Best Student Cities in Australia
Australia is 6th sixth largest country in the world and is known for being home to kangaroos. It is located in the southern hemisphere. Australia is both a country and a continent, surrounded by beautiful coastlines, coral reefs, deserts, and ancient rainforests, which provide stunning natural charm. In this blog, we’ll cover the best student cities in Australia.
Why Study in Australia?
- The Australian education system emphasises the importance of creative and innovative thinking in every field of study.
- Education providers in Australia have tailored their teaching and learning strategies to meet the requirements of various employers and industries.
- Australian universities are ranked in the top 50 in the study areas of science and technology, engineering, medicine, arts and humanities, social science, and management by QS in its subject-wise world ranking of 2024.
- When you study in Australia, internships and work placements become a part of your course curriculum.
- There are approximately 95,000 Indian students currently pursuing their higher education and employment in Australia.
Best Cities in Australia for Indian Students
Below, we have tabulated the top 7 cities in Australia for Indian students along with their ranking and overall score allocated by the QS, demonstrating their popularity as the best study destination.
| City | QS Best Students City Ranking 2025 |
|---|---|
| Melbourne | 5 |
| Sydney | 6 |
| Brisbane | 25 |
| Adelaide | 28 |
| Canberra | 29 |
| Perth | 35 |
| Gold Coast | 93 |
Best Student Cities in Australia Rankings: Important Factors
The best cities ranking and overall score indicate the quality of education, student satisfaction, affordability, employment opportunities, availability of student facilities, etc. While making any city or region their preferred study destination, students look for several parameters catering to their needs and expectations. Some of those requirements include:
- Quality of Education
- Cost of Living
- Safety and Security
- Employment Opportunities
- Social Environment
Best Cities to Study in Australia
Melbourne
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2025) | 53,16,000 |
| Number of Indian Students (2025) | 55,136 |
| Cost of Living for Indian Students (Per Year) | AUD 22,800-40,000 OR INR 12 Lakh-21 Lakh |
| Average Salary of Graduates (Per Year) | AUD 80,000-100,000 or INR 44 Lakh-56 Lakh |
Melbourne is one of the most diverse and best student cities in Australia. It ranked #5 in the QS Best Cities Ranking 2025. Around 55,136 Indian students currently reside in the city for their higher studies. Melbourne has gained the reputation of being the food capital of Australia.
It has thriving cafes and the best Asian restaurants. An integrated network of buses, trams, and trains makes the city easy to navigate. It is also known as Australia’s cultural capital, hosting arts, comedy, music, film, fashion shows, etc.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 13 |
| Monash University | 37 |
| RMIT | 123 |
| Deakin University | 197 |
| La Trobe University | 217 |
Sydney
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2025) | 51,85,000 |
| Number of Indian Students (2025) | 33,331 |
| Cost of Living for Indian Students (Per Year) | AUD 24,505-30,000 or INR 13 Lakh-16 Lakh |
| Average Salary of Graduates (Per Year) | AUD 70,000-200,000 or INR 39 Lakh-1 Crore |
Sydney is a strong competitor of Melbourne in providing a high quality of life and a dynamic student environment. It is also one of the best student cities in Australia. Sydney is also known as Australia’s financial hub.
It has a harbour, an opera house, a large selection of green spaces within the city, and proximity to beaches, among the most beautiful tourist destinations. The Economist has also ranked it one of the 10 most livable cities on the planet.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| University of Sydney | 18 |
| University of New South Wales | 19 |
| University of Technology, Sydney | 88 |
| Macquarie University | 133 |
| Western Sydney University | 384 |
Brisbane
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2025) | 25,05,000 |
| Number of Indian Students (2025) | 16,675 |
| Cost of Living for Indian Students (Per Year) | AUD 20,800-26,000 or INR 11 Lakh-14 Lakh |
| Average Salary of Graduates (Per Year) | AUD 76,000-150,000 or INR 42 Lakh-84 Lakh |
Brisbane is the 3rd largest city in Australia and provides an excellent study destination for international students seeking a balance between academics and outdoor life. Brisbane is home to stunning beaches and sporting culture. The city has warm weather, a student-friendly environment, and high-quality educational facilities.
