What is the cost of living for Indian Students in Australia?

Depending on the place an Indian student could spend anywhere between 400 to 700 AUD per week. Part time jobs can help supplement the students living expenses.

Cost of living in Australia varies from place to place. Living in the city is more expensive than living in smaller towns. Some universities are located in cities and some have campuses in smaller towns which are a little way off from the city. In general an Indian student should be prepared to with a budget of around 400 to 700 AUD per week as living expenses.

In Australia the financial system works on a weekly basis. Your rent is paid for a week at a time. When you are quoted the rent for living accommodation, don’t assume that it is very cheap because it is the rental rate for the week only and not for a month. If you have a part time job, you get paid every week.

What does cost of living include?

The assumed cost of living in Australia includes rent for your accommodation whether you are living in a hostel or renting an independent room or living somewhere else. It also includes your food and basics like laundry, travel, toiletries and necessities, utility bills like electricity, telephone etc.

Food - What to eat and where to eat?

Eating local food is highly recommended. As for where to eat - it is assumed that students will cook their meals rather than eating out. Eating out can add to your living cost. It is also an unhealthy choice, as well as time consuming. There are many easy to prepare recipes available online for students and those who don’t have much time and inclination in the culinary arts. And your mom will definitely guide you with some of her original recipes if you want a taste of home cooked food!

Australians eat continental food and the ingredients are cheap and easy to buy and prepare. Trying to prepare Indian food on a regular basis will be time consuming and tedious. It is preferable to save Indian cooking for the weekend or a holiday. After a while you will figure out what you like, and what is convenient and easy to make.

Where to live

It is advisable to live as close to the university as possible to save on cost of transport as well as save on travel time. There are many accommodation options near universities for students. As a student time and money are precious. Choosing living accommodation far from the university (because it is quite cheap or really nice) would mean you have to spend money on travelling. Travelling the longer distance will take time and reduce the amount of time you have to work or study. It is well worth considering all these aspects before choosing where to live.

Type of accommodation

There are several types of accommodation available for university students. The most common are hostels or rooms on rent. Many universities have their own hostels, but we don’t really recommend a university hostel as these are more expensive and the facilities are limited. Private hostels located just outside the university campus are a great option. They offer several types of accommodation arrangements such as shared rooms, dormitories, private independent rooms etc. They offer many facilities which are quite helpful for students.

Home stay is another option for those who want to live in a family environment. A home stay or paying guest arrangement can be quite enjoyable and give you the comfort of having elders around. It also gives you an intimate experience of the Australian lifestyle. Occasionally you may come across a home stay arrangement where you can pay less and work for your stay by doing some chores. There are several home stay options available, but not all of them will be conveniently located – so choose wisely.

Managing your time and routine

Time is a valuable asset for a student and must be managed wisely. Organising your routine and creating a schedule will enable you to fit in a part time job alongside your studies and homework. There is plenty of help and guidance for international students regarding part time jobs. There are also agencies which will help you find a job. For new students it is important to first get your bearings, know how your classes are organised, asses how much homework you will get and how much time you need to study, etc. During this time you will also get a feel of the place and the kind of jobs available. This will enable you to decide what kind of job you would like to do and the timings you can work. It is important to give your prime time to your studies as that is the primary reason you are there.

Read: Part time jobs for Indian students in Australia

VIC will help you and guide you with all you need to know. We will help you with the admission process, visa, accommodation etc. Get in touch with us to know more about the different course and options that you can avail. We also assist you with scholarship programs.