💰 What It Really Costs to Raise a Family in Australia 2025 Update - From the Eyes of Indian & Sri Lankan Migrants

By Tircla | A Voice for Our People, Living Abroad

It’s a quiet Sunday evening in Sydney. In one home, a mother is preparing idli batter while helping her daughter with NAPLAN prep. In another, a father is scanning Woolies specials on his phone, trying to plan meals under $100 for the week.

Somewhere in Melbourne, a young couple is doing quick mental math,"If we skip this month’s trip to the temple fundraiser, maybe we can still cover the childcare invoice."

This right here is the real Australia that many Indian and Sri Lankan migrant families live in today.

Real Life. Real Costs. Real Stories.

We came to this beautiful country carrying dreams, courage, and a bit of masala in our luggage. And while Australia has given us so much peace, opportunities, fresh air, safety - it has also come with its own kind of stress: financial survival.

Let’s talk about it - not just as numbers on a page, but as people in a shared experience.

💸 The Numbers Behind Everyday Migrant Life

No, this isn’t a spreadsheet, it’s our lives. Here’s what many families juggle every month:

Expense	Monthly Estimate (AUD)
Rent / Mortgage	$2,400 – $3,800
Groceries	$600 – $1,000
Utilities & Internet	$250 – $400
Childcare / School Fees	$800 – $2,000
Fuel / Public Transport	$300 – $600
Health & Insurance	$200 – $400
Festivals & Temple Support	$50 – $150
Savings & Emergency Fund	... often skipped 🥲
Unexpected Expenses	Always there, never budgeted

Every grocery bill now starts with "Do we really need it this week?"

Every Diwali, Pongal or Sinhala New Year comes with a slight budget recalculation.

And every trip back home to India or Sri Lanka? Becomes a 3-year event instead of an annual one.

👂 Voices From Our Own

“We are four in the house - me, my wife, and two school going kids. Rent has gone up twice in 18 months. We don’t eat out. My son asked why we don’t go to the Timezone arcade like his classmates. What do I tell him?” says, IT Consultant, Sydney

“I feel proud we are in Australia. But even going on a day trip needs petrol money and time off. Sometimes, I miss the freedom we had back home - at least we had help, family around, and cheaper vegetables.” says, Homemaker, Melbourne

“Every time my parents video call from Chennai, they ask, ‘Why you both look so tired?’ We smile. They don’t know our day starts at 6 am and ends at 11 pm with dishes and budget planning.” says, Accountant, Brisbane

🙌 The Blessings We Still Count

Yes, it’s expensive. Yes, we stretch every dollar until it begs for mercy.

But here’s the other side:

• Our kids are growing up confident and bilingual.

• We walk in parks without fear.

• We work hard and are respected for it.

• Our temples still light up during Thaipusam, Navaratri, Vesak, and New Year with the same spiritual energy.

• We find each other in Coles aisles, in WhatsApp groups, in community halls.

We cry quietly in the car sometimes, and we dance at Tamil New Year like no one’s watching.

That’s the beautiful contradiction of being us - Indian and Sri Lankan families finding home in Australia.

🧠 Practical Tips (Shared by Families Like Yours)

• Shop groceries at the end of the day - stores often drop prices then.

• Buy in bulk with neighbours - rice, dhal, coconut oil.

• Use public library spaces for free kids’ activities and internet.

• Cook two meals together and refrigerate - saves time and electricity.

• Don’t say no to used goods - prams, furniture, schoolbooks can be blessings in disguise.

• Join temple or community centre WhatsApp groups - info and support flow like filter coffee there.

💬 My Final Thoughts: Let’s Talk, Let’s Share

This article isn’t just about money.

It’s about how we live, how we adapt, how we care.

It’s about unspoken struggles, secret victories, quiet compromises and the occasional mango pickle that makes it all better.

So the next time you see your neighbour clipping coupons or a mum quietly choosing between two milk brands, remember - you’re not alone.

We’re all in this together.

Let’s talk more. Let’s support more. Let’s be honest about what life really looks like and how beautifully we continue to live it.

📢 Over to You

Are you an Indian or Sri Lankan family living in Australia?

How do you manage your monthly budget? What’s your biggest win or biggest worry?

🔁 Share this with your family WhatsApp group, your Facebook and other social media feed, or with a friend who just moved here.

Let’s start a conversation. Let’s be the community we all wished for.

👉 Follow Tircla for more real-world stories, struggles, and triumphs of Indian and Sri Lankan families building life in Australia, because our voices matter.