How much money do you need per month in Australia?

You'll need about $3,550 AUD per month for a comfortable single-person budget in Australia. This covers your basic needs and leaves some room for fun. This figure is based on a price index of 102 relative to a US baseline, meaning Australia is slightly more expensive than the average US city. Rent will be your biggest expense. Expect to pay around $1,600 - $2,200 AUD per month for a one-bedroom apartment in a major city like Sydney or Melbourne. Smaller cities or regional towns can bring that down to $1,000 - $1,500 AUD. Groceries will run you approximately $400 - $500 AUD monthly, and public transport around $150 AUD. After taxes, which average around 20-30% for a mid-range income, your take-home pay needs to support these costs. For leisure and personal care, budget another $300 - $500 AUD. Your actual expenses will vary, but $3,550 AUD is a solid starting point to avoid just scraping by. Consider what city you choose, as that's the biggest variable.