Surviving in Sydney: Jobs, Budgets, and Expenses

By Joe Ashby, University of Sydney, Australia

Sydney is an expensive place to live. There is no way around that. So, if you are considering going to Sydney for your year abroad, the best thing you can do is prepare and accept the fact you are going to take on some significant financial burdens during your time here.

First things first, groceries. This may actually be the pinnacle of all expenses in Sydney. I couldn’t quite believe the price of my first weekly food shop in Aldi back in July 2024. It is likely that a grocery trip will set you back around $100 (£50) even if you are being cautious. I would suggest sticking to Aldi and Coles or a mixture of both as these seem to offer the best prices and usually have everything you need (except eggs which are a rare luxury at the moment). Another useful tip that has absolutely saved me this year is to cook with your mates. I was lucky enough partner up with one of my closest mates here and we have since food-shopped and cooked together for the majority of the year. This will slightly reduce the financial burden of groceries and make your life a whole lot easier.  Eating out, conversely, is somewhat well priced. Especially in and around the Newtown area, there are a bunch of cheap Asian restaurants which offer great food for around $20. This option means you’ll be able to cook and eat out without breaking the bank.

I found that budgeting on a weekly basis ensured I wasn’t going to bankrupt myself and my parents. The first couple weeks were a blur of expenses as I was settling in and seeing all the sights, however, I quickly realised that I’d need to stick to a weekly budget going forward. A generous recommendation of £100 a week will allow you a quality grocery shop, morning coffee every day (essential), and some spending money for a pint here and there. This is what worked for me, and after speaking to my friends its more or less what works for most people. Obviously, everybody comes on a year abroad with different financial situations so it’s really important to do what works for you and not try and keep up with other people if it is not possible.

Finally, I will briefly mention jobs. Like any university experience, there will come a time where you are eating bread and humous for dinner and in desperate need of income. For me this was after summer, having just spent a fortune on various trips away. Part-time work is pretty easy to come by in Sydney. There are heaps of restaurants, cafes and bars to apply to. It is worth getting an RSA which is required for the serving of alcohol too.

With all this in mind, you should be well prepared for an expensive (but life changing) year abroad in Sydney. It won’t be easy, but there are ways to make it work, and by the time the year draws to a close, the object of money will be irrelevant.