Moving To The Australian Capital Territory.

These March 2026 figures are asking rents across whole Canberra reporting areas. They are useful for comparison, but a home with your preferred number of bedrooms may cost more or less.

How Much Rent Should You Budget For?

As a rough monthly guide, A$610 a week is about A$2,643 a calendar month. The report also gives an ACT-wide two-bedroom unit median of A$630 a week; that is a different measure. Check the price and inclusions of individual listings.

ACT guidance sets a residential bond limit of four weeks’ rent and says renters may be asked for up to two weeks in advance. Your agreement determines what you will pay at the start.

Other Costs To Allow For

Four Example Rental Budgets

These four examples use area medians to show how bond and rent in advance add up. Each median combines different bedroom counts, so use the weekly price of a suitable listing for your own budget. The move-in figure shows four weeks’ bond plus two weeks’ rent; the larger figure allows six weeks’ rent with the bond.

Buying A Home?

If you plan to buy, compare individual homes, finance and transaction costs. Check whether any ACT concessions apply to your circumstances before making a budget.

Check your work rights, any registration your occupation needs, and the trip from homes you are considering. Government roles have their own entry requirements.

These 2021 Census medians offer income context; they are not a current salary guide. Personal income and household income measure different things.

Use ACT Education’s priority enrolment information and international student guidance as a starting point, then ask the school about your child’s place and any fees before signing a lease.

Ask childcare centres about places and session fees, and check whether your household qualifies for Child Care Subsidy. If you will study, compare campuses with the travel from homes you are considering.

Moving From Overseas

Medicare eligibility depends on residency and visa circumstances; some visitors may have reciprocal cover. Read healthdirect’s Medicare guide and confirm your enrolment with Services Australia. Arrange other cover if you need it.

Finding Care

Ask local GP and specialist practices about appointments, costs and travel before choosing a home.

Could You Manage Without A Car?

At the 2021 Census, 59.0% of ACT commuters drove and 3.6% took a bus among the reported top modes. Your options depend on the address: use Transport Canberra to check current routes and timetables.

Bringing A Car Or Transferring A Licence

Check Access Canberra’s overseas-driving guidance if you are arriving from overseas. Interstate licences and vehicle registration have separate steps; check the requirements that apply to you.

At Canberra Airport, the Bureau of Meteorology reports a mean January maximum of 30.0°C and a mean July minimum of 0.1°C. These long-term station averages explain why a home’s heating and summer comfort both matter.

Before You Move

Shortlist homes and check rent, school areas, care options, work rights, cover and driving requirements. Add moving and temporary accommodation costs to your budget.

When You Arrive

Keep your agreement, condition report and bond receipt. Arrange utilities, then try your regular journeys.

After You Have Settled In

Compare what you spend on housing, travel and services with your initial budget, and adjust your income buffer if needed.