Student life Australia cost is one of the first questions every international student asks when planning the move. This guide gives you clear, realistic budgets and smart savings tips so you can plan with confidence.
Image Idea: A collage of a shared kitchen, tram, library desk, and grocery basket.
Image Alt Text: Student life Australia cost infographic showing rent, food, transport, and OSHC
What Shapes Student life Australia cost in 2025?
Several variables affect your total spend each month. The biggest driver is where you live, followed by your housing choice and lifestyle.
City And Location: Sydney and Melbourne generally cost more than Adelaide, Hobart, or Brisbane. Inner-city is pricier than outer suburbs.
Housing Type: Private studio > one-bedroom apartment > shared apartment > student residence > homestay (varies by inclusions).
Exchange Rate: Your home currency can raise or lower effective costs.
Study Load And Work: Timetables affect how much you cook at home, use transport, or work part-time.
Time Of Year: Peak rental periods (Feb–Mar, July) can push prices higher.
To ground your research, browse major Australian property portals: check rental trends on Realestate.com.au and Domain, compare share-house ads on Flatmates, and read rental rules on a tenancy authority such as Queensland’s RTA.
Student life Australia cost for Accommodation
Accommodation is the largest line in your budget. Your choice here sets the tone for everything else.
Share House Room (Most Common): In capital cities, expect roughly AUD 220–550 per week, depending on city and proximity to the CBD.
Purpose-Built Student Residence: Often AUD 350–700 per week, but the price can include utilities, internet, and facilities.
Studio Or One-Bedroom: AUD 450–900+ per week in big cities, lower in regional areas.
Homestay: Typically AUD 300–450 per week with some meals included.
Share Houses, Co-Living, And Room Rentals
Share houses are popular because they reduce both rent and bills. You split electricity, gas, internet, and sometimes household supplies.
Pros
Lower Weekly Cost
Built-In Social Network
Flexible Lease Options
Cons
Less Privacy
House Rules To Negotiate
Varying Standards Of Cleanliness
Tip: Search room listings on Flatmates and compare whole-property rentals on Realestate.com.au and Domain. Always inspect if possible, ask for recent utility averages, and clarify what is included.
Bonds, Condition Reports, And Your Rights
When you rent, you usually pay a bond (security deposit) equal to 2–4 weeks of rent, plus 2 weeks rent in advance. You will receive a bond lodgement receipt from a state authority. Know your rights on entry condition reports, repairs, and fair wear-and-tear. For plain-English guidance, check a tenancy authority such as the Queensland Residential Tenancies Authority.
Food And Groceries: Weekly Essentials
Groceries vary by diet, city, and where you shop. A realistic student range is:
Groceries For Home Cooking: AUD 80–120 per week
Occasional Eating Out: AUD 30–80 per week (one or two low-cost meals)
Coffee, Snacks, And Treats: AUD 15–40 per week
Smart habits lower costs fast:
Plan 4–5 Simple Meals You Rotate Weekly.
Buy Seasonal Produce And Store-Brand Staples.
Cook In Batches And Freeze Portions.
Share Pantry Items Like Oil, Salt, Spices With Housemates.
Use Student Discounts At Food Courts Near Campus.
Transport And Student life Australia cost
Transport depends on how you commute and whether you qualify for student concessions. Some states allow international student concessions, others do not, so always check your city’s rules before budgeting.
Typical Ranges
Public Transport (Buses, Trains, Trams): AUD 25–60 per week depending on city and distance.
Bicycle + Occasional Top-Ups: AUD 5–20 per week for maintenance and odd public transport trips.
Ride-Share Topping Up Late Nights: AUD 10–40 per week if used sparingly.
Money Savers
Live Near One Direct Line To Campus To Avoid Multiple Fare Zones.
Travel Off-Peak When Cheaper Caps Apply In Some Cities.
Buy A Pre-Owned Bike With Lights And Lock.
Combine Errands To Reduce Trips.
Utilities And Internet
If you are in a share house and utilities are not included, budget:
Electricity And Gas: AUD 20–40 per person per week (seasonal).
Water: Often small per person share or included in rent.
Internet: AUD 15–25 per person per week when shared.
Usage Tips
Choose An Energy Plan With Off-Peak Rates If Your Housemates Cook At Night.
Air-Dry Laundry.
Turn Off Standby Switches.
Share A 50–100 Mbps NBN Plan For A Good Cost-Performance Balance.
Phone Plans And Streaming
Prepaid SIM: AUD 15–40 per month for 20–60 GB (watch for frequent promos).
