The Best Regional Areas to Study in Australia

The Gold Coast is an iconic destination to visit, travel and if lucky enough, to live. With glorious glistening beaches, to luscious rolling hinterlands, as well as a thriving vibrant nightlife, the Gold Coast haven has something to offer everyone. The all year round tropical climate means you can spend your days lazing in the sunshine on the long white sandy beaches, learn to surf in world renown beaches. Or perhaps take a hike through the dense rainforest to one of the many beautiful waterfalls and swim in the gorgeous natural rock pools. In the evenings explore the many classy bars, hip eateries and fine dinning restaurants, with enough variety to suit any taste.

Many internationals are drawn to the Gold Coast for its laid back lifestyle, friendly community lower cost of living.

The opportunities for international students are quite large compared to other regional areas in Australia. One of the reasons there are so many job opportunities in Perth for international students & graduates is because of the recourse sector. The mining industry in Western Australia is large, and people from all over Australia move to Perth to pursue work in this industry. This then opens up a lot more opportunity for part time and causal work because most of the people who would normally take up those roles are working within the mining sector.

People on the Sunshine Coast are Foodies! Locals and tourists alike are driving the biggest industry on the Sunshine Coast: Hospitality and Tourism. Chefs, Restaurateurs and Managers, and Hotel Staff are in-demand there. Some of the other in-demand jobs on the Sunshine Coast are Nursing and Health, Construction, Managers.

The population on the Sunny Coast is around 350,000, but this is spread out across the coast and inland, towards the mountains, meaning there is loads of opportunity and a thriving community without feeling like you are living like a sardine. People are catching on to this regional gem, and the population is expected to grow over the years, meaning this is the right time to make your move there.

Despite being about as Aussie as you can get in terms of lifestyle, almost 20 percent of the population was born overseas, with thriving British, Kiwi, Irish, Scottish, German and Italian communities. There are all sorts of fun events year-round, from music festivals to food and wine festivals, triathlon events and even a yoga festival. The Sunny Coast is about an hour to 90 minutes north of Brisbane, where you can get your dose of urban culture or easily catch a direct domestic or international flight.

The population in Byron Shire is only about 30,000 making it much smaller than the Sunshine Coast. Where it lacks in population, it makes up for in personality. The community is very diverse and attracts people from the UK, NZ, USA, Europe and Brazil. There are dozens of events in Byron, such as Bluesfest, Splendour in the Grass, and countless cultural and alternative events for interests of all sorts. Situated about an hour south of Gold Coast and the international airport there, you’re never too far from a weekend getaway or international travel.

Adelaide has a metro population of about 1.3 million and like any city, it is much more diverse than the other regions on our list. The foreign-born population is about 30 percent, with various cultures represented, from Greek and Italian to Vietnamese and Chinese to Sri Lankan and Indian, meaning wherever you were born, you will feel a sense of connection and community in Adelaide. Adelaide has a major international airport, meaning you can find easy domestic and international flights.

With a population of around 150,000, Cairns has all of the conveniences of a modern city but with multiple World Heritage Sites, the natural splendor of the region has been perfectly preserved. Cairns’ population is about as diverse as its scenery. Along with having a higher proportion of Indigenous Australians, there are many other cultures represented here. Many people from the UK, Japan, India, Korea, China, Italian and German now call Cairns home. Cairns also has an international airport with easy domestic flights as well as flights to shorter international trips (and a direct flight to Bali).

The population of the greater Hobart region, the capital city of Tasmania, is a little over 200,000. Though not as culturally diverse as other regions in Australia, Hobart is becoming a popular place to call home for people from the UK, Europe, and China. Hobart has an international airport, making it easy to get to the mainland for a visit or as a stop-over for longer international travel.

Cost of Living: Tasmania is quite wealthy considering how small it is and the average income is relatively high, while the cost of living is much lower than in mainland cities. Hobart was ranked as the most affordable capital province in Australia to buy a house.

Bundaberg is considered the Southern Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef as well as being the Number 1 Whale Watching Destination in Australia, which draws tourists year-round. This means that not only will you have plenty to do for weekend fun, but the CBD is designed to satisfy and impress, with great restaurants and pubs as well as outstanding markets featuring local tropical produce and authentic Aussie-made arts and crafts. Bundaberg also has stunning beaches and alluring forests in the hinterlands and is the access point to Lady Elliot Island, where you can swim with giant manta rays.

Bundaberg’s population has been slowly growing over the years and has reached nearly 100,000. It’s a popular place to call home for people from the Philippines, South Africa, Europe, China and the UK.

Tradesmen in particular are in huge demand up north.

Darwin is a very modern city with a warm, pleasant and tropical climate and is surrounded by calming surf and lush greenery. You could spend your days exploring the greater area around the city, where there are wondrous stretches of desert, towers of natural monoliths, gorgeous fresh waterholes and other breathtaking natural sights like the Katherine Gorge, the world famous Uluru, Kakadu National Park and the Karlu Karlu Devil’s Marbles.

Darwin is also known for its incredible ecosystem and Australian wildlife. You could learn about the in-depth plant life, go on bird watching tours or even spot wild crocodiles in an unforgettable river cruise.

Since Darwin is home to a wealth of Indigenous culture, you could visit one of the many Aboriginal art galleries in the city centre or take a tour led by an Indigenous guide to learn about the local Larrakia people’s Dreamtime stories.

Many internationals are drawn to Darwin for its raw genuine Aussie experience, friendly community, breathtaking natural surrounds and laidback lifestyle.