Food is your second-largest expense after rent. Here’s how to shop smart, find affordable supermarkets, use markets, and meal prep on a student budget.
Supermarket Chains: Where to Shop
The Big Two: Coles and Woolworths
Coles and Woolworths dominate Australia (60%+ market share). Prices are similar and relatively high.
Average basket (weekly shop for one person, cooking mostly at home):
- Bread, milk, eggs, vegetables, rice, pasta, meat, snacks: A$70–$90/week
- Prices: Comparable between Coles and Woolworths.
Advantages:
- Ubiquitous (everywhere).
- Loyalty programs (Everyday Rewards for Coles, Woolworths Rewards) offer 1–4% cashback on every purchase.
Disadvantages:
- More expensive than ALDI.
- Duopoly; prices are sticky.
ALDI: The Budget Winner
ALDI is an Australian chain (German-owned) focused on budget groceries. Significantly cheaper than Coles/Woolworths.
Average basket (same shop as above): A$50–$65/week (25–30% cheaper).
Why cheaper:
- Limited product range (400 vs 40,000+ at Coles).
- Minimal branding (store-brand products cheaper than national brands).
- Streamlined logistics (lower overheads).
Advantages:
- Cheapest regular supermarket.
- Quality is good (store-brand products are solid).
- None of the junk food tempations (limited snacks).
Disadvantages:
- Fewer locations (mostly cities/suburbs).
- Limited fresh produce range (especially produce in winter).
- No loyalty program (but prices are already low).
Pro tip: Shop at ALDI for staples (rice, pasta, frozen vegetables, dairy, eggs); supplement at local markets for fresh produce.
IGA (Independent Grocers of Australia)
IGA is a franchise network (independent stores). Prices vary by location but typically 10–20% more than Coles.
When to shop at IGA:
- You need specialty items (ethnic foods, organic products).
- Close to your home and convenience is worth the premium.
Costco (Membership Warehouse)
Costco requires a membership (A$60–$120/year) but offers bulk discounts.
Best for:
- Large families or share-house groups buying in bulk.
- Non-perishable staples (rice, oil, pasta, canned goods).
Less ideal for:
- Single students (portion sizes are huge; food spoils before you finish).
- Living in shared accommodation with unpredictable housemates.
Asian and International Markets: 20–40% Cheaper
Australian cities have Asian supermarkets and ethnic markets where staples (rice, vegetables, sauces, spices) cost 20–40% less than mainstream supermarkets.
Major Cities’ Best Markets
| City | Market Name | Location | What to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Chinatown | CBD (Liverpool Street) | Vegetables, rice, sauces, noodles, tofu |
| Sydney | Hurstville markets | Hurstville (South) | Produce, Asian groceries, meat |
| Melbourne | Queen Victoria Market | CBD (North) | Fresh produce, meat, bakery (Saturday mornings best) |
| Melbourne | Preston Market | Preston (North) | Italian, Middle Eastern, Asian groceries |
| Brisbane | Sunnybank Market | Sunnybank (South) | Asian vegetables, meat, rice |
| Perth | Northbridge Street | Northbridge | Asian groceries, markets nearby |
What You’ll Find Cheaper
- Rice: A$1.50/kg (market) vs A$3–$5/kg (Coles).
- Vegetables: A$2–$4/kg (market) vs A$5–$8/kg (Coles).
- Tofu: A$2–$3/500g (market) vs A$5–$6 (supermarket).
- Soy sauce, sesame oil: A$3–$5 (market) vs A$8–$12 (supermarket).
Strategy: Buy bulk staples (rice, oil, sauces) at markets; fresh produce weekly.
Farmers’ Markets: Fresh, Seasonal, Local
Most Australian cities have weekend farmers’ markets (Friday evening or Saturday morning).
Typical farmers’ market:
- Local farmers sell directly.
- Produce is fresh and seasonal.
- 20–30% cheaper than supermarkets (sometimes cheaper than markets).
- Community vibe; support local agriculture.
Timing: Mid-morning (8–11am) for best selection; late afternoon (1–2pm) for bargains (vendors discount unsold stock).
Popular Farmers’ Markets
| City | Market | Day | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | Marrickville markets | Saturday | Marrickville (Inner west) |
| Sydney | Glebe markets | Saturday | Glebe (Inner west) |
| Melbourne | South Melbourne Market | Year-round | South Melbourne (Inner south) |
| Brisbane | South Bank markets | Various | South Bank (CBD) |
| Perth | Perth City markets | Thursday–Sunday | Perth (CBD area) |
Sample Weekly Shopping List and Costs (April 2026)
Budget Meal Plan (A$60–$75/week, cook at home)
| Item | Quantity | Coles/Woolworths | ALDI | Market |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rice (white) | 2 kg | A$4 | A$2.50 | A$2–$3 |
| Pasta | 500 g × 2 | A$4 | A$2 | — |
| Bread | 2 loaves | A$6 | A$3.50 | A$3–$5 |
| Eggs | Dozen | A$4.50 | A$3.50 | A$3–$4 |
| Milk | 1 L | A$1.80 | A$1.20 | — |
| Yoghurt | 500 mL | A$3 | A$1.80 | — |
| Chicken (bulk) | 2 kg | A$18 | A$14 | A$12–$16 |
| Vegetables (mix) | Seasonal | A$12 | A$8 | A$6–$10 |
| Frozen vegetables | 2 × 500 g | A$6 | A$4 | — |
| Canned beans | 2 × 425 g | A$3 | A$2 | — |
| Peanut butter | Jar | A$5 | A$3.50 | — |
| Oil (olive) | 1 L | A$8 | A$5 | A$4–$6 (market) |
| Soy sauce / sauces | Various | A$8 | A$5 | A$3–$5 (market) |
| WEEKLY TOTAL | — | A$82 | A$55 | A$45–$60 (if bulk at market) |
Reality: If you shop at ALDI + farmers’ market for produce, you’ll spend A$50–$65/week.
