Where to Study in Australia: Cities Compared
The city you choose changes your total cost more than almost any other decision, and in some cases it changes your migration prospects too.
Here is how the main options compare, and which ones are worth a second look.
Free, in rupees, adjusted for the city you pick.
The map
The main student cities
Melbourne
Australia's strongest concentration of universities and one of the largest Pakistani communities in the country. Expensive, particularly for accommodation. Metro, so no regional points.
Open the city guideSydney
The biggest city and the most expensive place to live in Australia. Excellent universities and job market. Budget carefully, because Sydney is where student budgets most often break.
Open the city guideBrisbane
Noticeably cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne, warmer, with strong universities and a growing Pakistani community.
Open the city guidePerth
Lower cost of living, and Perth has periodically counted as regional for some migration purposes, which is worth checking against current rules rather than assuming.
Open the city guideAdelaide
The cheapest of the major cities with a Go8 university in it, and it carries regional migration advantages that Sydney and Melbourne do not. The most underrated option for students on a real budget.
Open the city guideAlso university towns and regional study locations:
Hobart
Tasmania, home to the University of Tasmania. All of Tasmania is classified as regional for migration purposes.
Darwin
Northern Territory, home to Charles Darwin University. All of the NT is classified as regional for migration purposes.
Newcastle
Regional NSW, home to the University of Newcastle.
Ballarat
Regional Victoria, home to Federation University Australia.
Armidale
Regional NSW, home to the University of New England.
Townsville
Regional Queensland, one of James Cook University's two main campuses.
Cairns
Regional Queensland, James Cook University's other main campus.
Toowoomba
Regional Queensland, home to the University of Southern Queensland.
Geelong
Regional Victoria, close to Melbourne, one of Deakin University's main campuses.
Lismore
Regional NSW, one of Southern Cross University's main campuses.
Coffs Harbour
Regional NSW, another of Southern Cross University's campuses.
The eleven towns above are where confirmed partner universities are based, not yet full city guides. Deeper city-specific guides for these, and any further cities, are coming soon.
No single winner
Best city to study in Australia, depending on what you need
If your budget is tight
Adelaide, then Perth or Brisbane. The saving on accommodation alone over three years is substantial, and a comfortable budget produces a stronger funds trail at the visa stage.
If migration is part of the plan
Look seriously at designated regional areas. Regional study can carry additional points and, in some cases, longer post-study work rights. See the PR guide.
If community matters most
Melbourne and Sydney have the largest and most established Pakistani communities, with the practical benefits that brings in the first six months.
If you want the strongest university in your field
Decide by course, not by city. A specialist programme at a regional university can beat a general one at a Go8.
Classification
Regional areas in Australia for study
"Regional" is a formal classification, not a description of remoteness. Several sizeable cities, Adelaide among them, fall inside it.
What regional study can offer: additional migration points, access to some regional visa streams, longer post-study work rights in certain locations, lower tuition and much lower living costs.
What it costs you: a smaller job market while studying, a smaller Pakistani community in some places, and further travel.
The classifications change, so check the current designation for any specific location before you build a plan on it.
The dominant variable
Cost of living, compared
Accommodation is the dominant variable and the one students consistently underestimate. Sydney and Melbourne run well above the visa's AUD 29,710 benchmark for a comfortable year; Adelaide, Perth and regional locations can run at or below it.
Full breakdown in the accommodation guide, and the full cost picture on the cost of studying page.
Free. Pick a city and see the living-cost difference.
Worth saying
One thing worth saying plainly
Choosing a cheaper city is a genuinely good decision for many students, and it does not weaken your application. Choosing a cheaper course with no connection to your background does.
Cost-conscious is fine. Incoherent is not. See the Genuine Student guide.
Where to go next
Compare universities
City is one axis. Institution and course still have to make sense together.
Browse courses by field: course pages.
Get your city-adjusted cost in rupees: cost calculator.
Check your visa chances: visa chance checker, free, four minutes.