Master of Data Science in Australia Cost of Living 2026 — Budget Guide
Cost of living in Australia for Data Science students 2026 — monthly budget, rent, food, transport in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Canberra.
Updated: 2026-04-01
Quick Answer
Living costs in Australia for international students range from AUD 1,500/month in Canberra and Brisbane to AUD 2,200/month in Sydney and Melbourne. Budgeting accurately before arrival prevents financial stress during your Master of Data Science program.
Key Highlights
- Sydney: AUD 2,000–2,400/month (rent AUD 900–1,400 for a room; food AUD 400–600; transport AUD 160 Opal Card)
- Melbourne: AUD 1,800–2,200/month (rent AUD 800–1,200; food AUD 350–550; transport AUD 150)
- Canberra (ANU): AUD 1,500–1,900/month — cheaper rent; AUS government sector networking bonus
- Brisbane (UQ): AUD 1,500–1,900/month — warm climate; lower cost than southern cities
- Share accommodation: AUD 600–900/room in share houses — most DS students share 3–4 bedroom houses
- OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover): AUD 600–700/year — mandatory; included in visa application
Monthly Living Cost for DS Students — Australian Cities (2026)
Estimated monthly expenses for a single international student:
- Sydney: AUD 2,000–2,400/month (rent AUD 900–1,400 for a room; food AUD 400–600; transport AUD 160 Opal Card)
- Melbourne: AUD 1,800–2,200/month (rent AUD 800–1,200; food AUD 350–550; transport AUD 150)
- Canberra (ANU): AUD 1,500–1,900/month — cheaper rent; AUS government sector networking bonus
- Brisbane (UQ): AUD 1,500–1,900/month — warm climate; lower cost than southern cities
- Share accommodation: AUD 600–900/room in share houses — most DS students share 3–4 bedroom houses
- OSHC (Overseas Student Health Cover): AUD 600–700/year — mandatory; included in visa application
Part-Time Work and Living Cost Management
How international students manage living costs in Australia:
- Part-time work rights: 48 hours/fortnight during term (Government removed 40hr cap in 2023; some conditions apply)
- Typical part-time income: AUD 15–25/hour across retail, hospitality, campus jobs
- Average monthly part-time earnings: AUD 1,200–2,000 covering a significant portion of living expenses
- On-campus jobs (library, IT support, tutoring): Stable and study-compatible; apply in Week 1 of semester
- Data Science tutoring: Indian students with strong DS backgrounds can earn AUD 25–40/hour tutoring
- Australia minimum wage 2025: AUD 24.10/hour — one of the highest globally for student workers
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Written & reviewed by
Rahul SharmaHead of Admissions — USA & Canada Specialist
Frequently Asked Questions
Budget AUD 1,800–2,200/month for Sydney/Melbourne all-in. AUD 1,500–1,800 for Brisbane/Canberra. This covers rent, food, transport, and personal expenses. Part-time work income (AUD 1,200–1,800/month for 20 hrs/week) can cover most of this.
Yes — if your financial support covers AUD 21,041/year (visa requirement proof). However, working part-time is common, valuable for Australian work experience toward PR, and significantly improves lifestyle quality during study.
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