Postpaid SIM-Only: AUD 35–60 per month for larger data.
Streaming: AUD 10–25 per month per service; rotate subscriptions month-to-month to save.
Health Insurance (OSHC) And Healthcare
International students must hold Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the length of their visa. A typical single-student policy often adds about AUD 45–70 per month on average, depending on provider and length. OSHC covers many common medical needs, but you may still pay a gap fee for certain services or non-prescription medicines.
Extra Tips
Register With A Local GP Near Your Campus.
Keep Digital Copies Of Your OSHC Card And Policy.
Understand Claim Procedures For Telehealth And In-Clinic Visits.
Study Costs: Books, Software, Printing
Textbooks And E-Books: AUD 300–800 per year. Buy second-hand or earlier editions when allowed.
Software: Many universities provide student licenses. Confirm before paying.
Printing And Stationery: AUD 5–15 per week depending on course.
Course-Specific Gear: Lab Coats, Studio Materials, Or Toolkits vary widely.
Leisure, Fitness, And Social Life
Gym Or Sports Club: AUD 8–25 per week. University gyms often discount fees.
Movies, Exhibitions, Markets: AUD 10–30 per week.
Short Trips: Budget extra for regional trains or occasional flights if you plan to explore.
Balance is key. In your first month, track everything to find a comfortable rhythm. After that, set a weekly pocket-money cap for social spending.
Sample Budgets: Student life Australia cost by City
Below are realistic monthly examples for a single student in a share house. Use them as a starting point and adjust to your lifestyle.
Sydney Or Melbourne (Shared Room Or Modest Private Room)
Rent: AUD 1,400–2,200
Utilities (Power, Gas, Internet): AUD 140–240
Groceries: AUD 320–480
Transport: AUD 120–220
Phone: AUD 20–50
OSHC (Averaged Monthly): AUD 45–70
Study/Printing/Software: AUD 40–80
Leisure/Fitness: AUD 80–160
Estimated Total: AUD 2,165–3,500 per month
Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Or Canberra (Shared Room Or Modest Private Room)
Rent: AUD 1,000–1,800
Utilities: AUD 120–220
Groceries: AUD 300–440
Transport: AUD 90–180
Phone: AUD 20–50
OSHC (Averaged Monthly): AUD 45–70
Study/Printing/Software: AUD 40–80
Leisure/Fitness: AUD 70–140
Estimated Total: AUD 1,685–2,980 per month
Regional Cities Or Outer Suburbs (Budget-First Strategy)
Rent: AUD 800–1,400
Utilities: AUD 100–180
Groceries: AUD 260–400
Transport (Bike + Occasional Public Transport): AUD 40–120
Phone: AUD 15–40
OSHC (Averaged Monthly): AUD 45–70
Study/Printing/Software: AUD 30–70
Leisure/Fitness: AUD 50–110
Estimated Total: AUD 1,340–2,390 per month
These ranges are designed to help you stress-test your plan. If you cook at home and share a house, you can keep Student life Australia cost within a steady, predictable band, even in larger cities.
Rent Search Playbook: From Shortlist To Keys
Define Your Radius
Choose a commute you can live with. Aim for one direct line to campus. Fewer interchanges mean lower costs and less stress.Scan Listings Daily
Set alerts on Realestate.com.au and Domain. Pair this with room searches on Flatmates for a broad view.Inspect Like A Pro
Check water pressure, window seals, mold, and noise at different times of day. Photograph meter readings and any damage.Know The Paperwork
Read the lease carefully. Record the condition report on day one. Lodge the bond with your state authority (e.g., RTA). Keep receipts and emails.Calculate The True Monthly Cost
Add rent + utilities + internet + transport. A slightly higher rent near campus may be cheaper overall if it cuts your commute costs.
Money-Saving Systems That Work
Set A Weekly Cap
Decide a number for food, transport, and pocket money. Withdraw or earmark that amount digitally each week.
Cook Once, Eat Three Times
Batch-cook two dinners on Sunday night. Use them for lunches and midweek dinners.
Group Plans And Splits
Share subscriptions where allowed. Split a 1000 GB broadband plan among housemates.
Live Near A Supermarket And A Fresh Food Market
You will cook more if shopping is close and easy.
Student Discounts
Always ask. Museums, cinemas, and software often offer student pricing.
Second-Hand Smart
Buy used textbooks and resale kitchen equipment. Sell items when you leave to recover costs.
