Cost Of Living

Australia is a relatively inexpensive country compared to most western European countries. The prices given below are only a guide as to what you might pay and can vary from location to location.

So how would my bank account look at the end of the week?

Earnings

As a typical traveller with a typical job (e.g. farm work, bar / waitressing work) you can expect to earn somewhere between AU$600 and AU$800 per week. Bear in mind that you will be taxed on this, usually somewhere between 15 & 25%. This means at the end of the week the average backpacker will end up with AU$500 to AU$600 in their account each week.

Accommodation

If you are staying in or near the city, expect to spend about $120 - $150 on accommodation at a decent hostel. If you are doing farm work, often you will be able to live on the farm for a mere $70 per week.

Food

Apart from accommodation, food is your next necessity. The amount you spend on food will depend on how well you like to eat!

Many travellers can easily survive on less than $40 per week, by buying only simple foods like bread, pasta, processed meats...Others will spend $100 per week on food by settling only for the best! However, as a rule of thumb, expect to spend about $60 per week on food, which will ensure you eat reasonably well. A great way to reduce your spending on food is to buy, prepare and eat food with friends, and share the cost!

Transport

So now you have your food and accommodation sorted, what about transport to work each day? Ideally, you would work within walking distance of your workplace so transport will not an issue. If you worked and lived on a farm this would be the case! If not, you would need to get public transport to work unless you bought a car.
The cost of public transport varies depending on the distance you travel. If you do need to travel to work each day then set aside about $15 per week as a rule of thumb.

What do I have left over?

Now all the necessities are out of the way, your bills are paid and you have somewhere between AU$300 and AU$400 left in your account at the end of the week depending on your situation.
Depending on your aims and objectives, you may want to save most of this money to spend on travelling or...hit the pub! It's up to you!

Click HERE to see how we can help you organise your working holiday in Australia.