Cost of Living in Australia For Indian Students

Last Updated on August 28, 2024

The average living expenses in Australia for international students range between 11 lakhs and 21 lakhs INR. Travel, health insurance, entertainment options, and food and grocery expenses add to the costs. Nevertheless, the higher student incomes, a relaxed international student work permit, and a good return on investment have added to the popularity of Australia as a study-abroad destination for Indian students. 

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Overview of the Living Costs in Australia

The cost of living in Australia is calculated using a set of expenses, which finally concludes with the cost of living. The estimated cost of living in Australia for an Indian student is about 2 lakhs to 3 lakhs INR per month if living alone. If the Indian applicants are living with their families, this cost can gradually increase. There are different types of finances for studying abroad, which are calculated together and elaborated in the following essay for more reference.

Cost of Living in Australian Cities 

While beginning to shortlist Australian universities, applicants must check out the Australian cities and their living expenses. While some Australian cities will be expensive, others may be relatively cheaper. Your cost of living can vary from cities to towns and countryside as well. Check out the table below to understand city-wise living expenses for Indian students applying to study in Australia.

Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is the most expensive city, as given above, and Darwin is the most inexpensive city in Australia. So, candidates who do not wish to spend much on living expenses can shortlist universities accordingly since Australia has some of the maximum footfall in its Melbourne and Sydney Universities. Here is a breakdown of the two major cities in Australia for Indian students.

Living costs in Sydney and Melbourne Cities

The cost of living in the city of Sydney is higher than the cost of living in Melbourne. As per the recent data, for the average cost of living, it can be noted that those living or earning in Sydney tend to pay more than those living in study in Australia . The cost comparisons for living in Sydney and Melbourne to study in Australia are tabulated below for reference-

*Private transport. These expenses include the purchase of the vehicle along with the cost of fuel and the maintenance cost. Hence, this cost may also vary depending on the vehicle chosen. The average monthly cost of living in the city of Sydney for an individual is approximately 2,26,940 2 INR on average, whereas the cost of living in Melbourne is 1,10,703 INR on average. Yet Melbourne is less expensive than Sydney.

How are Living Costs in Australia for International Students calculated? 

Now that you know where to begin here, you can dive deep into the cost of living in Australia. When discussing the cost of living in Australia for Indian students, numerous expenses make up the cost of living in Australia. These expenses form an important part of the cost of living while students study in Australia, and they are as follows-

• Tuition costs
• Accommodation costs
• Travel costs
• Health insurance costs 
• Personal expenses 
• Food and groceries
• Utility costs
• Entertainment costs

1. Cost of studying in Australia 

The island nation Australia attracts more and more international students from all around the globe. Some of the top universities and colleges in the world are located in Australia, and thus, the country of Australia is becoming the new favourite among students. The education system in Australia is another factor that adds to its attractiveness. But how much does education in Australia cost? Here is the tuition fee break cost to study in Australia for Indian students after their class 12th-

Overall, the tuition fees to study in Australia can vary by institution or university the candidates are applying for. Based on the level of the course, the cost of studying can vary. The tuition fee differs from institution to institution, as well as the type of program and course you opt for.

2. Accommodation costs in Australia 

There are various types of accommodation in Australia, and the costs may vary depending on the type. The following list provides the different types of accommodation available for Indian applicants who wish to study in Australia:

3. Cost of Travelling in Australia 

The cost of commuting is also an integral part of computing the cost of living in Australia. Here is how much it can cost international students to travel to Australia:

• Single bus/train ticket (city)- ₹553 INR
• Monthly public transport pass- ₹5,535 – ₹11,070 INR
• Domestic one way flight- ₹11,070- ₹16,605 INR
• Rental car per day – ₹2,767-₹5,535 INR

On average, international students would atleast need ₹16,605 to ₹22,140 INR to travel to Australia or to other adjoining cities in Australia.

4. Cost of Health Insurance and Medical Expenses in Australia 

While international students stay and study in Australia, they require health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay in Australia; health insurance is called OHSC or overseas student health coverage. The following table lists some of the OHSC providers for the candidates applying to universities in Australia –

You can log onto Australia’s official website and find the OHSC option. Based on your study duration, A list of providers will be prompted; choose any one of them and buy and submit the details in your student visa forms.

5. Cost of utilities in Australia 

Utility costs in Australia are another major aspect of the cost of living. These utilities include your electricity bills, phone bills and even your internet bills. You can check the following table to know how much you’ll ideally spend on utilities in Australia-

Not all of these utilities will be applicable for those living on campus except for the internet and smartphones. Nevertheless, those living off-campus would require applicants to pay for all of the above utilities. Also note that these costs are just estimates and could vary based on parameters like location, the provider, usage and the household size. 

6. Expenses of entertainment in Australia

Now that we have discussed the income and expense options of a student, we might as well talk about many things you can do while being in Australia and the island continent. Australia has beautiful beaches. You will often find people spending hours at the beaches, not that far from your university and if it tastes like running on the wild side. The options are numerous. Another thing is that Australia has an abundance of wildlife if you and an adventure Australia of beautiful wild terrains that will simply take your breath away, but all need not be wild; urban life has its zing as well. There are clubs, lounges, bars, and speciality restaurants, and you should not forget the famous opera house in Sydney. If you simply wish to experience, unlike any other visit to the opera house in Sydney, it will surely make your stay in Australia worthwhile. Overall, you would spend around 5000 to 6000 INR on entertainment in Australia.

