Living Costs for international students
For an international student on a budget Sydney need be no more expensive to live in than any other state capital city. Living costs in New South Wales compare favourably with costs in other Australian states. The increased competition found in Australia’s largest city means that prices for many goods and services such as food, clothing, child care and medical costs can be actually lower than in smaller cities.
The mild climate Sydney enjoys throughout the year also means that students spend very little on heating or air-conditioning compared to students living in cooler or hotter cities.
The University is located close to a number of relatively inexpensive suburbs and students will find that there are many economical housing options available.
Costs can be substantially reduced by sharing accommodation and meals, living further away from the campus, and shopping carefully at the wide range of markets and discount shops that Sydney has to offer.
IMPORTANT:
- All prices quoted in the tables below are approximate examples and a guide only.
- Prices will vary depending on the location/size of flat and lifestyle of each individual person.
- All amounts are in Australian dollars (AUS$) and include the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in most of the prices below. GST is not refundable.
- The University of Sydney tuition fees are not included on the table below.
- Students should account for a 5% increase in living expenses each year.
- Textbooks for some programs may exceed $500 per semester. For accurate fees and prices contact your faculty.
- For accurate fees on external services such as gas/energy, phone/internet, etc, contact the relevant service providers. (Please note there are other providers for these services).
- Go to accommodation for further information on rental costs.
- USU Discounts
- Sydney Public Transport: Fees + general information.
- listing for shared accommodation (furnished or/and unfurnished rooms)
- City of Sydney activities
- Want to know how much are you going to spend in your local currency?
Arriving in Sydney
| Expense/Item | International student living on-campus | International student living off-campus | Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Hostel Room (one week) | – | $250 ($35 p/night) |
$700 ($100 p/night) |
| Furniture rental (one year) | – | $2,080+ ($40 p/week) |
$3,120+ ($60 p/week) |
| Connecting gas, electricity, phone and internet | – | $340 | $340 |
| Rental bond (refundable) | – | $600 to $1,200 (4 weeks rent:$150 to $300+) | $1,400 to $2,000 (4 weeks rent: $350 to $500+) |
| Residential College bond (refundable) | $900 | – | – |
| TOTAL ARRIVAL | $900 | $3,270 to $3,870 | $5,560 to $6,160 |
Living Expenses (per year)
| Expense/Item | International student living on-campus |
International student living off-campus |
Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | – | $7,800 to $15,600 ($150 to $300+ p/week for single room) |
$18,200 to $26,000 ($350 to $500 p/week for small flat) |
| Services (gas, electricity, phone, Internet) | – | $1,820 ($35 p/week) |
$2,340 ($45 p/week) |
| Food/groceries | – | $3,640 ($70 p/week) |
$8,840 ($170 p/week) |
| Residential College (rent, meals, services & other fees) | $18,980 ($365 p/week aproximate for single room/shared amenities) |
– | – |
| TOTAL LIVING | $18,980 | $13,260 to $21,060 | $29,380 to $37,180 |
On Going Expenses (per year).
| Expense/Item | International student living on-campus |
International student living |
Family living off-campus (2 adults+1 child) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public transport | $780 ($15 p/week) |
$1248 ($24 p/week) |
$1664 ($32 p/week) |
| Health cover | $370 | $370 | $740 |
| Entertainment | $3120 ($60 p/week) |
$3120 ($60 p/week) |
$5200 ($100 p/week) |
| Photocopies/prints | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Paper/printer ink/textbooks | $500 | $500 | $500 |
| Personal items | $500 | $500 | $1200 |
| Emergency | $500 | $500 | $1000 |
| TOTAL ONGOING | $6,270 | $6,738 | $10,804 |
TOTAL EXPENSES
| TOTAL EXPENSES PER YEAR | $26,150 | $24,428 | $45,744 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other possible expenses | |||
| Childcare | – | – | $70 Per hour |
| School tuition (parents hold a student visa)* |
– | – | $ 4,500 - $5,500 per year |
| Additional school expenses | – | – | $100 per month |
* Ausaid visa holders (576): child pays no school tuition fee
More information on Living Costs