subject: Planning For Your Travel Budget [print this page] For those planning an Australian migration, knowing all the information about the country is definitely a must. After all, you don't want to go there without knowing a single thing. And one thing that you will want to know is the amount of money that you will likely spend while living there.
The actual cost of living will vary depending on the length of your stay in the country. Those holding an Australian permanent visa is likely to spend more than those who will be staying in the country for only a short period. However, it would be helpful for both to have a general idea of how much they need to spend even before they leave their home countries.
The most important thing that you will likely spend on are housing accommodations. Since this will likely be your first visit, it would be a good idea to rent a place (unless you have already arranged to buy a house). Rental rates will set you anywhere from around AU$150 a week for bedspace in a boarding house, to AU$650 for a three bedroom house (good for a family of four). One thing to note about the rental fees is that the rental rates are actually lower in the suburbs and outlying towns. And if you are a student, you can also significantly cut down on accommodations by getting a place inside the school you are in. Also note that the above amounts don't cover basic utilities (such as water and electricity), which might either be included or paid for separately.
Getting from place to place will also be a significant money consideration. For those who opt to use the public transportation system, you will need to allot at least AU$35 a week for fares. If you plan on renting a car, it will typically set you around $30 a day, depending on the distance you are going. One tip for this one is to commute for short distances and only rent a car if you plan on traveling on long distances with plenty to carry. Workers and students can also cut down on transportation costs by availing of shuttle services offered by their respective companies and schools.
One thing that many foreigners often tend to forget to spend on is insurance. As the name implies, this is important in case something untoward happens. Depending on the number of insurance policies that you plan on getting, you will have to set aside at least $75 a month for this one. The most important insurances that you need to have are life, health and property insurance.
You will also need to allot money on other items, such as food and clothing. However, the exact amount you will spend on these are more variable and will depend largely on your lifestyle. However, you can still determine their amounts by observing your day to day expenditures.
