Australia is a very well-known country in the world, especially in Asian countries. It is one of the top tourist destinations today because of its perfect weather, unique culture, and friendly natives. People of different ages can immigrate to Australia as it has different visa programs for almost every group of individuals. You’ll be surprised to learn that the cost of living in Australia is way lower compared to other developed countries like Japan and Korea
Australia can be a tricky country to move to, especially if you’re not familiar with the costs associated with living there. While the cost of living in Australia is comparable to living in Western Europe and Northern America, there are some big differences. Keep on reading if you want to learn more about what it costs to live and work in Australia, and how much moving to Australia costs in comparison to other countries.
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Is Australia Expensive To Live In?
Australia is an expensive country to visit, with prices often higher than in Europe and North America. However, Australia has a lot to offer visitors in terms of natural beauty and attractions.
The cost of living in Australia is high compared to other countries, but this is not a complete picture. It’s important to consider the cost of living within different cities and states to see how much it would cost for you to live in temperate coastal cities near the southern hemisphere or the influence of housing and home values.
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Sydney is Australia’s most expensive city, with Brisbane, Melbourne, and Perth following close behind.
The cost of living in Australia varies from city to city and state to state. In general, major cities such as Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth are more expensive than those in rural areas like Darwin and Hobart.
City
Cost of Living Index
Sydney
90.75
Brisbane
80.28
Melbourne
80.59
Perth
80.40
Adelaide
80.83
Canberra
80.12
Gold Coast
70.64
Hobart
75.45
The cost of living in Australia is reasonable and affordable due to the availability of all types of the job market, top universities with low tuition fees, impeccable public hospital system, improved transport system, and high living standards. The cost of living varies considerably depending on where you live and what you buy.
Australia is one of the most sought-after relocation destinations among people from around the world. It has a clean environment, amazing climate, and excellent facilities. The people are very friendly and the infrastructure is among the best in the world.
There are a lot of reasons why people move to Australia, but getting a permanent residency isn’t one of them. For ex-pats who want to work, study or even retire in Australia, there are multiple options as it could be one of your life-changing decisions. But moving to another country comes with added costs, which may include housing, travel, accommodation, and other expenses such as groceries and clothing.
Cost Of Living: What Are The Living Expenses In Australia?
The cost of living in Australia is dependent on your income, needs, and standard of living. When living in Australia, the expenses can vary greatly when compared with your home country. The cost of living varies across Australia. The most expensive states in the country are Victoria and New South Wales. Both have a cost of living index of over 75. The least expensive states are Western Australia and Queensland. They are both in the 80s range.
Australia is an expensive place to live in. Our cost of living, whether it is housing, education, transportation, food, and more, is among the highest in the world. And that’s if you’re skilled and employed. If you’re looking for ways to cut down your expenses as a student or as a newly arrived immigrant with no job, Australia will be difficult to afford.
How Affordable is the Cost of Basic Items in Australia?
So, you’re researching living in Australia, better salary and all, but once you start figuring out the cost of rent and groceries, you realize that it’s extremely expensive. Maybe even more than the place you’re living in right now! That’s no fun. But it doesn’t mean you should cross Australia off your list; it merely means you have a lot of research to do.
Compared to other industrialized countries, Australia does have slightly high costs due to import taxes and a small population. In comparison to other countries such as Brazil, China, or India, Australia remains relatively inexpensive.
Consumer goods in Australia are quite affordable and the cost of living in Australia is also low when compared to other developed countries. The cost of consumer goods has been increasing rapidly with luxury items being more expensive than necessities. You want to know how much things cost to make sure you can live off the wages you’ll earn there, so take a look at consumer prices of some goods in Australia
Cost Of Eating Out in Australia
If you’re moving to Australia, here’s how much restaurant food costs in Australia.
