Cost of Living in Adelaide for International Students 2027

The cost of living in Adelaide for international students typically ranges from A$1,500 to A$3,000 or more per month in 2027, depending on accommodation, lifestyle, and spending habits. This guide covers rent, groceries, transport, phone plans, and Australian student visa financial requirements.

Adelaide Student Accommodation Options and Rent Costs

Accommodation is usually one of your largest expenses as an international student in Adelaide. You can choose from university residences, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), shared houses, private rentals, and homestays. Your costs will depend on the property's location, facilities, and whether utilities and meals are included.

According to StudyAdelaide's cost-of-living guide, student accommodation typically costs A$300 to A$600 per week, while renting a room in a shared home can cost A$150 to A$300 per week.

These are indicative estimates published by StudyAdelaide. Actual prices vary by property and availability. Private rentals may also require a rental bond and rent in advance. Check your lease to confirm which bills you must pay separately.

Grocery Costs, Dining, and Daily Expenses

Groceries are another important part of your student budget. StudyAdelaide estimates that students shopping at budget supermarkets may spend around A$60 to A$100 per week on groceries. Your actual costs will depend on your diet, shopping habits, and how often you eat out. Check StudyAdelaide's grocery and dining estimates when planning your budget.

Other everyday expenses to allow for include:

• Cinema tickets: Allow approximately A$18–A$25, depending on the cinema and session.
• Casual dining: Budget around A$15–A$35 per person, depending on the venue.
• Coffee: Allow around A$4.50–A$6 per drink at many cafés.

These leisure prices are illustrative budgeting estimates rather than official citywide averages. Check current venue menus and ticket prices before relying on them.

Public Transport and Adelaide Metro Fares

Adelaide Metro operates Adelaide's bus, train, and tram network. You can pay using a metroCARD, contactless payment where accepted, or the Adelaide Metro Buy & Go app. Some central-city services and tram sections are free, subject to the network's designated free-travel areas.

Adelaide Metro's fares changed on October 1, 2026. The current published metroCARD fares include:

The published concession 28-day pass costs A$61.60. Eligibility for concession fares depends on the applicable rules, so confirm your status before purchasing a card or pass. Do not assume that every international student qualifies for the separate student fare category.

See Adelaide Metro's October 2026 fare announcement and its metroCARD information for current prices, eligibility, and payment options.

Mobile Phone and Internet Expenses

A mobile plan helps you stay connected with family, access university services, and manage everyday tasks. As a general budgeting estimate, allow approximately A$40 to A$100 per month for a mobile plan, depending on your provider, data allowance, and whether you choose prepaid or postpaid service. Lower-cost offers may be available.

Home broadband plans commonly cost around A$60 to A$80 per month, although prices and data allowances vary. Check NBN Co for information about broadband availability and compare plans from providers. Internet may already be included in student accommodation or shared housing, so check your rental agreement before budgeting for a separate connection.

Student Visa Funds and Work Rights

If you are applying for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500), you may need to provide evidence that you can cover your living expenses, tuition fees, and travel costs. The published 12-month living-cost financial-capacity amount for a student is A$29,710, equivalent to approximately A$2,476 per month. Additional amounts may be required for accompanying family members and other eligible expenses.

This is a visa financial-capacity benchmark, not a guarantee that the amount will cover your actual living costs in Adelaide. You should prepare a realistic budget based on your accommodation, food, transport, insurance, and personal expenses.

The standard Student visa application charge for the main applicant is A$2,500 as of October 22, 2026. Limited concessions apply to eligible applicants. Additional charges may apply to family members or for other services, such as health examinations. Check the official Student visa page and the visa fees and charges page before applying.

Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session. Different rules apply during scheduled course breaks, and work restrictions and exemptions depend on the circumstances. Check your visa conditions and the Department of Home Affairs guidance before accepting work.

From July 1, 2026, Australia's National Minimum Wage is A$26.44 per hour for eligible adult employees who are not covered by an award or registered agreement. Many employees are covered by industry awards, which set their own minimum rates and conditions. Junior employees, apprentices, and trainees may have different rates. Casual employees entitled to the National Minimum Wage receive at least A$33.05 per hour, including the 25% casual loading.

See the Fair Work Ombudsman's minimum wage guidance for details.

Frequently Asked Questions

Adelaide offers a range of accommodation and lifestyle options for international students. Compare housing carefully, account for utilities and transport, and budget for both everyday expenses and your visa requirements. Planning ahead can help you manage your finances throughout your studies.