Estimated Cost of Living in Canberra
Estimated Cost of Living in Canberra
Canberra is Australia’s national capital of approximately 390,000 residents and a moderate cost of living. There are many ways to keep costs down by shopping at low-cost supermarket and stores such as Aldi, Big W and Kmart. Buying produce that are in season and cooking your own meals are useful options to manage your budget.
For a single, you will need approximately AUD $26,000 a year to cover basic costs. In addition, we recommend that you have at least AUD $5,000 when you arrive to cover the initial costs of study material, rental bond and furniture. These estimates do not include large household items such as a refrigerator or car.
The additional cost to support a family can be substantial. Additional living cost for a partner/spouse coming with you is approximately an additional $8,000 per year. Additional living cost for a child is approximately an additional $5,000 per year for each child. This would not include the cost of childcare or schooling. Childcare cost in Canberra is approximately $500 per week ($100 per day). At popular childcare facilities, there are often no vacancy and a long waiting list.
For further information, please see the Australian Government information on living costs - https://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/english/live-in-australia/living-costs
Weekly expenses for a Single student |
Shared house or flat |
One-bedroom unit |
Rent |
$200 to $250 |
$350 to $450 |
Mobile phone and internet |
$15 |
$15 |
Household products (cleaning, self-care) |
$10 |
$10 |
Food |
$100 |
$100 |
Utilities (gas, electricity, phone) |
$30 |
$50 |
Travel (Concession Bus) |
$30 |
$30 |
Spending money/Entertainment |
$50 |
$50 |
Incidentals |
$20 |
$20 |
Total weekly costs* (AUD) |
$455 to $505 |
$625 to $725 |
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* Please note these are estimates only; actual costs of living will be determined by lifestyle.