Cost of living

it really depends.

Initially I think your cost of living is going to be high.  You're going to seek out things that are familiar to you and you're going to notice that those things cost about 3x more here than what you're used to.

From there it just depends on what you can work around and what you can do without.

Example:  Canned soup is expensive here.  A can of "Progresso" is about $5 (usd) vs the $1.50 I'm used to paying in the states (max).  I tried the soup in a bag (500 fils) and it was a sorry substitute.  I have two kids and soup+sandwich is just so dang easy when I'm exhausted and they need a lunch.  At the same time I flat out refuse to pay what they're asking for a can.

What I did was look online for clone recipes of my favorite soups and froze those in quart sized Ziploc bags.  I think the total cost for about 10 bags of soup was about $5usd.  Easy money.

Example 2, my deodorant:  I like what i use, that's why I use it.  I can only find it in one place.  I'll pay any amount they ask for it.  I've tried other deodorants and I hated the results

So yeah, budget high at first (maybe double what you spend now on groceries) and you'll be able to save from there.

Also, I see you're from Australia.  I haven't seen Vegemite in the stores here.  Might want to pack some with ya! 

Cheers