Explore the best places to study in Australia! With 43 universities, Australia offers great education, a nice lifestyle, and job opportunities.
Whether you're local or international, find your ideal spot for your degree Down Under!
1. Melbourne
Melbourne, Australia's cultural capital, is a top choice for international students.
Not only ranked as the world's most liveable city, but Melbourne also stands second only to Paris as the best study place. With headquarters of major corporations and seven universities, it offers a diverse student experience.
Known for vibrant live music, sports, and comedy events, Melbourne excels in the "student mix" index. Beyond its high-quality education, the city boasts strong employment prospects, making it a preferred study and work destination for students worldwide.
2. Brisbane
Brisbane, the third-biggest city in Australia, is cool for 50,000 international students every year. It's famous for its beaches, fun city life, sunny weather, awesome nightlife, and cool art scenes.
They call Brisbane a "new world" city, and it has big universities. Four of them are in the QS world rankings. You can find about 9,000 courses at these schools, and guess what? It's the cheapest city in Australia to study because the tuition fees are low.
3. Sydney
Sydney, Australia's biggest city and financial hub, greets over 50,000 international students each year. It's a city full of opportunities with a great quality of life, top education, vibrant nightlife, beautiful beaches, and a diverse student community.
Being a financial center, Sydney hosts many multinational corporations. The city has five international universities with globally recognised research programs, and two of them rank in the top 50 of the QS World Rankings.
Sydney is not just big in economy but also in student ratings, making it one of the top cities globally for students. Studying in Sydney opens up exciting possibilities for international students.
4. Canberra
Canberra is Australia's capital, and each year, it welcomes 35,000 students, with 9,000 from other countries. The city has two local universities, including the National University of Australia, which is pretty good.
People like studying here because of the excellent education, nice natural surroundings, and the perks of a modern city. Canberra has cool places like Black Mountain Tower, Lake Burley Griffin, and the Captain James Cook Memorial.
When it comes to costs, it's one of the affordable places to study, offering a good standard of living.
5. Perth
Perth, in Western Australia, is a top spot for education. It's known for its warm weather, diverse cultures, stunning beaches, and plenty of activities for students. Three universities in Perth are among the best globally, with the University of Western Australia ranking highest.
Living in Perth is comfortable and affordable for students. You can enjoy free outdoor activities and explore places like Kings Park, one of the world's largest inner-city parks, a science museum, and the Pinnacles, a fascinating desert landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are The Best Regional Areas in Australia for International Students?
There are four regional areas for students who plan to study abroad in Australia:
Darwin: With beautiful regional towns, and high employability rates, it is an excellent choice for international students.
Tasmania: This place is ideal for nature-lover or food lovers looking for an affordable home that fits their budget. Moreover, Tasmania is easy to obtain PR and is famous for its best air quality index, scenic views, and incredible history compared to the Australian states.
Sunshine Coast: It is another excellent perfect destination in Australia that offers numerous learning and career opportunities, stunning beaches, a high-paced economy, and a desirable lifestyle that attracts most overseas tourists to this place.
Byron Bay: Home to the most iconic Cape Byron Lighthouse, Byron Bay is preferred for its seaside beaches, exclusive shopping experiences, and fine dining experiences. You can find both budget-friendly and luxurious accommodations as per your spending capacity.
What Is The Best City in Australia for PR?
When talking about the city which is the easiest to get Australian Permanent Residency and citizenship, Tasmania tops the list. The state accepts applications from people whose occupations are listed on the State Migration Plan and Consolidated Skilled Occupations List.
Besides Tasmania, you can also consider New South Wales and South Australia for PR.
New South Wales is also an excellent option for permanent residency due to its strong economy, which is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2030. South Australia is preferred for its relaxed and friendly lifestyle and affordable housing options to live and work.
Those planning to migrate to any of these states can apply for Visa 189, Visa 190, and Visa 491.
Which City Is Better For Students In Australia?
There is no one perfect city to study in Australia. As each student has different requirements and interests, deciding the correct city is a personal choice.
QS ranks the best cities for students worldwide based on the desirability, student reviews, employer activity, and affordability. 7 Australian cities were in the top 100 QS Best Student Cities Rankings for 2022.
