Australia has long been considered a dream location to put down roots. Whether you’re looking to relocate your family, seek new career opportunities, or are ready for an outback adventure, there’s certainly a lot to offer in the land down under.
But, while Aussies are well known for their laid-back, low-key lifestyle, the cost of living might be higher than you may realise.
From wages to tax rates, housing, utilities, education and more, in this article, we’re diving into everything you need to know about the cost of living in Australia in 2026.
Cost of living is determined using a number of different metrics, including the price of essential products and services, general affordability, and how changes to these costs impact individuals and families from different parts of the country.
The Aussie government works out the cost of living via:
While cost of living (COS) metrics are good indicators, the truth is, the results can vary greatly.
For this reason, COS should not be considered as a complete authority when it comes to the circumstances of an entire population.
With that said, exploring the cost of living and some of the variations you can expect can help you understand more clearly how you may be affected personally and the things you can do to keep costs down.
There is no exact figure for the cost of living in Australia. However, Expatistan estimates the current cost of living in Australia is roughly AU$4,747 per month for a single person or AU$8,186 per month for a family of four.
Based on these figures, the cost of living in Australia is ranked more expensive than in 84% of countries in the World (8 out of 44).
While the cost of living describes the cost associated with core essentials such as food, housing, health care, utilities and transport, the standard of living refers more to the quality or comfort of your life.
Living comfortably in Australia varies greatly depending on factors such as location, lifestyle and personal preferences.
As a general guide, a single person living within any major city would need an annual income of AU$112k per annum or AU$9,333 + per month to rent a median-priced property without feeling ‘rental stress’.
Any household spending more than 30% of its income on rental costs is categorised within the rental stress bracket.
The median weekly salary for employees in Australia is AU$1,436 or AU$44.60 per hour.
Data collected within the last 12 months shows:
The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has the highest median weekly earnings at AU$1,550 per week, while South Australia has the lowest at AU$1,200 per week. The Australian Bureau of Statistics shows:
Career opportunities in Australia are diverse and can be highly financially rewarding. Some of the highest paying sectors include healthcare, finance, tech and mining and natural resources.
The amount of tax you pay in Australia depends on how much you earn.
Under the current rules, if you earn under AU$18,200 per year, you won’t pay any tax.
However, if you have an income of AU$180,001 or more, you’ll pay AU$51,667 plus 45c for each AU$1 over AU$180,000.
Below is a table detailing the income brackets and associated tax.
Find out more information on tax costs in Australia here.
| Taxable income | Tax on this income |
| 0 – AU$18,200 | Nil |
| AU$18,201 – AU$45,000 | 16c for each AU$1 over AU$18,200 |
| AU$45,001 – AU$135,000 | AU$4,288 plus 30c for each AU$1 over AU$45,000 |
| AU$135,001 – AU$190,000 | AU$31,288 plus 37c for each AU$1 over AU$135,000 |
| AU$190,001 and over | AU$51,638 plus 45c for each AU$1 over AU$190,000 |
Tuition fees cost parents anywhere between AU$382 per year for public primary school to AU$13,115 per year for independent secondary schools.
Again, costs vary between states and territories.
Victoria holds the title of the most expensive state for private primary schools. The average school tuition cost here is AU$9,976 per student, per year.
New South Wales has the most expensive private secondary schools, with an average annual tuition cost of AU$15,273. That's AU$6,243 more than the average cost in Western Australia.
When it comes to government education, Victoria and South Australia have the highest costs. Schools here ask for an average voluntary contribution of AU$556 per year for primary levels and AU$1,153 for secondary students.
Tuition fees and the cost of studying in Australia will vary depending on:
Lists the average costs as follows:
| Education Type | Average Tuition |
| English Language course | AU$200 – AU$400 per week |
| Vocational Education and Training | AU$7,000 – AU$15,000 per year |
| Foundation course | AU$15,000 – AU$39,000 total |
| Bachelor Degree | AU$8,500 – AU$94,000 per year |
| Master's Degree | AU$11,520 – AU$88,500 per year |
| Doctoral Degree | AU$6,000 – AU$101,952 per year |
| MBA | AU$16,240 – AU$91,421 per year |
Child care can be expensive, depending on where you live. The average daily cost for childcare across Australia is AU$139.58, but in some parts of the country, parents pay up to AU$200 per day.
