Student Budget Calculator

The average weekly living cost for a domestic Australian student ranges from $250 to $500, depending on location. Sydney and Melbourne are more expensive, with rent alone averaging $150–$250/week for shared accommodation. Budgeting $350–$450/week is a reasonable baseline outside of Sydney/Melbourne.

Key strategies: cook at home (saves $50–100/week vs eating out), use a student Opal/Myki card for transport discounts, buy second-hand textbooks or use library copies, share accommodation, and use student discounts on streaming, software (Adobe, Microsoft), and transport. Apps like Up Bank or Frollo can track spending automatically.

Eligible Australian students may receive Youth Allowance or Austudy from Services Australia. As of 2025, the maximum Youth Allowance rate is approximately $385–$490/fortnight depending on living arrangements. Visit servicesaustralia.gov.au or use the Payment Finder to check your eligibility.

Aim to save even $10–$20 per week into a separate savings account. Over a semester (20 weeks), that's $200–$400 — enough to cover a car repair, unexpected medical expense, or replace a broken laptop charger. Small consistent savings build financial resilience over time.