Cost of groceries in Australia for a single student was the biggest shock of my first month in Melbourne. I walked into Woolworths, grabbed what I thought was a normal week’s worth of food, and watched the total climb past $120. For one person. For one week. I stood there genuinely confused, wondering if the machine had scanned something twice.
It hadn’t. Food in Australia is just expensive compared to what I was used to back home. A block of cheese costs more than an entire meal at a restaurant in Bangladesh. A small punnet of berries can cost $6. Even basic vegetables felt like luxury items at first.
But here’s what I’ve learned after 18 months of feeding myself in Melbourne: you can eat well on a student budget if you know where to shop, what to buy, and how to plan. I’ve gotten my grocery spending down to around $60 to $80 per week while eating better than I did when I was spending $120.
So here’s everything I know about the cost of groceries in Australia for a single student, including real prices, store comparisons, sample budgets, and the strategies that actually work.
The Reality of Australian Food Prices
Let me start with some context. Australia is genuinely expensive for groceries compared to many countries. There are reasons for this: high wages mean higher production costs, geographic isolation adds to import costs, and a relatively small population spread across a huge landmass creates logistics challenges.
But expensive doesn’t mean unmanageable. It means you need to be strategic in a way you might not have been back home.
What Makes Groceries Expensive Here
Meat and dairy are where international students feel the price difference most acutely. Chicken breast costs $10 to $14 per kilogram on sale, sometimes $18 or more at full price. Lamb is a luxury item for most students. Cheese, milk, and yoghurt add up quickly.
Imported foods carry significant premiums. Anything shipped from overseas, including many Asian ingredients, spices, and specialty items, costs more than you’d expect. The further something travels, the more it costs.
Fresh produce varies wildly by season. Vegetables that are in season can be cheap. The same vegetables out of season can cost three times as much. Learning what’s seasonal saves real money.
Processed and convenience foods carry heavy markups. Pre-made meals, snacks, and anything with significant packaging tends to be expensive relative to cooking from scratch.
What’s Actually Reasonable
Not everything is overpriced. Some things cost about what you’d expect, and strategic shopping focuses on these items.
Rice, pasta, and grains are affordable staples. A 5kg bag of rice costs $8 to $15 and lasts weeks. Pasta is often under $2 per kilogram when you buy home brands.
Eggs are excellent value for protein. A dozen eggs costs $4 to $7 depending on brand and type. That’s multiple meals worth of protein.
Seasonal vegetables can be very cheap when abundant. Potatoes, onions, carrots, and cabbage are reliably affordable year-round.
Canned goods offer good value. Canned tomatoes, beans, chickpeas, and lentils cost $1 to $2 each and form the base of countless cheap meals.
Real Prices at Australian Supermarkets
Let me give you actual prices so you know what to expect. These are based on Melbourne prices in late 2025, and they vary slightly by location and store, but the ranges are accurate.
Staples and Pantry Items
Rice: Home brand 5kg bag costs $8 to $10. Branded varieties like SunRice run $12 to $18 for the same amount. Jasmine rice tends to cost more than long grain.
Pasta: Home brand pasta costs $1 to $1.50 per 500g. Branded options like San Remo or Barilla run $2.50 to $4.
Bread: Basic sliced bread costs $2 to $3.50. Nicer sourdough or specialty loaves cost $5 to $8.
Cooking oil: Vegetable or canola oil costs $4 to $6 for 2 litres. Olive oil runs $8 to $15 for a litre depending on quality.
Flour: 1kg of plain flour costs $1.50 to $3.
Sugar: 1kg costs $2 to $3.
Salt: Basic table salt costs $1 to $2 and lasts months.
Protein
Chicken: Whole chicken costs $4 to $6 per kilogram, excellent value. Chicken breast costs $10 to $14 per kilogram on sale, $14 to $18 at full price. Chicken thighs are cheaper at $8 to $12 per kilogram.
Beef mince: $10 to $14 per kilogram for regular mince, $14 to $18 for lean mince.
Pork: Pork mince costs $8 to $12 per kilogram. Pork chops run $10 to $16 per kilogram.
Lamb: Expensive. Lamb chops cost $20 to $30 per kilogram. Most students avoid lamb except for special occasions.
Fish: Fresh fish is pricey, often $20 to $40 per kilogram depending on type. Canned tuna costs $1.50 to $3 per can and is the budget-friendly option.
Eggs: $4 to $5 for cage eggs (12 pack), $6 to $8 for free-range.
