Cost of living in Australia
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Monthly costs
| Item | Range (A$) |
|---|---|
| Rent, on campus (with utilities) | 1,280 to 2,680 |
| Rent, off campus, smaller city | 1,200 to 2,500 |
| Rent, off campus, city centre | 1,500 to 3,400 |
| Groceries, one person | About 450 |
| Eating out, four casual meals | 64 to 200 |
| Public transport | 30 to 230 |
| Electricity and water | 150 to 510 |
| Internet | About 82 |
| Mobile phone | About 41 |
| Streaming and TV | 23 to 130 |
| Total | 2,300 to 5,000+ |
What drives the total?
City, housing type and lifestyle. Also see renting and mobile and internet.
What does rent cost in 2026?
Sydney's median was A$824 a week and Perth houses A$740, with Brisbane about A$680. National rents rose 5.7% in the year to March 2026, the vacancy rate was about 1.2% in May 2026 (SQM Research), and renters spent a record 33.1% of gross household income on rent. Expect a share-house room to cost far less than these whole-dwelling medians.
Do other sources agree?
Not exactly. A student-housing provider (Switch Living, 2026) gives a lower total of A$1,800 to A$3,200 a month, with rent at A$1,200 to A$2,000, food A$350 to A$600 and transport A$80 to A$180, and says Sydney and Melbourne cost more than Adelaide and Perth. Ranges depend on the city, whether you share and whether utilities are included. Budget for your own city and use these as a rough guide.
FAQ
Does this include tuition?
No.
Is this the visa funds figure?
No.
Which city is cheapest?
Apart from smaller cities and regions costing less.
Are these prices current?
As of December 2025.