Australia (AU)
Australia is the world's sixth-largest country by area and one of the most urbanised nations on Earth, with over 85% of its 27 million people living in coastal cities.
Capital: Canberra
Region: Oceania
Language: English
Currency: AUD ($)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 74)
Emergency: 000
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Australia — 2026 data in AUD.
74
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Moderately priced. Similar to or slightly less than Western European averages.
Rent
1BR apartment — Sydney (inner city) $2,400–$3,200
2BR apartment — Sydney (inner city) $3,200–$4,500
1BR apartment — Melbourne (inner city) $1,900–$2,600
2BR apartment — Melbourne (inner city) $2,600–$3,600
1BR apartment — Brisbane (inner city) $1,800–$2,400
2BR apartment — Brisbane (inner city) $2,400–$3,200
1BR apartment — Perth (inner city) $1,700–$2,300
2BR apartment — Perth (inner city) $2,200–$3,000
1BR apartment — Adelaide (inner city) $1,400–$1,900
2BR apartment — Adelaide (inner city) $1,800–$2,500
3BR house — Sydney (suburban) $3,000–$4,500
3BR house — Melbourne (suburban) $2,200–$3,200
Food & Groceries
Bread (700g loaf) $3.50–$6.00
Milk (2L) $2.80–$4.50
Eggs (12 free-range) $5.50–$9.00
Chicken breast (1kg) $10–$16
Beef mince (500g) $8–$14
Rice (1kg) $2.50–$5.00
Pasta (500g) $2.00–$4.00
Cheddar cheese (500g) $7–$12
Avocados (each) $1.50–$3.50
Beer (6-pack, supermarket) $18–$28
Wine (750ml, decent bottle) $15–$35
Monthly groceries (1 person) $400–$700
Dining Out
Café breakfast (eggs on toast) $18–$28
Café flat white (coffee) $5–$6.50
Lunch (casual café/takeaway) $15–$25
Pub meal (chicken schnitzel) $22–$35
Restaurant main course (mid-range) $28–$55
Dinner for 2 (mid-range, with wine) $120–$200
Takeaway (sushi/Asian/kebab) $12–$20
McDonald's meal deal $14–$18
Transport
Monthly Opal card (Sydney — unlimited) $62/week cap (Opal weekly cap)
Monthly myki (Melbourne — monthly pass) $119/month (Zone 1+2)
Monthly go card (Brisbane) $80–$100/month (estimated average commuter)
Single bus/train/ferry trip $2.50–$5.50 (varies by distance and state)
Taxi (flag fall + per km, Sydney) $4.20 + $2.25/km
Uber (typical 10km city trip) $18–$30
Petrol (per litre, unleaded 91) $1.75–$2.10 (varies by city and week)
Monthly parking (CBD, Sydney/Melbourne) $250–$550/month
Toll road (typical Sydney/Melbourne trip) $5–$20 per trip
Utilities
Electricity (1BR apartment) $80–$150
Gas (heating/cooking, apartment) $40–$100
Water (typically included in rent) $40–$80 (if paid by tenant)
Broadband internet (NBN, unlimited) $60–$110
Mobile plan (30GB+ data) $30–$65
Netflix / Disney+ / Streaming (each) $13–$19
Health & Insurance
GP visit (bulk billed) Free
GP visit (non-bulk-billing, typical gap) $30–$90 out-of-pocket
Private hospital insurance (basic, single) $80–$130/month
Private hospital insurance (gold, single) $180–$280/month
Extras/ancillary insurance (single) $35–$80/month
Ambulance subscription (Ambulance Victoria) $46/year (single)
PBS prescription (general) $31.60 per item (2026)
Dental check-up and clean (no insurance) $150–$250
Childcare
Long day care (full day, before CCS subsidy) $120–$200/day
Long day care (after CCS for $80k income) $20–$60/day out-of-pocket (approx)
Family day care (per day) $80–$130/day
Out-of-school-hours care (OSHC, before/after school) $20–$45 per session
Babysitter (per hour) $25–$40
Nanny (full-time, per week) $1,200–$2,000
Leisure
Cinema ticket (adult) $22–$27
Gym membership (mid-range) $60–$120/month
Fitness First / Virgin Active (monthly) $75–$110/month
National park entry (per car) $12–$20
Men's haircut (barber) $30–$60
Women's haircut (salon) $60–$150+
Pint of craft beer (pub) $10–$14
Glass of wine (restaurant) $12–$20
Domestic flight (Sydney–Melbourne, advance) $80–$250
Cost of Living
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