How much does backpacking Australia cost? Real budgets for 1, 3 and 6 months
Approximate weekly costs and trip totals, with and without work, so you can plan a number.
By Drew, who runs Backpack AusUpdated 16 October 2026This guide has affiliate links. If you book through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. More
The short answer
Australia is not a cheap country. As a very rough guide, a budget backpacker travelling without working might spend about AUD 700 to 1,100 a week, or roughly AUD 3,000 to 5,000 for a month, not counting flights. These are our own approximate 2026 estimates, not official figures. Your real costs depend on your city, your habits and how much you move.
On a working holiday visa you can earn along the way, which changes the sums a lot. Tax and super affect what you take home.
Build a trip and get a cost estimateApproximate weekly costs (AUD, 2026)
Treat these as ballparks. Check live prices when you plan.
| Item | Low | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | $35/night | $45 to $70/night | More in Sydney and peak season |
| Share-house room | $180/week | $250 to $400/week | Plus a bond; city rooms cost more |
| Food | $90/week | $130 to $200/week | Cooking is far cheaper than eating out |
| Local transport | $20/week | $30 to $60/week | City cards and cheaper off-peak |
| Activities and nights out | $30/week | $80 to $200/week | Tours and reef trips can be the big spend |
| Phone and misc | $10/week | $15 to $30/week | Prepaid SIM or eSIM |
Budgets for 1, 3 and 6 months
If you work and live cheaply in a farm town, your costs can drop and your savings can grow. Bring enough to cover the first month before your first pay.
| Trip length | Not working (excl. flights) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | About $3,000 to $5,000 | Hostels, some tours, a bit of travel |
| 3 months | About $7,000 to $13,000 | Mix of hostels and a share room, a couple of big trips |
| 6 months | About $13,000 to $25,000 | Far lower if you work for part of it |
Where the money goes
- Accommodation is usually the biggest cost. Share houses beat hostels once you’re staying a month or more.
- Distance: long flights between cities can cost as much as a bus, and saves days.
- Reef, island and outback tours cost a lot, so budget them separately.
- Eating out and drinks are expensive; supermarkets are reasonable.
Ways to spend less
- Choose hostels that include a kitchen and free breakfast.
- Split petrol and tolls if you travel by car.
- Travel in the shoulder season for cheaper beds and flights.
- Work in regional areas where rent is low and hours are long.
Insurance and money
Medical bills in Australia can be large and Home Affairs strongly recommends health insurance. Send your savings across with a low-fee service rather than a bank transfer.
Plan your numbers
Build your route and see an estimate in minutes.
Open the free trip plannerKeep reading
Working holiday visa for Australia: 417 vs 462 explained
Two visas, one idea: a 12-month holiday with work rights. Which one you get depends on your passport.
How to apply for the Australian working holiday visa, step by step
From checking your passport to the grant email: the order to do things in, and what to avoid.
How much money to bring for an Australian working holiday
The official minimum, a sensible real-world buffer, and how to move money without losing it to fees.