Budget Meal Ideas (Cost Per Serving)
Simple Meals Under A$2/Serving
- Pasta with tomato sauce and vegetables: A$0.80 (pasta A$0.30, sauce A$0.20, veg A$0.30).
- Rice and stir-fry vegetables with egg: A$1.20 (rice A$0.20, veg A$0.60, egg A$0.40).
- Lentil curry with rice: A$1.00 (lentils A$0.30, spices A$0.20, rice A$0.20, onion A$0.30).
- Baked beans on toast: A$0.60 (beans A$0.30, bread A$0.20, butter A$0.10).
- Oatmeal with banana and honey: A$0.50 (oats A$0.20, banana A$0.20, honey A$0.10).
- Soup (homemade): A$0.80 (vegetables A$0.50, broth A$0.20, bread A$0.10).
- Chicken and rice (bulk meal prep): A$1.50 (chicken A$0.80, rice A$0.30, veg A$0.40).
Meal Prep Strategy: Save Time and Money
Batch cooking on Sunday saves money and time during the week.
Sunday Meal Prep (3 hours)
- Cook 2 kg rice: Portion into 5–7 containers (A$0.30 per serving).
- Marinate and bake 2 kg chicken: Portion into 5–7 containers (A$0.80 per serving).
- Chop and roast vegetables: Portion into 5–7 containers (A$0.40 per serving).
Result: 5–7 lunch/dinner combos ready to microwave during the week. Cost: A$1.50 per meal.
Time saved: 30 min/day cooking → 5 min to reheat = 4+ hours saved weekly.
Saving Strategies
1. Use Loyalty Programs
- Coles Everyday Rewards: 1–4% cashback on every purchase (e.g., A$80 shop = A$0.80–$3.20 cashback).
- Woolworths Rewards: Similar 1–4% cashback.
Over a year, A$10–$50 in free groceries.
2. Buy Seasonal Produce
Seasonal vegetables are 30–50% cheaper than off-season:
- Summer (Dec–Feb): Tomatoes, zucchini, berries, stone fruit.
- Winter (Jun–Aug): Leafy greens, root vegetables, citrus.
3. Bulk Buy Non-Perishables
Rice, pasta, oil, canned goods: buy large sizes at ALDI (cheaper per kg).
4. Avoid Packaged/Processed Foods
- Pre-cut vegetables: A$3–$5 more than whole.
- Instant rice/pasta: A$2–$3 more than dried.
- Store-brand staples: Often A$1–$2 cheaper than brands.
5. Use Markdown/Discount Sections
Supermarkets mark down close-to-expiry items (30–50% off). Good for meat, dairy if you use within 1–2 days.
6. Shop with a List
Impulse buying adds 20–30% to your grocery bill. Plan meals, make a list, stick to it.
Eating Out: When It’s Worth It
Café coffee: A$5–$6 (expensive for daily habit; make at home for A$0.50).
University lunch: A$12–$18 (reasonable if you’re on campus all day).
Restaurant dinner: A$20–$40 (occasional treat; budget A$10–$20/month for dining out).
Student discounts: Many cafés offer 10% off with student ID (ISIC card). Can save A$30–$50/month if you eat out 3–4 times/week.
FAQ
Q: How much should I budget for food per week? A: Budget A$60–$80/week if cooking mostly at home. If eating out 2–3 times/week, add A$30–$50.
Q: Is ALDI’s store-brand quality good? A: Yes. Store-brand rice, pasta, dairy, meat are indistinguishable from name brands (often made by the same factories).
Q: Should I buy organic? A: Organic is 30–50% pricier. Not necessary on a student budget. Wash produce thoroughly instead.
Q: Is meal prep difficult for beginners? A: No. Start simple: cook rice, roast chicken, chop vegetables. Microwave together. YouTube tutorials abound.
Q: What if I have dietary restrictions? A: Asian/ethnic markets have gluten-free, vegan, and halal options at lower prices than specialty health stores.
Q: Can I use supermarket vouchers to save? A: Yes. Check supermarket websites for weekly specials (digital coupons, multi-buy discounts). Can save A$5–$10/week.
Q: Is it cheaper to buy frozen vegetables? A: Often yes (and they last longer, less waste). Frozen broccoli is A$3–$4/kg; fresh is A$4–$6/kg.
Q: What’s the cheapest protein? A: Eggs (A$3–$4/dozen, A$0.30 per egg), chicken (A$7–$10/kg), canned beans (A$0.80–$1 per can), lentils (A$1–$2/kg).
Sources
- ALDI Australia
- Coles Supermarkets Australia
- Woolworths Group
- Farmers Market Association
- ABC: Budget Meals
Last reviewed: April 2026. Cost figures move with inflation — verify with the linked source if you’re budgeting precisely.