Brisbane also provides access to great local food and drink spots, historical sights, and museums, such as the Queensland Art Gallery, the Gallery of Modern Art, the Museum of Brisbane and the Queensland Museum, and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| University of Queensland | 40 |
| Queensland University of Technology | 213 |
| University of Southern Queensland | 396 |
| Central Queensland University | 495 |
| Australian Catholic University | 901 |
Adelaide
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2025) | 13,36,000 |
| Number of Indian Students (2025) | 12,352 |
| Cost of Living for Indian Students (Per Year) | AUD 27,300-40,440 or INR 15 Lakh-21 Lakh |
| Average Salary of Graduates (Per Year) | AUD 60,000-250,000 or INR 33 Lakh-1 Crore |
Adelaide is the 5th largest city in Australia, and it is known for its attractive wide boulevards, open spaces, parklands, and easily navigable city centre.
It also houses beautiful beaches, islands, and a world-class Adelaide Oval cricket stadium.
The city is also known as the food and wine capital of Australia. International students can enjoy hiking, cycling, wildlife watching, etc. There are about 500 occupations available in the city so that graduates can gain significant post-study work experience.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| University of Adelaide | 82 |
| University of South Australia | 340 |
| Flinders University | 336 |
Canberra
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2025) | 4,31,000 |
| Number of Indian Students (2025) | 3,109 |
| Cost of Living for Indian Students (Per Year) | AUD 26,000-30,000 or INR 14 Lakh-16 Lakh |
| Average Salary of Graduates (Per Year) | AUD 80,000-100,000 or INR 44 Lakh-54 Lakh |
Canberra is the official capital of Australia and is also known as the country’s cultural capital. The city is home to state museums, galleries, and exhibitions, such as the National Museum of Australia, Parliament House, the National Gallery of Australia, and the National Portrait Gallery.
International students are fond of overseeing the lush green beauty of the city, including adventurous wildlife, reserves, gardens, and lakes. Canberra provides a good quality of life, high employer activity, and a student-friendly environment.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| Australian National University (ANU) | 30 |
| University of Canberra | 403 |
Perth
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2025) | 2,42,000 |
| Number of Indian Students (2025) | 11,409 |
| Cost of Living for Indian Students (Per Year) | AUD 26,000-30,000 or INR 14 Lakh-16 Lakh |
| Average Salary of Graduates (Per Year) | AUD 60,000-150,000 or INR 33 Lakh-84 Lakh |
Parth is a major Western Australian city that houses globally recognised universities. International students find this city desirable due to its beautiful landscapes, restaurants, food halls, beaches, parkland, art galleries, and cinemas. International students praise this city for providing exposure to a rich, active, safe, and student-friendly environment.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| University of Western Australia | 77 |
| Curtin University | 174 |
| Murdoch University | 436 |
| Edith Cowan University | 516 |
Gold Coast
| Particulars | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Population (2025) | 699,000 |
| Number of Indian Students (2025) | 16,675 |
| Cost of Living for Indian Students (Per Year) | AUD 20,000-30,000 or INR 11 Lakh-16 Lakh |
| Average Salary of Graduates (Per Year) | AUD 80,000-125,000 or INR 44 Lakh-70 Lakh |
The Gold Coast is Australia’s 6th largest and one of its fastest-growing cities. It is home to three globally recognised universities, each with an average of 22% international students. The city’s outskirts have a lush, subtropical rainforest of 3 national parks, with numerous mountains, natural rock formations, and waterfalls. Surfing is a popular activity among international students and local residents.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2025 |
|---|---|
| Griffith University | 255 |
| Bond University | 587 |
| Southern Cross University | 576 |
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
The best student cities in Australia include Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Gold Coast. They are globally renowned for providing excellent lifestyle preferences to international students, making it an attractive place to live. They also provide quality education and exposure to beautiful natural surroundings, a student-friendly atmosphere, warmth, a multicultural environment, and cuisines.
Do you need personalised guidance on studying in Australia? Contact AdmitX to help you find the perfect city and university for your academic journey!
FAQs
What is the cheapest city for international students to study in Australia?
According to QS, Gold Coast and Canberra are the cheapest cities for international students to study in Australia due to lower tuition fees and living expenses than other cities.
What is the cost of living in Australia?
The average cost of living in Australia is around AUD 20,000-40,000 or INR 11 Lakh-22 Lakh per year, depending on the city, lifestyle preferences, accommodation rent, local taxes, etc.
What are some affordable cities in Australia for Indian students?
Gold Coast, Hobert, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are some affordable cities in Australia for Indian students, where the average cost of living is around AUD 20,000-25,000 or INR 10 Lakh-13 Lakh per year.
How does Sydney benefit international students?
Sydney is Australia’s financial capital, where most multinational companies have their regional headquarters. It offers abundant opportunities for internships and employment to international graduates.
Which courses are popular in Australia?
The popular courses in Australian universities are science and technology, engineering, arts, management, and natural sciences.
