
Table of Contents
Cost of Living in Australia for International Students
Scroll HereAccommodation and Rent in Australia
Scroll HereFood and Grocery Costs in Australia
Scroll HereAvailability of Indian Food in Australia
Scroll HereTransportation Costs in Australia
Scroll HereUtility Costs and Internet Bills
Scroll HereHealthcare and OSHC in Australia
Scroll HereMiscellaneous Expenses
Scroll HereAverage Accommodation Costs by City
Scroll HereHow Much Money Does a Student Need Per Month in Australia?
Scroll HereHidden Costs International Students Should Consider
Scroll HereCan Part-Time Work Cover the Cost of Living in Australia?
Scroll HereTips to Reduce the Cost of Living in Australia for Indian Students
Scroll HereKey Takeaway
Scroll HereFrequently Asked Questions
Scroll HereAre you planning to study in Australia? Then you must be worried about the cost of living in Australia. For financial planning purposes, students may consider around AUD 2,600–4,905 per month (INR 176,800 to INR 333,540), based on the expense categories covered below. However, this is an indicative planning range, not a fixed national average.
The actual living costs depend on where you are staying in the country, quality of living, and which facilities you are going to avail. Your daily habits and spending habits also impact your overall expenses. So while planning the costs, remember that it may vary. Before leaving for Australia, go through the total cost of living for Indian students in 2026. Remember, this is an indicative planning range rather than a fixed national average. Let’s scroll down and plan your budget accordingly.
Cost of Living in Australia for International Students
The monthly budget for students solely depends on the chosen city, types of accommodation, food choices, and other factors.
The table below provides an indicative monthly budget based on the expense categories covered in this article.
Expenses Categories |
Approximate Monthly Cost in AUD |
Approximate Monthly Cost in INR |
|---|---|---|
Accommodation |
AUD 1,760 to AUD 3,452 |
INR 119,680 to INR 234,736 |
Food and Groceries |
AUD 280 to AUD 600 |
INR 19,040 to INR 40,800 |
Public Transport Pass |
AUD 132 |
INR 8,976 |
Basic Utilities |
AUD 288 |
INR 19,584 |
Mobile Phone Plan and Internet Bill |
AUD 40 to AUD 83 |
INR 2,720 to INR 5,644 |
Miscellaneous expenses |
AUD 100 to AUD 350 |
INR 6,800 to INR 23,800 |
Total Expenses |
AUD 2,600 to AUD 4,905 |
INR 176,800 to INR 333,540 |
[Note: The total range represents the mathematical combination of the minimum and maximum estimates for each category. These are approximate values and may vary by city, accommodation type, lifestyle, inflation, and exchange rates. Here, the taken values are AUD 1= INR 68]
Accommodation and Rent in Australia
Accommodation costs play a major role in the monthly budgets of international students. You can avail yourself of different types of accommodation, such as university accommodation, homestays, shared apartments, and single-room flats.
Check out the common accommodation options and their monthly rents. Remember that it varies by city, location, types of rooms, and included utilities.
Types of Accommodation |
Monthly Rent in AUD (approx.) |
Monthly Rent in INR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
1-bedroom apartment in the city |
AUD 2,215 |
INR 150,620 |
1-bedroom apartment in the suburban |
AUD 1,762 |
INR 119,816 |
3-bedroom apartment in the city (shared by 2-3 people) |
AUD 3,452 |
INR 234,736 |
3-bedroom apartment in the suburbs (shared by 2-3 people) |
AUD 2,729 |
INR 185,572 |
Note: The approximate values are fetched from numbeo.com
Here, the currency rate is calculated as AUD 1= INR 68.
It is advised to avail shared accommodation outside the city centre. It can limit your budget. In private accommodation, you experience more privacy during your stay.
For private rental accommodation, you have to pay additional costs in the first month:
- Bond costs for rent
- Advance payment
- Utility costs
- Internet bills
- Household expenses
Food and Grocery Costs in Australia
Food expenses are determined by which type of food you're having and how many meals you have on a daily basis. Your eating habits, as in preferring home cooked food or eating at restaurants, are important factors in food expenses.
