Top 6 Best Cities in Australia for Studying & Living

Studying abroad in Australia is the dream of multitude of students around the world. Aside from the cost of studying in Australia, choosing the city for study is just as important. Below is an overview of the 6 best student cities in Australia. We hope this helps you to find the right setting for you.

According to the Department of Education and Training, the number of international students studying in Australia broke the record in 2016 with 554,179 international students enrolled in courses in Australia, an increase of over 10% from 2015. Also, the 2016 International Student Survey revealed that nine out of ten students were pleased with their study experience in Australia.

Aside from the cost of studying in Australia, choosing the city for study is just as important. Getting the location right can make all the difference to your study experience, the memories you create and the career path you follow.

Below is an overview of the 6 best student cities in Australia.

1. Perth - Capital of Western Australia

Cr: Pixabay

Perth was ranked as the world’s 9th most livable cities by The Economist Intelligence Unit 2012. In 2006, it was voted as one of the world’s top ten future cities by Lonely Planet.

The city has become one of best study destinations in Australia thanks to its top-notch education system, life quality and the living cost not as expensive as in other countries like the U.K and the U.S. Everyone can travel on buses within Perth, Fremantle and Joondalup for free. As an international student, you will receive a 40% discount on all public transport throughout Western Australia. Also, Perth is one of most multicultural cities in Australia. There are over 200 different nationalities and more than 170 languages in use here.

If you want to pursue the science and creative field, Perth is one of best choices. Here you have chance to work with talented scientists in projects related to pure water production and vaccine development. Perth is also a promised land with high employment opportunities and attractive pays after graduation.

Take a 4-minute quick tour of Perth:

2. Darwin - Northern Territory

Cr: TripAdvisor

As the tropical capital city of Australia’s Northern Territory, Darwin is known for many exciting outdoor activities. For example, wander in the gardens and along the beach after school. Exploring the outdoor cinema (Deckchair Cinema) is another incredibly awesome experience here. You can also visit restaurants and nightclubs on Mitchell street. Discover natural wonders at Litchfield National Park, a truly beautiful destination just South of Darwin. The South of city is also the favourite location for those who are interested in seeing outback deserts.

In Darwin, there are many educational programs for your choice – for example, Pedagogy, Commerce, Law, Nursing, Desert Science and Indigenous Studies.

As with accommodation, the average rent for a three-bedroom house in Darwin is AUD$650/week, while you would pay about AUD$550/week for a one-bedroom house.

There are special or free offers for all students travelling on buses in the Northern Territory. Please note that the bus traffic is reduced at night or on weekends.

If you are interested, try the following link:

Finding Accommodation in Australia for International Students

3. Brisbane – Queensland

Cr: Pixabay

As Australia’s most vibrant capital city over a decade, Queensland is known for its warm weather, sun-kissed beaches and friendly people. There are many entertainment, dining and shopping options in Brisbane. If you are an art lover, do not miss regular theatres and festivals, particularly Brisbane Festival and Ekka Festival. Must-sees for island lovers are Moreton, North Stradbroke, South Stradbroke, Bribie and St Helena. People often head to Gold Coast for the love of surfing.

Queensland has a multitude of educational institutions located in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and Townsville. There are also campuses sited in towns such as Bundaberg, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Rockhampton and Toowoomba. The most popular among hundreds of fields of study here are Travel & Tourism, Maritime Science and Tropical Agriculture.

Regarding accommodation, the weekly rent for a three-bedroom house in Brisbane is AUD$390, while you would pay AUD$375/week for a one-bedroom house. In the small towns in the state, the weekly rents may be cheaper.

Admire Brisbane here:

4. Adelaide - South Australia

Cr: Adelaide Park Lands

Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is a vibrant, exciting city. It is often praised as a place to enjoy life instead of to live. With the Mediterranean climate, lush parklands and some of the country’s best beaches, Adelaide is a gateway to outdoor activities.

Its education quality is on a par with other megacities in Australia. The University of Adelaide is listed in the group of Eight (go8) markets (others are the Australian National University, the University of Melbourne, Monash University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, and the University of Western Australia). The living cost here is affordable for international students. According to statistics, international students in Adelaide can save up to AUD$700/year on public transport fees.

