Realistic cost breakdowns for every major city. How to live well on a student income.
Australia is expensive by global standards, but students who plan carefully can live well on $1,500–$2,500 per month. Rent is by far the biggest cost — choosing your suburb and house-share situation wisely makes more difference than any other saving. This guide gives realistic numbers broken down by category so you can build a real budget before you arrive.
Share house room: $180–$260/week in Melbourne and Brisbane, $220–$340/week in Sydney. Studio apartment: $300–$550/week depending on city. On-campus student accommodation: $250–$420/week (usually includes utilities). Living 30–45 minutes from the city centre cuts rent by 30–40% in Sydney and Melbourne — the train network makes this practical.
In a share house, utilities (electricity, gas, internet) are usually split equally between tenants — expect $35–$70 per person per month. Student accommodation usually includes utilities in the price. Internet alone runs $60–$80/month for a household plan. Ask your landlord or housemates what is included before signing anything.
Shopping at Aldi instead of Coles or Woolworths saves 20–30% on comparable items. Buy staples like rice (5kg bags), lentils, pasta, eggs, frozen vegetables, and tinned tomatoes in bulk. Avoid buying bottled drinks — tap water in all Australian cities is safe and free, saving $20–$30/week if you switch from buying drinks.
A concession Myki or Go Card saves about $30–$60 per month versus full fare, depending on how often you travel. Apply as soon as you arrive through your state's transport authority. In Victoria and Queensland, full-time international students are eligible. Keep $20–$30/month budgeted for transport even with concession.
Use Up Bank's built-in spending categories or a free app like Pocketbook to see exactly where your money goes. Set a weekly cash limit for food, going out, and miscellaneous expenses. Most students overspend in their first 2 months because they haven't tracked before — a single month of tracking reveals where to cut.
When you first arrive you'll need to buy: bedding ($50–$150), cookware and utensils ($50–$100), a power board ($20), cleaning supplies ($30–$50), and possibly a heater or fan ($40–$100). These one-off costs are on top of your bond and first month's rent. Budget for them separately before you arrive.
You will typically pay 4 weeks' bond plus 2 weeks' rent in advance on the day you move in — that's 6 weeks of rent in a single payment. In Sydney this can be $1,300–$2,000 upfront before you've received your first pay. Plan this as a separate reserve, not part of your regular monthly budget.