Cost of living in Sydney
Here are some average prices of everyday goods in Sydney. They are not the prices of luxury goods such as designer clothes or the highest-quality food. The prices try to reflect a student budget.
The prices below were obtained from a search using an online supermarket.
This information was last updated in November 2006.
Prices are in Australian dollars (AUD).
| Supermarket food | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| loaf of bread | $1.98 |
| 1 kg rice | $1.18 |
| 1kg apples | $3.98 |
| packet of instant noodles | $1.27 |
| 1kg potatoes | $2.50 |
| tin of tuna | $1.60 |
| 500g minced beef | $6.25 |
| 6 eggs | $1.75 |
| cheese (non-specialist) 250g | $3.50 |
| 1 litre of milk | $1.44 |
| 1 packet biscuits | $1.30 |
| 1 litre orange juice | $3.41 |
| 1 packet teabags (50 pack) | $2.14 |
| 1 jar instant coffee (200g) | $3.22 |
| Entertainment | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| cinema ticket (full price) | $15.00 |
| nightclub entrance | $25.00 |
| pint of beer (570 ml) | $3.50 - $5.00 |
| Miscellaneous | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| camera film | $8.00 + |
| shampoo | $4.89 - $8.86 |
| soap | $3.29 |
| haircut (men) | $15.00 upwards |
| haircut (women) | $30.00 upwards |
| phone call | $0.50 upwards |
| stamp for letter abroad | $0.50 - $2.20 |
| mobile phone text message (within Aus) | $0.25 |
| mobile phone call (within Aus, to same network) | $0.60 |
| Transport | Approximate cost |
|---|---|
| taxi | $1.53 per km |
| bus fare (weekly) | $11.00 - $45.00 |
| train fare (weekly) | $30.00 - $50.00 |
Need more information?
Budgeting
In addition to your tuition fees, you will be responsible for planning and budgeting your living costs. Below is an estimated cost of living guide per month for a single student living in homestay accommodation in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
| Item | Melbourne | Perth | Sydney |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost per month ($AUD) | |||
| Single homestay room (breakfast & dinner included) | $1040 | $900 | $1080 |
| Food (lunches & snacks) | $280 ($10 per day) | $255 ($8.50 per day) | $354 ($20 per day) |
| Telephone | $50 | $50 | $50 |
| Transport | $100 | $45 | $160 |
| Laundry | $40 | $30 | $40 |
| Stationery | $40 | $40 | $40 |
| Clothing, entertainment, personals | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Total monthly costs | $1610 | $1520 | $1924 |
| Total costs per academic year (40 weeks) | $16,100 | $15,200 | $19,240 |
Meet Olga Yakhno
USFP student, Sydney
The friendly and helpful teachers is what Olga enjoys the most about Taylors.