QS Rank | City | Student View | Student Mix | Affordability |
6 | Melbourne | 98.4 | 100 | 38.4 |
8 | Sydney | 96.9 | 98.5 | 33.4 |
29 | Brisbane | 77 | 94.1 | 42.4 |
35 | Adelaide | 87.4 | 93.8 | 41.5 |
35 | Perth | 76.8 | 90.9 | 40.7 |
37 | Canberra | 75.7 | 86.4 | 39.5 |
89 | Gold Coast | 35 | 80.2 | 46.3 |
The above cities are the most preferred study-abroad destinations among international students.
If your priority is safety, then Canberra and Adelaide are the top two safest cities, followed by Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Gold Coast. Standard transport options such as buses, trains, taxis, trams, or ferries are easily available in all Australian cities.
City | Cost of Living | QS Student View Rank | Safety |
Melbourne |
1312 AUD/month |
2nd |
8th safest Australian city with a low crime index |
Sydney |
1421 AUD/month |
4th |
4th safest Australian city. |
Brisbane |
1342 AUD/month |
36th |
5th safest Australian city. |
Adelaide |
1580 AUD/month |
16th |
2nd the safest Australian city. |
Perth |
1306 AUD/month |
37th |
6th safest Australian city |
Canberra |
1270 AUD/month |
41st |
The safest Australian city |
Gold Coast |
1372 AUD/month |
100th |
7th safest Australian city |
How to Identify the Optimal Study Destination in Australia for International Students?
The best places to study in Australia are determined based on the following factors:
Which City In Australia has The Most International Students?
University | Total International Students | International Proportion |
Monash University | 25,690 | 30.7% |
The University of Sydney | 25,532 | 38.2% |
The University of Melbourne | 21,858 | 32.1% |
The University of Queensland | 17,865 | 33.3% |
RMIT University | 16,667 | 24.1% |
University of New South Wales | 15,741 | 25.2% |
University of Technology Sydney | 13,672 | 29.7% |
Deakin University | 13,044 | 21.9% |
The Australian National University | 9,782 | 37.0% |
Macquarie University | 9,414 | 21.1% |
Which Is The Cheapest City To Study in Australia?
Affordable Australian Cities for International Students (Listed by Average Weekly Living Budget):
Adelaide: AUD 377
Darwin: AUD 443
Perth: AUD 449
Hobart: AUD 475
Queensland: AUD 482
Brisbane: AUD 485
Sydney: AUD 580
Canberra: AUD 509
Is Sydney or Melbourne Better For Students?
Melbourne is awesome for students, known as Australia's cultural hub. It has cool job opportunities and over 94,000 international students.
The city is buzzing with great food, fun, and shopping. Big companies like Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Coles Group, and BHP Group are there too.
Sydney is a finance giant and a close rival to Melbourne. It's just two spots behind in the QS Best Student Cities 2022 ranking. Sydney is famous for cool places like the Sydney Opera House and tons of outdoor stuff.
Look at the Sydney vs. Melbourne comparison below to see which city is pricier.
QS Rank | City | Student View | Student Mix | Affordability |
6 | Melbourne | 98.4 | 100 | 38.4 |
8 | Sydney | 96.9 | 98.5 | 33.4 |
Parameters | Melbourne | Sydney |
Number of Students |
270,000 university students |
230,000 university students |
No. of Overseas Students | More than 1/3rd - 91,000 | 22% or around 50,000 students are from overseas |
Cost of Living | 1,312 AUD/ month | 1,421 AUD/ month |
Salary Prospects | 106,000 AUD | 108,000 AUD |
QS Employer Activity Rank | 7th | 10th |
Safety | 8th safest city in Australia with a low crime index. | 4th in terms of safety in Australia with a safety index of 66.37 |
Transportation | Trains, buses, trams | Metro, train, bus, ferry, taxis, trams |
QS Student View Rank | 2nd | 4th |
Melbourne is more affordable than Sydney, offering better real estate deals and a more comfortable lifestyle.
Melbourne's laid-back culture makes it easier to find jobs, with a higher employment rate (5.6) compared to Sydney (6.6). Additionally, students prefer Melbourne over Sydney for reasons like less traffic, diverse weather, an excellent tram system, and vibrant nightlife.
Why Is Perth Better Than Sydney?
Perth surpasses Sydney for these key reasons:
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