Australia is a large and beautiful country with globally ranked universities, attracting over 600,000 international students per year.
It currently stands third in the popular destinations for students in the world.
There are various other reasons why students choose Australia other than its universities and like incredible nature and is nestled between several oceans.
Besides all this, though, a major consideration for any international student to study in Australia is the cost of living there. The cost of living can be divided into several factors. Let us discuss them in
detail:
Tuition Fees in Australia
The tuition fees you pay to pursue higher education in Australia can differ based on the course and the university/college you are applying for.
The fees for bachelor’s degrees range between $20,000 to $45,000 per year, and the fees for Master’s and Ph.D. degrees are a little higher, ranging between $22,000 to $50,000.
Several institutions in Australia, like the Flinders University, have a low tuition fee starting at just $10,350 per year, while some, like the University of Queensland, charge up to $57,000.
Accommodation in Australia
Most of the universities in Australia only provide a small number of dormitories for student accommodation. Therefore, most students have to look for other options for accommodation.
Here is a table showing the average price for different accommodation options in the Land Down Under.
Accommodation Option Average Cost Per Year (AUD)
Living with a local family $450 to $1,200
Student dormitories $440 to $1,100
Rented apartment/house $750 to $1,700
Rented apartment sharing $380 to $850
Apart from these, you will also have to pay for other bills related to accommodation like utilities (costing around $200 per month) and internet (ranging between $70 to $120).
Food cost in Australia
Groceries are generally available in the supermarkets and require between $500 to $1,000 for a month’s supplies.
To pay the lowest, you should shop at the cheapest supermarkets like Cole,
Woolworths and Aldi.
Here is a table depicting the costs of various everyday products:
Product Price Product Price
Milk $1.50 1lt Bread Loaf $2.80
Apples $4.50 1kg Chicken Fillets $10.50 1kg
Bananas $3.50 1kg Beer $8.00 (500ml)
Tomatoes $4.50 1kg Detergent $5 (3lt)
Eggs $4.50 (12) Mobile $20 To $70 Pre- Paid
Aside from the everyday essentials, a meal in an inexpensive restaurant is around $18.
In comparison, a three-course meal at a fine dining restaurant can cost around $80.
Transport cost in Australia
While some universities have a private transport supplier to help students staying on campus, other students have to look for transportation elsewhere.
Based on the city you are living in, you can benefit from the student concessions provided in several state programs like QSD (Queensland), VIC (Melbourne) and SA (South Australia).
You can also get a public transport pass for students, which, depending on the city you live in, can cost around $30 to $70 per month.
Fitness & Entertainment in Australia
For students who love to workout, the monthly membership of a gym can cost an average of $70.
As Australia enjoys good weather conditions for most of the year, outdoor fitness training has also
grown popular.
For people moving to Australia from developing nations, the price of entertainment can seem very high.
Movie tickets for two can cost anywhere between $32 to $36, and a theatre performance can
cost more than the $200.
Most students subscribe for Pay TV for entertainment at home, which usually costs around $25 per month.
Average Cost of Living in Australia
International students living in Australia generally need anywhere from $1,400 and $2,500 per month in to cover their accommodation, food, transport and other expenses.
Be sure to keep all the above costs in your mind while applying for your student visa in Australia, as you have to show the proof of funds to prove that you live and study there.