If you’re considering making the move down under, the cost of living may be a big factor. With the cost of living on the rise in most places, it’s understandable to want to know how far your money will go. With a salary of £40,000+ a year, you will be making enough to live a comfortable lifestyle in Australia, and this blog will break down how far your money can go.
Rent
The biggest expense is always going to be your rent. Luckily, the prices of rentals in the bigger cities in Australia are more comparable to the prices in smaller cities in the UK. Somewhere like Melbourne, you can expect to find a one-bedroom apartment close to the city centre for around £1050, with the cost going down to around £850 if you choose to live a bit further out. If you want to stretch your money further, choosing to live “satellite cities” – cities that are nearby to larger cities – such as Geelong, or even going to more remote places maybe in the Northern Territory can reduce the price to about £740 in the centre and £530 in the suburbs.
Groceries
In the UK, a weekly shop for one person can cost anything between £40-£70 a week, dependant on where you are living. There are some similarities here with Australia. In the bigger cities, you can expect to be paying around £60 a week. Imported goods are more expensive in Australia compared to the UK, whilst fresh produce is cheaper on the whole. In regional Australia it’s a bit of a mix, staples are often similar to the bigger cities, but other things may be priced higher in remote areas due to the cost of transport.
Eating out
It’s always good to treat yourself now and again, and eating out is doing just that! As expected, the bigger cities are the most expensive places to eat out, with a casual meal costing about £13 and a mid- range dinner for two costing about £50. Again, living in regional areas will bring the cost down, with a casual meal being about £10 and a dinner for two about £42. This may seem quite high, but the bigger cities are still cheaper than London!
Having Fun
When it comes to the evenings and weekends in Australia, there is plenty to do! A gym membership in the bigger cities will set you back around £42 per month, whilst further out, it will cost around £31 per month. For those all-important beers, you can expect to be paying £6.30 for a pint in Melbourne, but just £4.70 in the smaller cities. Movie lovers will be happy to hear that a cinema ticket will cost between just £9.50 – £11.50 – very affordable!
As with most places, the cost of living will vary dependant on where you are. Satellite cities and more rural cities work out to be cheaper overall. However, for those looking to live in the hustle and bustle of Australian city life, there are still options for affordable living.
Overall, it is easier to save money working as a teacher in Australia compared to a similar job in the UK. With the high salaries and lower cost of living, you will be able to afford a good lifestyle in whichever city you choose.
If you are ready to apply, or simply want to reach out for more information, get in touch!
