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