Cost of Living
Initially when I moved to Australia from South Africa, the cost of living was absolutely shocking!
Everything seemed outrageously expensive – because my point of reference was always subject to a “currency conversion“. This deodorant is five dollars (AU$5) – hell, that’s thirty Rand (R30). What a rip-off, at Pick ‘n Pay last week, I paid only R15!
I knew I was not alone – many South Africans had moved to Australia and were now working in Australia. Most had stayed and many more South Africans, Brits etc. continue to immigrate to Australia – either on a working or skilled immigration visa or maybe even a permanent residence visa.
Here is a “point of reference” for some living expenses.
| Item | Cost (AU$) |
|---|---|
| 1L Milk | 1.79 |
| Whole grain loaf | 3.20 |
| 1kg Nestle Yoghurt | 3.99 |
| 150g Deodorant | 5.79 |
| 2L Juice | 4.29 |
| 150g Toothpaste | 4.85 |
| Delli silverside beef | 16.95/kg |
| Kanagroo steak | 13.50/kg |
| 185g Tuna | 2.17 |
| 250g Colesaw | 2.49 |
| Bananas | 6.98/kg |
| 535g Heinz tinned soup | 1.99 |
| 300g Mixed veg bag | 2.99 |
| 350g Microwave dinner pack | 4.97 |
| Coke can | 1.30 |
| 750ml Bottled water | 2.50 |
| MacDonalds Quarter pounder | 3.60 |
| Wrigleys chewing gum | 0.87 |
| KitKat | 1.80 |
| Prepaid envelope | 0.60 |
| Prepaid int. envelope | 2.20 |
| Courier Mail weekend newspaper | 1.80 |
| Unleaded fuel (26/08) | 1.13...1.21 |
| Natural Gas (LPG) | 0.30..0.45 |
Most the prices listed above are all from the Coles shopping chain – generally good products and reasonable service – unlike Pick ‘n Pray in South Africa.
Fuel prices vary by the day – generally Tuesday or Wednesday is the cheapest day. The fuel price is not regulated so fuel stations can charge whatever they like – and remember it is also self service! If you really want to save, switch to natural gas at around $0.30..0.45 per liter.
It is definitely cheaper to use the excellent public transport system – Translink – in Brisbane. The same ticket is used on any bus, train or ferry. The ticket cost is based on the number of zones crossed. If you live about 15km outside of the Brisbane CBD, you’re looking at a 4 zone ticket – that’s only $28.80 per week.
Try get some parking in the city – access controlled parking lot – and that’ll easily cost $10-$20 per day!!! Most street parking meters allow only an hour sometimes two hours at most. The parking meter charges vary, but in Spring Hill, $1 buys 30 minutes.
As for a property, rental expenses – even now after 3 years – it is still very expensive! Rents are charged by the week and for something reasonable, you’re looking at $300+ around Brisbane. For something on the river, think $600++ per week.
Don’t buy property the moment you arrive in Australia. First use a rental property for a couple months until you get to know the area. There are very nice areas but they suffer serious traffic problems. Other areas bear the brunt of the afternoon sun whilst others have issues with low water pressure (brought about by the drought).
When you do decide to buy property – expect to pay $300k+ for nothing more than a shack.
The bottom line is this: loose the currency conversion mindset – it will only depress you!
Once you start working and earning Australian dollars – your “South African Rands” will fade into obscurity. Only once that happens, will you be living in Australia – the best place to be!
Trust me – I’m a doctor 
