Everything is more expensive in Australia.  A large social net, a minimum wage &gt; $20USD, and other high taxes, leads to rising costs of most goods and services.<p>I went there 2 years ago on vacation and stayed in hostels (which were $70USD&#x2F;night) to save on price.  Meals at most restaurants for 2 was $50+ and a 20 oz of coke and a small bag of chips cost me close to $11USD.<p>Internet was more expensive than anywhere I traveled.  Free wifi was almost non-existent and most hostels charge $25USD&#x2F;8 hours (it was also ~4MB).<p>It&#x27;s probably why they don&#x27;t have a flourishing startup scene.