Cost of Living in Australia
Australia can be expensive, but understanding the costs will help you budget effectively for your visit or move. Prices vary significantly between cities and regions.Currency and Payment
Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Current exchange rates (approximate):
- 1 USD ≈ 1.50 AUD
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.65 AUD
- 1 GBP ≈ 1.90 AUD
- Payment methods: Card payments preferred, contactless widely accepted
- Cash: Still useful for small purchases, markets, tips
Major City Comparison
Cost Rankings (Most to Least Expensive)
- Sydney - Most expensive
- Melbourne - Slightly less than Sydney
- Perth - Moderate to high
- Brisbane - Moderate
- Adelaide - More affordable
- Regional cities - Most affordable
Housing Costs
Rental Prices (Per Week)
Sydney
- Studio: $450-600
- 1 bedroom: $550-750
- 2 bedroom: $700-1,000
- 3 bedroom house: $800-1,200
- Share house room: $200-350
Melbourne
- Studio: $350-500
- 1 bedroom: $450-650
- 2 bedroom: $600-850
- 3 bedroom house: $650-950
- Share house room: $180-300
Brisbane
- Studio: $300-450
- 1 bedroom: $400-550
- 2 bedroom: $500-700
- 3 bedroom house: $550-800
- Share house room: $150-250
Perth
- Studio: $300-450
- 1 bedroom: $350-500
- 2 bedroom: $450-650
- 3 bedroom house: $500-750
- Share house room: $140-230
Adelaide
- Studio: $250-350
- 1 bedroom: $300-450
- 2 bedroom: $400-550
- 3 bedroom house: $450-650
- Share house room: $120-200
Additional Housing Costs
- Bond: 4-6 weeks rent (refundable deposit)
- Advance rent: 2-4 weeks paid upfront
- Real estate fees: $200-500 application fees
- Utilities setup: $100-200 connection fees
- Contents insurance: $20-40/month
Food and Groceries
Grocery Shopping (Per Week for 1 Person)
- Budget shopping: $60-80
- Moderate shopping: $80-120
- Premium shopping: $120-180
Common Grocery Prices
- Milk (1L): $1.50-2.50
- Bread (loaf): $2.50-4.00
- Eggs (dozen): $4.00-6.00
- Chicken breast (1kg): $12-15
- Beef mince (1kg): $10-14
- Rice (1kg): $2-4
- Bananas (1kg): $3-5
- Avocado (each): $2-4
Dining Out
- Fast food meal: $12-18
- Casual dining (main): $18-28
- Mid-range restaurant (3-course for 2): $80-120
- Fine dining (per person): $100-200
- Coffee: $4-6
- Beer (restaurant): $8-12
- Wine (glass): $10-15
Transportation
Public Transport (Monthly Passes)
- Sydney (Opal): $150-200
- Melbourne (Myki): $140-180
- Brisbane (Go Card): $120-160
- Perth (SmartRider): $100-140
- Adelaide (Metrocard): $90-130
Car Ownership (Monthly)
- Car registration: $50-80
- Insurance: $80-150
- Fuel: $150-250
- Parking (city): $200-400
- Maintenance: $50-100
Ride Sharing
- Uber/Ola: $15-25 for 10km ride
- Airport transfers: $35-65 to city centers
Utilities and Bills
Monthly Utilities (1-bedroom apartment)
- Electricity: $80-150
- Gas: $30-60
- Water: $40-70 (often included in rent)
- Internet: $60-100
- Mobile phone: $30-80
Home Internet Options
- NBN Basic (25 Mbps): $60-70/month
- NBN Standard (50 Mbps): $70-85/month
- NBN Fast (100 Mbps): $85-120/month
Healthcare Costs
Public Healthcare (Medicare)
- GP visit: Bulk-billed (free) or $50-80
- Specialist: $200-400 (partial Medicare rebate)
- Emergency: Free at public hospitals
Private Healthcare
- Private health insurance: $100-300/month
- Dental check-up: $150-250
- Dental cleaning: $200-300
- Physiotherapy: $80-120/session
Education Costs
International Students
- University tuition: $25,000-45,000/year
- English courses: $300-500/week
- Textbooks: $500-1,000/year
- Student accommodation: $200-400/week
Local Education
- Public school: Free for residents
- Private school: $15,000-40,000/year
- Childcare: $100-150/day
Entertainment and Lifestyle
Entertainment
- Movie ticket: $18-25
- Gym membership: $60-100/month
- Concert tickets: $80-200
- Sports event: $30-150
- Museum entry: $15-30
Personal Care
- Haircut (basic): $25-50
- Haircut (salon): $80-150
- Cosmetics: Similar to international prices
- Clothing: 20-30% more expensive than US/UK
Shopping
Clothing (Approximate Prices)
- Jeans: $60-150
- T-shirt: $20-50
- Dress shirt: $50-120
- Sneakers: $80-200
- Business shoes: $100-300
Electronics
- Smartphone: $200-1,500
- Laptop: $800-3,000
- TV (55”): $600-2,000
- Electronics are generally 10-20% more expensive
Money-Saving Tips
Housing
- Share housing: Reduces rent by 40-60%
- Suburbs: Live further from city center
- Inspect carefully: Avoid costly surprises
- Negotiate: Especially in quieter markets
Food
- Cook at home: Can save $200-400/month
- Bulk buying: Use Costco or bulk stores
- Supermarket specials: Woolworths/Coles weekly specials
- Local markets: Fresh produce often cheaper
Transportation
- Walk/cycle: Many cities are bike-friendly
- Off-peak travel: Cheaper public transport
- Car sharing: GoGet, Car Next Door alternatives
- Combine trips: Plan efficient routes
General Savings
- Student discounts: Available for many services
- Loyalty programs: Flybuys, Everyday Rewards
- Comparison shopping: Use comparison websites
- Second-hand: Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, op shops
Regional Cost Differences
Major Regional Centers (30-50% cheaper than Sydney)
- Newcastle, Wollongong: Close to Sydney, good value
- Gold Coast: Tourist area, moderate prices
- Geelong: Near Melbourne, affordable
- Townsville, Cairns: Tropical lifestyle, reasonable costs
Rural Areas (50-70% cheaper than Sydney)
- Housing: Significantly cheaper
- Food: Similar or slightly higher prices
- Services: Limited but affordable
- Transport: Car essential, lower public transport costs
Budgeting Guidelines
Minimum Budget (Shared accommodation, basic lifestyle)
- Sydney/Melbourne: $1,200-1,500/month
- Brisbane/Perth: $1,000-1,300/month
- Adelaide/regional: $900-1,200/month
Comfortable Budget (Private accommodation, moderate lifestyle)
- Sydney/Melbourne: $2,500-3,500/month
- Brisbane/Perth: $2,000-3,000/month
- Adelaide/regional: $1,800-2,500/month
Luxury Budget (Premium accommodation, upscale lifestyle)
- Sydney/Melbourne: $4,000+/month
- Brisbane/Perth: $3,500+/month
- Adelaide/regional: $3,000+/month
Financial Planning Tips
Before Arriving
- Research specific suburbs: Prices vary greatly within cities
- Factor in setup costs: First month can be expensive
- Consider seasonal variations: Summer accommodation can be pricier
- Emergency fund: Keep 3-6 months expenses saved
After Arriving
- Track expenses: Use apps like Pocketbook or YNAB
- Compare providers: Switch utilities/phone plans for better deals
- Build credit history: Essential for future rental applications
- Consider tax implications: Understand Australian tax system