7. Personal Expenses in Australia

Personal expenses are very subjective and vary from individual to individual. This is based on the spending capacity of the candidate and spending based on the needs of the applicants. The personal expenses are calculated. For instance, an international student should ideally spend ₹3874 to ₹4428 INR weekly. This is just an estimate and depends on the student’s requirements and needs.

8. Cost of food and groceries in Australia

The list below shows how much you will ideally spend on groceries and food while you are living and study in Australia.

On average, international students will have to spend ₹3542 to ₹5701 on food and grocery items in Australia.

Final Calculation of Cost of Living in Australia

Australia ranks amongst the top 10 in the human development index as well as the quality of life index. In simple words, a developed country like Australia is among the top countries of the world in terms of its education system, GDP and purchase purchasing power parity index; with a high level of income, people living and working there also enjoy a high level of health awareness and excellent medical system as well as a politically stable economy. But as a student, these hardly matter as what really matters is how much it would cost to stay in Australia so here are the above costs mentioned simplified to numbers per month for Australian living expenses: 

Hence, on an annual basis, students will have to spend around 11 lakhs to 21 lakhs INR as part of the cost of living while they study in Australia. These figures talk about the basics and would be from institution to institution as well as a style of living. You wish to maintain it if you would rather stay in an independent accommodation or at your university. It does not have to be a hostel facility then; you would end up spending anywhere between ₹55,000 to ₹96,865 for a single room unit. Also, the level of cost may vary considerably for entertainment. If you are an exploring kind and would rather spend your weekend exploring the matter efficiently, the monthly expenses can roughly denote your weekly expenses as well. So it depends on how you wish to live in Australia. There is a lot to spend in Australia, but you did not dispatch. You can always earn the extra amount to make your stay worthwhile while you study in Australia.

Tips to Save Money in Australia

There are multiple ways of saving money while living in Australia. These include part-time jobs in Australia or applying for educational loans at a lower rate. Check out the following section for details about them.

Working while you study in Australia

The Australian immigration laws are comparatively easy when it comes to working while studying. A slight request would often make you eligible to work in Australia as an international student. Though the rules might vary generally, students are allowed to work for up to 48 hours a fortnight. One way to cater to living expenses in Australia is by working part-time jobs. The other aspect is the availability of jobs, and there is no death of the same companies; local businesses and retail shops often hire domestic and international students as international students.

You are protected by the same labour laws as the domestic student population, which also means the minimum wage as a student can be around ₹940 per hour there. The kind of jobs are also wearing. These are both on-campus jobs and local jobs available, and universities often have offices that can help you find the right one for you. The kind of industry students are employed in differentiates from retail to hospitality to administrative or teaching jobs. It is essential to note that excellent post-work study options for international students are available to support living expenses. 16 lakhs to 22 lakhs should be the minimum salary to live in Australia from India.

Education Laws in Australia

While applying for overseas education, students must start planning as soon as possible, and the most crucial step towards this dream is preparing their finances. Financial institutions and banks like HDFC, SBI, etc., offer student education loans at a minimum interest rate, which students can get approval for within days. However, for loan approval, all your loan documents must be precise and unerring.

Conclusion

Despite the higher cost of living in Australia, thousands of students go to the nation every year for their higher education. The increased quality of education in Australia is one of the top reasons for this. In addition, it offers a better standard of living, making it a great choice for your higher studies. Draft your study abroad plan in Australia at the minimum cost. While opting for a city with lower living costs, make sure you do not miss out on good institutions. 

FAQs

Is Australia more expensive than the United States?

No, the average cost of living in the United States is higher than in Australia. According to the World Population Review, Australia is the tenth most expensive country to live in. Other countries that rank above Australia are Ireland, Singapore, and Luxembourg.

What is the average tuition cost in Australia?

The annual fee to study in Australia can vary depending on your university and course. On average, the annual tuition fees for each course are given below-

• Bachelor’s Degree- INR 11 to 24 lakh
• Masters Degree- INR 12 to 27 lakh 
• Doctoral Degree- INR 11 to 23 lakh

What is a good salary in Australia?

You can live comfortably on 55 lakhs, with the average salary in Australia being around 54 lakhs per annum and most salaries around 35 lakhs annually. These salaries vary widely by location, industry and experience level.

Why is Australia so expensive?

The high expenses of living in Australia are largely the result of a combination of factors, such as high rent, high house prices, high prices for food and everyday items, rising education costs, high transport costs, lifestyle changes, and energy costs.

Do the cost of living in Australia differ based on Australian cities?

Yes, the cost of living in Australia varies based on the city. Though there is not a huge disparity, some rates may vary, like the cost of living in universities. Another is the choice of accommodation off campus, followed by the mode of transport and other related expenses. Living expenses in Australia also include the personal expenses of students while they study in Australia.

Gaurav Kandari

Gaurav Kandari is a seasoned study abroad consultant with over 5 years of experience, specializing in guiding students to the UK, USA, Canada, and Australia. An avid traveler, he draws on his global adventures to enrich his consulting, providing invaluable insights to aspiring scholars.