Support Services
Living Costs
The following three tables show information for living costs in Melbourne.
Living Costs for Single Students
The following table shows estimated average annual costs for a single student sharing rental
accommodation, living in a one-bedroom flat, and living on campus (non-catered). Total figures are for 37 weeks of the academic year only. Please note that we have not included the cost of clothing
or travel expenses for leisure purposes.
Average Living Costs for One Student |
Type of Accommodation |
Renting Shared House or Flat |
One Bedroom Flat/ Apartment |
Campus Non- Catered |
Establishment Costs (A$) |
Bond 3 |
3901 |
565 |
655 |
Rent in Advance |
390 |
565 |
3,2452 |
Telephone connection |
201 |
59 |
n/a |
General establishment costs |
3001 |
600 |
200 |
Total |
1,100 |
1,789 |
4,100 |
Annual Costs (A$) |
Books, stationery, photocopying; etc. |
600 |
600 |
6005 |
Work visa (payable once only) |
60 |
60 |
60 |
Total |
660 |
660 |
660 |
Average Weekly Costs (A$) |
Weekly Rent/Board |
901 |
130 |
171 |
Household 'Kitty' (food, cleaning products etc.) |
45 |
50 |
45 |
Food (lunch and snacks) |
30 |
30 |
30 |
Utilities (gas, electricity, phone) |
20 |
30 |
10 |
Travel (public transport/fuel) |
26 |
26 |
124 |
Spending Money |
40 |
40 |
40 |
Average Weekly Costs |
251 |
306 |
308 |
Total Estimate (1 year) |
10,657 |
13,206 |
12,834 |
1 Assumes shared with two others.
2 Note that it is sometimes possible to negotiate to pay less rent in advance with colleges.
3 Bond is usually refunded at the end of your stay provided no money is owing (and that
you have given the required period of notice), and that you have caused no damage to property. Note that some private student accomodation providers will deduct a $50 cleaning charge at the end of your stay.
4 Transport for entertainment and work purposes.
5 Some college libraries contain key textbooks that could reduce expenditure.
Living Costs for Families
The following table shows estimated average costs for a couple with one school age dependent
child and one non-school age dependant child, living in rented accommodation. Please note that
we have not included the cost of travel expenses for leisure purposes.
| Average Living Costs for a Couple with Children |
Establishment Costs |
Cost (A$) |
Bond1 |
1083 |
Rent in advance2 |
1083 |
Telephone connection |
59 |
General establishment costs (furniture, linen, crockery etc) |
1,500 |
Total |
3,725 |
|
Annual Costs |
Cost (A$) |
Books, stationery, photocopying etc |
1,000 |
Health insurance (OSHC) |
698 |
Work visa (payable once only) |
60 |
Clothing |
850 |
Schooling (for 1 child) |
10,350 |
School books (for 1 child) |
250 |
School uniform |
200 |
Total |
13,408 |
|
Average Weekly Costs |
Cost (A$) |
Weekly rent |
250 |
Food: groceries |
170 |
Food: lunch and drinks Monday to Friday |
40 |
Bills: gas, electricity, phone, etc |
60 |
Travel: public transport/fuel |
75 |
Miscellaneous expenses |
60 |
Lunches for child at school |
30 |
Travel for children |
13 |
Average Weekly Costs |
698 |
Weekly Costs Total for Year |
36,296 |
|
Total Estimate (1 year) |
53,429 |
1Bond is usually refunded at the end of your stay provided no money is owing (and that you have given the required period of notice), and that you have caused no damage to property. Note that some private student accommodation providers will deduct a $50 cleaning charge at the end of your stay.
2 Rent in advance. One month in advance is the maximum amount you will be required to pay if your rent is less than A$350 per week. This limit applies to the bond amount as well.
Grocery Costs
The following price list was compiled at a Safeway Supermarket and the Preston Market in August 2006. All prices are in Australian dollars and are subject to change.
Please note: kg=kilogram, g=gram, mL=millilitre, L=litre.
Item |
Supermarket Price (A$) |
Preston Market Price (A$) |
Apple (1kg) |
4.46 |
1.99 |
Orange (1kg) |
3.46 |
2.99 |
Broccoli (1kg) |
2.97 |
2.79 |
Carrots (1kg) |
1.96 |
0.99 |
Potato (1 kg) |
3.23 |
1.49 |
Onion (1kg) |
2.98 |
0.99 |
Tomato (1kg) |
3.42 |
1.99 |
Lettuce (each) |
1.50 |
1.49 |
|
Chicken wings (1kg) |
3.49 |
2.50 |
Chicken fillet (1kg) |
13.99 |
11.00 |
Pork chops (1kg) |
15.99 |
8.99 |
Lamb chops (1kg) |
9.99 |
10.99 |
Minced beef (1kg) |
13.99 |
5.99 |
|
Sesame oil |
(210mL) = 3.25 |
(1L) = 6.90 |
Oyster sauce |
(500mL) = 3.91 |
(1L) = 5.50 |
Soy sauce |
(250mL) = 2.64 |
(500mL) = 2.50 |
|
Coca Cola (1.25L) |
1.48 |
n/a |
Fresh milk (2L) |
2.09 |
n/a |
Fresh orange juice (2L) |
4.99 |
n/a |
|
White bread |
2.25 |
1.99 |
Butter (250g) |
0.99 |
n/a |
Tea bags (50 bags) |
5.55 |
n/a |
Instant coffee (600g) |
4.79 |
n/a |
Honey (500g) |
4.99 |
4.99 |
Margarine (500g) |
1.20 |
n/a |
Rice (5kg) |
7.60 |
7.90 |
Eggs (doz. 600g) |
2.60 |
2.50 |
|
Toothpaste |
(250g) = 2.98 |
(130g) = 5.00 |
Toilet rolls (6 rolls) |
3.38 |
1.50 |
Paracetamol (24 tablets) |
2.05 |
2.35 |
Sunblock lotion (200mL) |
13.49 |
16.55 |
Tissues |
1.08 |
0.99 |
|
Content Approved by: Director, La Trobe International