The Gold Coast is an incredible place to study, work and live. It’s also a more affordable place to live than most of Australia’s major cities.
Groceries and restaurant prices are lower than the Australian average, and budgeting for your expenses will help your money go further.
We’ve compiled a guide to the approximate cost of living on the Gold Coast.
(All prices are in AUD)
Please note the below should only be referenced as a guide and specific costs will vary depending on the individual.
| Item | Off campus (shared) | Off campus (individually) | On campus | Homestay / boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $200-$350+ | $650+ | $280-$370 | $355-$400 |
| Electricity, gas and water | $20-$30 | $59-$80 | Included | Included |
| Food | $100-$300 | $100-$300 | $160-$196 | Included |
| Eating out | $50-$100 | $50-$100 | $50-$100 | $50-$100 |
| Mobile phone plan | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| Internet | $30 | $80-$100 | Included | Included |
| Parking and transport | $0.50-$30 | $0.50-$30 | $0.50-$30 | $0.50-$30 |
| Other: photocopying, stationary, sport, etc. | $25-$50 | $25-$50 | $25-$50 | $25-$50 |
| Weekly total | $500-$750 | $780-$1050 | $522-$770 | $430.50-$600 |
| Annual total | $26,000-$39,000 | $40,560-$54,600 | $27,000-$40,050 | $22,000-$30,000 |
While we have provided the estimated weekly costs as a general guide to living costs in Australia, the Australian Government requires all international students to have at least $29,710 AUD per annum for living expenses to support themselves while studying their chosen degree.
These amounts are the minimum required for establishing a student’s financial capability.
To be granted an international student visa, you may need to show you have genuine access to enough money to cover your living expenses for the first year or two of studying in Australia. The visa requirements will depend on your circumstances, and any questions can be directed to the Department of Home Affairs.
Return airfares to Australia.
Course fees, as outlined in the relevant program page. To learn more about tuition for international students, please visit our page of international student fee information.
The Student Services and Amenities Fee aims to provide a balanced, practical approach to funding campus services and amenities of a non-academic nature, such as sporting and recreational activities, student advocacy and legal services, employment and career advice, orientation activities and food services. All enrolled students are required to pay the fee.
| Full-time students (study load of 30 credit points or more) | $121.66 per semester ($365 for the three-semester year) |
| Part-time students (study load of less than 30 credit points) | $ 91.25 per semester ($273.75 for the three-semester year) |
The annual amount is CPI adjusted each year.
Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is insurance to assist international students in meeting the costs of medical, hospital and emergency ambulance care that they may need while in Australia.
Those intending to bring family with them to Australia will also need to consider the costs of additional airfares, living expenses, health cover and tuition fees.
Additional living expenses when bringing a partner are estimated to be $10,394 AUD per year of study, and $4,449 AUD for each child per year.
School tuition for children aged 5-18 will cost a minimum of $13,502 AUD per child, per year. School age dependants of student visa holders may be exempt from the requirement to pay tuition fees for their education (Prep to Year 12) in Queensland state schools. You may be required to provide evidence to immigration that your dependents are enrolled. Please contact the Queensland Department of Education directly.
Currently, student visa holders with work rights are able to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during the semester and on holiday breaks. Students are expected to remain in full-time study and prioritise this over their employment.
Working will reduce the costs of living in Australia, however, you should not expect to cover tuition fees or living expenses from casual work. For further information on working in Australia, visit the Department of Home Affairs.
Please note the amounts listed above do not necessarily represent the total cost of living in Australia.
You may also wish to refer to the Australian immigration authority's requirements on their webpage.