Written by the Australian Job Ready Editorial Team.
Studying While Managing the Cost of Living in Australia
Real numbers on what international students spend, what the visa financial requirements actually are, and practical ways to keep costs under control.
The cost of living in Australia has risen significantly in recent years, and for international students it’s not just a budgeting question, it’s a visa requirement. This guide breaks down what students actually spend, city by city, what the government requires you to prove financially, and practical ways to manage costs without cutting corners on your studies.
The visa financial requirement
Before you even land, the Department of Home Affairs requires student visa (subclass 500) applicants to demonstrate access to a minimum amount of money to cover living costs for the year, separate from tuition. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a condition of the visa being granted.
This is a minimum, not a comfortable budget — most students in Sydney or Melbourne will spend more than this once rent is factored in realistically. It’s also worth noting this figure is reviewed periodically, so always confirm the current amount directly with the Department of Home Affairs before applying.
What students actually spend
Across Australia, most international students report spending somewhere between $2,200 and $2,900 a month in total living costs, though this varies enormously by city and lifestyle.
| Category | Typical monthly range |
|---|---|
| Rent (shared accommodation) | $1,000–$1,700, depending on city |
| Groceries | $400–$600 |
| Public transport | $100–$250 (student concession fares apply in most states) |
| Phone & internet | $40–$80 |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) | Varies by provider and cover level — mandatory for the visa |
| Entertainment & incidentals | $150–$350 |
Rent is consistently the largest expense for students. Shared housing brings this down significantly compared to a private apartment — most new arrivals share when they first land, both for cost and for an easier way to settle in.
Cost of living by city
Sydney and Melbourne are consistently the most expensive Australian cities to study in; Adelaide, Perth, and regional areas tend to be significantly more affordable.
| City | Relative cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Highest | Highest rent in the country; strong job market offsets some of this |
| Melbourne | High | Slightly more affordable than Sydney; large student population and support infrastructure |
| Brisbane | Moderate | Lower rent than Sydney/Melbourne with a growing job market |
| Perth | Moderate | More affordable rent; smaller but stable job market |
| Adelaide | Lower | Consistently ranked among the most affordable and liveable major cities |
| Regional areas | Lowest | Cheapest overall, and some regional study locations offer additional visa/migration benefits |
How much you’re allowed to work
Most student visa holders can legally work while studying, which meaningfully offsets living costs — but there are limits.
- Up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session
- Unlimited hours during your official study breaks
- Some placements or course components may have different rules — always check your specific visa conditions
Working beyond your visa’s permitted hours is a breach of your visa conditions, not just a workplace issue — it can put your visa itself at risk. If you’re unsure how your hours are tracked or reported, check directly with your institution or the Department of Home Affairs rather than guessing.
Practical ways to cut costs
Housing & groceries
- Share accommodation rather than renting solo
- Shop at Aldi or use home-brand products at Coles/Woolworths
- Cook at home — dining out regularly is one of the biggest budget blowouts
- Buy secondhand textbooks via platforms like StudentVIP, or check your campus library first
Transport & extras
- Apply for a student concession transport card as soon as you’re enrolled
- Use university-run free or subsidised events instead of paid entertainment
- Track spending with a budgeting app so surprises don’t creep up
- Use our free Budget Checklist to plan month to month
Building skills without expensive study
Traditional education pathways — a full degree, a long vocational program — often come with real financial trade-offs: tuition, materials, and reduced work hours while you study. For many people, especially those already managing tight budgets, committing to years of study isn’t realistic right now.
Short, targeted online courses are an increasingly practical middle ground. They let you build specific, workplace-relevant skills without the cost or time commitment of a full qualification — useful whether you’re supplementing your main study, preparing for a career change, or building your resume while you look for work.
Australian Job Ready’s courses are built around this idea: practical, workplace-focused content across industries like aged care, hospitality, and childcare, priced and structured so they don’t add serious financial pressure on top of everything else.
Frequently asked questions
It’s the legal minimum the government requires you to prove access to — not necessarily a comfortable real-world budget, especially in Sydney or Melbourne once rent is factored in. Many students spend more than this once they’ve settled in, particularly if living alone rather than sharing.
No — generally up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during official study breaks. Always confirm your specific visa conditions, since some circumstances differ.
Adelaide is consistently ranked among the most affordable major Australian cities for students, followed by Perth and Brisbane. Sydney and Melbourne are the most expensive, largely driven by rent.
Yes — Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for most student visa holders for the duration of their visa, and is a separate cost from the living-expense requirement.
Build workplace skills without the financial pressure
Flexible, affordable online courses designed around Australian workplace expectations.
Explore Courses- Department of Home Affairs — student visa (subclass 500) financial requirements
- Department of Home Affairs — student visa work condition rules
- State transport authorities — student concession fare programs
- StudentVIP — secondhand textbook marketplace
Figures in this guide are general estimates based on publicly available data and can change. Rent, course fees, visa financial requirements, and work-hour rules should always be confirmed directly with the Department of Home Affairs, your institution, or the relevant provider before you rely on them.