Living costs

Australia is one of the most affordable countries in the English-speaking world when compared to Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Perth is one of the most affordable cities in Australia. Mercer's 2010 Cost of Living Survey found that Perth is less expensive than Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

Your living costs will depend on your lifestyle and your type of accommodation. The following comparative table gives an indication of the minimum costs you will need to cover per year.

This excludes upfront costs such as your visa; tuition fees; student guild and establishment fees; and travel and health insurance.

Homestay

On-campus

Shared rent

Week
Year
Week
Year
Week
Year
Rent/full board
235
7,990
215
7,310
200
10,400
Meals and groceries
nil
nil
110
3,740
110
5,720
Public transport
23
782
nil
nil
23
782
Utilities
such as electricity
gas and water
nil
nil
20
680
20
1,040
Spending money
such as clothes and
entertainment
110
3,740
110
3,740
110
5,720
TOTAL COSTS
368
12,512
455
15,470
463
24,076

Shared rent costs calculated per person sharing an unfurnished house/unit/apartment with two other people for 52 weeks. This does not include purchases such as furniture, bed linen, cutlery, crockery, etc. 

On-campus and homestay costs calculated on 34 weeks per person, which is the university academic year and excludes vacation periods.

NOTE: All costs are in Australian Dollars (AU$) and are provided as a guide only. Please contact your institution for detailed information of their on-campus accommodation, homestay costs and inclusions.