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Australia essentials

Living in Australia

What it really costs, and how to sort a tax number, bank account, SIM, and healthcare once you land in Australia.

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Cost of livingBankingSIM & connectivityHealthcareTax & work number
Cost of living

What you'll spend

Indicative
Min funds to show
Approx. AUD 5,000 + onward fare (verified on official 417 & 462 eligibility pages)
Rent (shared room)
Sydney private/shared room ~AUD 300-450/wk (Flatmates/Domain data - third party)
Rent (1-bed, city)
Sydney median unit AUD 750/wk (Domain Rental Report Mar 2026 - third party)
Average wage
National minimum wage AUD 24.95/hr to 30 Jun 2026, then AUD 26.44/hr from 1 Jul 2026. Casual rates include a 25% loading (AUD 31.19/hr, rising to AUD 33.05/hr from 1 Jul 2026).
Casual meal
~AUD 25 casual meal, Sydney (Numbeo - third party)
Monthly transport
Sydney: no monthly pass - Opal weekly cap AUD 50 (~AUD 217/mo). Melbourne: myki daily cap AUD 5.70 (half price 1 Jun 2026-1 Jan 2027)

Cost figures are indicative, sourced from market data. Visa facts and fees are verified against official sources.

Tax / work number

Tax File Number (TFN) - free, apply online via ATO after arrival (needs AU address): ato.gov.au

Banking

Open a local account soon after you arrive in Australia so you can get paid and skip foreign-card fees. Most banks let you start the application online before you land.

Providers: Wise, Revolut, CBA, Westpac, NAB, ANZ
Read the banking guide

Mobile & connectivity

Set up a Australia number or eSIM for data and calls. The major networks have the widest coverage; budget MVNOs run on the same towers for less.

Providers: Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Boost Mobile, amaysim, ALDImobile, Airalo, Holafly
Read the SIM guide
Healthcare

Staying healthy in Australia

Access

Medicare ONLY for RHCA-country citizens (UK, Ireland, Italy 6mo, Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Malta, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, NZ) - enrol via Services Australia. All others: private cover

Seeing a doctor

Any GP/medical centre; bulk-billed with Medicare (RHCA), otherwise ~AUD 80-120 upfront (third party estimate)
Emergency
000 (112 from mobiles)
Police, fire, and ambulance in Australia.
Insurance
Health & travel insurance
Not a 417/462 grant condition (not listed in official eligibility criteria); strongly recommended - non-RHCA nationals effectively need private cover
Compare cover →