LIFE IN AUSTRALIA

Choosing Australia as your next destination

A safe and exotic destination

Australia is not only the home of emblematic cities, but is also a prosperous and multicultural nation, with a unique fauna and wonderful array of dramatic landscapes with infinite beaches, rainforests and deserts. Australia carries an exoticism that attracts not only tourists but also students from all over the world: where else can you study and head afterwards to a beach barbecue with friends, and see koalas and kangaroos too? Australia has it all in regards to entertainment and adventure. With a population of approximately 24 million, it is not only modern and prosperous, but also a very safe destination compared to other countries.

A melting pot of nationalities

Australia owes its current multiculturalism to an open migration history after a settlement of Anglo Saxon origin. Nowadays Australia is a “melting pot” of people of European, Asian, Latin American and middle eastern origins. Nowadays most “Australians” are originally from another country, thus contributing to the rich cultural and gastronomic offer of Australia.

“Take it easy, mate”

Australian lifestyle is mostly tranquil and relaxed. This reflects in its inhabitants who are mostly pleasant, smiling and with a good predisposition towards foreigners.

A Land of Opportunities

Australia has a lot to offer to international students. Some industries in particular such as hospitality -namely hotels and restaurants- cannot go on without them! Also highly sought after are those with qualifications and experience in trades. Current unemployment rate in Australia is of approximately 5.4%.

Australia’s most popular cities

Sydney

Sydney is the most populated city of Australia and the home of the largest natural harbour of the planet. Sydney’s most famous trademarks are its spectacular views of the bay, the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and golden beaches surrounding the city. It is a prosperous metropolis that enjoys constant growth and excellent public transport means. It is a favourite among tourists for its consistent mild weather and open natural spaces. Also being a strong financial hub and its ongoing tourism influx make of Sydney a great spot to look for employment.

Melbourne

Melbourne has been crowned “the most livable city on earth” 7 consecutive times, and it is considered “the sports and cultural capital” of Australia. Melbourne weather is more extreme than Sydney’s, and the city hosts every year a large number of sports events such as Australian Football League (AFL), the Australian Open, the Grand Prix and Melbourne Cup. Melbourne is a gastronomic and hospitality heaven famous for its diversity and amazing food festivals. The city centre’s little laneways and alleys are worth visiting not only for its quaint shops and hidden bars, but also for their mesmerising display of “street art”. Melbourne also enjoys a convenient network of trains, trams and buses that interconnect the city and its suburbs.

Brisbane

Brisbane (colloquially known as Brissy) is the capital of Queensland and it is the starting point to discover this warm, welcoming state. It is one of the fastest growing Australian cities, with a modern architecture and constant warm weather with almost 12 months a year of sun and blue skies! Brisbane is a destination to enjoy life outdoors: smaller and more affordable than Sydney and Melbourne, people there are very relaxed and pleasant, and its close proximity to the river and warm beaches offer an attractive living and study destination for international students.

Gold Coast

Gold Coast is a stunning neighbouring city of Brisbane (about 45 minutes drive southbound) famous for its spectacular beaches and modern buildings. Dubbed as the ‘Australian Miami’, it is a popular tourist destination for lovers of surfing and good weather. Known for its amusement parks such as DreamWorld and Wet’n’Wild, it is also surrounded by water channel systems and a national park, offering an opportunity to discover the exotic fauna of its valleys and tropical jungle.

Perth

Relaxed and informal, Perth offers a very peaceful and livable lifestyle. As capital city of Western Australia, it owes its growth to the country’s mining industry. It is a very modern city, surrounded by famous beaches to the west and north, and an important wine industry to the south in the Margaret River region. It has great influence of Southeast Asia for its relative proximity to Indonesia and Singapore, and has attractive tourist destinations for its dramatic scenery and variety of marine adventure tours.

Adelaide

Small, discreet and quaint, the capital of South Australia offers a wide gastronomic and touristic offer, famous for its wine industry and opal mines. It is a safe city to live in and study and a perfect starting point to discover different landscapes from the desertic Coober Pedy to the fabulous Kangaroo Island. 

Cairns

Cairns is a small town north of Australia famous for being the access point to the incredible Great Barrier Reef (world heritage site listed). Thanks to its tropical climate and wonderful natural attractions, it is the ultimate Australian tourist destination.

Hobart

Capital of the territory/island of Tasmania, Hobart is an interesting contrast of culture and breathtaking nature. Its picturesque architecture and port complement a spectacular gastronomic offer and attractive craft markets. It is an ideal destination for those who want a quiet lifestyle, but with a wide variety of adventure (forests, beaches, mountains), Hobart is also close to incredible national parks.

DARWIN

The remote Australian city of Darwin is known for its history in World War II, its markets of Asian influence and its wide variety of outdoor activities. A paradise for those who like adventure, Darwin is surrounded by fabulous beaches, some of the most famous national parks in the world like Kakadu National Park, and is very rich in aboriginal culture. A different destination for international students who like the tropical climate and a relaxed lifestyle.

Calculate your living expenses in Australia*

Approximate living cost Cost p/week Cost p/month Comments
Rent (Share room in the city) $150AUD-
$250AUD
$600AUD- $880AUD Varies according to location and number of tenants per residence. Utilities can or not be included in the rent depending on the type of accommodation.
Public Transport (Myki, Opal, etc depending of the city) From $44AUD From $176AUD Card top ups can be charged per each individual trip or you can save money by getting a weekly/fortnightly/monthly or yearly plan.
Mobile phone plans From $7.5AUD From $30AUD There is a variety of plans and all of them include Internet. Most companies recommend choosing prepay plans.
Food From $150AUD $200AUD+ Varies according to each person’s lifestyle/budget. We recommend doing your grocery shopping at the local markets i.e. Queen Victoria Market or Paddy’s Market to access fresher and cheaper produce.
Utilities (gas, water, electricity) From $30AUD From $120AUD Utilities are paid every 2-3 months and they are usually divided amongst all flatmates.

*Cost for 2019-20 are estimated only and may vary according to the size of the city.

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