Monthly Cost of Living Budget for Indonesian Students in Australia
By Muntasir • Published Sep 18, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Money & Budgeting
Expect a wide range for monthly living costs in Australia depending on the city, with Sydney and Melbourne at the top and Adelaide, Perth and regional campuses generally cheaper.
🏠 Rent is the largest cost, and sharing a house or renting a room instead of a studio cuts it substantially.
💵 Australia requires proof you can cover a set living-cost amount before it grants a student visa, on top of tuition.
🎓 University accommodation and homestay often cost more than a shared rental but include utilities and bills.
⏱️ Build your budget with Australia's own official cost calculator, since city-by-city prices shift with the rental market.
Why Australian city costs differ so much
Australia does not have one national cost of living figure for students. Rental markets, wages, and typical share-house rates differ sharply between state capitals, and that gap decides more of your monthly budget than any other single factor. Sydney and Melbourne consistently rank as Australia's most expensive cities for renters, while Adelaide, Perth and regional campus cities are generally more affordable.
City cost ranking for students
| City | Typical rental cost level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Highest | Largest gap between share-house and studio rent |
| Melbourne | Very high | Large student population, competitive rental market |
| Brisbane / Canberra | High-mid | Below Sydney and Melbourne, still a capital-city premium |
| Perth | Mid | Lower rental pressure than the eastern capitals |
| Adelaide | Mid-low | Frequently cited as one of Australia's more affordable capitals for students |
| Regional campuses | Lowest | Often paired with regional visa and post-study work incentives |
Use this ranking as a starting point, then confirm current rent and living cost figures for your specific city with Study Australia's own cost of living tool before you finalize your budget, since prices shift with the rental market.
What the student visa requires you to show
Australia's Department of Home Affairs sets a minimum financial capacity figure that student visa applicants must demonstrate, covering living costs on top of tuition and travel. This figure has changed more than once since 2024, alongside the introduction of the Genuine Student requirement that replaced the earlier Genuine Temporary Entrant test. Check the current amount directly on the Department of Home Affairs student visa finance page before you apply, rather than relying on a figure from an older guide.
Building your monthly budget categories
Plan for these categories every month, in this rough order of size:
🏠 Rent, by far the largest cost, and the category with the most room to cut through share housing.
Food and groceries, lower if you cook at home and shop at budget supermarket chains.
Public transport, cheaper with a student concession where your state and visa type qualify.
Utilities and phone, often bundled into rent in a share house or student accommodation.
Health cover, compulsory for the length of your student visa through Overseas Student Health Cover.
Personal spending and course materials.
Ways to cut your biggest costs
Share a house or rent a single room instead of a self-contained studio for at least your first year.
Cook at home and shop at budget supermarket chains rather than eating out regularly.
Check with your state's public transport authority whether your student visa qualifies for a concession fare, since rules differ by state and don't always match domestic student discounts.
Buy secondhand textbooks and furniture through university and student community groups such as PPIA chapters.
Use your university's student support or food relief services during a tight week rather than falling behind on rent.
Check current figures before you commit
Rent and living costs move with the Australian rental market, and the visa financial capacity figure has been revised multiple times since 2024. Confirm both directly with Study Australia's cost calculator and the Department of Home Affairs before you finalize your budget or your visa application.