Standing in a Melbourne supermarket, Ehvin Hoang, a Thai, often finds himself doing quiet calculations: “Do I really need this? Can it wait until next week? Is there a cheaper option somewhere else?” 

For the international student, grocery shopping has become more than a routine errand, it is an exercise in budgeting, compromise and homesickness. 

“When you can’t afford the food you actually want, it’s not just about eating something else. It feels like giving up a small piece of who you are,” he says. 

For many international students in Melbourne, rising food prices are quietly reshaping daily life. 

An original survey conducted for this story of 37 international students found that 78.3 per cent said their grocery spending had increased since arriving in Melbourne, while 83.8 per cent said rising food prices had changed what they eat. 

The pressure reflects broader national trends. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 3.1 per cent in the year to February 2026, while takeaway food prices increased 3.7 per cent. 

For some students, adapting means becoming more financially disciplined. 

Hung Vu, a Vietnamese master’s student, says his shopping habits have changed significantly since arriving in Melbourne. 

“At the beginning, I didn’t pay too much attention to prices, but now I compare prices more often, look for discounts, and only buy what I really need,” he says. 

Fresh fruit, seafood and beef have become occasional purchases rather than weekly staples. 

For Indonesian student Kyrie Cahyadi, affordability is only part of the story. Time and stress also shape her choices. 

“I’ve pivoted from actually making meals that are nutritious or tasty to just something convenient,” she says. “Sometimes when I’m really busy, I’ll just skip a meal or have instant noodles.” 

Survey results reflected similar compromises, with 70.3 per cent saying they now cook at home more often, 54.1 per cent eating out less, and 40.5 per cent switching to cheaper supermarket brands. 

But for Ehvin, the cost goes beyond budgeting. 

International ingredients are harder to access, both financially and practically, turning familiar comfort food into an occasional luxury. 

“Food is one of the strongest links I have to home,” he says. “When my friends suggest brunch and I say I’m busy, sometimes it’s really because I can’t justify spending $30 or $40.” 

For international students balancing rent, tuition and life far from family, food affordability is no longer just about what is on the shopping list. 

Sometimes, it shapes what still feels like home.