While there are subsidies available for Aussie families, these are means-tested, and so the eligible amount (if any at all) will vary greatly from family to family.
Use this childcare cost calculator to discover the average cost of childcare in your area.
Homeowners are now required to set aside up to 50% of their income in order to service their mortgage repayments. This is one of the biggest factors to consider when it comes to the cost of living, particularly if you are entering the property market for the first time.
| Location | Median Property Value |
| Sydney | AU$1,759,909 |
| Melbourne | AU$1,111,084 |
| Brisbane | AU$1,171,237 |
| Adelaide | AU$1,094,427 |
| Perth | AU$1,087,762 |
| Hobart | AU$767,451 |
| Darwin | AU$690,896 |
| Canberra | AU$1,139,969 |
| National | AU$757,746 |
Sydney is one of Australia’s more expensive cities to live in, with living costs being significantly higher than in other cities across Australia.
With an average monthly salary of AU$5,907 (after tax) and utility costs of around AU$293.68 per month (for an 85m² apartment), and rental costs of about AU$3,695.12 per month (on a 1-bedroom apartment).
Find out more about the cost of living in Sydney here.
In Brisbane, the estimated monthly costs for a family of four are estimated to be around AU$5,240 without rent (using the numbeo estimator), while the average monthly costs for a single person are estimated at AU$1,469 excluding rent.
Brisbane residents pay an average of AU$280 in utility bills each month(for an 85m² apartment), and the rental of a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre is roughly AU$2,600 per month.
The average net salary in Brisbane is AU$6,190 per month.
Learn more about the full scope of Brisbane's cost of living here.
In Melbourne, the average cost of living for a family of four is AU$6,200 per month without rent or AU$1,720 per month for a single person without rent.
Melbourne residents pay an average of AU$308 per month in utility bills for an 85m² apartment, and the cost of rent for a 1-bedroom CBD apartment is roughly AU$2,459 per month.
Check out our full guide to Melbourne's cost of living.
Average monthly costs for a family of four in Adelaide are AU$6,634 without rent and AU$1,562 per month for a single person without rent.
Basic utilities on an 85m² apartment will set the average household back AU$266.30 per month, and the average salary is AU$5,290.
Read more about Adelaide's cost of living here.
In Canberra, a family of four can expect to pay up to AU$6,000 a month in expenses before considering rental or mortgage costs. A single person's estimated monthly costs are AU$1,654.
Basic utilities on an 85m² apartment will set the average household back AU$264 per month, rent costs roughly AU$2,500 for a 1-bedroom apartment each month, and the average salary is AU$5,868.
Monthly expenses for a family of four in Perth sit at roughly AU$5,750 per month without rent or AU$1,600 for a single person.
Monthly rental costs for a 1-bedroom apartment in Perth are around AU$2,500 per month, and the average salary is AU$5,800 per month.
Sports, fashion and entertainment costs aren’t generally associated with the cost of living. They are, however, costs that most people indulge in on a semi-regular basis.
Here are some of the average costs you might expect when it comes to fashion and entertainment.
| Sports, leisure activities, and Shopping | Average cost |
| Fitness club, monthly fee for 1 adult | AU$63 |
| Tennis court rent (1 hour on the weekend) | AU$20 – AU$40 |
| Cinema, international release, 1 seat | AU$17.50 |
| 1 pair of jeans (Levi's 501 or similar) | AU$139.95 |
| 1 summer dress in a chain store (H&M) | AU$84.22 |
| 1 pair of Nike running shoes (mid-range) | AU$177.82 |
| 1 pair of men's leather business shoes | AU$201.73 |
Wherever you’re planning to move to in Australia, it’s clear by now that the costs can certainly add up.
In saying that, one of the major draw cards of this country is the ability to take pleasure in the small things, and the things that cost little or nothing at all.
Beautiful beaches, national parks, sweeping hinterlands and a smorgasbord of free activities you can fill your new life with mean you can keep your spending and material possessions down to a minimum.
But, for those prized possessions you’re bringing with you when you do move, you’ll want to ensure you have removalists you can trust.
With Upmove, you can book the best moving companies at the best price - so that’s one less cost you need to worry about.
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Upmove acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
