Cost of Living in Australia

Top Australian Institutions

Top Student Cities for Education in Australia

Apart from the high quality of education in Australia, the second reason why Australia is popular amongst international students is due to the incomparable student lifestyle. With Melbourne being the 3^rd best city in the world for students, Australian institutions are leading both the academic and social aspects of higher education. The best Australian student cities are also ranked under 100 in the QS Best Student Cities ranking and are home to some of the top universities as well. The cost of living in Australia in these cities and notable top universities are given below.

Top Australian Student Cities

Cost of Living in Australia for Students

The cost of living in Australia for students is much higher than the cost of living in India and many other countries. In fact, Sydney is even one of the most expensive cities in the entire world. The average cost of living in Australia for a single person is in the range of AUD $1,100 – 1,300 per month and lands in the expensive category for students who want to study in Australia.

In order for a student to be applicable for a student visa for Australia, he or she must show proof for supporting finances for approximately AUD $20,290 per year. The various categories which constitute the cost of living in Australia for prospective students includes:

1. Rent and Residential costs

Accommodation in Australia is nearly four times greater than the cost of accommodation in India. Single bedroom apartment rentals in the top Australian student cities can be in the range of AUD $800 – 2000 per month. On the other hand, students can find cheaper accommodation for the duration of their study in Australia through shared flats which can be rented at around AUD $165 – 440 per week. Campus accommodations further reduce the cost of living in Australia with a weekly charge of AUD $90 – 280 for campus residency and AUD $90 – 150 for hostels and guesthouses.

In addition to the monthly rental, students who choose individual accommodations also have to pay basic utility charges for gas, electricity, heating etc. The average cost of living in Australia for utilities in a single bedroom apartment is around AUD $35 – 140 per week. Furthermore, phone and internet costs also amount to approximately AUD $20 – 55 per week.

2. Food and Drink

The cost of living in Australia for food and drink follows similar trends in all the top student cities. Like most places, eating out is nearly always more expensive than buying groceries and eating at home, therefore making it a more viable option for students who want to study in Australia. The average living expenses in Australia for groceries and eating out is around AUD $80 – 280 per week with a slight variation with the city of study in Australia.

Living Expenses in Australia for Food and Drink

3. Clothing

The clothing costs in Australia are staggeringly high as compared to many other countries. Taking products from chain stores into consideration, clothing prices in Australia are the highest in larger cities like Melbourne and Sydney. Although the variation in clothing prices is not great, the average prices for some of the top Australian student cities are given below.

Living Expenses in Australia for Clothing

4. Car and public transport

The cost of living in Australia for public transportation is also comparatively higher than public transportation in other countries. For students who want to study in Australia, an average of AUD $15 – 55 per week can be spent on public transportation alone. The average prices associated with public transportation for some of the top Australian student cities are:

Living Expenses in Australia for Public Transportation

5. Medical Expenses

Medical expenses greatly affect the cost of living in Australia. Basic medicine for 6 days such as cold medicine like Tylenol cost around AUD $9 and a pack of 12 antibiotics cost a whopping AUD $12. But even more astoundingly high are the doctors’ fees in Australia. Even a short visit to the doctor will cost a student around AUD $73 for just 15 minutes making healthcare related expenses a heavy burden on the cost of living in Australia.

6. Entertainment

Like all other expenses, the cost of living in Australia for entertainment is also in the expensive category. On an average, a student tends to spend around AUD $80 – 150 per week on entertainment. Larger cities such as Sydney and Melbourne have the most expensive rates for entertainment as can be seen below:

Living Expenses in Australia for Entertainment

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