10 best cities to work in Australia in 2024

Best cities to work in Australia

Australia is a popular study and work abroad option for many individuals who wish to prosper in their academics as well as careers. You will be able to locate your ideal job in Australia, whether you wish to work in a tiny rural town, a large metropolis with millions of people, or anywhere in between! Read the blog to know more about the 10 best cities to work in Australia.

Cairns

Cairns is a dream come true for adventurers working abroad in Australia since wetlands and rainforests surround it. Moreover, it serves as a major jumping-off point for exploring the Great Barrier Reef. Cairns is a smaller city (population of roughly 160,000), making it ideal for individuals looking for a more laid-back work environment.

With its thriving tourism industry, there are abundant job opportunities in hospitality, tourism management, and customer service. The city’s proximity to the Great Barrier Reef attracts marine biologists and conservationists. Additionally, Cairns offers employment in healthcare, education, and research fields. The pleasant climate, natural beauty, and lower cost of living enhance the quality of life.

With a well-connected transportation system, including an international airport, Cairns provides easy access to domestic and international travel. Overall, Cairns offers a diverse range of employment options, a stunning environment, and a relaxed lifestyle, making it one of the best cities to work in Australia.

Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is an area just north of Brisbane that has some of Australia’s greatest surfing. 

Gold Coast is home to four Australian institutions and has a population of over 30,000 university students, making it the finest Australian city to grow professionally.

There are jobs available in a variety of interesting and exciting areas, such as a surf store or one of the numerous neighboring amusement parks. The Gold Coast attracts a large number of visitors and surfers. It makes it an excellent location for finding work in Australia.

Melbourne

Working in Melbourne, Australia doesn’t get much better! Melbourne is well-known for its coffee, sports, arts, and culture, among other things. The city is vibrant and modern, evoking a sense of awe while brimming with employment opportunities. 

Because of its broad economy, Melbourne is home to many of Australia’s top firms, as well as national organizations such as the Business Council of Australia and the Australian Council of Trade Unions. This factor makes it all the more appealing for those looking to grow professionally.

The most popular industries in Melbourne are information technology, retail, and financial services. Melbourne ranks high as one of the world’s most livable cities. The city also excels in education, health care, development, entertainment, sports, and tourism. Melbourne has been ranked 15th in the Global Financial Centres Index.

All these benefits make Melbourne one of the best cities to live and work in Australia.

You may combine your studies with a variety of leisure activities in Melbourne, such as visiting live music events in a variety of places, witnessing a comedy show, or seeing a sporting event. Some of these examples include the Australian Open tennis and Formula One racing.

The Eureka Tower, with its breathtaking views from the 297th story, Port Phillip Bay and its penguins, and a plethora of athletic, musical, and cultural events, are just a few of the distinctive attractions. 

Monash University, University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Swinburne University of Technology, and Melbourne Business School are among Melbourne’s top universities that you can opt for if you are looking to seek higher education. 

Brisbane

It is one of Australia’s oldest towns and was included in Rough Guides’ list of the world’s most beautiful cities for its lovely architecture, rich green surroundings, and the gorgeous Brisbane River that runs through it. 

The Australian city attracts at least 50,000 students each year. It is Australia’s third most populous city. The city is known as the “New World” because of the large number of international students that visit every year. 

Brisbane is home to several universities, all of which are ranked among the top institutions in the world. Most of these colleges are economical to attend, with low tuition prices ranging from bachelor’s to doctoral degrees.

Read more about Australia’s oldest city

It is one of the best cities to work and study in Australia, with several institutions, four of which are listed in the QS world university rankings. Local institutions have inexpensive tuition prices, and you may select from over 9,000 bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs.

The city is home to prestigious universities such as the University of Queensland and James Cook University. It is one of Australia’s most inexpensive study locations. Exploring Moreton Bay and the Islands, as well as the annual Buddha Birth Day event in Brisbane, will be a great experience for students.

The plethora of benefits mentioned above makes Brisbane one of the best cities to live and work in Australia.

Canberra

There are a variety of reasons why you would wish to relocate to Australia’s capital for work purposes. 

25% of the population in Canberra was born outside of Australia. It is regarded as one of the safest cities in the United States. Every year, thousands of international visitors travel to Canberra for study or job possibilities. It is a reasonably priced city, especially in comparison to larger cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.

Consulting and information technology services are among the most popular trades in this city.

Around 35,000 students attend Canberra University, with 9,000 of them being international students. You may enroll in one of Australia’s capital’s local institutions, including the top-ranked Australian National University.

Canberra is one of the best cities to study in Australia since it is home to Australia’s top-ranked global institution (Australian National University) and a varied student population. More than 35,000 students study in Australia’s capital city, which is home to prestigious schools such as the University of Canberra.

The Black Mountain Tower, the Captain James Cook Memorial, a man-made lake in the city center, and other sights are among the city’s top attractions. The annual Barassi International Australian Football Youth Tournament is one of Canberra’s most popular events.

