Cost of Living in Australia - What New Migrants Should Budget

After spending a decade in Australia, here is what I wish someone had told me about costs before I arrived.

Housing

Housing is the biggest expense. Monthly rent for a 2-bedroom apartment:

• Sydney: $2,400-$3,500
• Melbourne: $1,800-$2,800
• Brisbane: $1,600-$2,400
• Perth: $1,600-$2,400
• Adelaide: $1,400-$2,000
• Hobart: $1,400-$2,000

Regional areas are 30-50% cheaper than these figures.

Groceries

A weekly grocery shop for two people costs approximately $150-$250. Australia has good supermarket competition (Coles, Woolworths, Aldi) that keeps prices reasonable. Eating out is expensive - budget $20-$40 per person for a casual restaurant meal.

Transport

Public transport monthly passes: $150-$200 in major cities. If you need a car, budget $300-$500/month for loan repayments, insurance, registration, fuel, and maintenance. Petrol costs approximately $1.80-$2.20 per litre.

Healthcare

Medicare covers most medical costs for PR holders and some visa holders. You should still budget for:

• Private health insurance: $100-$300/month per person
• Dental: $200-$500 per visit (not covered by Medicare)
• Specialists: gap payments of $50-$200 per visit

Childcare

If you have young children, childcare is a significant cost: $100-$180 per day per child. Government subsidies reduce this by 50-90% depending on your income, but the upfront cost is still substantial.

Utilities

Monthly household bills for a 2-bedroom apartment:

• Electricity and gas: $150-$300
• Internet: $60-$100
• Mobile phone: $30-$60
• Water: $50-$100

Total monthly budget

For a couple in Sydney: $5,000-$7,000/month For a couple in Adelaide: $3,500-$5,000/month For a couple in regional Australia: $3,000-$4,000/month

Factor these costs into your migration planning alongside visa application costs.