Before you start budgeting, understand what the Department of Home Affairs requires you to prove when applying for a Subclass 500 student visa.
| Component | Amount (AUD/year) |
|---|---|
| Living costs (primary applicant) | 29,710 |
| Spouse or de facto partner | 10,394 (additional) |
| Each dependent child | 4,449 (additional) |
| School-aged child schooling costs | 13,502 per child (additional) |
| Tuition fees | First year of course fees (varies) |
| Return airfare | Estimated cost |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — Student visa Subclass 500 financial capacity).
The AUD 29,710 figure is a regulatory minimum, not a realistic budget. Actual costs in cities like Sydney often exceed this amount. The Department expects bank statements showing consistent funds over the past 3 to 6 months.
| Category | Monthly Range (AUD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (shared) | 600–1,800 | Varies widely by city; shared flat/house cheapest |
| Groceries | 300–500 | Budget supermarkets (Aldi, Coles) keep costs lower |
| Eating out | 200–400 | Average meal AUD 15–25; coffee AUD 4–6 |
| Public transport | 50–180 | Depends on city and concession eligibility |
| Utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet) | 100–200 | Often included in PBSA; shared in private rentals |
| OSHC health insurance | 40–60 | AUD 480–700/year; mandatory for student visa |
| Mobile phone | 20–40 | Prepaid plans from Optus, Telstra, Vodafone |
| Personal and entertainment | 100–300 | Clothing, social activities, gym |
Source: Study Australia (studyaustralia.gov.au — Living costs in Australia); Department of Home Affairs.
Sydney is Australia’s largest and most expensive city. The harbour city offers world-class universities (University of Sydney, UNSW, UTS, Macquarie) but comes with a premium price tag, particularly for accommodation.
| Category | Monthly Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Shared accommodation (room in shared flat) | 900–1,800 |
| Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) | 1,200–2,200 |
| Studio apartment (solo) | 1,800–2,800 |
| Groceries | 400–600 |
| Public transport (Opal card, full fare) | 120–180 |
| Utilities (share of bills) | 120–200 |
| Total estimated range | 2,200–3,500+ |
Source: University of Sydney (sydney.edu.au — cost of living); UNSW (unsw.edu.au); Study Australia.
Key detail — transport: International students in New South Wales are generally NOT eligible for Opal concession fares and must pay the full adult fare. Weekly transport costs can reach AUD 40–50 for regular commuters.
Saving tip: Living in suburbs further from the CBD (such as Kingsford, Redfern, or Strathfield) can reduce rent by AUD 200–400/month compared to inner-city locations.
Melbourne is Australia’s second-largest city and a popular student destination, home to the University of Melbourne, Monash, RMIT, Deakin, and others. It is slightly more affordable than Sydney, especially for accommodation.
| Category | Monthly Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Shared accommodation (room in shared flat) | 800–1,600 |
| Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) | 1,000–1,800 |
| Studio apartment (solo) | 1,500–2,400 |
| Groceries | 350–500 |
| Public transport (myki, with ISTP concession) | 80–120 |
| Utilities (share of bills) | 100–180 |
| Total estimated range | 1,900–3,200 |
Source: University of Melbourne (unimelb.edu.au — cost of living); Monash University; Study Australia.
Key advantage — transport concessions: Victoria offers the International Student Travel Pass (ISTP) to eligible international undergraduate students, giving a 50% discount on myki travel passes. A 365-day statewide pass costs approximately AUD 975 (about AUD 81/month), significantly reducing commuting costs compared to Sydney.
Brisbane is increasingly popular with international students, offering a warm climate and lower costs than Sydney and Melbourne. Key universities include the University of Queensland, QUT, and Griffith.
| Category | Monthly Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Shared accommodation | 700–1,300 |
| Purpose-built student accommodation | 900–1,500 |
| Groceries | 300–450 |
| Public transport (go card, concession) | 60–100 |
| Utilities | 100–170 |
| Total estimated range | 1,700–2,800 |
Source: University of Queensland (uq.edu.au — cost of living); QUT; Study Australia.
