Cost of living in Australia for international students

Rent is the one thing that really moves your budget between cities; food, transport, and everything else costs about the same across the country. These are estimated annual totals sharing accommodation, cheapest city first. The Australian Government’s minimum for a student visa is A$29,710 a year.

• AdelaideConsistently the most affordable mainland capital for students, with the lowest rent of the big cities and a compact, walkable centre. Regional for skilled migration.A$22,500to A$28,000/yr
• BrisbaneA state capital with noticeably lower rent than Sydney or Melbourne, a warm climate, and a growing tech and health sector.A$25,500to A$33,000/yr
• PerthA relaxed, spread-out capital with moderate costs. Perth counts as a designated regional area for skilled migration, so studying here also earns visa points.A$25,500to A$33,000/yr
• CanberraThe national capital: small, quiet, with a tight rental market but a strong graduate job market in the public service. Regional for skilled migration.A$27,500to A$35,500/yr
• MelbourneAustralia's biggest student city and a little cheaper than Sydney, with a large rental market, extensive trams, and a strong part-time job market.A$30,000to A$39,500/yr
• SydneyThe most expensive student city in Australia, driven almost entirely by rent. Everything else costs roughly the same as anywhere else in the country.A$33,000to A$43,500/yr

See also: the full cost of studying in Australia