Australia || Living Expenses

Accommodation

Living costs to study in Australia for international students are very affordable with a good range of options available whether you choose to live with other students or on your own. You can choose to live in the following types of accommodation:

Homestay - A$ 90–150 a week
Homestay is a great way for younger international students to immerse themselves in Australian life, and benefit from the safety and supervision of adults. Meals are usually included in the cost, but self-catering Homestay is sometimes available. Single or shared rooms are available.

When it comes to the most popular Australian Homestay location, Sydney always comes out on top. There's a lot to see and do in Sydney and with a population of around 4 million people, it is one of Australia's busiest cities. Some of the most famous landmarks in the city include Sydney Harbour and the Opera House. The city's public transport is efficient so it's simple to get around too so you won't have to rely upon your host family to take you everywhere!

Melbourne is one of Australia's more cultured cities. It is a cosmopolitan city that also boasts great nightlife for students. One of the main reasons many people choose to Homestay in Melbourne is because it is more affordable than Sydney. It is certainly a great place in the country to study.

If you are looking for a city that offers a relaxed atmosphere with great work and study opportunities then Brisbane is the place for you. No matter where you choose to study, there are usually plenty of programs run by the universities and colleges for students to get together. Brisbane truly is a beautiful destination to study and it is certainly worth considering for a Homestay.

These are just a few of the best destinations to choose for an Australian Homestay. Each offers a unique and amazing experience for students. No matter where you choose to go, you will feel welcome and you will be surrounded by an abundance of activities.

Institutions maintain registers of families who board international students during the academic year. Institutions check that these families are reputable and offer accommodation at a reasonable standard.

Hostels and Guest Houses - A$ 80–135 a week
Hostels are usually run by organisations such as Youth Hostels Australia and the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). Students share kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Shared Accommodation - A$ 70–200 a week
Sharing off-campus accommodation is very popular with international students. You should look for advertisements on campus notice boards and local newspapers. Expect that you will have to provide your own furniture.

Rental Accommodation A$100–300 a week
When renting a house, apartment or bed sitter, landlords require rent to be paid in advance, and will require a security bond equal to one months’ rent.

Boarding Schools - A$ 10,000–20,000 a year
Many private secondary schools provide accommodation, meals and laundry services for international students.

Campus Accommodation - A$ 80–200 per week
Most universities and some vocational institutions offer a variety of accommodation on or near campus, such as apartments, residential colleges or halls of residence. The cost varies on the type of accommodation.

Residential colleges are slightly more expensive and provide accommodation with meals. They may also have sporting and social facilities, tutoring, libraries and computer facilities.

Halls of residence are located on or near institution campuses. Students usually have meals and some cleaning services provided. Students need to apply early because demand for places is high.

Cost of Living

MONTHLY COSTS (A$)
The approximate minimum monthly major expenses for an average person or family in an average town or suburb are shown in the table below

ITEM	Amount  per month in AUD $
Housing	400
Food	325
Electricity and other utilities	100
Leisure	100
Car/travel	200
Insurance	75
Clothing	150
Transport	200
Pre-paid Mobile phones	92c per minute peak time and 34c off peak