How Much Does It Cost to Move from Indonesia to Australia?

Visa Costs

Work and Holiday (462): AUD 840 for a first visa, AUD 1,000 for a second or third (≈IDR 9.0–10.8 million)

Student (500): AUD 2,500 (≈IDR 26.3 million)

Skilled Independent (189): AUD 6,135 (≈IDR 64.4 million) plus:
- Skills assessment: AUD 550-1,800 (≈IDR 5.8-18.9 million)
- English test: IDR 3.5-5 million
- Medical exam: IDR 2-4 million
- Police clearance (SKCK): IDR 30,000-50,000
- Document translation: IDR 1-3 million

Employer Sponsored (482): AUD 4,015 (≈IDR 42 million) — one charge across every 482 stream. Your employer may cover this.

Partner (820/801): AUD 11,710 (≈IDR 123 million), charged once on the combined application.

Flights

Indonesia's proximity to Australia makes flights among the cheapest of any source country:

Jakarta to Perth: IDR 2-5 million one-way. AirAsia, Jetstar, and Batik Air operate this route. Direct flights take 3-4 hours.

Jakarta to Sydney: IDR 3-8 million one-way. Qantas, Garuda, and Singapore Airlines. 6-7 hours direct or with one stop.

Jakarta to Melbourne: IDR 3-8 million one-way. Similar to Sydney pricing.

Bali to Perth: IDR 1.5-4 million. The cheapest international route, with multiple daily flights.

Checked luggage: Budget airlines charge IDR 300,000-800,000 per extra bag. Full-service airlines typically include 20-30kg.

Tip: Perth is the most affordable Australian city to fly to from Indonesia, and the cheapest to live in among Australia's major cities. If you don't have a specific reason to choose Sydney or Melbourne, Perth deserves serious consideration.

Tuition (Student Pathway)

TAFE / Vocational: AUD 10,000-22,000/year (≈IDR 105-231 million)

University Bachelor's: AUD 25,000-42,000/year (≈IDR 263-441 million)

University Master's: AUD 28,000-48,000/year (≈IDR 294-504 million)

PhD: Often scholarship-funded. Self-funded: AUD 30,000-50,000/year.

LPDP scholars: Full tuition covered by the Indonesian government scholarship. This eliminates the single largest cost for eligible students.

Living Costs

ATO benchmark: AUD 29,710/year (≈IDR 312 million/year or IDR 26 million/month).

Realistic weekly budgets:

Perth (cheapest major city):

Sydney:

Melbourne and Brisbane fall between Perth and Sydney.

First-Month Settlement Costs

Temporary accommodation (2-3 weeks): AUD 500-1,500 (hostel to Airbnb).

Rental bond + advance (share house): AUD 680-1,280 (4 weeks at share house rates).

SIM card: AUD 15-30.

Groceries and essentials: AUD 200-400.

Transport card and first month: AUD 80-160.

Total first-month setup: AUD 1,475-3,370 (≈IDR 15.5-35.4 million).

Shipping

Given the proximity, shipping from Indonesia is faster and cheaper than from many other countries.

Full container (20ft, Jakarta to Perth): AUD 2,500-5,000 (≈IDR 26-53 million). Transit: 1-2 weeks.

Full container (Jakarta to Sydney/Melbourne): AUD 3,500-7,000 (≈IDR 37-74 million). Transit: 2-3 weeks.

Shared container / groupage: AUD 1,000-3,000 depending on volume.

Boxes by sea freight: AUD 500-1,500 for several boxes.

Customs and biosecurity: Australia's strict biosecurity applies. Wooden items need treatment. Food items are restricted. Budget AUD 200-500 for customs clearance.

Practical tip: For most Indonesian migrants, shipping is unnecessary. Flights are cheap and frequent. Take extra luggage on the plane and buy furniture and appliances in Australia. Indonesian electrical appliances use 220V/50Hz (same voltage as Australia's 240V/50Hz) — most will work, but check individual items.

Money Transfers

Bank transfer (Indonesian bank to Australian bank): Fees IDR 200,000-500,000 per transfer plus exchange rate margin of 1-3%.

Specialist services (Wise, OFX): Better exchange rates (within 0.5% of mid-market). Lower fees.

Tip: Transfer settlement funds before you arrive. Open an Australian bank account online (some banks allow this for visa holders) or transfer immediately after opening an account on arrival.

Total Budget Summary

### Work and Holiday Move (Single Person)

### Student Move — First Year (Self-Funded)

Part-time work earnings (AUD 15,000-20,000/year) can offset 30-40% of living costs.

### Skilled Migration (189, from Indonesia)

Next Steps

Read the overview guide for the broader picture and the visa options guide for pathway details.

Our money transfer guide covers how to move funds efficiently.

For student-specific advice, see the OSHC comparison guide.

---

Related Resources

- Indonesia to Australia: Complete 2026 Guide
- Indonesia to Australia Visa Options
- Best Way to Transfer Money to Australia
- How Much Money Should I Bring to Australia?
- Best OSHC for International Students
- First Week in Australia Checklist

---

What's the cheapest way for Indonesians to move to Australia?

The Work and Holiday visa (462) at AUD 840 for a first visa is the cheapest entry point. Total cost including flights, English test, government letter, and first-month expenses is approximately IDR 100-150 million. Perth is the closest and cheapest destination.

How much are flights from Indonesia to Australia?

Jakarta to Perth: IDR 2-5 million one-way. Jakarta to Sydney: IDR 3-8 million. Bali to Perth: IDR 1.5-4 million. Budget airlines (Jetstar, AirAsia) keep prices competitive on the Perth route.

Should I choose Perth or Sydney?

Perth is closest to Indonesia (3-4 hours), cheapest to fly to, and has a lower cost of living than Sydney. It also has an established Indonesian community. Sydney has a larger job market and more cultural diversity. Choose based on your career goals and family proximity preferences.

Can I work while studying to cover costs?

Yes. Student visa holders can work 48 hours per fortnight during term and unlimited during breaks. At minimum wage (AUD 24.10/hour casual), working 20 hours per week earns approximately AUD 500/week — enough to cover living costs but not tuition.