It is said that Adelaide is one of Australia’s cities with the most people awarded Nobel prize. Three Nobel laureates have studied here and many people in the city have become the world’s famous scholars.

5. Melbourne – Victoria

Cr: Pixabay

Melbourne has proved popular when attracting over 200,000 students in 2016 (making up a substantial 5% of the total population). The city is famous for Australia’s top educational institutions, a wide range of academic disciplines and degrees and recognised as the world’s great creative hubs. The must-see Melbourne Museum provides various educational material and programs for teachers and students.

There are over 200 different nationalities and more than 230 languages in use here, making it one of most multicultural cities in Australia.

6. Sydney - New South Wales

Students and teacher at Scots English: Picnic and studying with the breathtaking view of Sydney at Observatory Hill

Sydney is one of the world’s best cities for international students, beating 87 cities to the coveted 13th spot, QS Best Student Cities 2017 reveals. According to the Wellbeing of International Students in the City of Sydney 2016 survey, the majority of students (88%) responded that they would recommend Sydney as a place to study. Overseas students love Sydney because of its great weather, breathtaking landscapes, world-class educational institutions, multiculturalism, work opportunities, life quality, etc. Please read more here for reasons why Sydney is one of Australia’s top destinations for international students.

Great video about stunning Sydney:

Cr: Study in Australia: Top 6 Best Cities | Scots English College

Read More

All That You Need to Know about Australia Student Visa

If you wish to study in Australia, make sure you do some research about student visas.

Australia is always a favourite destination for many students worldwide. According to the Department of Education and Training, the number of international students studying in Australia broke the record in 2016 with 554,179 international students enrolled in courses in Australia, an increase of over 10% from 2015. Also, the 2016 International Student Survey revealed that nine out of ten students were pleased with their study experience in Australia.

There are multiple reasons why international students are attracted to Australia. If you desire to study in the country, make sure you research about your student visa for Australia.

Australia study visa

On the 1st July 2016, the Australian Government put in place a new simplified student visa framework (SSVF) for international students.

The changes have made the process of applying for a student visa simpler for international students. The changes mean:

• A reduction in the number of student visa subclasses from eight to two, and
• The introduction of a simplified single immigration risk framework for all international students

The two new student visa subclasses are:

1. Subclass 500 (Student)

2. Subclass 590 (Student Guardian)

Subclass 500 allows you to stay in Australia to study full-time in a recognised education institution. To apply for this visa, you must have:

• applied for and been accepted to study in a registered full-time course at an educational institution in Australia
• organised appropriate welfare arrangements for the duration of your intended stay in Australia if you are under 18 years of age.

A subclass 500 visa allows you to stay in Australia for the duration of your course.

​You can apply to undertake two or more courses on your Student visa (subclass 500) where there is clear progression from one course to another. This is known as course packaging.The final course that you will undertake as part of your package of courses is your main (or principal) course of study. Your main course of study will be used to determine your financial and English language evidentiary requirements.

Now that you have known about the student visa subclass, you may proceed to the next step.

When and how can I apply for the Australia student visa?

The best time to apply for your student visa for Australia is right after you receive the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) issued by an education provider located in Australia as a confirmation of acceptance to students. 

Start gathering and scanning all the documents you need for your visa application. The document checklist tool can be found at Student visa (subclass 500).You will apply for the visa online. 

Know more about the student visa for Australia

• You must fulfill some conditions during your studies, for example, to attend classes, to have satisfactory results, and to have adequate health insurance while in Australia.
• If you are a student visa holder, you and your dependent family members have permission to work based on the hours stipulated in your visa. You and your family members must not breach the work conditions that apply to your visas. You cannot work until you have commenced your course in Australia. Once your course has commenced, you are permitted to work in Australia a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight when your course is in session, and unlimited hours when your course is not in session.

English language requirement

You must meet the English language requirement to be granted a student visa.

