What is the Cost of Living in Australia for International Students?

Australia is home to the highest number of international students after the US and the UK.

Reason?

Well, the high standards of the education system with a comfortable and cheaper lifestyle attract students worldwide to Australia.

CEOWorld Magazine, a leading business magazine, ranked the world's best countries for international students in 2021. And guess what, Australia grabs the 2nd position after the USA. Australia is also one of the few countries with easy PR visa programs and high acceptance rates. With six of its universities in the top 100 rankings of the world, Australia is welcoming international students to build their careers proficiently.

International students in Australia get many benefits from studying in Australia. Australia provides a great quality of life with a vast degree of entertainment options. Studying in Australia means that you can earn good student income using student work permits making your educational journey even more seamless. The Australian government plans to distribute over 1000 scholarships for Australian and international students in 2022. The most amazing part is that these scholarships are fully funded!

According to the International Education Association of Australia - Over the past 50 years, more than 2.5 million students have passed from Australian universities and are impacting the globe as a part of their alumni network. 

Based on the QS best cities rank 2022, Australia is the only country besides Germany with two of its cities in the top 10. These two amazing Australian cities are - Melbourne and Sydney.

With all these factors combined, living in Australia undoubtedly offers great opportunities to international students. 

So, is Australia a sought-after study-abroad destination for you too?

Great!

Then, you would surely like to know the cost of studying in Australia. Right? If that's the case, you are absolutely in the right place!

In this blog, I will talk about all the expenses that you should consider while living in Australia as an international student. 

So, let's start!

Education Cost in Australia

While determining the education cost for international students, tuition fees will cover 70% of the total estimates. The tuition fees will vary depending on the university, level of study, program, and various other factors. 

The below list is an average yearly tuition cost for different types of qualifications.

Note: The figures listed are not actual figures but an indication. Please contact your university directly for an in-depth analysis of the cost structure.

• School - $7,800 to $30,000
• English language studies - Around $300 per week (This will depend on your course length)
• VET (Vocational Education and Training) - $4,000 to $22,000
• Undergraduate Bachelor Degree - $20,000 to $45,000*
• Postgraduate Master's Degree - $22,000 to $50,000*
• Doctoral Degree - $18,000 to $42,000

Living Cost in Australia

Living in Australia means phenomenal weather, a high-quality lifestyle and enchanting social life. Prices will vary depending on the city that you decide to live in. For instance, Sydney and Melbourne will cost harder on your wallet than Adelaide.

The living cost in Australia is cheaper than in the USA and the UK but costlier than in South Africa and India. On average, Australia has the 10th highest monthly rent in the world.

As an international student, you can either choose to stay on-campus or off-campus. The total cost will vary based on your location, amenities included, and various other factors.

The below-listed average cost will help you to plan your budget:

Food Cost in Australia

If you are an international student, then you won't have any problem in Australia since it is home to diverse cuisines. You will find many options be it Indian, Chinese, Japanese, or continental. As per statistics, an average Australian spends $608 monthly on groceries. Generally, a student spends between AUD 500 - 1000 on groceries every month.

There are also many restaurants that you can choose from. An average cost of a meal in some good restaurants will be AUD 40. The actual cost will depend on the season, location, brand, and quality of food. 

Thanks to giant farming lands, you will find healthy produce in the supermarkets from local farmers. If you prefer to cook your meals rather than order lavish meals from restaurants, you can cut your food expenses. 

Commuting Cost in Australia

The monthly commuting cost will depend on the distance between cities. For instance, in Sydney single adult fares will start at AUD 2.10 and reaches AUD 4.50.

One amazing thing to note is that if you are traveling on a Sunday then you will have to pay a flat price of AUD 2.50 irrespective of whether you choose a bus or a ferry. This gives you a budgeted trip to explore the city.

You can also create a monthly pass for yourself on public transport which will cost you around $150. 

Universities too have private transport facilities on campus to take students from and to remote areas. Depending on the university and its location, you can easily get a monthly pass within the range of AUD 30 to AUD 70.

If you are a bicycle fan, then it can save a lot. You can rent a bicycle by paying a fare of AUD 25-40 for a day. 

Healthcare cost in Australia

Some providers like Medibank, Bupa, Allianz, etc. tie up with Australian universities to provide affordable health insurance services to students. Depending on your university, on average, your health care coverage will cost you around AUD 1500 to AUD 1650.

Recreational Cost in Australia

There is a plethora of entertainment options for you in Australia. Australia has some of the greatest beaches and a quirky set of flora and fauna. 

You can explore various interesting activities while studying. These include sea diving, exploring the thick rainforest, and enjoying bars, clubs, and lounges. On average, you can keep a monthly budget of AUD 200 for recreational activities while your studying.

I won't recommend cutting much on this as All work and no play makes jack a dull boy!

 Mobile and internet costs in Australia

While moving to Australia, it's best to buy a local sim. You can easily get this from supermarkets and grocery shops. There are prepaid as well as postpaid sims available with different plans. Internet plans are same as the mobile plans. On average, you would be spending around AUD 70 monthly on your mobile and Internet charges.

Miscellaneous expenses in Australia

Apart from the above-mentioned expenses, there can be some miscellaneous expenses too. These may include your clothing, grooming, or the amount that you spend on your health and habits. You can keep a buffer of approx. AUD 250 per month for your miscellaneous expenditure. 

How can you reduce your living cost in Australia?

• Polish your cooking skills and cook at home more! Vegetarian dishes will cost you less than non-vegetarian ones.
• Plan your budget well. Keep track of your monthly, quarterly, and yearly expenses.
• Use coupons and discounts wherever possible. Surround yourself with a friend circle with these habits. Become part of a network where you can explore money-saving habits and get frequent updates on cost-cutting opportunities.
• If you don't need it, don't shop for it! Unnecessary shopping will only add to your expenses in Australia.
• Research and apply for Australian government scholarships.
• Follow the thumb rule of earning while learning. In Australia, International students are allowed to work up to 40 hours every two weeks. Make the maximum out of this opportunity.
• Avoid renting private accommodation. Live in a shared flat. You can find roomies on your university's noticeboard. Also, living in a group will contribute to having great fun and building some cherish-able moments during your educational journey :)

Conclusion

So, we have finally reached the end! Hopefully, this blog was helpful to you. To summarise, on average, the living cost for an international student is between AUD 1400 - AUD 2500. There are various factors that you will have to keep in mind to ensure that you are financially prepared to manage your living expenses in Australia. Additionally, International students in Australia will have to provide evidence of at least AUD 20,209 for living costs on an annual basis to get an Australian visa.

I would recommend researching your Australian city well for a better analysis of different expense ratios. Try getting in touch with some locals if possible to understand the ground reality. You can also take the help of some migration agents or consultants that can help you with your settlement and budgeting. 

Best of luck with your journey!