Cost of Living in Australia for International & India Students in 2024

When my close friend got admitted to an Australian university, she could not contain her happiness. But the joy was accompanied by concerns about the cost of living in Australia for Indian students and the total budget she will be needing to lead a decent life there.

Since Australia is quite a popular destination among Indian students, with nearly 95,791 Indian students moving to the country in 2023 to pursue their education, it is vital to have a fair idea of the living expenses in Australia. It is especially important as a student so that you can plan your finances accordingly.

Let’s find out what our research unfolded in this article.

What is Cost of Living in Australia for Indian Family & Single Student

Wondering what is the minimum cost of living in Australia for an Indian student or family? The average cost of living in Australia for a family of four is around AUD 6,060.5 per month. 

Students should comprehend that the cost of living would vary based on their lifestyle preferences and choices. The average living costs for students hover between AUD 1,400 and AUD 2,500 every month encompassing all expenditures including food, accommodation, social activities, utilities, and so on.

Cities like Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide are some of the most expensive cosmopolitan towns in Australia. Hence, the cost of living here can be on a bit higher side.

Here is a breakdown of the expenses incurred in different segments by a single student and a family of four for a better idea. 

Factor	Cost for a single student	Cost for a family of four
Housing costs in Australia (per month)	For 1-Bedroom Apartment: In city center: AUD 2,256  Outside of the center: AUD 1,800	For 3-Bedroom Apartment: In city center: AUD 3,579  Outside of the center: AUD 2,609
Monthly Transportation	AUD 261	AUD 678
Food	AUD 541	AUD 1383
Utilities (electricity, heating, water, etc.)	AUD 122	AUD 187
Healthcare costs	AUD 70	AUD 580
Entertainment and recreation	Take away food: AUD 10 - AUD 25 Movies: AUD 14  - AUD 30 A night out (dinner, club, disco, etc.): AUD 60+	Take away food: AUD 40 - AUD 100 Movies: AUD 56 - AUD 120 A night out (dinner, club, disco, etc.): AUD 180+

Let us now look at the bifurcation of some of the major costs pertaining to the above-mentioned factors so that you have a fair understanding of the living expenses in Australia. This list of items with costs will help you greatly when it comes to delineating the actual costs that you have to make provisions for.  

Average Rent in Australia 

Type of accommodation	Average monthly rent
Homestays	AUD 450 - AUD 1,200
Halls of residence	AUD 440 - AUD 1,100
Apartment	AUD 750 - AUD 1,700
Shared apartment	AUD 850 - AUD 850

Read More: 20 lakhs reduction in bachelor’s abroad

Food Cost in Australia

Food Item(s)	Average Cost (in AUD)
1 kg White Rice	$3.27
A Dozen Eggs	$6.11
1 Liter of Whole Fat Milk	$2.32
Fast Food Combo Meal	$25
1 kg Apples	$4.84
1 kg Local Cheese	$15.3
1 kg Tomatoes	$6.62
1.5 Liter Bottle of Water	$2.57
1 kg Potatoes	$3.71
0.5L Domestic Beer Bottle	$7.38
1 Bottle of Red Wine	$20
Bread (500g)	$3.77

Transportation Costs in Australia 

Type of Expense	Cost (AUD)
One-way local transport ticket	$3-6
Taxi Tariff	$3.60-7
Gasoline (1 litre)	$1.19-1.60
Taxi 1 Km	$1.62-3.20
Monthly Pass	$90-220.70

Average Utilities and Bills Cost 

Type of Expenditure	Cost (in AUD)
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)	$82.47
Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment	$311
Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data	$41.75

Average Tuition Fees in Australia for Indian and International Students

As reported by StudyAustralia, the official Australian government site for international students, the average yearly tuition fees (for international students) are as follows:

• Undergraduate or bachelor’s degree: AUD 20,000 to AUD 45,000 
• Postgraduate or master’s degree: AUD 22,000 to AUD 50,000 
• Doctoral degree: AUD 20,000 to AUD 42,000 

However, it is necessary to keep in mind that these figures do not include high-value courses like veterinary or medical degrees, whose tuition fees can considerably be more. 

Moreover, tuition fees at Australian universities are calculated per unit and not per year. Each unit falls into a fee band, and fees will be different for everybody as most students study a combination of units from different bands. 

Another aspect to consider while calculating the cost of studying in Australia for Indian students is the Student Services and Amenities fee. This is charged by some universities for services and amenities of a non-academic nature. The fee can go up to a maximum of AUD 315, but not every university charges it.

Let’s take a look at the average fees for undergraduate and postgraduate programs at top Australian universities.

University	Average UG Fee (in AUD)	Average PG Fee (in AUD)
University of Melbourne	$34,880 -  $99,680 per year	$39,040 - $61,216 per year
Victoria University	$14,300-  $18,800 per semester	$14,900-  $19,400 per semester
University of New England	$25,817 - $33,829 for two full-time trimesters	$28,762 - $36,226 for two full-time trimesters
Western Sydney University	$28,928 - $36,424 for 80 credit points	$15,480 - $42,336 for 80 credit points
University Adelaide	$40,500 - $89,500 for 24 units per year	$38,000 - $60,000 for 24 units per year

Source: Official University Websites

Living in Australia: Things to Know

While you must be excited about moving to Australia, here are a few things you need to know beforehand instead of learning them the hard way.

