Looking to apply to study or work in Australia? With world-renowned universities, a demand for skilled professionals and an excellent quality of life, Australia is a popular choice for those who want to gain experience abroad.
IELTS is trusted across Australia, where you have the option to live in a big city or a charming small town that may be better suited to your budget. As you consider where to apply to study or work, be sure to include the costs associated with living abroad in your plans for success.
Accommodation
The further your university is from a big city, the less you are likely to pay for accommodation. Shared accommodations for students generally range between AUD $150 – AUD $350 per week. If you want to attend a big city university with accommodation on campus, be sure to sign up early because space is usually limited. The benefits of living on campus include saving on daily transport costs and taking advantage of student discounts in close proximity to the university.
If you plan to work in Australia and rent a one bedroom apartment in a city centre like Melbourne, you can expect to pay around AUD $2100 – AUD $2800 per month. For an apartment outside the city centre, your rent is lowered to around AUD $1800 per month. Learn more here.
Food costs
Grocery shopping and cooking at home is the most affordable way to manage the costs of food as a student or professional abroad. You should budget around AUD $80 per week for grocery shopping. If you’d like to treat yourself to a restaurant meal, you can expect to pay around AUD $18.
If you plan to bring your family along when you move to Australia, your average weekly budget will vary depending on where you live. Find out more about the differences in average weekly grocery spending across Australia here.
Transport
You can travel by train, bus, ferry or tram in Australia. Public transport is very reliable and students are often offered discounts, especially in and near university cities. Public transport is expected to cost between AUD $80 – AUD $220 per month for students.
For working professionals, public transport costs vary per city, but you can expect to pay AUD $150 – AUD $250 for a monthly pass. Unless your place of work is in walking or cycling distance from where you live, buying a monthly pass the most cost effective option for your daily commute.
If owning a car is more practical while you work in Australia, consider the costs of petrol and insurance as well as maintenance and registration. Your neighbourhood might have a carpool you can join, where professionals commuting to the same area take turns driving each other to work.
Health cover
As an international student in Australia, you will be required to have Overseas Student Health Cover. You might be able to purchase health cover through the university you plan to study at or choose your own provider. Read more about health cover for international students in Australia here.
Depending on where you work in Australia, your employer may or may not include health cover as part of your benefits package, but this is not a requirement for Australian employees. Find out about Overseas Visitor Health Cover here.
Remember to budget for your IELTS test as well as your visa application fees. Taking IELTS is one of the first steps in meeting visa requirements so you can achieve your goals abroad.