Understanding your living costs and creating a realistic budget will help you settle into life in Australia with confidence. When planning, consider expenses such as accommodation, utilities, transport, and groceries.
You can explore average living costs and use the Study Australia Cost of Living Calculator to estimate your personal expenses.
As a general guide, the Australian Government recommends international students budget around AUD $30,000 per year (2025) for living costs. Actual expenses will vary depending on your lifestyle and accommodation choices.
Adelaide is one of the most affordable capital cities in Australia, offering high quality of life at a lower cost than Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. Rent, groceries, and transport are generally more affordable, making it easier to balance study and lifestyle.
Here’s an approximate guide to what students might spend each week in Adelaide:
| Expense | Estimated cost (AUD/week) |
| Accommodation | $150 – $600 |
| Food & groceries | $60 – $200 |
| Utilities (electricity, gas, water) | $35 – $50 |
| Internet & phone | $15 – $25 |
| Public transport | $14 – $30 |
| Entertainment & personal | $50 – $100 |
| Total estimate | $350 – $700 |
Source: StudyAdelaide
Adelaide offers a range of housing to suit different budgets and lifestyles:
Adelaide is easy to navigate, with reliable public transport and plenty of student concessions:
Plan your route with Adelaide Metro.
