Living in Hobart

There’s plenty of modern Australian culture to be found in Tasmania – and Hobart is the hub of it all.

Hobart, TAS

The state of Tasmania is comprised of main island “Tasmania” and over 330 surrounding islands (most of which are small and unpopulated) and it is the smallest of the Australian States. Named after Dutch explorer Abel Tasman, who made the first reported European sighting of the island, nearly half of the island is protected by nature reserves designed to protect the island’s natural habitats and environment.

Nature is an important part of Tasmanian culture and lifestyle, which is why so much of the State is protected by nature reserves.

Food

$40-$150 per week

Hobart is famous for its fresh quality produce, including the world-class seafood and farm-fresh fruit. To take advantage of the Hobart’s excellent food options, you will want to make sure you set aside some of your budget to go out for meals.

Groceries

Depending on your taste preferences and whether you are eating salmon or sticking with canned beans for dinner, the average meal at home will cost you:

  • $2 a day for breakfast
  • $5 a day for lunch
  • $10 a day for dinner

Eating Out

Eating out will cost you a significantly more than cooking at home, with the average prices of meals in Hobart:

  • $10 for breakfast
  • $25 for lunch
  • $22 per meal at dinner.

Drinking Out

The café culture in Tasmania, and in particular Hobart, is thriving and you can expect a great range of hot drinks and delicacies on a daily basis. There are plenty of cafés to explore, such as Boutique Espresso, Atlas Espresso and Yellow Bernard that allow you to unwind at the end of the day or keep you going through the busy times.

An average cup of coffee in Australia is $4.20 per cup. Depending on your weekly threshold you could be looking to spend between $655 to over $1500 a year!

To save some money, you can make your own coffee at home – it is FREE.

Other than coffee, the average Aussie loves a social glass of wine or beer with their lunch. On average in Australia, a glass of wine, beer or cider ranges between $8 to $12 each, with spirits being on the more expensive end costing around $11 to $18.

Accommodation

$120-$450 per week

Hobart is quite a bit smaller than other Australian cities, so there is not very much of a difference in the cost of living in the suburbs compared to the central city area.

Single room apartments can range between $220 and $450 per week on average (however depending on your budget or taste for increased comfort, rates can always increase!) Rental rates can certainly be reduced if you choose a sharehouse with 2 or more rooms!

Average Costs for shared accommodation can vary from $120-$350 per week. Depending on lifestyle options and proximity to public transportation, central business districts and universities (for students), the average cost of accommodation can vary greatly!

Transport

$25-$50 per week

Even with its widespread suburbs and natural attractions, Hobart is an easy city to get around. The central Hobart area offers a great network of public transport that allows you to walk to and from busses, ferries, and taxi locations as you explore or commute.

Having your own car is recommended if you are living in most of the outer suburbs.

You can view the Tasmanian Transport Services website HERE for more information on Bus Timetables, Fares, Concessions, Student Travel, Bruny Island Ferry, Taxis and Ride Sharing and Active Transport (Cycling & Walking).

Have a look at the MetroTas FAQs website HERE for more information to save money with your GreenCard.

Cost of Living

Hobart is Australia’s southernmost capital city, located on the island of Tasmania. With an average cost of living of approximately $650 per week, Hobart is one of the more affordable cities in the country.

The city is filled with great food, a lively arts and culture scene, beautiful landscapes and incredibly friendly local people. Hobart is also a great place to study and migrate to and is incredibly affordable to live in compared to other Australian capital cities, with reasonable accommodation both in and outside the city.

Working in Australia

All workers in Australia have the same rights and protections at work, regardless of citizenship or visa status. Your employer must comply with Australian workplace and immigration laws, including their obligation to: pay you the right pay rate for all time worked. provide a safe workplace.

  • How to find work in Hobart:
    • Like most cities around the world, finding work greatly depends on your skill-set, motivation & willingness to learn a new skill as well as personal connections and how you represent yourself (resume presentation, interview experience, etc.)
    • The most common online job-search websites in Australia are: seek.com.au and www.au.indeed.com/. Applicants can post their resume’s online as well as search for vacancies posted by local businesses.
  • How to apply for jobs in Australia:
    • Click HERE for a link to SEEK.com.au and their free resume template.
  • Your rights as an employee in Australia:
    • All workers in Australia have the same rights and protections at work, regardless of citizenship or visa status. Your employer must comply with Australian workplace and immigration laws, including their obligation to pay you the right pay rate for all time worked and provide a safe workplace.
    • Click HERE for a link to the Government of Australia’s FairWork rights & obligations information page.
  • Average Salaries in Tasmania:
    • As with any city around the world, salaries and wage amounts can range due to an employee’s experience, formal qualifications as well as the supply & demand within each industry type for a specific workforce. The average full-time hourly rate in Tasmania is $24.79.
    • According to payscale.com, the following job positions are noted below with average hourly rates:
      • Carpenter: $29.00
      • Retail Sales Assistant: $21.00
      • Registered Nurse (RN): $32.00
      • Waiter/Waitress: $16.00
      • Laborer: $23.00

Bank Account in Australia

Foreigners migrating, studying or working in Australia can open a bank account. Those on a tourist or visitor visa can open an Australian bank account by visiting a local branch and providing your passport.

