Cost of Living in Australia: 2025 Guide for Indian Students

Australia is one of the highest-ranked countries in the world for its quality of life, making it an attractive study destination for many Indian students. An essential component of planning your studies in Australia involves understanding your cost of living as it can help you in managing your finances.

From accommodation and groceries to transport and entertainment, the cost of living in Australia varies depending on where you study and your lifestyle choices. Our guide can help you understand these different aspects of your cost of living – we take you through your potential living expenses, provide you with an overview of your tuition fees, and advise you on working part time and paying taxes as an Indian student in Australia. Let’s get started.

Calculate your living costs in Australia

When making your financial plan for your studies, you’ll need to account for your living expenses. As your cost of living in Australia is typically split between different categories of expenses, it’s good to have a monthly breakdown of these categories – this can give you a clear idea of the big picture when making your budget.

Here’s a list of your main expenses in Australia as an Indian student:

• Accommodation
• Entertainment
• Food and groceries
• Miscellaneous
• Transport
• Utilities

We explain the main categories in detail in the next few sections.

Accommodation

There are a number of different accommodation options for Indian students in Australia. Depending on your budget, you can pick the type of housing that suits you best:

When you’re making the move to your new city, finding suitable housing where you can focus on your studies and relax peacefully during your downtime can be a stressful task. Some key aspects to consider when sifting through your options are:

• The proximity of your accommodation to campus
• The proximity of your accommodation to public transport routes and other amenities like shopping centres
• Your budget
• The lifestyle you wish to have

Depending on the type of accommodation you opt for, your utilities and sometimes even your food costs are included in your rent. For instance, university-managed housing, residential colleges, purpose-built student accommodation, and homestays typically include utility and food bills. If the cost of your utilities are not calculated in your rent, then you’ll have to pay them separately or split the bills with your housemates.

Utilities

Your utility costs – mainly gas and electricity – may fluctuate depending on the season. For instance, you are likely to use more hot water during the winter so your gas bill may go up during those months.

In addition to gas and electricity, your utilities also include your phone and internet plans. Here’s an overview of your monthly utility expenses:

In addition to your utility bills, you’ll also have to think about your monthly transport and food costs. We cover these in the next two sections.

Transport

Many international students choose to buy a car in Australia for their transport needs, as it offers convenience for both commuting to university and travelling to part-time jobs. However, during your first semester, you may prefer to use public transport while exploring your car purchase options. Australia has a reliable and well-connected public transport system, which includes trains, trams, buses, and ferries, depending on the city or region. With student discounts, monthly public transport costs typically range from AUD 70 to AUD 200.

If you’re living in a non-metropolitan area where public transport may be limited, having a car can make getting around much easier. It also offers more flexibility, allowing you to stay late at friends’ homes, work evening shifts, and take road trips to explore Australia’s unique travel destinations. The cost of maintaining a car in Australia, including your fuel costs, is approximately AUD 460 per week.

Food and groceries

A key component of adjusting to student life is learning to prepare meals and plan your grocery shopping. While eating out can be a fun, delicious experience (especially as Australian cuisine is rich with fusion and variety), it’s advisable to limit these experiences to special occasions so you can save your money. Once you get the hang of planning your meals and buying groceries on a regular schedule, you’ll be amazed at how much you can save on your food costs.

Your living expenses vary depending on the city you’re studying in, as metropolitan areas usually have higher rent and transport costs.

Monthly cost of living per city

Depending on the region you’re studying in, your cost of living will vary. For instance, most smaller cities have relatively affordable rental accommodation, transport, and entertainment options. We’ve outlined an estimate for rent, utilities and internet, food and groceries, transportation, and other miscellaneous costs for each city in the table below:

Source: Numbeo

If you are considering a smaller Australian city as a study destination, you may be able to access certain financial advantages.

Living costs in smaller Australian cities

Australia is a unique and spectacular country – a proud home to dramatic natural contrasts like pristine white beaches, mangrove marshes, rugged cliffs, tropical rainforests, and mighty deserts. The country’s vast diversity has given rise to both major cities and regional ones. While urban Australia boasts large, modern cities, regional Australia welcomes you into its picturesque, charming towns where you can enjoy a quieter lifestyle.

Smaller cities in Australia generally offer more affordable options for rent, transport, and entertainment compared to larger cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Studying in a smaller city can also come with employment advantages, as there is often less competition for jobs during and after your studies. While grocery prices remain relatively consistent across the country, particularly at major national supermarket chains – smaller cities often have local markets where you can find fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and dairy at lower prices.

Educational expenses

Your main educational expense in Australia is your tuition fees, which depend on your university, your course, and your study level. Here’s an overview of the approximate tuition fees required for each level of tertiary education in Australia:

You may incur some additional expenses for your course, such as learning materials or clothing requirements (e.g. work safety boots or a laboratory coat).

