When planning your time in Australia, it’s important to be mindful of the cost of living. Besides your course fees and study expenses, you’ll also want to budget  for accommodation, utilities (like electricity and gas), transportation, clothing, food and other grocery items, and entertainment. This way you can enjoy your time in Australia without financial surprises.

Once you have an idea of your expenses, it’s a good idea to plan how you’ll spend your money each month by making a budget.

Living expenses

A single international student needs about AUD$30,000 – AUD$45,000 for living expenses per year. This does not include course fees, text books or expenses associated with running a car, or social activities like parties and tours. Some students can live well within the estimated cost, but some may need more depending on location, lifestyle and preferences.

To estimate how much money you’ll need to live in Australia, try the Study Australia cost of living calculator.

Accommodation costs

Monash offers on-campus single-occupancy accommodation at the Clayton campus and Peninsula campus. If you choose to live off campus, the cost of accommodation varies depending on the location, size and quality of the dwelling, and doesn’t generally include electricity, gas, water or internet. For more details, see the links below.

Budgeting

Living on a student income can be a challenge, especially if it’s the first time you’ve lived away from home. Make a practical budget so that you have enough money to concentrate on your studies and enjoy Melbourne.