Key advantage — transport: Queensland offers concession fares to all full-time students, including international students. The go card provides discounted travel across buses, trains, ferries, and trams.
Perth is one of the most affordable major Australian cities for students. It is home to the University of Western Australia, Curtin, Murdoch, and Edith Cowan.
| Category | Monthly Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Shared accommodation | 650–1,200 |
| Purpose-built student accommodation | 800–1,400 |
| Groceries | 280–420 |
| Public transport (SmartRider, concession) | 50–90 |
| Utilities | 90–160 |
| Total estimated range | 1,500–2,500 |
Source: University of Western Australia (uwa.edu.au — cost of living); Curtin University; Study Australia.
Key advantage — transport: Western Australia offers concession fares to all full-time students, including international students, through the SmartRider card.
Adelaide is consistently ranked as one of the most affordable student cities in Australia. The University of Adelaide, Flinders University, and the University of South Australia are the main institutions.
| Category | Monthly Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| Shared accommodation | 600–1,100 |
| Purpose-built student accommodation | 750–1,300 |
| Groceries | 250–400 |
| Public transport (Metrо card, concession) | 40–80 |
| Utilities | 80–150 |
| Total estimated range | 1,400–2,300 |
Source: University of Adelaide (adelaide.edu.au — cost of living); Flinders University; Study Australia.
Key advantages: Adelaide offers concession fares to all full-time students including international students. Rent is 20–30% lower than Sydney and Melbourne, making it the most budget-friendly major city in Australia.
| City | Shared Rent (AUD/month) | Groceries | Transport | Total Range | Transport Concession? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 900–1,800 | 400–600 | 120–180 | 2,200–3,500+ | No (full fare) |
| Melbourne | 800–1,600 | 350–500 | 80–120 | 1,900–3,200 | Yes (ISTP 50%) |
| Brisbane | 700–1,300 | 300–450 | 60–100 | 1,700–2,800 | Yes (go card) |
| Perth | 650–1,200 | 280–420 | 50–90 | 1,500–2,500 | Yes (SmartRider) |
| Adelaide | 600–1,100 | 250–400 | 40–80 | 1,400–2,300 | Yes (Metro card) |
Source: Study Australia (studyaustralia.gov.au); individual university cost-of-living guides; state transport authorities.
| State / Territory | Card | International Students Eligible? | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
| New South Wales | Opal | Generally No | N/A — full fare required |
| Victoria | myki (ISTP) | Yes (undergrads via ISTP) | 50% on travel passes |
| Queensland | go card | Yes (all full-time students) | Concession rate |
| Western Australia | SmartRider | Yes (all full-time students) | Concession rate |
| South Australia | Metro card | Yes (all full-time students) | Concession rate |
| Tasmania | Greencard | Yes (all full-time students) | Concession rate |
| ACT | MyWay | Yes (all full-time students) | Concession rate |
Source: Transport NSW (transportnsw.info); PTV Victoria (ptv.vic.gov.au); TransLink QLD; Transperth WA; Adelaide Metro SA.
International students on a Subclass 500 visa can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during academic sessions and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Work limit (during term) | 48 hours per fortnight |
| Work limit (course breaks) | Unlimited |
| National minimum wage | AUD 24.10/hour (from 1 July 2024) |
| Estimated fortnightly earnings (48 hrs) | ~AUD 1,157 (before tax) |
| Estimated monthly earnings | ~AUD 2,503 (before tax) |
| Common student jobs | Hospitality, retail, tutoring, food delivery |
Source: Department of Home Affairs (immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — student visa work conditions); Fair Work Commission (fwc.gov.au — national minimum wage).
Part-time work can cover a significant portion of living expenses but should not be relied upon as your primary funding source — visa financial requirements must be met independently.
| Category | Budget (Adelaide/Perth) | Mid-Range (Brisbane/Melbourne) | Higher Cost (Sydney) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared accommodation | 700 | 1,000 | 1,400 |
| Groceries | 300 | 380 | 450 |
| Eating out | 100 | 200 | 300 |
| Transport | 60 | 90 | 160 |
| Utilities + internet | 100 | 130 | 160 |
| OSHC | 45 | 45 | 50 |
| Mobile | 25 | 30 | 30 |
| Personal / entertainment | 120 | 175 | 250 |
| Total | ~1,450 | ~2,050 | ~2,800 |
Source: Estimates based on Study Australia data, university cost-of-living guides, and state transport authority published fares.