Part-Time Work And Cash Flow
International students often work in hospitality, retail, tutoring, or campus roles. Visa rules set limits on work hours during teaching periods, with more flexibility during breaks. Because rules can change, always check the current settings on official government pages before relying on income for rent. Build your budget to stand even if shifts are reduced.
Pay Cycle Strategy
Aim to align rent with your pay day.
Keep one month of rent as a buffer.
Use a simple spreadsheet or app to track weekly and monthly totals.
First-Month Setup Costs
Plan for a bigger first month due to one-off purchases.
Bond: 2–4 weeks of rent
Rent In Advance: Typically 2 weeks
Furniture: AUD 150–500 if unfurnished (buy second-hand)
Kitchen Basics: AUD 60–120
Public Transport Card: Initial top-up AUD 20–40
SIM Card: Often discounted when you first arrive
Add these to your first-month budget so you are not surprised.
Kitchen And Food Hacks For Students
The “3-2-1 Pantry”: 3 grains (rice, pasta, oats), 2 proteins (eggs, legumes), 1 oil. Build meals around these staples.
One-Pan Roasts: Toss vegetables with olive oil, salt, and pepper; add chickpeas or chicken thighs; roast and portion.
Flavor Boosters: Garlic, onion, lemon, dried herbs, and chili flakes upgrade low-cost meals.
Leftover Protocol: Freeze within 24 hours, label with date, and rotate weekly.
Study-Friendly Habits That Save Money
Campus Libraries: Borrow instead of buying.
Free Software: Check your university’s software portal for licenses.
Printing Caps: Print double-sided and only what you need.
Group Study: Share notes, split book costs, and teach each other tough topics to reduce tutoring spend.
Safety, Scams, And Renting
Never Transfer Bond Or Rent In Cash To A Personal Account Without A Signed Lease.
Verify The Property Manager Or Landlord Identity.
Use Official Bond Lodgement Processes And Receipts.
Be Careful With “Too Good To Be True” Rooms On Social Networks.
A trustworthy process protects both your wallet and your peace of mind.
Student life Australia cost: Quick City Snapshots
Sydney: Highest rents, great public transport, many share options close to campus corridors.
Melbourne: Wide suburb choices, good tram network, creative share-house culture.
Brisbane: Competitive rents and plenty of share houses near river and campus hubs.
Adelaide: Lower median rents, compact city, budget-friendly lifestyle.
Perth: Well-priced suburban options, consider commute times across the metro area.
Canberra: Higher rents near universities but strong bike culture and student community.
Hobart: Smaller market; search early and be flexible on suburb.
Use your time wisely in the first two weeks. Quick inspections and fast applications make a difference in tight markets.
Student life Australia cost: Build Your Personal Budget
Follow this three-step flow to create a budget tailored to you.
Fix Your Housing Number
Decide your ceiling for rent. Everything else adjusts from here.Lock Weekly Essentials
Groceries + transport + phone + OSHC. These are stable and easy to plan.Allocate Flexible Spend
Leisure, cafés, subscriptions, and short trips. If money is tight one week, this is where you trim.
Once you have your numbers, write them down and test them for one full month. Adjust gently until your savings buffer grows.
Simple Checklist Before You Arrive
Research Suburbs Within 30–40 Minutes Of Campus.
Create Alerts On Realestate.com.au And Domain.
Book 2–3 Inspections For Week One.
Read A Tenancy Authority Guide Like The RTA.
Prepare Digital Copies Of Passport, Visa, CoE, And OSHC.
Pack A Small Set Of Cooking Essentials To Avoid Day-One Spending.
Arrange A Temporary Stay (Hostel Or Student Residence) For Your First Few Nights.
FAQ: Student life Australia cost
How much should I budget per month as an international student?
Most students in share houses spend roughly AUD 1,700–3,500 per month depending on city, rent, and lifestyle. Track your first month closely and then refine.
Is it cheaper to live on campus or off campus?
On-campus residences offer convenience and sometimes include bills, but can be pricier. Off-campus share houses are usually cheaper, especially a bit farther from the CBD.
Can I afford to eat out weekly on a student budget?
Yes, if you plan for it. Cook most meals at home and set aside a small weekly amount (for example AUD 20–40) for café meals or a weekend treat.
Do I need OSHC and how much does it cost?
Yes, OSHC is required for international students. Averaged monthly costs are commonly around AUD 45–70 for singles, depending on provider and cover length.
What is the biggest money saver?
Choosing an affordable share house near a direct transport line. Lower rent plus shorter, cheaper commutes trim total monthly costs more than any single tip.