• Make sure to budget accurately for your trip as Australia is an expensive country. According to a Forbes article, inflation has peaked 7.8% in 2023 in the country. 
• Buy good health insurance because the medicare in Australia can be a bit hard on your pocket.
• If you are carrying medicines, remember to keep your prescriptions along and declare your medications when you land at the airport.
• When looking forward to renting a house in Australia, make sure you have 6-8 months of rent handy as some rental properties demand an advance payment of 4 weeks security deposit and a month’s rent.
• Australians observe the ‘Hard Rubbish Day’ yearly on which they leave unwanted items like appliances or furniture outside their home. People can pick items that might be useful to them.
• Coffee in Australia is loved by all, so being a barista can be a good part-time job for you.
• Stock up on high-factor sunscreen and avoid unnecessary exposure from 11am to 4pm.

Important Link : Cost of Studying Abroad

Cost-Saving Tips to Follow While Living in Australia

Rising interest rates, soaring inflation, and rental price hikes have led to a spike in the average cost of living in Australia. Here are tips you can follow to save some money.

Reduce your grocery bills

Plan in advance what your weekly meal routine would look like and go for grocery shopping once a week. Generally, it is advised to buy in bulk to get additional discounts. The best you can do is create a shopping list before going to the supermarket to avoid distraction.

Save on electricity costs

Australia has some of the world’s most expensive power costs. Hence, electricity bills can be a major dent in the budgets of students. To save on the cost, avoid running air conditioners continually and switch off electricity at wall sockets if going out for extended durations.

Enjoy public events

There are several free public events that run in Australia. One can enjoy free live music events, outdoor screenings of movies, and other entertainment options like coin-operated barbeques at the beach and more. 

Leverage student discounts and offers 

Australia has several incentives available for students. The ISIC Card can help you tap into these discounts. Several transport services, fashion outlets/stores, and cafes provide additional discounts on student ID. 

Save money on transportation costs

Travel by public transportation instead of hiring cabs in Australia. This is a more affordable way to commute throughout the city. Most universities are city or campus-based with great links to public transport facilities. Check whether monthly or weekly passes are available with student discounts.

Know where you are spending all your money

Take your bank account from the past few months and segregate your expenses. This would give you an idea of where your money is getting spent. Identify the places where you can reduce your spending, such as unnecessary dining costs or entertainment costs.

Country-Wise Cost of Living Guides

• Cost of Living in Germany
• Cost of Living in Ireland
• Cost of Living in Canada
• Cost of Living in Europe
• Cost of Living in United Kingdom
• Cost of Living Singapore
• Cost of Living in Netherlands
• Cost of Living in France
• Cost of Living in Switzerland
• Cost of Living in Spain
• Cost of Living in Quebec
• Cost of Living in Dublin

Cost of Living in Australia’s Different Cities

Since different cities have different living standards, the cost of living also differs at these places. When moving to Australia, it is important to have an understanding of what the monthly cost of living in a specific city will look like. 

Top Expensive Cities in Australia

Mentioned below are the top expensive cities in Australia per the research we did:

City	Monthly Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Sydney	AUD 1,719
Canberra	AUD 1,956
Melbourne	AUD 1,593
Brisbane	AUD 1,673
Adelaide	AUD 1,895
Perth	AUD 1,674

Cheapest Cities in Australia

Now, let us look at some of the most cheapest cities in Australia: 

City	Monthly Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Gold Coast	AUD 794
Darwin	AUD 752
Newcastle	AUD 733
Dubbo	AUD 690
Cairns	AUD 624
Townsville City	AUD 573

Australia vs Other Countries: Comparing Cost of Living

To make an informed decision about which country to study, it is important to look at the various factors, including its cost of living. Let’s find out how expensive Australia is compared to other countries.

Here is a quick comparison of living expenses in Australia compared to other countries. 

Country	Average Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Australia	AUD 1,719.4 (₹ 93,272.31)
United States	$ 1,172.5 (₹ 98,034.25)
United Kingdom	£ 809.2 (₹ 84,281.83)
Canada	C$ 1,451.8 (₹ 88,111.56)
India	₹28,719.7

Comparison of Monthly Rental Expenditure

Type of Accommodation	Australia	UK	USA	Canada
1-Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre	AUD1,800 (INR 99,178)	£875 (INR 91,571)	$1,447 (INR 1,20,866)	C$1,686 (INR 1,02,940)
3-Bedroom Apartment in City Centre	AUD 3,579 (INR 1,97,200)	£1,742 (INR 1,82,306)	$2,956 (INR 2,46,911)	C$3,114 (INR 1,90,127)
3-Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre	AUD 2,609 (INR 1,43,754)	£1,344 (INR 1,40,654)	$2,399 (INR 2,00,385)	C$2,630 (INR 1,60,576)
1-Bedroom Apartment in City Centre	AUD 2,256 (INR 1,24,304)	£1,051 (INR 1,09,990)	$1,758 (INR 1,46,843)	C$1,918 (INR 1,07,336)

Disclaimer: Conversion as of May 2024

Conclusion

Managing the cost of living in Australia for a single person or a family can be challenging. While being an expensive country may be its con, the quality of education and standard of living in Australia is its pro. 

The variation in living costs across different Australian cities requires careful budgeting and financial planning. However, if you plan your finances, conduct a financial audit, or avoid unnecessary luxury-related expenses too much, you can save some money. 

For Indian students, understanding the exchange rate and seeking scholarships or part-time work can ease the financial burden. Ultimately, while the cost of living in Australia is a significant consideration, the investment in Australian education is often paralleled by the enriching experience, quality of life, and the comprehensive learning environment that this diverse country offers.

Disclaimer: All costs and expenses are indicative and subject to change

Important Resources About Australia to Read:

Cost of Study in Australia	Cost of MS in Australia	SOP for Australia
Requirements for Studying in Australia	Jobs After MBA in Australia	Australia Post-Study Work Visa
How to Study in Australia from India?	Study in Australia for Indian Students After 12th	Australian Government Scholarship
Asean Partner Scholarship	Melbourne University Acceptance Rate	The Australian National University Acceptance Rate