Cost of Living for University Students in Australia in 2026: What the Research Says

The short version

• Universities Australia (the peak body for universities) says the cost of being a student has risen since 2021, including rent, groceries, utilities and fuel. These are its own figures.
• Recent surveys at individual universities report high levels of financial stress and food insecurity among the students who took part.
• These surveys are not a count of all students, so treat them as a guide to the direction of travel, not exact national rates.
• In one survey, only about 1 in 5 students knew what financial support their university offers.
• You can cut some costs with student discounts, university support and government payments you may be eligible for.

What Universities Australia says has changed

In a June 2026 media release, Universities Australia said the cost of being a student has increased since the Job-ready Graduates Package was introduced in 2021. It reports these rises:

It also says the cost of maintaining a basic student standard of living has risen by 29%, faster than economy-wide inflation (24%), while student spending has risen by 21%.

It adds that students in some disciplines now pay up to $17,399 a year for their degree, and more than $52,000 for a three-year degree.

What students report in recent surveys

University of Tasmania: food insecurity in 2022 and 2024

Researchers surveyed University of Tasmania students about their access to food in March 2022 (more than 1,200 students) and March 2024 (more than 1,600 students). In an article for The Conversation, University of Wollongong researcher Katherine Kent reports that food insecurity rose from 42% to 53%, and severe food insecurity rose from 17% to 27%.

This covers one university, and students were recruited through university-wide emails and social media, so the people who answered may not represent all students.

A 2026 report on financial hardship in higher education

In June 2026, researchers Katherine Kent and Kelly Lambert (University of Wollongong) wrote about a new report from ACSES, "Towards a financially inclusive higher education system". It included a survey of nearly 900 students, recruited through university networks, student unions and social media. They report that among the students surveyed:

• Almost 45% said financial stress had negatively affected their studies.
• About 36% worked more than 20 hours a week.
• Only 22% were aware of the financial support available at their university.

The same authors write that Anglicare's 2026 rental snapshot found no affordable rental listings in Australia for a person receiving Youth Allowance. They also put Youth Allowance for a student over 18 not living with their parents at about $339 a week, against a poverty line of about $584 a week for a single adult in 2025. Those are their figures, so check Services Australia for the current rates.

Young Australians more broadly

Monash University's Professor Lucas Walsh wrote in September 2026 about a study by his team using a nationally representative sample of 2,731 Australians aged 18 to 24 between 2021 and 2025. He reports that about 1 in 5 young Australians experienced food insecurity in that period, and that most of them were students.

International students (2025)

The State of Student Healthcare report 2025 was prepared by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) for Allianz Partners Australia, which sells overseas student health cover. It surveyed 2,172 international students from 88 countries. The PIE News (March 2026) reports that among those surveyed:

• Of the 62% who said they do not maintain a balanced diet, 82% said they skip meals to save money, 81% avoid buying fruit and vegetables because of the cost and 75% frequently eat takeaway. The PIE News's headline puts the share skipping meals at about half of all students surveyed.
• 77% said accommodation was more expensive than they expected, the biggest surprise, ahead of healthcare (66%), utilities (62%) and groceries (60%).
• 27% had considered withdrawing from their course and returning home.

How to read these numbers

• Different groups. Some surveys cover one university and others cover students across the country.
• Volunteers. Students who choose to answer a survey about money may differ from those who do not.
• Different definitions. "Food insecurity" and "struggling financially" can be measured in different ways.
• Secondary sources. Several figures above come from articles by the researchers, a media release and a news report, not the full reports. We read those articles, not the underlying papers.

Ways students can reduce costs

• Use student discounts. Browse online discounts, local discounts and deals near your campus. Our complete guide to student discounts explains how verification works.
• Check what your university offers. Look on your university's website or ask your student union for student support, emergency financial assistance or food relief.
• See if you are eligible for government payments. Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY are payments for some students. Rules depend on your age, circumstances and study load, so check Services Australia.
• Check transport concessions. Some state transport authorities offer student fares. Eligibility rules differ, so check your state's transport website.
• Compare before you buy tech. See our guides to student laptop discounts and the Apple student discount.
• Pick one streaming service. Our streaming guide shows what is on offer, and most free trials turn into paid plans unless you cancel.

If money is tight