Living in a beautiful city like Sydney doesn't have to be expensive. In fact, Australia is very cost-effective when compared to other western countries such as Canada, the UK or the USA. As a general guide, on average, you will need around A$18,876 - A$27,872 for living expenses for one year. This covers accommodation, food, transport and clothing.

The Department of Home Affairs requires that prospective international students must demonstrate access to a minimum of A$21,041 per year to fund their living costs in Australia. Many UTS College students choose to work part-time while studying, to assist with their funding living costs.

Set up costs and ongoing expenses

There are a few initial costs you’ll need to allow for when your first set yourself up in Sydney. Costs will vary depending on what type of accommodation you’ve chosen - and any specific needs you may have.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is essential for all international Students. OSHC must be arranged prior to applying for your student visa.

One of the first things most students do is set themselves up with a new Australian mobile phone SIM (here is a list of network providers), to keep you connected to family, friends and other students. Depending on your accommodation arrangements, you may also need to set up internet at home.

If you’re looking for furniture or other items to set up your new home, think about using sites like Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace. Buying pre-loved goods at a cheaper price is good for you – and good for our planet.

How much will it cost to live in Sydney?

Your weekly living costs will vary depending on your choices. In addition to your accommodation costs, students can expect to spend anywhere between $275 and $540 per week on general expenses.

  • Groceries and eating out - $140 to $280 per week
  • Gas, electricity - $10 to $20 per week
  • Phone and Internet - $15 to $30 per week
  • Public transport - $30 to $60 per week
  • Entertainment - $80 to $150 per week
  • Car (after purchase) - $150 to $260 per week

You can customise your living costs estimates and work out how much your expenses will be in your local currency with either the Living Cost Calculator or Currency Calculator.

UTS College students also have access to range of free services activities, including WiFi on campus, the Student Lounge and wellbeing programs, to name a few. You also get access to an awesome range of fun and exciting events and activities through UTS College Activities Club and Activate UTS.

Studying and working

A part-time job is an excellent way to earn yourself some extra Australian dollars, while making new friends, practising your English and gaining insights into working life in Sydney.

UTS College students spend an average of 35-40 hours per week studying, with half these hours being private study and the other half being face-to-face class time. International students may legally work up to 40 hours per fortnight during the semester and as many hours as they want during holidays.

Check out the working while studying page for more information.