If you are looking for an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before commencing higher level studies in Australia or to improve your English language skills for work or life back in their home countries, don’t hesitate to contact Scots English College (Scots). We are committed to the highest quality of educational outcomes and the provision of quality student services evident through the delivery of a range of ELICOS courses to international students.

Students at Scots’ Intermediate class

What happens after graduation

If you wish to remain in Australia after your graduation, you have some options:

• Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417): This visa allows students from certain countries, with ages from 18 to 35 to last for a maximum of one year.
• Skilled Graduate Temporary Visa (subclass 485): With this visa, you are allowed to stay in Australia for up to 18 months to work full-time only if you have completed at least two years of study in Australia.
• Training Visa (subclass 407): This visa is for students to enhance their work skills for up to two years while being sponsored by an organisation.
• Skilled Regional Residence Visa (subclass 887): This visa allows you to live and work in Australia permanently. To be eligible for the visa, you must live in Australia for two years, have a year of work experience and have sufficient points.

Cr: http://scotsenglish.edu.au/student-visa-for-australia

Read More

Download Free Safety Guide for International Students in Australia

This booklet provides you with some basic information about your safety and security during your studies in Australia. Please read it carefully.

Australia is a multicultural country. This multicultural mix means that, in general, Australia is a diverse and tolerant nation. Sydney is ranked among the 'most livable cities in the world' by the Mercer's Quality of Living Survey. However, because Australia is mostly an urban society, crime does occur. Scots English College endeavours to create a safe environment at its campus in Sydney for all its students and staff. We also try to provide students with relevant and useful information about personal safety. This booklet provides you with some basic information about your safety and security. Please read it carefully.

Download here.

Read More

Top 14 Reasons Why You Should Study in Australia

Australia attracts more and more international students to study in the country. According to the Department of Education and Training, the number of international students studying in Australia broke the record in 2016 with 554,179 international students enrolled in courses in Australia, an increase of over 10% from 2015. Below we will specify some reasons why study in Australia.

1. Simplified student visa framework (SSVF)

The SSVF has been designed to make the process of applying for a student visa simpler to navigate for genuine students, deliver a more targeted approach to immigration integrity and reduce red tape for business. For detailed information, please read here: SIMPLIFIED STUDENT VISA FRAMEWORK.

2. English is the national language

Australia English is the main language in Australia. That means students have opportunities to enhance their English not only through English courses but also through real-life interaction. Their English can be improved though taking part time work while on student or working holiday visas.

3. Great opportunities to study

There are an impressive number of study options for overseas students with over 1,200 institutions and 22,000 courses in Australia to choose from. Australia has the third highest number of international students behind the UK and US. For overseas students who need English language training before commencing higher level studies in Australia or who wish to improve their English language skills for work or life back in their home countries, they can choose quality ELICOS courses solely dedicated to international students.

4. 6 cities ranked in top 50 best student cities in the world

According to the most recent QS Best Student Cities 2016, Australia has 6 cities ranked in top 50 best student cities in the world. These are Melbourne 2nd, Sydney 4th, Canberra 17th, Brisbane 18th, Adelaide 26th, and Perth 35th. With a rich culture and sport activities, Australia has attracted students from all around the world because of its cosmopolitan environment. The country is listed in top 10 happiest countries in the world according to the World Happiness Report, 2016.

5. Work while studying allowed

Working while your study helps complement your study and living experience as well as helping you to pay for your living expenses. International students in Australia on student visas can work up to 40 hours per fortnight during their study period, and there is no limit on the number of hours an overseas student can work during holiday periods from their study.

6. Scholarship opportunities are plentiful

There are many scholarship opportunities with about 200 million dollars provided annually for international students by the Australian Government.

7. Unsullied nature

An unspoiled natural environment is one of best attractions of Australia. This country is home to golden sandy beaches, tropical rainforests, incredible deserts and snowy mountains. There are over 500 national parks and 19 world heritage-listed sites in Australia.

8. Great climate

Australia is blessed with four distinct seasons throughout the year. In spring, the air is fresh, and the natural scenery is very lively and colorful with millions of flowers blooming. Summers in Australia are hot and glorious, and winters are mild. Autumns come with rolling mists and glorious golden leaves.

