Did you know that many cities in Australia do not come with high living costs and offer great value for international students? Below is an introduction to Australian cities with relatively low expenses for overseas study.

5. Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia’s highest-ranked city overall, and ranks 105th in terms of affordability. The average tuition fee for international undergraduates is 24,500 US dollars, a medium level among Australian cities. Living costs in Melbourne are relatively high.

Rents in the city centre are the steepest. According to RMIT University, shared accommodation costs 200–300 Australian Dollars per week. In suburbs such as Brunswick or Bundoora, accommodation prices can drop by at least half, though transport expenses will rise accordingly. Nevertheless, the city secured an impressive 3rd place in the QS Best Student Cities Index 2019, so the slightly higher cost can be worthwhile.

4. Brisbane

Brisbane ranks 22nd globally in the QS Best Student Cities Index and 4th among Australian cities in the 2019 ranking.

Statistics from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) show that international undergraduates at top universities in Brisbane pay an average annual tuition fee of 25,600 US dollars. Living expenses are lower than those in many major Australian cities, with students spending roughly AUD 500 (about 345 US dollars) per week.

3. Adelaide

Located in South Australia, Adelaide is Australia’s third most affordable student city. Though its average tuition for international undergraduates stands at 24,500 US dollars per year, one of the highest nationwide, living costs are generally cheaper than Sydney or Melbourne. As of July 2019, rents were estimated to be around 49% lower than in Sydney. Data from the University of Adelaide indicates local rental prices range from AUD 135 to 385 (approximately 90–265 US dollars) weekly. More affordable neighbourhoods can be found in northern Adelaide such as Brahma Lodge and Rostrevor.

2. Canberra

Canberra is Australia’s second most affordable destination for international students, ranking 94th globally for affordability (up five places this year). The average undergraduate tuition for international students is about 22,400 US dollars, lower than all other ranked Australian cities except the Gold Coast, and the figure has dropped significantly this year.

1. Gold Coast

The Gold Coast takes the top spot in Australia for affordability, ranking 89th globally. Rents in this popular tourist city are roughly 40% lower than in Sydney. The average tuition fee for international undergraduates is 20,600 US dollars per year, cheaper than all other ranked Australian cities this year. As always, public universities such as Griffith University charge lower tuition than private institutions.

Other Australian Cities

On the QS Best Student Cities list, Sydney is the least affordable Australian city. However, its high cost has not deterred students, as it ranks 2nd globally in popularity. This indicator takes into account safety, pollution, corruption and student perceptions of the city.

Perth is another Australian city featured in this year’s ranking. Its average tuition for international undergraduates is higher than the five destinations listed above, at 25,700 US dollars.