talk about the many things you can do while being in Australia.

An island continent, Australia has beautiful beaches. You would often find people spending leisurely hours at the beaches not that far from your university. And if your tastes run on the wilder side, you have a host of water sports activities to keep you busy. From surfing to deep sea diving, the options are aplenty.

Another thing that Australia has in abundance is a variety of wildlife. If you are an adventurer, Australia offers you beautiful wild terrains that would simply take your breath away.

But all need not be wild, the urban life has its own zing as well. There are clubs, lounges, bars and speciality restaurants. And not to forget the famous Opera House in Sydney. If you are a connoisseur or simply wish to have an experience unlike any, a visit to the Opera House in Sydney is sure to make your stay in Australia worthwhile. 

Education Loans in Australia

To apply for international education, one must start planning as soon as possible and the most important step towards this dream is preparing your financials. However, not everyone is lucky to have a strong financial background. But one should not lose hope to achieve their dreams. Financial institutions and banks like HDFC Credila, SBI, etc offer student education loans at minimum interest. One can easily apply for an education loan and get approval within days. However, for loan approval, all your loan documents should be precise and unerring. Read our article Step-by-Step-wise Guide for bank loans to know more about the procedure for Education Loan for Studying in Australia.

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

Download this article as PDF to read offline

Download Guide
clickHere
About the Author
Aishwarya Bhatnagar
Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya Bhatnagar is a skilled study-abroad expert at Shiksha. Overall she has 4+ years of experience working in EdTech. She holds a graduate degree in English Literature from Hansraj College along with a postgrad... Read Full Bio

Comments

(6)

M

Monalisa Das

11 months ago

Which University in Australia offers Master degrees in Oral and Maxillofacial surgery...after BDS from India?

Reply to Monalisa Das

A

Aishwarya BhatnagarStudy Abroad Expert

8 months ago

Hello Monalisa, only the University of Adelaide offers a Master's in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery after BDS from India.

D

Deven G

a year ago

Which is cheapest and best university for MS in Civil engineering

Reply to Deven G

A

Aishwarya BhatnagarStudy Abroad Expert

a year ago

Hello Deven! You can find details at https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/australia/ms-in-civil-engineering-colleges-ds All the best!

5 years ago

very good thnx

Reply to

a

article reply

a month ago

Thankyou so much !

6 years ago

Any scholarships or ...fashion design colleges....or hw much aggregate must be needed. And fees too!

Reply to

We use cookies to improve your experience. By continuing to browse the site, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy.