Find a smaller student city in Australia that suits your lifestyle

North Wollongong. Image credit: Destination NSW

If you’re planning to study in Australia, you may have heard about the three major capital cities: Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. But how much do you know about our smaller student cities and the unique lifestyles they can offer?  

Smaller student cities (also referred to as ‘regional’ cities in Australia) offer fantastic opportunities, including a world class education and a generally more relaxed and affordable lifestyle. Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) holders who graduated from an education provider in a regional area may also be eligible for a second Temporary Graduate visa. 

Whether you’re looking for a capital, country or coastal study location, here’s how to find a smaller student city to suit the lifestyle you seek.   

Smaller state and territory capital cities

Australia's capital city, Canberra

If you still want all the perks of a big city, but with smaller crowds and shorter local travel times, then a smaller state or territory capital city could be right for you.

Australia’s smaller state and territory capitals include: 

• Adelaide (Capital of South Australia)
• Perth (Capital of Western Australia)
• Canberra (Captial of Australia)
• Darwin (Capital of Norther Territory)
• Hobart  (Capital of Tasmania).

Lifestyle benefits  

• Access to some of Australia's top universities, in a smaller city location. 
• More affordable cost of living overall. 
• Great food scenes, arts and cultural community events, and entertainment.  
• Closer connections with local industry and employers. 
• International student services to support you.  

Coastal city study locations

Gold Coast, Queensland

If you would like a study experience in a more laid-back, beach location, there are plenty of smaller, coastal student cities to choose from. Check a map to see if they are in the north or south of Australia. The more northern cities have tropical weather, while the more southern cities have warm summers and cooler winters.   

• Wollongong and the South Coast
• Newcastle
• North Coast of NSW
• Geelong  
• Cairns
• Townsville
• Sunshine Coast  
• Gold Coast.

Lifestyle benefits 

• Access to some of Australia's top universities, in a costal location. 
• A relaxed lifestyle with many options for beach activities and sports.
• Friendly communities. 
• Some beach destinations have more jobs available in tourism and hospitality. 
• Can support better mental health.  

Note that some beach destinations are very popular places to live and study. This means they can be in high demand and may have similar cost of living prices to the major cities. 

Country study locations

Bendigo, Victoria

There are also major towns and smaller student cities with a more ‘country’ feel. These cities have close, friendly communities and are surrounded by beautiful natural environments. Some of these places include:  

• Country New South Wales
• Ballarat
• Bendigo
• Toowoomba
• Launceston.

Lifestyle benefits   

• Access to world class education providers.  
• More affordable cost of living overall. 
• Stong communities and a peaceful atmosphere.  
• Beautiful nature to explore, with native animals and flora. 
• Rich history and architecture are often common in these areas. 

Start your journey to Australia today  

Each of these cities offers something unique. Think about which lifestyle suits you best and then search for courses in those destinations:  

• Use the Study Australia university guide to see where universities are located around Australia.
• Use the Study Australia Course Search tool to search for courses.  
• There are also many scholarships available in smaller cities. Find out more here.