Tofu: $3 to $5 for a 300 to 500g block.
Canned legumes: Chickpeas, black beans, lentils, and kidney beans cost $1 to $2 per can.
Dairy
Milk: 2 to 3 litres costs $3.50 to $5 for regular milk. Oat milk and almond milk cost $3.50 to $5 per litre.
Cheese: Block cheese (tasty/cheddar) costs $8 to $12 per kilogram. Parmesan costs $30 to $50 per kilogram but you use less.
Yoghurt: 1kg tub of plain yoghurt costs $5 to $8. Flavoured individual yoghurts cost more per serve.
Butter: 500g costs $5 to $7.
Fresh Produce
Prices vary enormously by season. Here are typical ranges.
Potatoes: $2 to $4 per kilogram. Excellent value.
Onions: $2 to $4 per kilogram.
Carrots: $2 to $4 per kilogram.
Broccoli: $4 to $8 per kilogram depending on season.
Capsicum (bell peppers): $6 to $12 per kilogram. Often expensive.
Tomatoes: $4 to $10 per kilogram depending on type and season.
Lettuce: $2 to $4 per head.
Spinach/greens: $3 to $6 per bunch or bag.
Bananas: $3 to $5 per kilogram. Usually good value.
Apples: $4 to $7 per kilogram.
Oranges: $4 to $6 per kilogram.
Berries: $4 to $8 per small punnet. Expensive for what you get.
Avocados: $1.50 to $3 each depending on season.
Drinks and Miscellaneous
Coffee: Instant coffee costs $6 to $12 per jar. Ground coffee for home brewing costs $8 to $20 depending on quality.
Tea: Basic tea bags cost $3 to $6 for 100 bags.
Soft drinks: $2 to $4 for 2 litres. Much cheaper to avoid these entirely.
Snacks: Chips, biscuits, and similar items run $3 to $6 per packet. These add up fast.
Where to Shop: Store Comparison
Not all supermarkets are created equal. Where you shop significantly affects what you spend.
Aldi: The Budget Champion
If you want to minimise grocery spending, Aldi is your best friend. Their prices run 15% to 30% lower than Coles and Woolworths on comparable items.
Why Aldi is cheaper: They stock a smaller range (about 1,500 products versus 30,000 at major supermarkets), mostly house brands, with minimal store staffing. The shopping experience is no-frills, but the savings are real.
What Aldi does well: Staples like rice, pasta, oil, canned goods, cheese, milk, eggs, bread, and frozen vegetables. Their chocolate is surprisingly good. Fresh produce quality varies by store.
What Aldi lacks: Brand variety, speciality items, and extensive fresh food sections. If you want specific brands or unusual ingredients, you’ll need to shop elsewhere too.
Typical weekly savings: Shopping primarily at Aldi instead of Coles or Woolworths can save $15 to $30 per week for a single student.
Coles and Woolworths: The Big Two
These are Australia’s dominant supermarkets, and they’re largely interchangeable on price. Competition between them keeps prices similar.
Why shop here: Widest range, most convenient locations, frequent specials, loyalty programs, and consistent quality. If you can’t find something, one of these stores will have it.
Price strategy: Both run weekly specials. The trick is buying items when they’re on special and avoiding full-price purchases when possible. Half-price specials are common and worth waiting for.
Loyalty programs: Flybuys (Coles) and Everyday Rewards (Woolworths) offer points and personalised discounts. They’re free to join and provide modest savings over time.
For a detailed comparison, read my guide on Coles vs Woolworths vs Aldi: where students shop in Australia.
Specialty and Ethnic Grocery Stores
For ingredients from home, ethnic grocery stores are essential. They’re often cheaper for specific items than mainstream supermarkets.
Asian groceries: Stores in suburbs like Box Hill (Melbourne), Eastwood (Sydney), or Sunnybank (Brisbane) sell rice, noodles, sauces, vegetables, and spices at much better prices than Coles or Woolworths. A 10kg bag of jasmine rice from an Asian grocer might cost $18 versus $30 at a supermarket.
Indian groceries: Speciality Indian stores stock spices, lentils, and flatbreads at reasonable prices. Buying spices here instead of supermarket jars saves significant money.
Middle Eastern groceries: Great for bread, legumes, halal meat, and spices.
For finding stores near you, see my guide on Asian, Indian, and African grocery stores in Australia.