Food
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
30.00 AU$
Three-course Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant
150.00 AU$
McMeal at McDonald’s (or Equivalent Combo Meal in a Food Chain Restaurant)
15.00 AU$
Domestic Beer (0.5L)
10.00 AU$
Imported Beer (0.33L)
12.00 AU$
Regular Cappuccino
6.70 AU$
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L)
5.51 AU$
Water (0.33L)
4.93 AU$
Cost Of Basic Items in Australia
Food is an important and everyday expenditure for everyone. The food consumption pattern and diet, whether they are normal or not, indicate the health of people, so a reasonable price is essential to all.
Groceries
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
Regular Milk (1L)
5.80 AU$
Loaf of Fresh Bread (500g)
7.01 AU$
Rice (white), (1Kg)
6.75 AU$
Eggs (regular) (12)
8.02 AU$
Local Cheese (1Kg)
16.15 AU$
Chicken Fillets (1Kg)
17.23 AU$
Beef Round (1kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)
25.43 AU$
Apples (1Kg)
8.40 AU$
Banana (1Kg)
5.60 AU$
Oranges (1Kg)
3.89 AU$
Tomato (1Kg)
6.52 AU$
Potato (1Kg)
4.26 AU$
Onion (1kg)
4.69 AU$
Lettuce (1 head)
4.19 AU$
Water (1.5L)
3.15 AU$
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range)
16.75 AU$
Domestic Beer (0.5L)
5.81 AU$
Imported Beer (0.33L)
6.18 AU$
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)
40.00 AU$
Cost Of Transportation in Australia
The transportation system in Australia has been improving by the day. Although it varies from state to state, it has been going through some transformation from time to time to resolve the issues that have been challenging the transit industry.
The transportation system in Australia is extensive, as the country’s 7 million square miles (18 million km) can attest. There are some 613 airports around the country and 300 helipads in the country.
Australia has one of the best transportation systems. It is safe, convenient, and economical. You can have frequent trains running between capital cities. The national rail network operates on a single system, although in some states the tracks are owned by private companies which handle the management and operations of their respective railway networks.
Transportation
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
One-way Ticket
4.50 AU$
Monthly Pass (Local Transport)
154.28 AU$
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
4.20 AU$
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff)
2.17 AU$
Taxi 1 hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
50.00 AU$
Gasoline (1L) (1/4 gallons)
2.00 AU$
Volkswagen Golf 1.4 90 KW Trendline (Or Equivalent New Car)
30,000.00 AU$
Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (Or Equivalent New Car)
27,445.39 AU$
Cost Of Basic Utilities in Australia
We all know that living in an apartment complex can be very expensive, particularly if you are renting. One of the biggest costs for apartment residents is the utility bill, which can include such things as gas, electricity, and water. Several factors affect these utility costs and you need to be aware of them to keep costs down.
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The amount that you will pay per month or per year in this regard depends on several factors including how many people live with you and what type of apartment where you live in. Remember: the more people the larger your utility bill will be.
As well to the number of persons living in the apartment, other factors impact your cost, including how long you have been there how efficiently you use your utilities whether or not you’re on a fixed contract or pay-as-you-go plans whether or not it’s a high rise building what part of town (rural vs city) where are you located Whether it’s a single person household or a large family home, utilities are an unavoidable cost that must be kept under control.
Utility bills are the most common household expenses in Australia. These bills will vary depending on your area, climate, and energy consumption. To help you understand better how much these utilities cost, we have listed some bills and estimated prices below”.
Utilities
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 45m2 Apartment
171 AU$
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment
199.48 AU$
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local (No Discounts or Plans)
0.40 AU$
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
76.78 AU$
Cost Of Entertainment in Australia
The cost of entertainment in some cities in Australia is slightly higher than in other places. If you’re into sports and like to play golf, then you’ll find it pretty cheap to get a game in Australia, things like watching movies and going out for dinner are generally quite expensive everywhere, though.
With Sydney being one of the most expensive cities in the world, you’ll probably want to find out what the costs of entertainment are. We have data from all around the globe that can help us see which countries have cheap or expensive entertainment costs.