Here is a common list of groceries for Indian students and their approximate prices in 2026.
Name of Food and Grocery |
Average Costs |
|---|---|
White Rice per kg |
AUD 3.22 |
Regular Milk per litre |
AUD 2.50 |
Apple per kg |
AUD 5.27 |
Orange per kg |
AUD 4.56 |
Tomato per kg |
AUD 6.73 |
Water Bottle for 1.5 L |
AUD 2.42 |
Fresh White Bread for 500 g |
AUD 3.92 |
Potato per kg |
AUD 4.00 |
Onion per kg |
AUD 3.34 |
Banana per kg |
AUD 4.27 |
Eggs per dozen |
AUD 7.18 |
Chicken Fillet per kg |
AUD 13.14 |
Note: The price can vary by location and inflation rate. The data is collected from numbeo.com
Availability of Indian Food in Australia
You can find Indian food options in nearby Indian restaurants or from home delivery services.
Otherwise, in Indian and Bangladeshi supermarkets, you can buy groceries like rice, atta, daal, Indian spices, and familiar vegetables and fish. In Australia, you can explore -
- Indian grocery stores
- Indian restaurants
- Vegetarian options
- Halal food options
- Tiffin/home-delivery services
Cooking food reduces your monthly expenses, and you can maintain your dietary intake as well.
Transportation Costs in Australia
Transportation costs depend on how you want to commute, how far your apartment is from the university, and the availability of public transportation in that location.
For daily commutes, it is suggested to use public transport to reduce the costs. You can apply for student concessions.
Transportation in Australia |
Average Costs in AUD |
|---|---|
One-way local transport Ticket |
AUD 4.10 |
Taxi Tariff (standard) |
AUD 5.00 |
Gasoline (1 Litre) |
AUD 1.83 |
Monthly Pass |
AUD 132.80 |
Note: Transportation costs vary by city and suburban areas.
Utility Costs and Internet Bills
Whether utility costs are included in your accommodation rent depends on your agreement. So verify with your landlord before signing any rental bond.
The additional household expenses are mentioned below.
Categories |
Expenses in AUD |
|---|---|
Basic utilities |
AUD 286.52 |
Mobile phone plan (monthly, calls and 10gb+ data) |
AUD 41.10 |
Broadband Internet (unlimited data with 60 Mbps or higher speed) |
AUD 82.73 |
Note: utility bills include electricity, gas, and water service bills. In shared apartments, these expenses are divided among all residents.
Healthcare and OSHC in Australia
To study in Australia, you have to apply for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) as per the visa agreements. It includes the following health expenses under the terms and conditions of the selected policy.
- Medical consultation
- Hospital treatment
- Medicine
- Emergency service
Verify all the listed services and the benefits of the insurance while buying the insurance policy.
Miscellaneous Expenses
You should budget at least AUD 100 to AUD 350 per month for personal expenses. Remember to try to maintain your lifestyle in such a way that you don't spend more than that.
The miscellaneous expenses include the following factors.
- Daily clothing
- Toiletries
- Gym memberships
- Social activities
- Travelling
- Study materials
- Entertainment
Also, keep a fund for emergency purposes such as medical expenses, urgent travel, or hidden charges in daily life.
Average Accommodation Costs by City
The living costs in Sydney and Melbourne are higher, as 1-bedroom apartment rents are often AUD 2,488 to AUD 3,504 (on average). Accommodation costs are comparatively lower in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and Canberra.
