Cost of Living in Australia for Indian Students

Student Living Cost in Australia

Managing finances is the foremost priority of any student who plans to study abroad. The obvious question ‘What is the cost of studying in Australia?’ can be answered taking a number of factors into account. The type of education you are pursuing, your location in Australia, the university you are enrolled in and many such factors will help you determine the cost. But, knowing the average cost of quotidian things is an important part of your financial planning.

Along with lakhs of rupees which is spent on tuition fees, there are other costs that add to the total expenses of studying abroad such as accommodation, transportation, groceries and food, and other miscellaneous expenses. Not to mention the evidence of having at least AU$20,209 for living costs a year needs to be produced by an international student in order to get an Australian student visa.

Many students choose Australia for being more budget-friendly than other European countries. Still, it cannot be said that the country is cheap. However, the cost is overall affordable. It is important to plan finances so that one can live without worry while studying in Australia. Monthly budgeting can help to manage finances to a great extent. Also, students must aim to reduce costs as much as possible by adopting certain lifestyle changes like they can cook their own food instead of eating outside. 

Mentioned below are various expenses and prices that will help you know the cost of living in Australia. You can also compare the cost with India to plan your budget in a better way.

Education Cost in Australia

Cost of studying in Australia is the tuition fees for the programme in which a student is enrolled. Tuition fee covers close to 70% of the total cost of studying in Australia.

Tuition fees vary and depend on your education provider, programme, level of study and many other factors. While you must collect detailed and accurate information for specific courses of study offered at an institute for the current academic year, you can check the list of tuition fees for international students at some of the top Australian universities for an estimate of tuition fees in Australia.

Australian universities charge tuition fees based on the number of units you take. The annual fees are the cost of 8 units for a full course of study. Degrees are shorter in Australia than in other countries thereby reducing the cost of education. Students can also reduce the cost of education by availing of scholarships and loans.

Note: The above mentioned is for reference. The fee may be revised for the current academic year.

Accommodation/ Living Cost in Australia

Accommodation is an important expense when it comes to staying in a foreign country. The cost varies depending on the location and the type of accommodation one is opting for. The rural regions in Northern and Western Australia are comparatively cheaper than cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

An international student can choose to stay in the residential facilities provided by institutes on campus or they can stay off-campus. The expense varies for both on-campus and off-campus stays in Australia depend on the facilities provided and other such factors. The shared rentals will cost less than individual homestays. 

The country provides different accommodation options such as homestays, self-catered apartments and shared houses. Also, there are other facilities provided such as meals, cleaning, laundry, wifi, fully-furnished bedrooms and etc. Some accommodations provide recreational activities to students like televisions, gyms, sports opportunities, BBQs and etc. 

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Cost of Groceries and Food Items in Australia

In Australia, you can find all types of cuisines be it Indian, Chinese, Continental, American or Italian. There are also a number of hotels and restaurants around the cities where food is available at reasonable prices which primarily depends on factors such as quality, type of restaurant, brand and season. However, the average cost of a meal in a good restaurant may cost around AUD40. For expenses on groceries in Australia, refer to the table given below:

Transportation Cost in Australia

Public transport is easily accessible in Australia and the cities are also well connected by airways and roadways. One can use buses, trams, taxis and trains to move to and fro within the city. Transportation costs isn’t something that can be estimated accurately as it depends on the distance of travel and the mode of transportation. Public transport is reliable and efficient. The road network is extremely well-connected. Students can use concession cards that help them save a lot of money on transportation. Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide have suburban railway networks. There are intra-city trams, ferry services and car services.

However, if you are looking for the answer to ‘what is the average transportation cost in Australia?’ then check out the table below.

Miscellaneous Expenses In Australia

Along with the major expenses mentioned above, students must have some extra money to spend on miscellaneous things such as recreation, entertainment, hobbies, shopping, medicines etc. To get an overview of additional expenses while staying in Australia, check the table below: 

Minimum Cost of Living in Australia

The Department of Home Affairs updates the cost of living financial requirements for student visa holders. The cost is adjusted keeping in mind the Consumer Price Index (CPI) so that international students do not face any financial hardships during their stay. The minimum 12-month cost of living is as follows:

Source: Australian Trade and Investment Commission

Cost of Living in the Top 3 Cities in Australia

To get a better idea of how much you are likely to spend if you choose to study in the top Australian cities of Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, go through the tables below:

Sydney

Brisbane

Melbourne

Cheapest Cities in Australia for International Students

Although home to thousands of international students, Sydney is rather the least affordable city in Australia for an international student. Given below is a table listing the top six cities in Australia that are the cheapest for international students:

Life in Australia as an International Student

Australia is amongst the most popular choices for international students to study abroad. The multicultural cities and vibrant atmosphere of the country welcome and provide thousands of students with a home away from home. The prospect of living in Australia as an international student can be particularly enticing considering the cultural and geographical diversity of the land. However, it can be a little overwhelming to accustom to a new country and its traditions. Therefore it is important to know the multiple facades of life in Australia as an International student. 

Climate 

Australia is located in the Southern Hemisphere with a pleasant atmosphere throughout the year. It is hot during summers and moderately cold in winters or frosty in some areas. The Australian seasons are opposite to India therefore students spend Christmas on hot sunny days and enjoy winters from June-July.

Culture

Like most educational destinations across the world, Australia has a diversity of religions, history, language and art. Most Australians are laidback in attitude and they use sarcasm and dark humour to convey their ideas. Australian slang and abbreviations are common in daily conversations and students can learn them as they get into lands down under.

Campus Life

The campus life for international students is very happening with the universities organising several programmes throughout the year. Welcome parties, campus tours, university events, seminars, sports competitions and group mixtures are common occurrences. It is the best way to intermingle with the Aussie’s way of life. Students can also indulge in different study groups, travel groups, sports clubs, literary societies and activities which will help them to settle down quickly in the country. 

Part-time Jobs 

Students can work for more than 40 hours a fortnight in Australia. However, they must balance their work and study commitments. It should not come in between their satisfactory course progress. Students can opt for various part-time jobs in Australia. The minimum wage rate provided is AUD 18.23. Working can improve the skills of the students and provide networking opportunities that will help them find full-time job opportunities. They must also remember that their income is taxable and they should be aware of receipt, payment, income and other tax related compliances. 

Learning Environment

Learning is bent more on a pragmatic approach than a theoretical one. More emphasis is laid on assignments and group projects to motivate peer learning. The classes are recorded and the professors interact more with students to deliver excellent quality education. The testing system is more relaxed in Australia. 

Healthcare

Before applying for a student visa, international students must take Overseas Student Health Cover which should be activated atleast one week before the start of the course and should remain active throughout the course. This will bear the cost of their health related issues during their study period. 

Opening Bank Account

It is important to open a local bank account in Australia as soon as one moves in. Australian banks have good rates and opening a bank account in advance before arriving in Australia will help students to withdraw cash without paying exchange fees. While doing a part-time job, the salary will be credited into the account and hence it is important to open an account at the earliest instance. 

Management of Finances

Living in Australia is expensive given that the tuition fees are high in the universities. The living costs vary from one place to another. The classroom-based courses may cost up to AUD 35,000 per year while lab-based courses can cost AUD 45,000 annually. Living costs include rent, grocery, transport, utility bills, food, drinks and socialisation. Some of the costs can be covered through scholarships. Therefore students must apply for all types of scholarships at disposal.