Leisure & Sports
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
67.57 AU$
Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)
19.42 AU$
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat
19.50 AU$
iPad, Wi-Fi, 128GB
653.99 AU$
Cost Of Schooling and Education in Australia
The education system in Australia is free of cost, both at the primary level and second level. Primary school is a compulsory program; all people in Australia above five years of age must be attending primary school.
The Australian government provides Schooling Assistance for Basic Education to families with children at school or students who require support for their school studies. Recent studies show that 97% of Australian high school graduates have completed Year 12 (high school) or higher qualifications.
The education system in Australia is one of the best in the world. It has a reputation for high-quality courses, a great student experience, and some of the best facilities and equipment in the world. They have the best reputation at primary and university levels, they give a lot of influence to teachers, and support their development and improvement.
The general wealth, civil rights, and good employment opportunities are the most important factors that make people want to study here. Unfortunately, this means that as an international student you will pay pretty hefty fees to study there.
School Tuition
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
Preschool (or Kindergarten), Full Day, Private, Monthly for 1 Child
1,947.08 AU$
International Primary School, Yearly for 1 Child
17,279.33 AU$
International High School, Yearly for 1 Child
22,425.71 AU$
Colleges and Universities
20,000.00 AU$
The Average Living Expenses for Students (rent, food, utility, entertainment, transport, and insurance)
1,600.00 AU$
Cost Of Clothing & Accessories In Australia
Clothing in Australia is pricier than in most countries, with a jacket costing around the same as major household appliances. A shirt-and-tie business outfit will cost you around AU$130, but with a little time and effort, you can find it at about half price.
Clothing in Australia ranges between AU$12 – AU$55.73 depending on the item and quality of the clothing. This would mean it is cheaper to buy a garment at a thrift shop than at an upscale store where you can expect to spend anywhere between AU$15 – AU$550 for that very same shirt or dress; depending on the quality, style, material, and age of the garments.
Clothes
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
1 Pair of Jeans (Levi’s 501 Or Similar)
100.45 AU$
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …)
58.86 AU$
1 Pair of Running Shoes (Nike, Adidas…)
141.24 AU$
1 Pair of Men’s Leather Business Shoes
149.41 AU$
Cost Of Personal and Health Care in Australia
Health care in Australia is expensive, although much cheaper than in the USA. If one was to have a visit to the doctor for a standard consultation and prescription, it would cost about AU$100. Many cheaper options can cater to those with a low budget, such as Planned Parenthood.
As mentioned above, Australia has a public health care system called Medicare that is free for all citizens and permanent residents. The Medicare card allows patients to receive Medicare-subsidized treatment from general practitioners (GPs), surgeons, and specialists under the National Health Service (NHS).
Australia’s public health care system is a combination of both no-fault and means-tested programs. These programs provide a range of medical services, from primary to secondary and tertiary hospital care.
The Federal Government provides the majority of funding for Australia’s public health care system, while each state and territory government is responsible for within its borders. The Federal Government also maintains a list of public hospitals that receive Commonwealth funding and are subject to certain conditions concerning the provision of free or subsidized treatment.
Personal care prices are very high in Australia. A basic trip to the barber will cost you more than AU$15. That’s for a simple haircut. More complicated haircuts can cost more than double that. You spend a considerable amount on your care. However, you must keep track of what you’re spending to be able to reduce your costs.
Personal care in Australia is pretty expensive. These are the prices to keep an eye on.
Care Products
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
Medications for Cold (Tylenol, Coldrex…)
8.00 AU$
Box of Antibiotics (12 doses)
15.00 AU$
15 mins Visit a Private Doctor
76.00 AU$
Box of 32 Tampons (Tampax…)
7.00 AU$
Deodorant & Roll-on (50mL – 1.5oz.)
4.41 AU$
Hair Shampoo 2-in-1 (400mL – 12oz.)
