Here you will find a rough estimation of the kind of money you can expect to spend while living in Australia.
Rough Budget
Expensive life in Australia
It is very hard to answer this question as the answer depends on many factors. First of all, the prices in big cities are not the same as in smaller country town, for instance. It also varies from one big city to another, and even within a city, from one neighborhood to another. According to a UBS research named « Prices and Earnings » (August 2011), the prices in Sydney not including housing are 6,6% higher than in Paris and the prices including housing are 7,5% higher than in Paris.
And of course, it also depends greatly on your lifestyle! However, as it can be complicated to establish your budget from the other side of the world, we’ll try to help you get an idea of the cost of living Down Under. Your main expenses will probably be the rent, the food and phone bills. The clothing should be almost the same price as in Europe, and the electronic devices are a little cheaper. The imported products are of course much more expensive because of the taxes.
Below you will find some prices to compare with those in your homeland, and then a rough budget depending on whether you are a backpacker or you are staying in one city. To learn more about money in Australia, consult our page about Bank Accounts and International Transfers.
Prices in Australia
All these prices are, of course, subject to change!
Food
| Item |
Average Price |
| Loaf of bread |
AU$2.50 to AU$3.00 |
| Two litres of milk |
AU$2.20 to AU$2.90 |
| Box of breakfast cereal |
AU$3.00 to AU$4.00 |
| Jar of instant coffee |
AU$3.00 to AU$4.00 |
| Bottle of soft drink |
AU$1.50 to AU$3.00 |
| One apple |
AU$0.50 to AU$0.80 |
| One banana |
AU$0.60 to AU$0.90 |
| Beef (500 grams) |
AU$7.00 to AU$8.00 |
| Chicken (600 grams) |
AU$7.00 to AU$8.00 |
| Cadbury ice cream 2L |
AU$6.90 |
| Butter 250g |
AU$1.40 |
| Cheddar 400g |
AU$7.65 |
| Parmesan 250g |
AU$5.90 |
| Mozzarella 500g |
AU$7.15 |
| Feta 200g |
AU$7.60 |
| Sour cream 250g |
AU$2.40 |
| Large eggs x12 |
AU$2.50 |
| Zucchini 1kg |
AU$3.50 |
| Green Beans 1kg |
AU$5.00 |
| Spinach Bunch 1kg |
AU$3.70 |
| Mushrooms 1kg |
AU$9.50 |
| Potatoes 1kg |
AU$2.70 |
| Brown Onions 1kg |
AU$3.00 |
| Carrots 1kg |
AU$1.90 |
| Tomatoes 1kg |
AU$4.25 |
| King Prawns 1kg |
AU$35.90 |
| Pork Sausages 1kg |
AU$7.90 |
| Lamb chops 1kg |
AU$11.00 |
| Juice 1L |
AU$4.00 |
Health and Beauty
| Bottle of shampoo |
AU$2.50 to AU$4.50 |
| Bar of soap |
AU$1.50 to AU$2.50 |
| Toothbrush |
AU$3.25 |
| Toothpaste 120g |
AU$2.70 |
| Roll-on Deodorant 50mL |
AU$4.35 |
| Face Wash 150g |
AU$14.15 |
| Tampons x16 |
AU$4.80 |
| Sunscreen 200mL |
AU$17.95 |
Alcohol and cigarettes
| Rum 700mL |
AU$40 to AU$41.5 |
| Malibu 700mL |
AU$40.35 |
| Tequila 700mL |
AU$36.20 |
| Vodka 700mL |
AU$38.20 |
| Whisky 700mL |
AU$50.00 |
| Bourbon 700mL |
AU$38.70 |
| Baileys 700mL |
AU$39.55 |
| Marlboro 25 Pack |
AU$12.60 |
| Cigars 10 Pack |
AU$11.20 |
| Rolling Papers 60 Pack |
AU$0.45 |
Others
| Newspaper |
AU$1.50 to AU$3.00 |
| Phone |
AU$60 minimum |
| SIM card |
AU$10 |
| 2h30 mobile phone call |
AU$29 |
Rent
| In Sydney, you can share a room |
AU$110-180 per week |
| Or have your own room |
AU$200-350 per week |
Rough budget
Some larger universities estimate the cost of living at approximately AU$20,000 per year including accommodation, food, textbooks, health cover, phone/internet, transport and excluding tuition fees, buying clothing, medicines etc. However, the cost of living in Tasmania, for example, is estimated at between AU$12,000 – AU$14,500 a year.
* All prices are approximate and may vary.