Markets
Fresh food markets like Queen Victoria Market (Melbourne), Paddy’s Markets (Sydney), or South Melbourne Market offer fresh produce at competitive prices, especially if you shop late when vendors discount to clear stock.
When markets beat supermarkets: Buying larger quantities of seasonal produce, especially fruit and vegetables near closing time.
When markets don’t help: Packaged goods, pantry staples, and items where supermarket specials might be better value.
Realistic Weekly Budgets
Now let’s put this together into actual weekly budgets. I’ll give you three tiers: tight budget, moderate budget, and comfortable budget.
Tight Budget: $50 to $60 Per Week
This is survival mode. It’s doable but requires discipline and planning. You’ll eat well enough, but with limited variety.
What this looks like:
Breakfast: Oats with milk and banana, or eggs on toast. Cost: $1 to $2 per day.
Lunch: Rice or pasta with vegetables and protein (eggs, lentils, or small amount of chicken). Often leftovers from dinner. Cost: $2 to $3 per day.
Dinner: Simple home-cooked meals. Stir-fries, pasta dishes, rice bowls, dhal, and similar. Cost: $3 to $5 per day.
Snacks: Limited. Fruit, toast, or nothing. Cost: $1 per day or less.
Weekly shop includes: Rice or pasta (staple base), eggs (1 to 2 dozen), chicken thighs or mince (about 500g), lots of cheap vegetables (potatoes, carrots, onions, cabbage, frozen vegetables), milk, bread, cooking oil, basic seasonings, bananas or other cheap fruit, canned legumes or dried lentils.
What you sacrifice: Variety, eating out, snacks, expensive proteins, out-of-season produce, and convenience foods.
Who this works for: Students with tight finances who are willing to cook everything from scratch and don’t mind eating similar meals repeatedly.
Moderate Budget: $70 to $90 Per Week
This is where most students should aim. You eat well, have reasonable variety, and occasional treats without constant stress.
What this looks like:
Breakfast: More variety. Eggs, toast, oats, yoghurt with fruit, or simple smoothies. Cost: $2 to $3 per day.
Lunch: Mix of leftovers and simple prepared meals. Maybe occasional bought lunch once per week. Cost: $3 to $5 per day.
Dinner: Varied home-cooked meals with decent protein portions. Can include recipes that require more ingredients. Cost: $5 to $8 per day.
Snacks: Fruit, yoghurt, nuts (bought in bulk), biscuits, or cheese and crackers. Cost: $1 to $2 per day.
Weekly shop includes: Everything from the tight budget plus: more meat variety (maybe some beef or fish occasionally), better quality vegetables, more fruit variety, cheese, yoghurt, coffee or tea, some snacks, and ingredients for more varied recipes.
What you gain over tight budget: More interesting meals, better nutrition from varied diet, less meal fatigue, small treats, and flexibility.
Who this works for: Most students. This budget is sustainable long-term without feeling deprived.
Comfortable Budget: $100 to $120 Per Week
This allows for good eating with minimal restrictions. You’re not being extravagant, but you’re not counting every dollar either.
What this looks like:
Breakfast: Whatever you feel like. Good coffee at home. Quality bread and spreads. Cost: $3 to $5 per day.
Lunch: Mix of home-prepared food and occasional bought lunches. Cost: $5 to $10 per day.
Dinner: Well-stocked kitchen. Can cook most recipes without worrying about ingredient costs. Good protein portions. Cost: $8 to $12 per day.
Snacks and extras: Reasonable selection. Nuts, chocolate, chips, fruit, whatever you enjoy in moderation. Cost: $2 to $4 per day.
Weekly shop includes: Quality ingredients, more expensive proteins when desired, premium brands if preferred, ready-made sauces and shortcuts, good coffee, snacks without guilt, and seasonal treats.
What you gain over moderate budget: Less mental energy spent planning, ability to cook anything, quality over cheapest option, and spontaneous purchases without stress.
Who this works for: Students with more flexible budgets, those working consistent hours alongside study, or those who prioritise food and are willing to cut elsewhere.
Monthly Budget Summary
Converting to monthly figures:
Tight budget: $200 to $260 per month
Moderate budget: $280 to $390 per month
Comfortable budget: $400 to $520 per month
These figures are for groceries only. They don’t include eating out, coffee from cafes, takeaway, or alcohol. Those additions can easily double your food spending if you’re not careful.
For a complete picture of monthly expenses, see my guide on how much money you need per month as a student in Australia.