Name of the City |
Overview |
Homestay |
Shared House |
1-bedroom apartment |
Shared apartment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sydney |
Accommodation costs are high, and lifestyle expenses are higher |
1,780 |
2,668 |
3,504 |
2,680 |
Melbourne |
Expensive apartment rent and public transport |
1,760 |
1,536 |
2,488 |
1,920 |
Brisbane |
Moderate to higher cost of accommodation |
1,640 |
1,728 |
2,748 |
1,956 |
Adelaide |
Budget-conscious option in some parts |
1,600 |
1,100 |
2,696 |
1,840 |
Perth |
Costs vary in cities and suburbs |
1,640 |
1,412 |
2,636 |
1,500 |
Canberra |
Accommodation and living expenses are comparatively higher |
1,620 |
1,368 |
2,500 |
1,928 |
Note: The data is collected from: studyaustralia.gov.au
You should compare the facilities along with the rent. Because lower-rent accommodation with higher transportation costs does not save money. Also, verify the available utilities while signing the agreement.
How Much Money Does a Student Need Per Month in Australia?
Spending money depends on how you set up your life in the country. It's completely your choice how you want to lead your life. Providing a uniform budget is not at all reliable.
Budget Range |
Accommodation |
Lifestyle |
Indicative Monthly Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
Low |
Shared |
Self-cooking and limited entertainment |
AUD 2,800 to AUD 3,000 |
Moderate |
Shared or Private |
Balanced lifestyle |
AUD 3,500 to AUD 4,000 |
High |
Private |
Eating and travelling in the city and outside |
AUD 4,500 to AUD 4,900 |
Note: The mentioned budget is an approximate value and can change depending on the selected city and accommodation type. It is an illustrative planning scenario rather than official Australian Government figures. Actual expenses can fall outside these ranges.
Hidden Costs International Students Should Consider
Not only monthly expenses, but you also have to consider a few one-time investments or occasional costs while starting your journey of staying in Australia.
- Rental bond
- Emergency fund
- Advance payment for rent
- Flight ticket fare
- Visa processing fee
- Medical insurance
- Study materials
- Household essentials
- Bedding
- Suitable clothes
- Mobile sim
Can Part-Time Work Cover the Cost of Living in Australia?
Under the Australian student visa (subclass 500), international students can do part-time jobs up to 48 hours a fortnight. Through this, you can manage additional financial support. Students can explore jobs from the following portals-
- Adzuna
- Career One
- Grad Australia
- Student Job Australia
- Seek
You can spend your income from your part-time jobs on your personal expenses, but your entire stay can not be managed with this income.
Tips to Reduce the Cost of Living in Australia for Indian Students
Go through the pro tips to reduce monthly expenses in day-to-day life with a few steps.
- Opt for shared accommodation
- Rent rooms in suburban areas
- Live near your university to reduce transport costs
- Use public transport
- Apply for student concession (if applicable)
- Choose self-cooking option
- Buy groceries weekly
- Verify mobile and broadband plans, then buy
- Keep an emergency fund separately
Key Takeaway
Now you have all the information regarding the cost of living in Australia. We have touched on all the important points that come under living expenses. This discussion will help you to calculate how much AUD or INR you need to live comfortably to study in Australia. In that regard, you have to spend money very carefully to live in a foreign country. Your lifestyle defines your overall budget.
Before selecting any of the Australian universities for your future endeavours, compare tuition fees, accommodation costs, food expenses, transportation costs, medical insurance, and other living expenses. It can be overwhelming to gather information and tally everything yourself. Education Vibes can help students compare Australian universities alongside tuition fees, accommodation, location, and estimated living expenses before making a study decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is medical insurance (OSHC) mandatory?
Yes, most international students applying for an Australian Student visa are required to maintain OSHC for the required period mentioned in the Visa agreements. The coverage and costs depend on the selected policy.
What is the indicative cost of living in Australia for international students in 2026?
The indicative cost of living in Australia is AUD 2,600 to AUD 4,905. Remember, it varies from one city to another and depends on the quality of living.
How to reduce living costs?
To reduce living costs, rent shared apartments, cook for yourself, use public transport, and track monthly expenses.
Which Australian city has lower accommodation costs?
Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, and Canberra are cities where accommodation costs are comparatively lower.











