August 2, 2025 
When you choose to study in Australia as an Indian student after 12th, one of the primary considerations will be where you choose to live and study. Australia’s cities are much more than just individual places. They are living ecosystems that provide diverse cultural experiences, academic excellence and career opportunities. If you are wondering why study in Australia, and how the city you choose is going to impact your entire experience, then this is the right section for you.
When looking to study in Australia from India, you will want to understand the overall cost of being a student in Australia, which includes tuition fees, living costs and local opportunities, which in turn vary significantly depending on the city you choose. What follows, is an extensive overview of the best cities for international students to study in Australia, with a focus on Indian students wanting to access quality education and a rewarding lifestyle.
Best Cities In Austalia To Study Abroad
1. Melbourne – Australia’s Cultural Capital & Academic Powerhouse
Melbourne offers students more than just academics. Known as one of the best student cities in the world, Melbourne provides top-ranked universities alongside a rich tapestry of arts and culture, which is excellent for students who want to venture beyond their studies into the world of arts, business, and technology.
The study in Australia cost for Indian Students in Melbourne generally sits around AUD 1,500 monthly aside from your tuition fees. However, the value in making connections and internships will more than justify the costs involved.
Some of the best universities to study in Australia for courses such as business analytics, and biomedical sciences, and design are the University of Melbourne, Monash University, and RMIT.
There are many part-time work opportunities available in Melbourne, and the job market is thriving, which is important for students to manage the study in Australia costs while gaining experience.Â
If you are wondering how much gap is accepted for studies in Australia after 12th, Melbourne universities can accommodate students that have a gap of 2 years, as long as you can demonstrate a clear commitment to study and good academic destination.
2. Sydney – Where Ambition Meets Opportunity
Sydney, the financial centre of Australia, provides a unique combination of both education and employment possibilities. To Indian students considering why study in Australia, Sydney is the perfect location given its global ties and wide range of industries.
As an Indian student in Australia, a consideration of the cost of living will show a higher cost of living (AUD 2,000 monthly) given Sydney’s global city ranking.
Universities such as the University of Sydney and UNSW Sydney are highly ranked on world uni tables, especially in engineering, IT and health sciences.
Sydney is likely the most economically active city in Australia. Taking the time and talent that students can put into internships and part time work not only takes pressure off study related costs, it is excellent work experience.
Finally, visa arrangements attached to universities in Sydney can sometimes provide students access to up to 6 years of Post Study Work (PSW) rights, which is an important consideration for your long term planning.
3. Brisbane – Affordable, Sunny, and Growing Fast
If your major concern is the finance of studying in Australia in Indian rupees, Brisbane is cheaper without quality compromise.Â
The average student living cost for students in Brisbane is AUD 1,300/month which is a lot cheaper than both Sydney and Melbourne.Â
The Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland are ranked highly for courses in Business, IT, and environmental science – these are among some of the best courses to study in Australia today.
Brisbane’s relaxed lifestyle and budding tech sector, presents new types of internships and post-study jobs – a major bonus if you are a student considering how to study in Australia and still watch your expenses.Â
Plus, the city is very welcoming to international students who will find it easy to transition (and settle) into life in Australia with diverse range of support services available to students.
4. Adelaide – The Cost-Effective Student City
Adelaide is quickly becoming the city where students who want quality education without a too heavy financial burden, which is great if you are trying to compute the total cost to study in Australia from India.
Living costs in Adelaide are around AUD 1,200 per month on average, making it among the cheapest cities for Indian students to study in.
Both the University of Adelaide and Flinders University are internationally recognised institutions with good reputation and competitive tuition fees, helping to alleviate the cost of doing a study in Australia from India.
Adelaide is also a great city with growth industries in health sciences, engineering and renewable energy, providing plenty of opportunities in-learning situations, as well as internships.
Adelaide has a slower pace than other Australian State capitals, meaning it is a convenient city for Indian students who are new to studying abroad, and to enjoy the student community, which also caters well to international students.
5. Canberra – The Academic and Research Hotspot
Canberra, which is Australia’s capital city, may be smaller than the other capital cities but certainly meets or beats them when it comes to academic quality and research facilities.
Canberra is the capital city in Australia with one of the best universities, the Australian National University (ANU) and the location is well suited for students who are pursuing research-led courses and careers in government, international relations, and even environmental sciences – all of which are recognised as high values courses to study in Australia.
The cost of living in Australia in Canberra for Indian students is just over AUD 1,700/month, which is a good mix of affordability and the ability to engage with high-quality educational opportunities.
Canberra universities offer a proactive support system for international students from orientation to legal assistance to make the transition easier for new students.Â
The city has strong internship frameworks and very good career services, including those that facilitate options for employment after their study period has ended, which links nicely with the PSW visa options.
Why Your Choice of City Impacts Your Study Abroad Journey
Each city has its own distinct character, culture, and cost of living that will affect your experience and success. When thinking about how much money you will need to study in Australia, it is essential to not only think about tuition but also the average cost of living in Australia as a whole, but also the average costs of living in the city you choose in particular, such as how much housing costs or how good the public transport system is.
Indian students must think about the local job market when they create a budget, too, as many will rely on part-time work to help support their studies.
Although cities like Melbourne and Sydney are expensive, their vibrant cultural scenes afford you networking and career opportunities that you cannot beat.
Cities like Brisbane and Adelaide will help you have the best of both worlds quality education with a more affordable cost of living, which is a serious consideration if you want to study in Australia without worrying about money.
In addition, all these locations have separate policies for the acceptance of academic gaps. Once you know how much gap is accepted for studying in Australia after 12th grade, you can make better plans towards your applications.
At Career Width, our study in Australia consultants help you navigate through this maze of choices with expertly informed guidance on studying in Australia for Indian students, city-wise expenditure, visa processes, scholarship opportunities, and more. We help you understand why to study in Australia so you can make the best decision possible for your future.