Typical Living Cost in Sydney

Typical Living Cost in Sydney

Hi all, we at Singapore Club in Australia have some feedback from our members wanting to know about typical cost in Sydney, so we have decided to put some information here. This is just the basic stuffs, we are happy to update this as we go along..

Accom in Sydney

Prices depends on Suburb size and type (newish more ex, older crap also ex in certain areas)

Our friends in Sydney typically stay in these suburbs and typically 1br apt (1bedroom, 1 living room) cost the following to rent a wk. (guideline only, prices may change) Studio maybe cheaper but very cramp (not recommended)

Conservative $$ only expect to pay more from $400/w onwards 

Sydney CBD:  most ex

Chatswood: many chinese area, near city

Parramatta: good shopping centre, transport good, chinese food avail

Eastwood/Epping: similar chinese area

Blacktown/ liverpool: cheaper but further

Read our advise on accom here:

http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/finding-accom-in-australia.html 

Try this useful website to get an idea

http://www.domain.com.au/?mode=rent 

http://www.realestate.com.au/rent 

We typically need the following and mostly contains both one off cost and recurring cost.

Furnishing/appliances/etc

Depends on your lifestyle can cost anything in this department, we know of ppl still sleeping on the floor with the "Ti lam" with no or minimal furnishing in their house. 

Depending on your lifestyle, typically ppl buy 2nd hand/ or buy new or drive around and see if ppl throwing away stuffs that can be pickup?

At least the basic u need a fridge that can cost anything from $200 upwards for 2nd hand. But as fridge are heavy  and can't fit in car, expect to pay delivery fee or lorry rental.

Good to check this website for 2nd hand thing maybe can get cheaper:

http://www.gumtree.com.au/ 

Car:

$upfront cost whether u want to pay new car or old "shitbox" 

Expect to pay anything from $500 (pte sale) to $2500 (dealer) for the same old car. e.g. 20 year old from a dealer. private sales recommended.

To ensure car is not stolen property in NSW.. check this Personal Property Securities Register  first: http://www.ppsr.gov.au/Pages/ppsr.aspx

• Car Registration/insurance/etc expect to pay about $1000/a. (Cheapst, 3rd party insurance only)
• Car service / repairs: budget about $500/a minimum, of coz pay more if you bought a lemon or high usage
• Petrol typically about: $50/w depending on your c.c. of your car.
• Expect to pay $100/a for roadside assistance highly recommended.

Website to get a good car price:

http://www.carsales.com.au/

http://www.gumtree.com.au

Food:

Again this depends on whether you eat chinese food only or eat ang moh food. whether you buy bulk and which shops you go.. whether you choose supermarket in house brand or branded bread.

Of coz supermarket brand cheaper, for eg. bread cost $1 supermarket brand vs $3-4 for other brand

• Local produce cheaper
• Supermarket brand cheaper
• Chinese imported/locally produce sure more ex

I think minimum allow for $100 - $200 /w for food.

Medical

My encounter in this department is mostly good, seeing a doctor is typically free, however prescription cost and they can cost from anything upwards of $20 each visit depending on wat the doctor prescribe.. Usually you have the choice of "Branded" or Generic brand of drug. of coz the branded more ex.

As for hospital, typically is free unless you are private patient, in that case depends on your case and can pay any amt.. hard to tell. however you are able to buy private health insurance to offset your hospital bill. Typically this insurance cost about $120/m upwards for a family 2 adult 1 children  for the cheapest plan.

Free basic medical care in Australia

http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/ 

Private health insurance

http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/ 

Children:

For this dept, different people different, and also depends on age of the children as well.

Some of them, one of their partner stay at home to look after their children, save some money this way, for others, some send their child care which may typically cost up to $100/day!! Again this price is subjective and also depend on whether your kid is a baby, toddler or sch going children. however, govt assistance is available for people in the form of tax rebate etc. 

Govt assistance:

http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/home/index.htm 

If you have any thing to add, please contact us via Contact us page or write a comment

Thanks!