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COST OF LIVING CALCULATOR

The cost of living tool is designed to help you discover how much it would cost to have the lifestyle you choose in Australia.

You can compare accommodation arrangements, transportation options, entertainment activities and much more.

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1. In which city will you be studying?

1. Which city?

Adelaide
The city itself is not only beautiful -- with its surrounding parklands and green gardens -- but it is also a very easy city to navigate. Adelaide was one of the only Australian cities to be planned before it was built, so the city is smartly laid out as a simple grid.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/city/adelaide/

Brisbane
With its growing music scene, idyllic climate, some of the best universities in the country and close proximity to beautiful coastlines, it's easy to understand why Brisbane is the destination of choice for many international students.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/city/brisbane/

Canberra As the nation's capital, Canberra is an excellent choice of study city. Featuring top quality institutions, incredible libraries and countless museums, Canberra provides the ideal intellectual platform to succeed in your education.
Read more:https://insiderguides.com.au/city/canberra/

Darwin Darwin is the tropical capital city of the Northern Territory, an area famous for it's red Outback desert and the iconic Uluru
Read more:insiderguides.com.au/destination/studying-in-darwin/

Hobart Tasmania's capital city (and Australia's southernmost capital) consistently punches above its weight. Hobart offers world-class study and research facilities, an amazing art scene, and top-quality local food and drink.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/city/hobart/

Melbourne Melbourne has been voted the world's most liveable city for seven years in a row -- and it's not hard to see why. Melbourne is a very cool city with a fantastic quality of life. The locals share many passions, with a particular focus on sport, music, the arts, coffee and food.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/city/melbourne/

Perth Since Perth is Australia's sunniest capital city, it's not too surprising that there's a lot of focus on a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle. Having experienced a massive transformation over the last few years, Perth is a city that's constantly growing, with cool new places to eat, drink, and explore popping up every week.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/city/perth/

Sydney Sydney is Australia's most famous city -- for good reason! Set on the iconic Sydney Harbour and surrounded by some of the country's best beaches, it is a visual feast, full of activities, places to see, and great food and drink.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/city/sydney/

Gold Coast The Gold Coast glitters along the coastline of South East Queensland and enjoys near-perfect weather all year long. It's a city famed for its diverse natural beauty, from picture-perfect beaches to a surrounding hinterland of lush rainforests, ancient national parks and abundant wildlife.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/city/gold-coast/

2. What type of accommodation?

2. Type of accommodation

Finding somewhere to live is a crucial component of a successful study experience in Australia. Whatever you choose, it is vital to fully understand all of your options and stay aware of your rights and responsibilities. Read more at https://insiderguides.com.au/accommodation-options-in-australia/

Homestay
If you choose a homestay, you'll be sure to receive a warm welcome to Australia! Homestay is an excellent choice for your first month, as your new home away from home will provide a valuable cultural exchange with your local host family.

The upfront price of homestays can seem higher, as all utilities costs and meals are covered. The family you live with will provide you with a bedroom, pay all the utility bills, and make your daily meals.

* The figure is based on the fee structure of the Australian Homestay Network as of February 2018.

Sharehouse
Living in a sharehouse will introduce you to many new people and potential friends. The other advantage of living in a sharehouse is that you can split the cost of utilities with your housemates. While you will still be responsible for providing your own food, some housemates may be willing to cook meals together.

* The figure is based on a statistical sample of local market rental data as of February 2018, factoring in utility costs.

Managed Student Accommodation
If you'd like to live with other students and have the benefit of an all-inclusive set-up, you should consider managed student accommodation. Student apartments are built around most major university and college localities and are ready for you to move right in. All cleaning and utilities are taken care of, but you will have to provide your own food.

* The figure is based upon the rates of UniLodge as of February 2018.

1 bedroom apartment/unit
If you're an independent person, then private rental accommodation is the perfect option for you. It is also an excellent way to fully immerse yourself in Australian culture; living with locals will broaden your horizons in your new city. But, this greater level of freedom comes with a greater degree of responsibility and can lead to higher expenses. You will be entirely responsible for paying all bills, making all of your own meals and doing all required cleaning.

* The figure is based on a statistical sample of local market rental data as of February 2018, factoring in utility costs.