The above sections highlight your primary expenses after you have arrived in Australia. However, your pre-departure preparations also come with a number of costs, which we’ve explained below.

Financial requirements of your Student visa

Your pre-departure preparations include a number of expenses, mostly related to your Student visa. To obtain your Student visa (subclass 500), you must pay an application fee of AUD 2,000. In addition to this, you’ll likely be required to pay a fee to obtain your police certificates and give your biometrics to a visa centre. Your visa application also requires you to declare the minimum living costs needed for your stay in Australia, and pay for your health insurance, which typically costs AUD 478 per year for a single coverage.

In addition to giving you the right to study in Australia for the duration of your course, your Student visa also allows you to work up to 48 hours a fortnight when your course of study or training is in session. Many Indian students use this right to work part-time.

Working in Australia as an international student

Once you’ve settled into your new life, you can begin looking for part-time work. Having a job helps you develop practical skills and build connections within your community, while the income you earn can contribute towards your living expenses. In Australia, you can take up either part-time or casual work, and depending on the hours you work, you may earn between AUD 200 and AUD 250 per week.

It’s easier for you to get hired if you have an Australian bank account, as many employers prefer to deposit earnings directly into your account. Having an Australian bank account also gives you access to a bank card, which helps in making financial transactions in a largely cashless society.

Opening a bank account in Australia as an international student

A bank account in an Australian bank will help you keep your money accessible and safe. Additionally, Australian banks offer a number of benefits to customers, like access to a tracking tool that allows you to analyse your spending, the option of cardless banking, and discounts at major stores.

To open a bank account at an Australian bank, visit your nearest branch with your passport, student ID, Tax Identification Number, and a copy of your welcome letter. It’s a quick process, and the bank will send your new bank card to the address you’ve provided.

International students who aim to work part-time in Australia must also consider the country’s tax regulations. Let’s take a closer look at these next.

Taxes in Australia for international students

If you study in Australia for longer than six months, you will be considered a resident for tax purposes which means that you must pay tax on income earned in Australia, at the same tax rate as all other residents in Australia.

Your employer will pay the tax to the Australian Tax Office (ATO) for you on any amount you earn above AUD 18,200 each year. Income below this amount is tax-free.

If you’re a temporary resident and considered an Australian resident for tax purposes, most of your foreign income – that is, money you get from overseas or your home country – is not taxed in Australia and does not need to be declared on your Australian tax return. You are only required to declare income earned in Australia, along with certain income from employment or services performed overseas during your time as a temporary resident.

Being knowledgeable about your part-time work rights, banking options, and tax regulations can help you smoothly transition to Australia from India. Along with this, keeping a few budgeting tips in mind can also help you manage your cost of living in Australia as an Indian student.

Budgeting tips for Indian students in Australia

Knowing how to manage your finances in a new country can be challenging. We’ve compiled a list of practical tips to help you with your money as an Indian student in Australia:

• Consider investing in a bicycle as it’s a low cost alternative to a car.
• Consult your peers and friends about securing a part-time job.
• Cook bulk batches of your favourite dish and freeze them in reusable containers to save time when you’re too busy or lazy to cook.
• Keep an eye on the exchange rate when transferring money to/from India.
• Plan ahead for your tuition expenses so you don’t experience any last-minute stress about paying your fees at the end of each semester/year.
• Purchase a student transport card to enjoy discounted rates when using public transport.
• Where possible, purchase used instead of new textbooks.

Diverse courses, quality education, and globally recognised qualifications make Australia a top destination for Indian students seeking a world class study abroad experience. If you’re planning to study in Australia, you can follow the steps below:

• Step 1 – Choose your study area and course
• Step 2 – Choose your university
• Step 3 – Plan your budget
• Step 4 – Prepare your student visa application
• Step 5 – Get ready to arrive in Australia and start your studies

Our StudyIn experts can guide you through each step of your journey to Australia, including by giving you personalised advice on course selection and finances. Contact us today to clear your doubts about studying in Australia as an Indian student.

FAQs

What’s the cost of living in Australia for Indian students? 

Depending on the region you’re studying in, your cost of living will vary between AUD 2,000 and AUD 4,000 per month.

Is AUD 5,000 enough for a month in Australia?

Yes, AUD 5,000 can easily cover your cost of living in Australia, including your rent, transport, utilities, and food and groceries. Generally, you need AUD 2,000 to AUD 4,000 per month for your living expenses as a student in Australia.

What’s the average salary of an Indian student in Australia?

In Australia, you can take up either part-time or casual work, and depending on the hours you work, you may earn between AUD 200 and AUD 250 per week.

What’s the highest paid part-time job in Australia?

Students can do a variety of part-time work in Australia to manage their cost of living. Some of the highest paid part-time job roles are:

• Babysitter
• Delivery person
• Driver