4.80 AU$
4 Rolls of Toilet Paper
2.88 AU$
Tube of Toothpaste
3.23 AU$
Standard Men’s Haircut in the City
32.99 AU$
Standard Men’s Haircut in the Suburb
26.96 AU$
Cost Of Housing and Accommodation in Australia
Accommodation and housing costs in Australia vary depending on where you live and what you are looking for. Differences may include the area’s prosperity, safety, accessibility, size, and environment. Before moving to Australia, it is important to understand the average prices of accommodation and housing so that you can minimize your expenses.
The market of accommodation in Australia is more liberal and diverse than it can appear to a newcomer, so nowadays you can easily make the choice that fits your needs, practically and in price.
Accommodation costs in Australia are very uneven (from AU$5 up to AU$900+ for 1 night divided by hostels, hotels, and apartment buildings) because of the vast territory and dozens of seasonal destinations
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The rent in most of Australia is more expensive and one of the influencing factors on the increase is the interest rates from banks. However, this figure might be lower or higher depending on the location and property type.
Accommodation
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
Monthly Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment in the City
1,879.89 A$
Monthly Rent for a 1-bedroom Apartment in the Suburb
1,425.51 A$
Monthly Rent for a 2-bedroom Apartment in the City
2,474.26 AU$
Monthly Rent for a 2-bedroom Apartment in the Suburb
2,085 AU$
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment in the City
3,164.47 A$
Monthly Rent for a 3-bedroom Apartment in the Suburb
2,291.82 A$
The price of apartments in Australia varies hugely depending on where you choose to locate. Whether you are looking for the sky-scraping towers of Sydney or the classic houses of Melbourne there are considerable differences in cost and features that should be taken into account. Prices of Apartments in Australia fluctuate a lot. One day they are high and the next day they are low. So here are some prices…
Purchasing a property
Price in Australia Dollar (AU$)
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment in City Centre
7,965.98 AU$
Price per Square Meter to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre
5,480.96 AU$
Job Opportunities In Australia
Australia’s economy is one of the strongest in the world. It has a highly skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure, and a stable political environment. This means that there is always a wide range of job opportunities available for new migrants.
Australia has a wide range of job opportunities, from entry-level to senior positions, in a variety of industries. If you’re interested in working in Australia, you should start by selecting an industry that interests you.
The following industries are just a few examples of the types of jobs available:
Information technology (IT) – IT professionals work in many different areas, including software development and information security.
Engineering – Engineers work in all areas of the economy, including oil and gas, mining, and manufacturing.
Healthcare – Healthcare professionals include doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and other health workers who provide care for patients.
Tourism – Tourism has become one of Australia’s largest industries with tourism jobs ranging from front desk clerks to tour guides and tour bus drivers to airline pilots.
Living in Australia is high quality for foreigners who come to work and study, however, it’s not cheap. Especially migrants coming from Europe or the US, where costs are different. Living in Australia can be expensive, but it all depends on where you live How expensive is Australia?
The cost of living in Australia is a bit cheaper than in the US and Europe, however, it’s still not as expensive as it was a decade ago. At the same time, Australians are more likely to have more disposable income than their counterparts in other countries, thanks to their high wages and large amounts of government support.
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Australia On Average?
The average monthly expenses in Australia are around $1,900 per month. The price of rent depends on where you live and how much space you need. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Sydney is around $990 per month, while Melbourne has an average rent of $873. If you’re looking for something cheaper, consider Canberra or Hobart — both are cheaper cities with plenty to offer.
The average salary in Australia is around AU$81,050 per year, while the minimum wage is $18.29 an hour. In comparison, the average wage in Australia is $56,760 per year.
Hi there, I'm Heaven. I'm an entrepreneur, blogger, and digital marketing enthusiast. When I'm not watching anime or learning something new from TikTok, I post and vlog about my incredible life experiences as a digital entrepreneur.