Adelaide

Adelaide, one of Australia’s major cities, is known for its numerous festivals and athletic events, as well as its wine and food, as well as its gorgeous beaches. It is known for its religious freedom and civil liberties movements and is home to Australia’s third-oldest institution, the University of Adelaide. It also has a thriving military, manufacturing, technology, electronics, government, and viticulture industry. 

Adelaide is the fifth-largest city and sits high on the list of best cities for students in the country. It is located on the southern coast and has a well-planned city core with plenty of parklands and open spaces. During their time in Adelaide, students can participate in activities such as wildlife viewing, touring the Adelaide Hills, and cycling. The Adelaide Festival of Ideas, Adelaide Festival of Arts, and Adelaide Writers’ Week are just a few of the city’s many active cultural events.

The University of South Australia, Flinders University, University of Adelaide, and Torrens University Australia are all located in Adelaide. Adelaide has a large and diverse student population who are looking for work opportunities in the city.

Perth

This is another student-friendly city located on the western coast of Australia, about 2,000 miles from Melbourne. Perth is a top student city with a diverse range of cultural, recreational, and gastronomic activities. The University of Western Australia and Murdoch University are two of the country’s top institutions.

Three Perth institutions are ranked in the QS world university rankings (with the University of Western Australia at the top), and they are well-known for their support and encouragement of students’ social lives. Because institutions are located far from the city center, student life is more centered around campus events.

Student life in the city is centered on university campuses and in-house events. This is because most institutions are located outside of Perth’s city core. The Scitech Discovery Center in West Perth, Kings Park, one of the world’s largest inner-city parks, the Pinnacles, and Cottesloe Beach are all popular tourist destinations.

Sydney

Sydney has five internationally rated institutions, two of which were among the top 50 in the 2015-16 QS World University Rankings. Annually, it welcomes over 50,000 foreign students and has a high employment rate.

You can go to numerous museums or attend a play in a variety of theatres. One of the most prominent ones is the Stables Theatre in the Kings Cross district, which organizes “pay-what-you-can Mondays” events, where you may see a play for as little or as much as you want to pay.

Every year, at least 50,000 foreign students arrive in Sydney in quest of a better life and education. It has consistently ranked well in terms of employability and quality of life. The city possesses Australia’s largest economy and is home to the headquarters of numerous major corporations.

These benefits make it one of the best cities to study in Australia.

The city’s most popular businesses are financial services, information technology services, and the banking industry. These businesses include the Westpac Banking Corp, Woolworths, and Commonwealth Bank of Australia, among the city’s most popular employers.

It is also home to some of the most prominent institutes, such as Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, University of Sydney, and the University of Technology Sydney.

Hobart

This is one of the finest places in Australia to live in because of its beautiful weather, minimal pollution, inexpensive rent, and superb transit system.

Furthermore, because fewer students are studying in Hobart, there is less competition for employment and housing compared to the other cities in Australia. International graduates from the institutions in Hobart may find it simpler to qualify for Permanent Residency in the state, allowing them to live and work there. 

Newcastle 

Located on the New South Wales Coastline, the city of Newcastle exudes community spirit. It is affordable and offers great career opportunities. The city is home to the University of Newcastle, a public university ranked among the top 200 universities in the world by QS World University Rankings 2023. 

Though being the 7th largest city in Australia and just 2 hours away from Sydney, the city provides coastal living luxury and an easygoing lifestyle sans the maddening congestion of a capital city. 

For international students, the city of Newcastle provides opportunities to be eligible for post-study regional migration prospects and visa extensions.

Key takeaways

• Australia unquestionably has some of the best cities to live and work in. 
• The above-listed cities in Australia are some of the finest places to live and work in terms of cost of living, top employers, best institutions, and more.
• Apart from growing professionally, Australia also helps you to grow in terms of academics as well.
• Agriculture, hospitality, and customer service are just a few industries with many career opportunities around the country. 

We hope this blog provides you with some insights about the best cities to work in Australia. Let us know how you liked this blog by sharing your thoughts in the comments below. Should you have any questions about studying abroad in Australia, do Contact us here. We would be happy to answer any questions.

Like this blog? Read next: Why study in Australia | Top benefits, colleges, fees, and more!

FAQ’s

Q1. Which city in Australia has the most international students?

Answer – Sydney has the most international students.

Q2. How can you get your first job in Australia?

Answer – Below are some of the ways that you can get your first job in Australia –

• Get in touch with recruitment agents
• Take up internships
• Go for part-time job opportunities 

Q3. What are some of the highest-paying jobs in Australia?

Answer – Some of the highest paying jobs in Australia include –

• Web developer
• Nuclear technicians
• Radiation therapist
• Construction manager
• Power plant operators

WRITTEN BY

Aastha

Study Abroad Expert

Aastha Arya is a Senior Content Writer at iSchoolConnect who writes about topics covering study abroad trends, exclusive news updates and prolific college courses. She has a 4-year of experience in this field and also likes to keep tabs on recent events, visa policy changes, and many other concerns that affect international students.

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