Sample Weekly Meal Plan on a Moderate Budget
Let me show you what a realistic week looks like on the moderate budget tier.
Shopping List (Approximately $75 to $85)
Proteins: 1kg chicken thighs ($10), 12 eggs ($5), 1 can chickpeas ($1.50), 1 can black beans ($1.50), 400g tofu ($4)
Carbs: 2kg rice ($5), 500g pasta ($1.50), 1 loaf bread ($3)
Vegetables: 1kg potatoes ($3), 500g carrots ($1.50), 1 broccoli head ($3), 1 bag spinach ($4), 4 tomatoes ($3), 1 onion bag ($3), 1 capsicum ($2), 1kg frozen mixed vegetables ($4), garlic ($2)
Fruit: 1kg bananas ($4), 6 apples ($4)
Dairy: 2L milk ($3.50), 500g yoghurt ($4), 250g cheese ($5)
Pantry top-ups: Cooking oil if needed ($5), soy sauce ($3), pasta sauce ($3)
Total: approximately $80
The Meals This Creates
Monday: Breakfast: Oats with banana. Lunch: Fried rice with egg and vegetables. Dinner: Chicken stir-fry with rice.
Tuesday: Breakfast: Eggs on toast. Lunch: Leftover chicken stir-fry. Dinner: Pasta with tomato sauce, vegetables, and cheese.
Wednesday: Breakfast: Yoghurt with apple. Lunch: Chickpea salad with bread. Dinner: Tofu and vegetable curry with rice.
Thursday: Breakfast: Oats with banana. Lunch: Leftover curry. Dinner: Baked chicken with roasted potatoes and broccoli.
Friday: Breakfast: Eggs on toast. Lunch: Sandwich with cheese and salad. Dinner: Black bean tacos or burritos (using bread or tortillas if you buy them).
Saturday: Breakfast: Big breakfast with eggs, toast, tomato. Lunch: Fried rice with leftover vegetables. Dinner: Pasta with chicken and vegetables.
Sunday: Breakfast: Yoghurt with fruit. Lunch: Whatever’s left in the fridge. Dinner: Batch cook something for the week ahead.
This isn’t gourmet eating, but it’s nutritious, varied enough to not get boring, and completely achievable on $75 to $85.
For more meal planning ideas, see my guide on building a cheap weekly meal plan as a student in Australia.
Money-Saving Strategies That Actually Work
Beyond choosing where to shop, these strategies make a real difference.
Buy Home Brands
Home brand products (Coles brand, Woolworths Essentials, Aldi’s various brands) typically cost 20% to 40% less than name brands. For most staples, the quality difference is negligible.
Items where home brand is a no-brainer: Rice, pasta, flour, sugar, canned vegetables, canned legumes, cooking oil, milk, basic cheese, frozen vegetables, cleaning products.
Items where brand might matter: Coffee (if you’re particular), sauces with specific flavours, specialty items where quality varies.
Shop the Specials
Australian supermarkets run weekly specials where items drop to half price or better. Planning meals around what’s on special saves significant money.
How to do this practically: Check the Coles and Woolworths apps or catalogues before shopping. Build your meal plan around discounted proteins and produce. Stock up on non-perishables when they’re cheap.
Specials to watch for: Half-price meat (freeze what you don’t use immediately), discounted seasonal produce, pantry items you use regularly.
Buy Seasonal Produce
Vegetables and fruits cost dramatically less when they’re in season locally. Learning the Australian seasons takes time but pays off.
Summer (December to February): Stone fruits, berries, tomatoes, corn, zucchini, capsicum are cheaper.
Autumn (March to May): Apples, pears, grapes, broccoli, cauliflower improve in price.
Winter (June to August): Citrus fruits, leafy greens, root vegetables are at their best and cheapest.
Spring (September to November): Asparagus, peas, and new season produce start appearing.
Use Markdown Sections
Every supermarket has a section for items approaching their use-by date, marked down by 30% to 50% or more. This is usually near the back of the store or in the relevant department.
Best finds in markdown: Bread (freeze it), meat (cook or freeze same day), dairy (check dates carefully), prepared foods, and produce that’s perfectly fine but looks less pretty.
When to shop for markdowns: Late evening is typically best, as stores mark things down before closing.
Batch Cook and Freeze
Cooking larger quantities and freezing portions saves both time and money. You use ingredients efficiently, avoid food waste, and have ready meals when you’re too tired to cook.
Good batch cooking meals: Curries, soups, stews, bolognese sauce, fried rice, and chilli all freeze well.
