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City Guides for Students

Discover what it's like to live and study in Australia's top university cities.

Choose Your City

Melbourne, VIC

Australia's cultural capital. Home to UniMelb, Monash, RMIT, and Deakin. World-class cafes, live music, and excellent public transport.

Sydney, NSW

Iconic harbour city with USYD, UNSW, and UTS. Higher cost of living offset by stunning beaches and a vibrant social scene.

Brisbane, QLD

Sunny, affordable, and rapidly growing. University of Queensland and QUT campuses are well-served by public transport.

Perth, WA

Australia's most isolated capital but one of the most liveable. UWA and Curtin attract thousands of international students.

Adelaide, SA

Compact, affordable, and student-friendly. University of Adelaide and UniSA campuses are close to the CBD.

Canberra, ACT

Home to the Australian National University, ranked in the top 30 globally. Safe, clean, and surprisingly vibrant.

Cost of Living Comparison (Weekly)

CityRent (shared)GroceriesTransportTotal Est.
MelbourneA$270–400A$80–120A$45A$395–565
SydneyA$300–450A$85–130A$50A$435–630
BrisbaneA$240–360A$75–110A$40A$355–510
PerthA$220–340A$70–110A$40A$330–490
AdelaideA$200–320A$70–105A$35A$305–460
CanberraA$240–360A$80–115A$40A$360–515

Transport Tips

  • Melbourne: Get a Myki card for trams, trains, and buses. Student concession available.
  • Sydney: Use an Opal card. Ferries are a scenic way to commute from many suburbs.
  • Brisbane: GoCard works on all TransLink services. Cycling is popular on the Bicentennial Bikeway.
  • Perth: SmartRider card covers Transperth trains and buses. Free transit zone in the CBD.