Why study in Australia?

Australia combines universities that rank among the best in the world with practical, career-focused teaching, strong protection for international students and lively, safe cities. Your degree is recognised internationally, and after graduating you may be able to stay and work for two years or more.

• 9Australian public universities in the world top 100 of the QS World University Rankings (as cited by Study Australia)
• 3 million+international alumni of Australian education (Study Australia)
• 48 hoursof work a fortnight allowed while your course is in session, and unlimited hours in scheduled breaks
• 2 yearsTemporary Graduate visa after a bachelor’s or coursework master’s, with more after study in regional areas

What Australia offers

• Quality assured qualifications

  Every qualification sits on the national Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF), and universities and colleges are regulated: higher education by TEQSA, vocational training by ASQA. Courses for student-visa holders must be registered on CRICOS.

• Protection for international students

  The ESOS Act and the National Code set standards for how providers recruit, teach and support you. If a provider closes or cannot teach your course, the Tuition Protection Service helps you find another course or get a refund.

• Research and rankings

  Five Australian universities are in the top 100 of the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities, and two thirds of the public universities are in its top 500 (Study Australia).

• Practical, career-focused learning

  Degrees are designed with industry: many include placements, internships, projects with companies or work-integrated learning, and vocational colleges teach job-ready skills.

• Support for international students

  Universities and colleges have international student advisers, orientation, academic skills and English support, health and counselling services and student clubs.

• Diverse, safe cities

  From Sydney and Melbourne to Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide and Canberra, Australian cities are multicultural and consistently rated among the most liveable in the world. The emergency number is 000.

• Work while you study

  A student visa lets you work up to 48 hours a fortnight while your course is in session and without a limit in scheduled breaks. The national minimum wage is AUD 26.44 an hour from 1 July 2026.

• Work after graduation

  Graduates of a bachelor’s or master’s who meet the conditions can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) for two years, three after a research degree, and longer after studying and living in regional Australia.

Sources: Study Australia, “Why Australia” and “World-class education” (checked 25 October 2026); Home Affairs, student visa conditions (updated 25 September 2026) and Temporary Graduate visa streams (updated 12–13 October 2026); Fair Work Ombudsman, minimum wages (from 1 July 2026). Some ranking figures on Study Australia do not name the ranking edition.

Where you could live

Most international students choose a capital city. Rent is the largest living cost and varies most between cities: these are Study Australia’s weekly figures for a room in a shared house (suburb to city centre).

• Sydney (New South Wales)

  Australia’s largest city, harbour and beaches, the widest choice of universities. Shared room about AUD 403–667 a week.

• Melbourne (Victoria)

  Often ranked among the world’s best student cities: culture, food, sport and trams. Shared room about AUD 300–384 a week.

• Brisbane and the Gold Coast (Queensland)

  Warm subtropical climate, river city and surf coast. Shared room about AUD 297–432 a week in Brisbane, AUD 311–453 on the Gold Coast.

• Perth (Western Australia)

  Sunny, relaxed and close to Asian time zones, with a strong resources and engineering economy. Shared room about AUD 294–353 a week.

• Adelaide (South Australia)

  A compact, affordable city of festivals, vineyards and beaches. Shared room about AUD 261–275 a week.

• Canberra (ACT)

  The national capital: government, research and a calm, green campus life. Shared room about AUD 274–342 a week.

Source: Study Australia Cost of Living Calculator, city data “as of November 2025” (checked 25 October 2026). Rent includes utilities for a shared house; managed student accommodation and studios cost more.

Studying in a regional area

Home Affairs groups locations into three categories. Category 1 is Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Category 2 (cities and major regional centres) includes Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong, Geelong and Hobart. Category 3 is everywhere else. Graduates who studied at a campus in a Category 2 or 3 area and then lived and worked there on their first Temporary Graduate visa can apply for a second one: one extra year in Category 2, two in Category 3. Campus postcodes decide the category, so we confirm it for each course.

Source: Home Affairs, “Designated regional areas” (updated 28 February 2025) and “Second Post-Higher Education Work stream” (updated 13 October 2026).