How this saves money: Buying ingredients in larger quantities for batch cooking is cheaper per serve. Having frozen meals reduces the temptation to order takeaway.
For more tips, see my guide on saving money on food and groceries in Australia without eating junk.
Avoid Convenience Premiums
Pre-cut vegetables, individually wrapped snacks, ready-made meals, and pre-marinated meats all carry significant markups. Doing minimal preparation yourself saves money.
Examples of convenience premiums: Pre-cut stir-fry vegetables cost twice as much as buying whole vegetables. Grated cheese costs more per kilogram than block cheese. Individual yoghurt tubs cost more than buying a large tub.
Limit Eating Out and Takeaway
This is the biggest budget killer for students. A $15 lunch and $25 dinner out costs as much as several days of home-cooked food. Even “cheap” takeaway adds up fast.
I’m not saying never eat out. Social meals matter. But being intentional about it is essential for budget control.
Budget approach: Set a weekly limit for eating out or takeaway. Maybe $20 to $30 per week if your budget allows. Track it separately from groceries.
For understanding Australian food labels when shopping, see my guide on reading Australian food labels: expiry, nutrition, allergy.
Common Mistakes That Blow Your Budget
I’ve made all of these. Learn from my expensive lessons.
Shopping Without a List
Walking into a supermarket without a plan is expensive. You buy things you don’t need, forget things you do need, and make impulse purchases. Always shop with a list based on your meal plan.
Shopping Hungry
Everything looks good when you’re hungry. Eat before you shop, or at minimum, have a snack. Shopping while starving leads to buying snacks, treats, and convenience foods you wouldn’t normally buy.
Buying Too Much Fresh Produce
Fresh vegetables and fruit are healthy, but they spoil. Buying optimistically then throwing away rotting produce wastes money. Be realistic about what you’ll actually eat. Frozen vegetables are fine and don’t waste.
Ignoring What You Already Have
Before shopping, check your fridge, freezer, and pantry. Build meals around what needs using. The most expensive food is food you throw away.
Defaulting to Name Brands
If you’re used to buying specific brands from home, you might automatically reach for premium options. Force yourself to try home brands. Most taste the same, and the savings add up.
Buying Specialty Ingredients for Single Recipes
That interesting recipe requires fish sauce, tahini, and gochujang. You buy all three, use a tablespoon of each, and they sit in your cupboard for months. Either find recipes that use your existing ingredients, or build a pantry gradually over time.
Overbuying Snacks and Drinks
Chips, biscuits, soft drinks, and packaged snacks are expensive for what they provide. A $4 bag of chips gives you maybe two servings. That same $4 buys two kilograms of potatoes. Snacks should be occasional, not a major grocery category.
Eating Well on a Budget
Cheap eating doesn’t have to mean unhealthy eating. In fact, cooking from scratch with whole ingredients is both cheaper and healthier than processed convenience food.
Protein on a Budget
Eggs are the budget king. At $5 to $7 per dozen, they provide cheap, versatile protein for multiple meals.
Chicken thighs beat chicken breast for value. They’re cheaper per kilogram, more flavourful, and harder to overcook.
Legumes (lentils, chickpeas, beans) are extraordinarily cheap, especially dried. A $2 bag of dried lentils provides protein for a week of meals.
Tofu is affordable and works in many cuisines. Buy it from Asian groceries for better prices.
Canned fish (tuna, sardines, salmon) offers cheap protein. Look for specials.
Vegetables on a Budget
Frozen vegetables are nutritionally equivalent to fresh and much cheaper per serve. Keep bags of frozen peas, corn, spinach, and mixed vegetables as backups.
Root vegetables (potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, onions) are reliably cheap and filling.
Cabbage is possibly the most underrated budget vegetable. It’s cheap, lasts ages in the fridge, and works in stir-fries, salads, soups, and slaws.
Seasonal is key. Learn what’s cheap when and plan accordingly.
Carbs on a Budget
Rice bought in bulk (5kg or 10kg bags) is extremely cheap per serve.
Pasta is similarly affordable, especially home brands.
Potatoes work as a carb base and are nutritious.
Bread from the markdown section, frozen, provides cheap breakfast and lunch options.
For healthy eating strategies, see my guide on healthy eating on a student budget in Australia.
Tools and Apps That Help
Technology can help you spend less on groceries.
Price Comparison
Frugl compares prices across Coles, Woolworths, and other stores. Useful for checking where specific items are cheapest.