9. Multicultural society

People from over 100 countries have migrated to this country, making Australia one of the world's most culturally diverse countries. Australia’s multicultural nature means overseas students are readily accepted by others.

10. Safe country

Australia is one of safest countries to live, study and work. According to Mercer’s 2016 Quality of Living Survey on over 450 cities, Australia has 6 cities ranked in top 50 safest places in the world. These are Sydney 10th, Melbourne 15th, Perth 21st, Adelaide 27th, Canberra 28th and Brisbane 36th. According to Mercer global mobility practice leader in Australia-New Zealand Lorraine Jennings, “Australian cities illustrate a stable infrastructure, increased availability of housing on the city fringe and lifestyle choices that are particularly appealing to younger generations.”

11. A great opportunity to combine study and travel

Australia is not only one of best destinations to study, but also boasts the world's top dream destination for travel. Whether you’re looking for a fantastic adventure, mesmerizing journeys, amazing nature, great food and wine, fascinating events and culture or relaxing islands and beaches, there is nothing like traveling in Australia.

12. Great destinations, exotic animals

Australia is blessed with unlimited natural gifts that you should experience at least once in your lifetime. Some tourist attractions in this country include 19 World Heritage sites including the Great Barrier Reef, Bondi Beach, the Daintree Rainforest and Sydney Opera House. Iconic attractions in Sydney are a huge draw for many students from all over the world. This largest city in Australia is home to 37 beaches spreading over a large area, historic landmarks, award-winning recreational centers and various cultures. Australia is also home to some interesting, rare animals like the kangaroo, wombat and dingo.

13. Multicultural food and local specialties

Australia is one of best countries in the world for food. Aside from multicultural food from all over the world, Australia is famous for local specialties like kangaroo and crocodile meat.

14. Increased employment opportunities

Finding a job is easier for Australian graduates in just about all parts of the world. Australian qualifications are recognized by employers and top-notch educational institutions in many countries. Also, ELICOS courses with business language components can provide an advantage for students when they return to their home country and are job-hunting.

Cr: Why do some students want to study abroad in Australia? - Quora

Read More

Study in Australia for International Students: 9 Things to Know

Below are 9 things every international student needs to know when studying in Australia.

Australia attracts more and more international students to study in the country because of its great education opportunities and simplified student visa framework. According to the Department of Education and Training, the number of international students studying in Australia broke the record in 2016 with 554,179 international students enrolled in courses in Australia, an increase of over 10% from 2015.

To make the most of their student life in Australia, overseas students need to know:

1. About the country

Australia is rated as the best place to live by 6,000 people under 35 in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. Let’s discover more about this country through facts, foods and festivals.

2. Scholarships and other financial aid options

When studying abroad in Australia, students can use these financial aid opportunities to cover their tuition fees and other costs. They are Government financial support, Scholarships, Student loans for overseas students, Combining many forms of financial aid. Scholarships available for international students in Australia range from government funded to university-specific and external scholarships. Please click here for an overview of the scholarship options you can consider. For the other 3 sources of financial aid, please refer to here.

3. Accommodation

Once they have enrolled into their course and organised a student visa, international students will book their flights and find somewhere to live. Finding accommodation needs some research, including types of accommodation, how much they cost, tenancy rights in Australia, etc. Scots will help you start the process by considering the key points about finding accommodation in Australia.

4. Lifestyle

Freedom, equality, mutual respect and peace are the core values of this multicultural country. Thus, Australians are known for being friendly. No matter where they live, Australians are good at helping others whenever required. When living here, express yourself and say exactly what you mean. Also, you can find it not too difficult to cover the living cost during your study in Australia with a budget plan and money saving options. The laid-back culture in Australia will drive you to unwind at open spaces such as parks and beaches. Take some time to relax with your friends.

Helpful guide for you:

A Cultural Guide for International Students in Australia

5. Work rights and entitlements

Read more at: Study in Australia: 9 Things Every International Student Needs to Know | Scots English College

Read More