Why International Students Choose Smaller Cities to Study in Australia in 2025–26

For international students planning to study in Australia, it’s impossible to escape mentions of its top student cities like Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne. While these cities host a significant number of the country’s top Universities, diverse post-graduation job opportunities, and vibrant multicultural communities, they can also have higher living costs and competitive classrooms.

However, these cities aren’t one’s only options in the country. Smaller or ‘regional’ cities in Australia offer surprising benefits for international students. From the capital city of Canberra to the naturally stunning Adelaide and Hobart, students can explore a wide variety of cities to study in Australia. This article will explore some exciting choices across various regions.

Reasons to Study in Smaller Cities in Australia

Living in a smaller city means affordable tuition and living costs, plenty of avenues to explore life outside academics, and less time stuck in traffic or commuting from place to place. Some of the most convincing reasons to consider a smaller city are mentioned below.

• Excellent Universities such as the University of Western Australia, Murdoch University, and the University of Tasmania, which feature among the top 500 on the QS World University Rankings 2025

• Smaller classroom sizes and easier access to support services, as well as many niche courses to study in Australia inspired by the region’s resources

• Attractive options for internships through strong industry partnerships, as well as less competition for part-time work on or off campus.

• Universities in smaller cities have quick graduate employment rates, as per the Good Universities Guide, and students are more likely to get a Post-Study Work Visa in Australia up to 5 years if applying from a regional city.

• Generous government and University-sponsored scholarships, including the Study in Australia Northern Territory Scholarships and the WA Government International Student Scholarships.

On top of all these wonderful reasons to consider higher education abroad in one of Australia’s regional cities, one must also remember the scenic natural reserves and beaches, a plethora of outdoor activities, and the fresh local food to discover in each of these cities. Read on for a brief idea about some of these cities.

Popular Regional Cities for Studying in Australia

Choosing the right regional city to study in Australia for international students is an important decision, including factors like the Universities and courses available, the cost of education and living, and even the location of the city.

Some students may prefer coastal cities for their temperate climates and naturally beautiful landscapes, while others may want to live in the countryside and enjoy the friendly communities and rich historical legacy therein. Without further ado, we will explore some of those cities below.

1. Adelaide

Located in South Australia, Adelaide is Australia’s fifth-largest city and is also known as the food and wine capital of Australia. The city is home to Flinders University, the University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia, among others. Students can find career opportunities in fields like Business, Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, etc. Adelaide is also known for its festivals, holding famous events like the Adelaide Fringe, Test Cricket, Clipsal 500, and the Adelaide Festival throughout the year.

2. Canberra

The Australian capital of Canberra is one of the most livable and desirable student cities in the world. With excellent education providers like the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, and the Canberra Institute of Technology, the city has a large student population. Also known as the cultural capital of Australia, it boasts interesting museums and galleries, as well as a diverse population of around 20,000 international students. The city’s key industries are IT, Defense, Environmental Science & Renewable Energy. Education, Retail, and Construction.

3. Perth

The city of Perth, located in Western Australia, ranks highly for desirability and student view as per QS Best Student City Rankings 2025. The University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Murdoch University, and the University of Notre Dame offer higher education par excellence. The city has connections to Asia and Europe, making it a business hub. Perth is considered the Mining and Engineering capital of Australia and constantly employs in those sectors, as well as in Retail, Healthcare, and Social Services.

4. Gold Coast

The Gold Coast, part of the Queensland region, is one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities and boasts a strong economy. With a 50 km coastline, the city is famous for outdoor activities like surfing, swimming, snorkeling, etc., and even has a suburb called ‘Surfer’s Paradise’. It has Griffith University, Bond University, and Torrens University for quality higher education, as well as a booming economy. Fields like Business, Tourism & Hospitality, Healthcare, IT, and Entertainment hire quite consistently.

5. Hobart

The island of Tasmania is growing exponentially in terms of economy, population, and international education, with the city of Hobart at the forefront of this developmental push. Apart from the excellent University of Tasmania, the island is also home to research centers for the Australian Antarctic Division, the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, and the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM).

Students who graduate from Tasmania often choose fields like Marine Biology and Maritime Technology, as well as Tourism & Hospitality, Antarctic Studies, Climate Science, etc. Graduate employability and starting salaries are quite high in this region. Overall, studying in Australia in smaller cities can lead students to undiscovered paths in terms of academics, work, and self-discovery. Students can get more updated information from the best overseas education consultants nearby, whose dedicated teams have all the most current information for the journey from home to Australia in upcoming intakes.