🇦🇺 Australia · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Melbourne? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
myki daily fare cap (metropolitan)AUD 11.40 full fare — halved to AUD 5.70 statewide until 1 Jan 2027
Groceries, one personAUD 450–700 / month
Ambulance Victoria membership≈AUD 56 / year single, ≈AUD 113 family
Overseas visitors health cover (single)AUD 85–180 / month
Meal at a casual restaurant, one personAUD 25 for a casual sit-down meal; about AUD 58 a head for three courses somewhere mid-range
Electricity, Victorian Default OfferAUD 1,591 / year for a representative residential customer — the regulated default price for 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027
Good to know
Population
≈5.3 million (Greater Melbourne)
Languages
English; Mandarin, Greek, Italian, Vietnamese and Arabic widely spoken
Currency
Australian dollar (AUD)
Time zone
AEST (GMT+10); AEDT (GMT+11) from early October to early April
Mon–Fri, 38 ordinary hours; 4 weeks annual leave plus a Grand Final Friday holiday
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Melbourne checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Melbourne
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.