How expensive it is to live in Australia
Australia is one of the best destinations for Bhutanese students planning to pursue further education. Australians are friendly , laid-back and helpful. Australia is a beautiful and a diverse country with over ten thousand beaches. People from every nation can be found in Australia and you get to learn a lot from people you come across.
Why study in Australia?
Studying in Australia is a good investment for your future because it has one of the highest standards of living in the world. The expenses for accommodation and education are relatively cheaper than in other major countries. International students in Australia get plenty of time to do part-time jobs, allowing them to cover or offset their living costs.
The cost of living in Australia
Living in Australia comes with a price tag
Australia is known for its warm and pleasant weather, cosmopolitan cities, wealthy lifestyle, diverse and dramatic landscapes. It is no wonder that Australia remains the most preferred destination for people around the world.
If you have made up your mind to move to this country, the first and the most crucial step is figuring out the cost of living in Australia.
How expensive is Australia compared to other countries?
Australia is currently the 16th most expensive country globally, with the United States of America at 21st and the United Kingdom at 33rd position. Life in Australia is costly. Recently, most Australian cities have dropped in rankings due to the Pandemic, which is good news for Bhutanese students who aspire to study there.
Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia, followed by Melbourne, Perth, Canberra, and Brisbane. With expatriate hubs like Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo all sitting in the top ten, Australia is more appealing than ever.
The Currency
The official currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD/ A$)
Check the list below that shows the approximate value of the Australian dollar with other currencies of the world:
$1000 = A$1373
£1000 = A$1811
€1000 = A$1623
C$1000 = A$1048
Nu. 1000= A$ 18.38
If you plan to move to Australia, the first thing you must consider is the exchange rate. It is important to know how much of your home currency will amount to Australian Dollars and what fees you will have to pay to convert the money. Always make sure you check with your country’s foreigh exchange rates before exchanging currencies.
Where to live in Australia
Best place to live in Australia
Melbourne and Sydney are the most popular cities for people moving to Australia, but where you end up entirely up to you. The Economist Intelligence Unit gave Sydney good scores for its healthcare, education, and infrastructure, making it the 3rd most livable city globally.
The excellent weather condition, beautiful beaches, and an outdoor lifestyle of Sydney is the reason why many people love it. Melbourne is a thriving city with beautiful art scenes, coffee culture and fantastic restaurants.
Many people also prefer other cities such as Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane because they are regional and coastal towns with a much lower cost of living.
What are general living expenses like in Australia?
General living cost in Australia
| Total Living Expenses in Sydney | Average cost |
| 1 person per month (without rent) | A$1,432⁵ |
| 4 person family, per month (without rent) | A$5,185 |
| Utilities – basic, for 85m² apartment | A$198.09 |
| Total Living Expenses in Melbourne | Average cost |
| 1 person per month (without rent) | A$1,432⁶ |
| 4 person family, per month (without rent) | A$5,185 |
| Utilities – basic, for 85m² apartment | A$210.25 |
| Total Living Expenses in Perth | Average cost |
| 1 person per month (without rent) | A$1,302⁷ |
| 4 person family, per month (without rent) | A$4,640 |
| Utilities – basic, for 85m² apartment | A$221.10 |
How much does accomodation cost in Australia?
Housing prices vary across Australia
Housing prices across Australia vary from place to place. Sydney has one of the most expensive housing prices, with the median house price amounting to AUD 1,142,212 approximately, while Adelaide offers affordable houses with median house costing around AUD 542,947. You can choose to live in smaller cities if you want to avoid cities’ hefty living costs. Hobart in Australia has one of the most affordable median house prices at AUD 530,570, followed by Darwin at AUD 509,452.
Those who pay rent know that location is an essential factor. The average rental price in Sydney is about AUD 2,649 per month for a one-bedroom apartment, and the same sized apartment costs half about half the price in Hobart.
Travel and commuting in Australia
Busy city life in Australia
Australia has undoubtedly one of the best transport services in the world, especially in cities. There are modern rails, buses, and other options, all of which are covered in your Opal card (Sydney’s transportation ticket) that the commuter tops up.
The Australian transport expenses are more reasonable than those in London in England and New York in the United States of America. Australian transport system gives you more miles for less price.
Health and fitness
Australia has one of the best health systems in the world
Australia is known for its excellent healthcare system. The permanent residents have the privilege of medicare, but those who can, choose private health insurance to cover other health issues such as dental and specialist care.
Health care expenses can cost up to $500. Australia offers one of the most amazing fitness centers if you are somebody who loves spending hours in a gym. On average it will cost you AUD 78 a month for a gym membership, there are other gyms that cost you over $100 per month. The favorable outdoor weather in Australia offers walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and outdoor fitness sessions.
Eating in and out
Expenses on eating in and out in Australia
Once you reach there, you will learn that groceries are comparatively expensive than your home country or other countries. For example, a dozen eggs cost AUD 5, a loaf of bread AUD 2.73, and 2-liter milk around AUD 1.66. The weekly expenses in Australia may roughly amount to AUD 80 to AUD 300.
Usually, a meal for two-person at a mid-range hotel in Sydney will cost you up to AUD 70. On average, you’ll pay A$11 for a Big Mac Meal from McDonalds, $7 for a beer, and A$3.50 for a cup of coffee.
Is moving to Australia worth it?
Australia is the best place to move in
Australia has a higher salary range than most advanced countries, such as the United Kingdom and the United States of America. You can study in Australia and work simultaneously to improve the quality of life.
No wonder Australia remains the most popular place for Bhutanese students who want to study. Global Reach offers you effective tips to help you manage all your plans to move to Australia.
In conclusion
We highly recommend Bhutanese students to choose Australia to pursue further education. The country has so much beauty to offerand the people there live as a peaceful community.
You will experience cultural diversity and You are going to one of the most advanced and highly educated countries in the world. Grab the chance and change your life for good.
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