Cost of living expenses

Cost of living in Melbourne

Here are some everyday prices of everyday goods in Melbourne. They are not the prices of luxury goods such as designer clothes or the highest-quality food. The prices try to reflect a student budget. The prices below were obtained from a search using an online supermarket.

This information was last updated in November 2006.

Prices are in Australian dollars (AUD).

Supermarket food	Approximate cost
loaf of bread	$2.05
1 kg rice	$1.24
1kg apples	$3.98
packet of instant noodles	$1.27
1kg potatoes	$2.24
tin of tuna	$1.60
500g minced beef	$4.49
6 eggs	$2.19
cheese (non-specialist) 250g	$3.45
1 litre of milk	$1.44
1 packet biscuits	$1.17
1 litre orange juice	$3.69
1 packet teabags (50 pack)	$3.12
packet of instant noodles	$1.27

Entertainment	Approximate cost
cinema ticket (full price)	$11.00
nightclub entrance	$10.00 upwards
pint of beer (570 ml)	$7.00

Miscellaneous	Approximate cost
shampoo	$3.32
soap	$0.50
haircut (men)	$17.00
haircut (women)	$40.00
phone call	$0.40
stamp for letter abroad	$1.20
Mobile phone text message (within Aus)	$0.25 upwards
Mobile phone call (within Aust, to same network)	Can be free

Transport	Approximate cost
taxi	$7.00 upwards
bus fare (weekly)	$6.00 daily or $3.20 for 2 hours

Cost of living in Sydney

Here are some average prices of everyday goods in Sydney. They are not the prices of luxury goods such as designer clothes or the highest-quality food. The prices try to reflect a student budget. The prices below were obtained from a search using an online supermarket.

This information was last updated in November 2006.

Prices are in Australian dollars (AUD).

Supermarket food	Approximate cost
loaf of bread	$2.29
1 kg rice	$2.33
1kg apples	$3.98
packet of instant noodles	$1.27
1kg potatoes	$2.50
tin of tuna	$1.60
500g minced beef	$6.25
6 eggs	$1.75
cheese (non-specialist) 250g	$3.50
1 litre of milk	$1.44
1 packet biscuits	$1.30
1 litre orange juice	$3.41
1 packet teabags (50 pack)	$2.14
1 jar instant coffee (200g)	$3.22
packet of instant noodles	$1.27

Entertainment	Approximate cost
cinema ticket (full price)	$15.00
nightclub entrance	$25.00
pint of beer (570 ml)	$3.50 - $5.00

Miscellaneous	Approximate cost
camera film	$8.00 +
shampoo	$4.89 - $8.86
soap	$3.29
haircut (men)	$15.00 upwards
haircut (women)	$30.00 upwards
phone call	$0.50 upwards
stamp for letter abroad	$0.50 - $2.20
mobile phone text message (within Aus)	$0.25
mobile phone call (within Aus, to same network)	$0.60

Transport	Approximate cost
taxi	$1.53 per km
bus fare (weekly)	$11.00 - $45.00
train fare (weekly)	$30.00 - $50.00

Budgeting

In addition to your tuition fees, you will be responsible for planning and budgeting your living costs. Below is an estimated cost of living guide per month for a single student living in homestay accommodation in Melbourne and Sydney.

Item	Melbourne	Sydney
	Cost per month ($AUD)
Single homestay room (breakfast & dinner included)	$900	$1060
Food (lunches & snacks)	$252 ($9 per day)	$295 ($10 per day)
Telephone	$50	$50
Transport	$100	$140
Laundry	$40	$40
Stationery	$40	$40
Clothing, entertainment, personals	$200	$200
Total monthly costs	$1562	$1805
Total costs per academic year (40 weeks)	$15,620	$18,050