Estimated Living costs:

International students in Australia can expect to spend around $400 to $500 per week on accommodation, food, clothing, entertainment, transport, travel, telephone calls and other costs. The amount an individual will spend will, of course, vary according to factors such as lifestyle, the type of accommodation they choose, and the type and location of the course they study.

Australia offers not only world-class education, and a relaxed and easy lifestyle but also affordability. Both living and university costs are typically lower than in the USA and UK. A study conducted on the cost of Big Macs around the world highlights the lower prices in Australia.

The cost of a Big Mac (in US dollars) in July 2007 was:

• $2.95 in Australia
• $4.01 in Britain
• $3.41 in the US.

Figures were taken from the Finfacts Ireland website, last viewed 31 July 2007.

In addition, the Mercer Human Resource Consulting 2007 Cost of living survey found that only one Australian city, Sydney, appeared on the list of the top 50 most expensive cities to live in, whereas three UK cities (London – second most expensive city in the world, Glasgow, and Birmingham) and two US cities (New York and Los Angeles) appeared on the list.