International Student Cost of Living Calculator — Australia

Use this calculator to estimate your weekly, monthly, or yearly living costs as an international student in Australia. Select your city, accommodation type, and lifestyle to get a personalised breakdown. All figures are in Australian dollars (AUD).

Understanding your living costs before arriving in Australia is essential for visa applications and budgeting. The Department of Home Affairs requires student visa applicants to demonstrate financial capacity of at least AUD $29,710 per year for living costs — but actual expenses vary significantly depending on which city you choose, your accommodation type, and your lifestyle.

Your Details

Accommodation Type
Lifestyle

Estimated Costs — Sydney

Per Week in AUD

homeRent
$290
shopping_cartGroceries
$120
directions_busTransport
$39
health_and_safetyOSHC
$12
phone_iphonePhone / Internet
$10
local_activityEntertainment
$60
Total$530

Disclaimer: These estimates are based on average costs sourced from university international student handbooks and publicly available data as of Q1 2026. Actual costs will vary. The Department of Home Affairs uses AUD $29,710/year as its financial capacity benchmark for Subclass 500 visa applications — this is a minimum benchmark, not a recommended budget.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Cost of Living