Cost of living in Sydney

How much does it cost to live in Sydney? If you’re an international student preparing to study at UTS, read on.

Do I need savings to apply for a student visa?

The Department of Home Affairs requires international students to demonstrate that they have access to at least A$29,710 a year (excluding course fees) to fund their living costs in Australia - this number increases if you are bringing a partner or dependants. 

At UTS, we recommend you have access to A$29,710 to A$37,037 to support yourself during your studies. 

To get a better idea of what it will cost you to live in Australia, check out Study Australia’s Cost of Living Calculator (opens an external site).

Accommodation

The UTS Housing Service offers safe, comfortable and affordable student accommodation close to UTS. They also can help you find off-campus and temporary accommodation when you first arrive in Sydney. 

For information on rental prices at the on-campus residence, visit the campus accommodation fees page.

For accommodation outside of UTS, you may pay approximately A$5200 for start up costs like:

  • rental accommodation bond (four weeks’ rent)
  • rent in advance, linen, furniture
  • telephone and internet connection
  • kitchenware
  • personal items
  • and electricity connections.

You can expect to pay $370-$550 a week for shared accommodation near UTS. If you want to live alone, your rent will be more expensive.

Textbooks

The cost of textbooks and course materials varies depending on your course. We estimate that textbooks for a year may cost several hundred dollars.

You can buy digital textbooks from websites like VitalSource. If you want physical textbooks, you can search by university and subject on Booktopia.

You can also find secondhand books via Facebook pages such as the UTS LSS Textbook Exchange, or through StudentVIP’s textbook marketplace. You may be able to borrow the textbook from UTS Library - however, there aren’t enough copies for everyone, so be quick!

Entertainment

Some attractions and entertainment venues (e.g. cinemas, museums) offer concession tickets for university students. On campus, ActivateUTS offers a variety of cafes, bars and retail outlets as well as a fitness centre, which offer discounts to UTS students. 

Many retail outlets, cafes, and takeaway outlets offer student discounts. Cinemas, Sydney attractions and live entertainment venues sometimes offer concession tickets for university students.  

The table below shows the approximate costs per person in Sydney in 2024.

Movie ticketA$20
Restaurant mealA$35+
Takeaway mealA$16+
Lunch on campusA$8-A$16
Lunch off campusA$15+
Cup of coffeeA$5+

Child care

There are two UTS Child Care centres near the campus for children from 0 to 5 years of age. To learn about the cost of UTS Child Care, visit the enrolment and fees page.

Child care in NSW and Australia is expensive and there are often waiting lists for children of all ages.

School-aged children must attend school and fees apply. For more information go to NSW Department of Education and Communities (opens an external site).

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.