3. Where would you like to live?

3. Where would you like to live? (City v Suburbs)

There are advantages and disadvantages to living in the city and the suburbs. There are a few things to weigh up when making your decision, including travel times to your institution, cost of accommodation, proximity to your friends, and the community surrounding you.

Suburbs
Generally, living in the suburbs is more affordable and houses tend to be more spacious. But living further out may mean you miss out on lifestyle benefits such as greater entertainment options and a higher density of students.

* The figure is based on a statistical sample of market rental data from a selection of suburbs as of February 2018.

City
Living close to the city will reduce your travelling time, increase the frequency of transport links, and potentially lower your travel costs. Overall, costs are cheaper the further out you are from the city centre, although there are popular areas around the city that can be quite expensive.

The figure is based on a statistical sample of CBD market rental data as of February 2018.

4. How often will you be using these forms of transport?

4. How often will you use these forms of transport

Whether you are walking, riding a bike, catching public transport or driving a car, you need to know the best way to get from A to B. Think about where you plan to live and how that will impact on travel times and available transport options.

Walking or cycling If you'd like to avoid public transport or don't want to own a car, you have a couple of great options for getting around.

The cheapest and easiest way to get anywhere in your new city is by using your own two feet. You don't need to worry about bus timetables, or whether you've caught the right train—just budget your time correctly, and get out in the fresh air and explore your city.

If walking isn't your style, buying a bicycle is a good investment and an excellent way to save money as a student. Not only will it get you around for free, but it will keep you fit and healthy too! If you're considering buying a bike, you need to think about its purpose, as there are different types of bike frames and wheels to cater for different riding preferences.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/bike-riding-australia/

Public Transport Getting around in Australia is relatively easy in most cities. Public transport options are abundant, as Australian cities use trams, trains, buses and ferries. The mix of public transport options changes in each city, so make sure you consider the type of public transport that's best for you.
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/public-transport-options-city/

Car Depending on where you are in Australia and how good the public transport is, you might never need a car. But if you want to get out and about and explore your new home, a car offers you the freedom to do just that. If you're interested in buying a car, don't forget to include things like petrol, registration and insurance in your budget.

Taxi/Uber In most major cities you can hail a taxi off the street, and you can book a taxi well in advance by calling and speaking with someone. Another option is to use Uber, which is a simple app you can download and use on your phone. Uber is an on-demand service, and an Uber ride will usually be cheaper than ordering a taxi.

5.How many times a week will you be eating out?

5. How many times will you be eating out?

Buying groceries to make meals at home can be a lot cheaper, and it will often be healthier too!
Read more: https://insiderguides.com.au/best-ways-save-money-food-groceries/

6.What price range does your food fit into?

6. What price range does your food fit into?

Do you enjoy nice meals with friends, or will you be selecting the cheaper options in the canteen/food court? If you do decide to have a meal out, make sure you look for happy hours, midweek discounts and daily specials. Many pubs and restaurants also offer student discounts.

7.What level of these services or products do you require?

7. What level of these products and services do you require?

These products and services will vary significantly from person to person, so only choose what's relevant to you. They also represent an ideal opportunity to save some money by adjusting your habits and tastes, so have a think about how you might be able to cut down on these costs.

* Figures are based upon a range of relevant products and service providers as of February 2018.

8. What price range do your clothing purchases fit into?

How many items month?

8. What price range do your clothing purchases fit into?

It is definitely possible to create a stylish outfit without spending a huge amount of money -- all it takes is a bit of know-how. To save money on clothing purchases, you could shop online as costs are generally lower. You can often pick up out-of-season clothing fairly cheaply and get them shipped directly to your home. If online shopping isn't your thing, in major cities you will be able to find designer outlet stores, where you can buy big-brand clothing at massively reduced prices.

* Figures are based upon the prices of a range of common items from a selection of department stores as of February 2018.

9.How often will you do these activities?

9. How often will you do these activities?

While these activities can be costly, they might be worth including in your budget, as taking breaks from your study load is crucial to maintaining a health body and mind. Making friends, improving your mental wellbeing and exploring your city are important elements of studying.

* Figures are based upon the prices of common service providers in each field as of February 2018.

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