Choose your city strategically. If cost is a major factor, Adelaide, Perth, or Brisbane will save you AUD 500–1,000/month compared to Sydney. Many excellent universities are located in these more affordable cities.
Share accommodation. A room in a shared house or flat is typically 40–60% cheaper than a solo studio or purpose-built student accommodation. Platforms like Flatmates.com.au and university housing boards are good starting points.
Cook at home. Eating out in Australia is expensive. Cooking at home and shopping at Aldi or during Coles/Woolworths sales can halve your food budget. Many Asian grocery stores offer affordable ingredients for home cooking.
Use student discounts. An ISIC card or university student ID provides discounts at restaurants, cinemas, retailers, and software providers. Many museums and galleries offer free entry for students.
Buy second-hand textbooks. University textbook costs can add AUD 300–500/semester. Buy second-hand from student Facebook groups, use library copies, or access free digital resources through your university library.
Work strategically. Jobs in hospitality and retail often pay above minimum wage and offer flexible hours. University job boards and career centres can help you find positions that fit your timetable.
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The Department of Home Affairs requires international students to demonstrate at least AUD 29,710 per year for living costs, plus tuition fees for the first year and return airfare. If you are bringing a spouse or partner, you must show an additional AUD 10,394 per year, and AUD 4,449 per year for each dependent child. School-aged children also require AUD 13,502 per year for schooling costs. (Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au)
Adelaide and Perth are generally the most affordable major cities for international students. Shared accommodation in Adelaide typically costs AUD 600 to AUD 1,100 per month, compared to AUD 900 to AUD 1,800 in Sydney. Overall monthly living costs in Adelaide and Perth are approximately 20 to 30 percent lower than in Sydney and Melbourne. (Source: Study Australia — studyaustralia.gov.au; individual university cost of living guides)
It depends on the state. In Victoria, eligible international undergraduate students can access the International Student Travel Pass (ISTP), which provides a 50 percent discount on myki travel passes — a 365-day statewide pass costs approximately AUD 975. In Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT, all full-time students including international students are eligible for concession fares. In New South Wales, international students are generally NOT eligible for concession fares and must pay full price. (Source: transportnsw.info; ptv.vic.gov.au; individual state transport authorities)
A typical international student spends AUD 300 to AUD 500 per month on groceries. Shopping at budget supermarkets like Aldi or using specials at Coles and Woolworths can keep costs closer to AUD 300. In more expensive cities like Sydney, groceries may cost AUD 400 to AUD 600 per month. Cooking at home rather than eating out is the most effective way to manage food costs. (Source: Study Australia — studyaustralia.gov.au)
Yes. Subclass 500 student visa holders can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during academic sessions and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks. At the national minimum wage of AUD 24.10 per hour (from 1 July 2024, set by the Fair Work Commission), working 48 hours per fortnight would earn approximately AUD 1,157 per fortnight or AUD 2,503 per month before tax. (Source: Department of Home Affairs — immi.homeaffairs.gov.au; Fair Work Commission — fwc.gov.au)
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is mandatory for all international students in Australia. Premiums vary by provider but typically range from AUD 480 to AUD 700 per year for a single student. Five approved OSHC providers offer cover: Medibank, Bupa, Allianz Care, Australian Health Management (ahm), and nib. OSHC covers in-hospital and out-of-hospital medical services, prescription medicines, and ambulance services. (Source: Department of Health — health.gov.au; Private Health Insurance Ombudsman — privatehealth.gov.au)
Official Sources Referenced:
Department of Home Affairs: immi.homeaffairs.gov.au — Student visa Subclass 500
Study Australia: studyaustralia.gov.au — Living costs
Fair Work Commission: fwc.gov.au — National minimum wage
Transport NSW: transportnsw.info
PTV Victoria: ptv.vic.gov.au — ISTP
