Moving to Australia from South Africa: Go-to Guide!
Discover how to move to Australia from South Africa, including the different visa types, cost of living, how to find jobs, open a bank account, and more.
Your all-in-one guide to cost of living in Australia for South Africans
Australia is an incredibly attractive place for people to relocate, whether temporarily or permanently. It’s a country with a rich history, culture, and not only interesting and wild landscapes, but metropolitan cities too.
But if you’re planning to move from South Africa to Australia, how different is the cost of living?
In this guide, we’re going to take a look at the cost of living in Australia, from rental prices to study costs, and general living expenses, Plus, we’ll also be taking a look at the difference between the cost of living in South Africa and Australia.
If you want to send, or hold money from Australia to South Africa, make sure you keep in mind Wise, a bank alternative to reduce international transfer costs¹ for international money transfers to South Africa from Australia.
How expensive is Australia in comparison to South Africa?
Australia is much more expensive than South Africa when it comes to the cost of living. The cost of groceries is 62.8% higher in Australia than in South Africa, rent is 69.6% higher, and general consumer prices (not including rent) are 53.8% higher⁵.
The currency in Australia
The currency in Australia is the Australian Dollar (shown as A$ in this article).
When you’re making transfers or converting your money into AUD, you can make sure you’re getting the best exchange rate by using a converter that uses the mid-market exchange rate.
You can find out the exact worth of your money (or more specifically, ZAR) by using our online currency converter:
Get the mid-market rate for international money transfers to South Africa with Wise
South Africans living in Australia can save money¹ by using Wise, a bank alternative, to make international payments to South Africa.
When sending money to South Africa from Australia with Wise, you can reduce international transfer costs¹.
The mid-market exchange rate is the rate that banks use to transfer money between them.
Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate along with a small fee mentioned upfront for all transfers. This means you’ll likely be getting better rates for international money transfers, and you’ll know upfront how much each transaction will cost you¹.
Using Wise from Australia, you can send money to South Africa, and also hold and receive money in 40+ currencies³.
Cost of living in Australia vs. South Africa
The cost of living does vary depending on where you visit or choose to live in Australia. However, Sydney is the 56th most expensive city in the world and Melbourne is the 71st, according to the Mercer cost of living rankings⁶. Comparably, Cape Town ranks at the 194th most expensive⁶.
Rental costs in Australia
Let’s take a look at the rental costs in two of the biggest cities in Australia: Melbourne and Sydney.
In rural areas and smaller cities and towns, rental costs are generally cheaper.
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Melbourne |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | A$2,403.93⁷ |
| 3-bedroom apartment | A$4,779.21⁷ |
| Rental for | Average monthly rent in Sydney |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment | A$3,330.15⁸ |
| 3-bedroom apartment | A$6,870.58⁸ |
Cost of groceries in Australia
Let’s take a look at the cost of groceries in Australia.
| Basic groceries | Average cost in Melbourne |
|---|---|
| Bread | A$3.98⁷ |
| Milk | A$2.25⁷ |
| Eggs | A$5.63⁷ |
| Rice | A$3.60⁷ |
| Local cheese | A$18.54/kg⁷ |
| Apples | A$4.95/kg⁷ |
| Local beer | A$7.17⁷ |
Transport costs in Australia
Australia has good, relatively affordable public transport networks all over the country. In bigger cities, trams, trains, buses, and bikes are a great, easy way to get around. If you’re travelling across the country, buses, trains, and flights are generally reliable.
However, to visit more rural areas, a car or private form of transport is often necessary.
| Type of ticket | Cost |
|---|---|
| 1-day ticket in Melbourne | A$5.00⁷ |
| Monthly transport pass in Melbourne | A$200⁷ |
| 1-day ticket in Sydney | A$5.50⁸ |
| Monthly transport pass in Sydney | A$220⁸ |
Study costs in Australia
Australia has several world-renowned universities, with the University of Melbourne being ranked 32nd in the world, the University of Queensland being ranked 47th, and the University of Sydney being ranked 60th, according to the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Ranking⁹.
By the QS World University rankings, the University of Queensland ranks 43rd in the world and the University of Sydney ranks 19th¹⁶.
The average cost for an undergraduate degree as a foreign student at The University of Queensland is around $45,968¹⁰.
What is the average salary in Australia?
The average salary in Australia is A$90,000 in 2023¹¹.
Let’s take a look at a selection of jobs and their average salaries in Melbourne and Sydney.
| Designation | Average salary in Melbourne |
|---|---|
| IT manager | A$126,524¹² |
| Marketing manager | A$90,263¹² |
| Software Engineer | A$88,303¹² |
| Web developer | A$77,531¹² |
| Nurse | A$69,283¹² |
| Designation | Average salary in Sydney |
|---|---|
| IT manager | A$129,107¹³ |
| Marketing manager | A$97,648¹³ |
| Software Engineer | A$97,698¹³ |
| Web developer | A$89,078¹³ |
| Nurse | A$69,944¹³ |
What about healthcare costs in Australia?
Australia has a really reliable, world-renowned public healthcare system¹⁴.
The Australian government subsidises healthcare, and even provides free healthcare, through an initiative called Medicare¹⁴. If you become a permanent resident of Australia, you may be eligible for this free/subsidised healthcare.
However if not, there are also private healthcare options available, whether you have insurance or want to pay in cash.
The average cost to see a doctor in Australia is A$90¹⁵.
Australia is a vast country with so many wonderful opportunities and a great quality of life. It’s obvious why so many South Africans want to move there. However, it is more expensive, so it would be a good idea to ensure you have sufficient funds before visiting short-term, or ensure you have a well-paid job to feel secure if you’re relocating there permanently.
Plus, remember, with Wise, you can save money when sending money to South Africa from Australia¹.
Sources:
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- Eligibility is subject to verification of customer identity. Wise may request additional documents to verify a customer's identity.
- Please note that certain products or features may not be available in all regions.
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- Cost of living comparison - Australia and South Africa
- Mercer Cost Of Living Rankings
- Cost of living in Melbourne
- Cost of living in Sydney
- University Rankings of World Universities
- University of Queensland Fees
- Forbes Salary By State Australia
- Teleport Salaries - Melbourne
- Teleport Salaries - Sydney
- The Australian Healthcare System - Health Gov AU
- GP Appointment costs - Australia National
- QS World Ranking Universities
*Sources last checked on Friday 24th November 2023
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
