Sydney

Rental prices

Sydney has the highest rents in the country. Expect around A$800-A$900 per week for a one-bedroom apartment in the inner city, and A$550-A$650 in the middle and outer suburbs. A three-bedroom house in the east or north can exceed A$1,600 per week.

Finding a place

• Search realestate.com.au, Domain and Flatmates.com.au.
• Open inspections on Saturdays often draw dozens of applicants.
• Apply quickly and have your documents ready in digital form.

Bond and rights

Your bond, up to 4 weeks' rent, is lodged with NSW Fair Trading through Rental Bonds Online. Since 2025, landlords in NSW cannot end a periodic lease without a valid reason, and rent increases are limited to once every 12 months.

Areas worth considering

Parramatta, Burwood, Hurstville and Chatswood offer good transport and lower prices than the east. Share houses in the Inner West are popular with new arrivals.

Monthly budget

A single person renting a one-bedroom apartment in the inner suburbs typically spends A$5,000-A$6,000 per month. Sharing a house can bring this down to A$3,000-A$3,800. A family of four renting a three-bedroom home should budget A$9,000 or more.

Typical prices

• Groceries for one: about A$600 per month
• Flat white: A$5-A$6
• Pub pint: A$12-A$14
• Casual meal: A$22-A$30
• Gym membership: A$60-A$80 per month

Saving tips

• Live near a train line in the middle suburbs rather than the inner city.
• Shop at Aldi, Asian grocers and Paddy's Markets.
• Take advantage of free beaches, coastal walks and national parks.
• Use the Opal caps and off-peak fares.

Childcare is expensive, often A$150-A$200 per day before the Child Care Subsidy.

Key industries

Sydney is the country's business capital. The strongest sectors for newcomers are:

• Finance and insurance: Macquarie, CommBank, Westpac and global banks
• Technology: Atlassian, Canva and many startups
• Professional services: consulting, law and accounting
• Healthcare and education: large public hospitals and universities
• Construction and infrastructure: major transport and housing projects

Salaries

Salaries in Sydney are generally the highest in Australia, often 5% to 10% above Melbourne and Brisbane for the same role. Senior tech and finance roles regularly pay A$150,000 or more plus super.

Job hunting tips

• Use Seek and LinkedIn, and connect with recruiters in your field.
• Get your qualifications assessed early if your job is regulated.
• Local experience matters, so short contracts or volunteering can open doors.

Parramatta and Macquarie Park are major business hubs outside the CBD, often with easier commutes.

The Opal network

Sydney's public transport uses Opal. You can use an Opal card or simply tap on and off with a contactless bank card or phone. The network includes:

• Sydney Trains across the suburbs
• Sydney Metro, including the new line under the CBD opened in 2024
• Buses covering most areas
• Ferries across the harbour, a beautiful way to commute
• Light rail in the CBD, eastern suburbs and Parramatta

Fares and caps

Fares depend on distance and time. Daily and weekly caps mean regular commuters spend around A$50 per week at most, and off-peak travel is cheaper. On Sundays, a low daily cap applies.

Driving and parking

Traffic is heavy and parking in the centre is expensive. Many roads have tolls, so you need an e-tag if you drive.

Airport

Trains run from the airport to the city in about 15 minutes, but a station access fee applies.

Beaches and outdoors

Sydney has over 100 beaches. Bondi, Coogee, Manly and the Northern Beaches are the famous ones, and harbour beaches are calmer for families. The Bondi to Coogee coastal walk and the Spit to Manly walk are local favourites. The Blue Mountains are 90 minutes away by train.

Food and culture

• World-class restaurants in Surry Hills, Darlinghurst and Barangaroo
• Excellent Asian food in Haymarket, Cabramatta and Chatswood
• The Opera House, the Art Gallery of NSW and many live music venues

Events

Vivid Sydney lights up the city every winter, New Year's Eve fireworks are world-famous, and Sydney Mardi Gras is one of the largest LGBTQ+ celebrations anywhere.

Community

Sydney is very multicultural, with big communities from China, India, the UK, the Philippines, Vietnam and Lebanon. Newcomers find it easy to connect through clubs, sports and community groups.