Half Price and similar websites list current supermarket specials, making it easier to plan around discounts.
Loyalty Programs
Flybuys (Coles) and Everyday Rewards (Woolworths) are free to join and provide points, personalised offers, and occasional bonus deals. They won’t transform your budget but offer small savings over time.
Budgeting
Your bank’s app probably has spending categorisation. Track what you spend on groceries monthly to understand your actual patterns.
Simple spreadsheets work too. I used a basic Google Sheet to track grocery spending for three months and it revealed patterns I hadn’t noticed.
For general budgeting methods, see my guide on the 50/30/20 budget method for students in Australia.
How Costs Vary by City
Grocery prices are broadly similar across Australian cities, but some variations exist.
Sydney tends to be slightly more expensive, particularly in inner-city areas where smaller format stores dominate.
Melbourne is comparable to Sydney, with good access to markets and ethnic groceries in diverse suburbs.
Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth are marginally cheaper on average, partly due to lower rents flowing through to retail prices.
Regional areas can be more expensive due to transport costs, though some locally produced items may be cheaper.
The differences aren’t dramatic. Maybe 5% to 10% variation. The strategies that work in one city work everywhere.
For city-specific cost information, see my guides on cost of living in Melbourne and Sydney vs Melbourne cost comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should a student spend on groceries per week in Australia?
Most single students can eat well on $70 to $90 per week if they cook at home and shop strategically. Tight budgets can work at $50 to $60 with more planning and less variety. Comfortable budgets run $100 to $120 allowing more flexibility. These figures are for groceries only and don’t include eating out or takeaway.
Is Aldi actually cheaper than Coles and Woolworths?
Yes, typically 15% to 30% cheaper on comparable items. The savings are real if you’re flexible about brands. Aldi’s range is smaller, so you might need to supplement with shops elsewhere for specific items, but for staples like rice, pasta, dairy, bread, and basic produce, Aldi offers genuine savings.
How can I eat healthy on a student budget?
Focus on whole foods rather than processed ones. Eggs, legumes, seasonal vegetables, frozen vegetables, rice, oats, and chicken thighs are all nutritious and affordable. Avoid packaged snacks and convenience foods. Cook from scratch as much as possible. Healthy eating and budget eating actually align well when you’re cooking real food.
Should I do online grocery shopping or shop in-store?
In-store is usually cheaper because you can see markdowns, compare prices directly, and avoid delivery fees. Online shopping saves time and can help avoid impulse purchases. If you do shop online, many stores offer free pickup which avoids delivery costs. For most budget-conscious students, in-store shopping with a list is the better approach.
Where can I find ingredients from my home country?
Ethnic grocery stores in areas with significant immigrant populations offer ingredients from specific cuisines at better prices than mainstream supermarkets. Asian groceries are found in suburbs like Box Hill (Melbourne), Eastwood (Sydney), and Sunnybank (Brisbane). Indian, Middle Eastern, and African groceries cluster in specific suburbs too. Ask other students from your country where they shop.
How do I avoid wasting food?
Plan your meals for the week before shopping. Buy only what you’ll actually use. Check what’s already in your fridge and pantry before shopping. Use vegetables that are starting to age in soups, stir-fries, or curries where appearance doesn’t matter. Freeze bread, meat, and leftovers if you won’t use them immediately. The most expensive food is food you throw away.
Final Thoughts
Cost of groceries in Australia for a single student is manageable once you understand the landscape. Yes, food is more expensive here than in many countries. But with strategic shopping, simple cooking, and sensible planning, you can eat well without destroying your budget.
The core principles are straightforward: shop at Aldi when possible, buy home brands, cook from scratch, plan meals around specials and seasonal produce, and limit eating out. Follow these consistently and you’ll spend $70 to $90 per week while eating better than students spending twice that on convenience food and takeaway.
My first month in Australia, I spent over $500 on food because I didn’t know what I was doing. Now I spend about $300, eat better, and waste less. That $200 monthly saving adds up to $2,400 per year, which is real money that can go toward rent, savings, or the occasional good restaurant meal.
If you’re still setting up your kitchen or looking for equipment, check out my guide on buying second-hand furniture in Australia through Facebook Marketplace and op shops. And for overall budget planning, see my sample monthly budget for international students in Melbourne.
Cost of groceries in Australia for a single student is a challenge, but it’s one you can absolutely manage. Start with the basics, learn as you go, and you’ll find your rhythm.