Why study in Australia?

They say Australia is the land of plenty and it’s hard to argue with this.

Studying and living in Australia is an experience like no other. Think beautiful beaches, sunshine for days, vibrant, bustling metropolitan cities, great shopping and cafe culture, stunning natural landmarks, lots of cute wildlife, and a high-quality education system recognised around the world.

Home to three of the top 10 most liveable cities in the world,[1] it’s easy to see why so many international students flock to Australia each year to study.

In 2016, more than 440,000 international students were studying and living in Australia.[2]  

Australia boasts more than 1,000 universities, training colleges, English language institutes and schools, offering international students some 25,000 courses![3] There’s a course to suit everyone and the quality of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector is recognised around the world.

Australia also benefits from a strong economy and low unemployment, which means there are lots of great job opportunities available for students wanting to live and work here.

 

Fun facts about Australia  

  • Did you know there’s a bright pink lake in Western Australia? Better yet, you can swim in it!
  • There are more than 10,000 beaches in Australia.
  • Australia is the sixth biggest country in the world in terms of land area[4].
  • Australians use a lot of slang - “no worries” means “not a problem/it’s fine”, “arvo” means “afternoon” and “G’day” is “Hello”.
  • Australia is a vibrant, multicultural society. English is the national language, but there are over 300 languages spoken here, including Mandarin, Italian, Arabic, Cantonese and Greek and over 100 Indigenous languages[5].
  • Aboriginal people in Australia are the custodians of one of the oldest continuous living cultures in the world. Archaeological evidence suggests that Australia has been continuously inhabited for more than 60,000 years. And, one in ten Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people speak an Australian Indigenous language at home[5].
  • Australia is home to the Great Barrier Reef, often listed as one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World[6].
  • Australia is the world’s third most popular destination for international students[7].
  • We love ‘big landmarks’ – there are close to 150 “big things” in Australia, such as the: Big Banana, Big Ram, Big Prawn and the Big Platypus.
  • Australia was recently ranked as one of the top 10 happiest countries in the world. You can’t argue with that!
  • Australia has some unique wildlife not found anywhere else in the world, including Kangaroos, Koalas, Platypus and Echidnas.
 

[1] The West Australian – Global Liveability Report 2017

[2] Australia in Brief – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[3]  Australia in Brief – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[4] The Australian Continent - Australian Government

[5] Australia in Brief – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

[6] Australian Facts - Experience Oz

[7] Australia in Brief – Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Adelaide was recently named as the fifth most liveable city in the world.* Known for the laid back, quiet and safe lifestyle it offers, Adelaide is a popular study destination for international students.

The people are friendly, it’s affordable, provides easy-living, and has a great mix of city life with a laid back beach culture (and lots of greenery!).

The capital city of South Australia, Adelaide enjoys a Mediterranean-style climate – not too hot, not too cold. So, it’s basically good weather all around – an attractive proposition for many.

Adelaide is widely-known as the education city, home to many universities and vocational institutions and attracting many international students each year.

It is a city rich in culture and a great place to study, live and work.

 

FUN ADELAIDE FACTS

  • Adelaide is the 5th largest city in Australia.
  • Adelaide is around 20% cheaper to live in compared to both Melbourne and Sydney.
  • It was voted the best place to live overseas by the Sunday Times (UK) in 2015.
  • You can get free bus and tram rides in the city centre.
  • Adelaide has 2,500 hours of sunshine per year.
  • Kangaroo Island Wildlife Sanctuary is a short drive and a ferry ride away from Adelaide.
  • Adelaide is known by many as the ’20-minute city.’ You can pretty much get anywhere in the city in 20 minutes – which includes a trip to the beach!

 

*Economist Intelligence Unit – Global Liveability Report 2017

Perth, Western Australia, is Australia’s fastest growing capital city and is popular with many international students.

It’s widely known to be one of the most isolated cities in the world, with the ocean on one side and the outback on the other. But, it is the closest capital city connecting Australia with Asia, making it an attractive place to visit for many tourists and students.

Perth was recently named the 7th most liveable city in the world*, and it’s easy to see why. It’s got great beaches (some of the best in Australia), café culture, parks, the air is clean and fresh, and it’s sunny, very sunny!

Student life is easy and stress-free in Perth. The city has a flat, open-plan layout and is a relatively small city in comparison to other capital cities in Australia. Everything is within walking distance, and most educational institutions are close to the city centre, so it’s easy to get around.

And while it’s one of Australia’s more expensive cities to live in, it is far outweighed by the laid back lifestyle, friendly people, beautiful landscape and world-class education.

 

FUN PERTH FACTS

  • Rottnest Island is only a short trip away from Perth and home to heaps of rare and unique birds, reptiles and marine life.
  • International students can get a 40% discount on all public transport in Western Australia.
  • Perth gets more sunshine per day than any other capital in Australia!
  • Perth is home to over 19 stunning beaches.

 

* Economist Intelligence Unit – Global Liveability Report 2017