Applicants who wish to open a bank account must arrive in Australia within 12 months of opening their bank accounts.

Here are the basic steps to opening a Australian bank account online:

    • Compare accounts to find the right one
    • Apply for your account online
    • Verify your identity (passport & email required)
    • Your debit card will arrive
    • Start using it!

TAX FILE NUMBER

A Tax File Number (TFN) is your personal reference number in the tax and superannuation systems in Australia. It is free to apply for a TFN online and it is an important part of your tax and super records as well as your identity in Australia.

Shopping

The main shopping areas are on Elizabeth Street to the west of Hobart, Sandy Bay and the northern shopping districts of Glenorchy and Bellerive.

Sandy Bay is famous for its fashion boutiques, while shopping malls can be found all over the city, especially on Murray Street and Liverpool Street.

For a list of the best “do not miss” shopping locations in Hobart visit TripAdvisor!

How to Keep Expenses Down

Foreigners migrating, studying or working in Australia can open a bank account. Those on a tourist or visitor visa can open an Australian bank account by visiting a local branch and providing your passport. Applicants who wish to open a bank account must arrive in Australia within 12 months of opening their bank accounts.

  • Monitor your expenses
  • Make a workable budget
  • Choose your priorities
  • Let go of small luxuries
  • Find another source of income
  • Choose to do free outdoor activities (visiting beaches and nature parks)

Hobart Highlights

The small city of Hobart has an endless array of outdoor nature-loving activities for both young and old to enjoy! Check out the list below, or for more information please visit Discover Tasmania’s website HERE which has information on must-see points of interest, eating and shopping locations.

  • Explore the Royal Tasmanian Botanic Gardens
  • Visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG)
  • Wander through Salamanca Market
  • Walk along Franklin Warf
  • Walk over the Tasman Bridge
  • Relax on a Hobart Beach
  • Go up to Mount Nelson Signal Station
  • Stroll through North Hobart and find that perfect coffee spot

More information to get you started in Hobart

HEALTH

Overseas student health cover is mandatory for your student visa when coming to Australia. Not only is it great for peace of mind, it covers doctors’ appointments, hospital costs, emergency ambulance and portions of your prescription medicine.

Use the Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) tool to check the price and book your overseas health cover today.

ACCOMODATION

Rental Contracts

All residential tenancies in Tasmania are covered by standard terms which cannot be altered. It is the landlord’s obligation to put the agreement in writing.

The standard form Residential Tenancy Agreementcan be downloaded and used for free from the Tasmanian Government Department of Consumer, Building and Occupational Services.

  • In Tasmania, this standard form Residential Tenancy Agreement should be used for agreements between:
    • Landlord and a tenant
    • Landlord and co-tenants
    • Head-tenant and sub-tenants
  • Click HERE for the standard Residential Tenancy Act 1997 to be used in Tasmania.

Accommodation Options

Depending on your financial situation and whether you are a student or skilled migrant, there is never a shortage of accommodation options in Hobart! Students can choose to reside within university accommodation, homestay or private rentals.

The most trusted and most popular search engines for rental (and sale) or properties in Australia are www.realestate.com.au and www.domain.com.au.

UTILITIES (cost of)

Utilities may or may not be included in your housing option – its always best to check this out before signing any lease agreement. Electricity, water, gas and internet are generally split between tenants, but if you are planning on renting by yourself, this will be more costly. An average home in Hobart costs between $50 to $150 per week, however keep in mind that if you are sharing accommodation with 2 or 3 other people, the cost will greatly be reduced!

ENTERTAINMENT (cost of)

Entertainment is another expense you will want to factor in while you are in Australia. Ranging from going to the gym, watching a movie, taking a trip to any of the world-famous beaches or enjoying a comedy show. Below are a few different options you could add to your budget.

  • Movies (student night): $7 to $10
  • Fitness sessions: $15 to $30
  • Shows (comedy, plays etc): $30 to $50

Are you planning to move to or study in Hobart? Great choice. Let’s get started – click HERE to get in contact with us today!