🇦🇺 Australia · A realistic 2026 budget for newcomers — rent, food, transport, and what a month actually costs.
Wondering how far your salary goes in Canberra? Here’s what everyday life costs, in local prices — the numbers that matter when you’re deciding to move or negotiating a package.
One-bed apartment, Belconnen, Woden or GungahlinAUD 1,700–2,200 / month
Groceries, one personAUD 450–680 / month
Winter heating, poorly insulated older houseAUD 250–450 / month across June–August — the single most underestimated Canberra cost
Ambulance-only private coverFrom roughly AUD 100 / year — the ACT charges for ambulance and sells no government subscription
Good to know
Population
≈475,000 in the ACT; ≈490,000 including Queanbeyan across the NSW border
Languages
English; Mandarin, Vietnamese, Nepali, Hindi and Punjabi are the largest community languages
Currency
Australian dollar (AUD)
Time zone
AEST (GMT+10); AEDT (GMT+11) from early October to early April — same as Sydney and Melbourne
Power plug
Type I, 230 V / 50 Hz
Climate
Inland temperate at 580 m — cold frosty winters, hot dry summers, and a big daily temperature swing
Driving side
Left
Land tenure
Leasehold only — every block is a Crown lease, normally 99 years. There is no freehold land in the ACT
Work week
Mon–Fri, 38 ordinary hours; 4 weeks annual leave by law
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.
A note on budgeting
Rent is usually the swing factor — location and whether bills are included move the number most. Build your estimate from the rent band above, add a monthly living figure, and keep a buffer for one-off setup costs (deposits, a residence permit, a local SIM, first-month transport). Globe Quest turns this into a personalized Canberra checklist so nothing setup-related catches you off guard.
Plan your move to Canberra
A free, AI-personalized plan — the language, culture, and setup steps timed to your move date.