Best Cities in Australia — Livability Rankings for Students
Which are the best cities in Australia to live and study? We combine three independent data sources to rank the best cities in Australia for international students: the EIU Global Liveability Index (quality of life), QS Best Student Cities (student experience), and QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey (employment and salary after graduation). Updated annually.
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Australia consistently ranks among the most liveable countries on earth, with five of its cities appearing in the top 20 of the 2025 EIU Global Liveability Index. For international students, this is not just a feel-good statistic — livability directly affects your day-to-day quality of life, your safety, your access to healthcare and public transport, and ultimately your academic performance. This guide breaks down what livability means, how Australia's major student cities compare, and how to use this data to make a smarter decision about where to study.
Data Sources
All Cities at a Glance
| City | EIU Rank | EIU Score | QS Student City | Grad Employment | Median Salary | Employer Sat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | #4 | 97.5 | #4 | 77.8% | $70,000 | 86.9% |
| Sydney | #6 | 96.1 | #6 | 78.2% | $72,000 | 87.5% |
| Adelaide | #9 | 95.1 | #26 | 80.1% | $66,000 | 84.8% |
| Perth | #11 | 94.6 | #36 | 81.3% | $72,000 | 86.1% |
| Brisbane | #14 | 93.3 | #22 | 79.5% | $68,000 | 85.2% |
| Canberra | #30 | 91.2 | #32 | 82.5% | $75,000 | 88.2% |
| Gold Coast | — | — | #88 | 76.5% | $62,000 | 82.3% |
| Hobart | — | — | — | 83.1% | $65,000 | 85.5% |
Melbourne — Livability & Outcomes Data
EIU Global Liveability Index 2025
#4 globallyOverall: 97.5/100
QS Best Student Cities 2026
#4 globallyGraduate Outcomes (QILT GOS 2024)
77.8%
Full-time employment
$70,000
Median salary (AUD)
86.9%
Employer satisfaction
Sources: EIU Global Liveability Index 2025, QS Best Student Cities 2026, QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Data is indicative and updated periodically — verify with official sources.
Sydney — Livability & Outcomes Data
EIU Global Liveability Index 2025
#6 globallyOverall: 96.1/100
QS Best Student Cities 2026
#6 globallyGraduate Outcomes (QILT GOS 2024)
78.2%
Full-time employment
$72,000
Median salary (AUD)
87.5%
Employer satisfaction
Sources: EIU Global Liveability Index 2025, QS Best Student Cities 2026, QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Data is indicative and updated periodically — verify with official sources.
Adelaide — Livability & Outcomes Data
EIU Global Liveability Index 2025
#9 globallyOverall: 95.1/100
QS Best Student Cities 2026
#26 globallyGraduate Outcomes (QILT GOS 2024)
80.1%
Full-time employment
$66,000
Median salary (AUD)
84.8%
Employer satisfaction
Sources: EIU Global Liveability Index 2025, QS Best Student Cities 2026, QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Data is indicative and updated periodically — verify with official sources.
Perth — Livability & Outcomes Data
EIU Global Liveability Index 2025
#11 globallyOverall: 94.6/100
QS Best Student Cities 2026
#36 globallyGraduate Outcomes (QILT GOS 2024)
81.3%
Full-time employment
$72,000
Median salary (AUD)
86.1%
Employer satisfaction
Sources: EIU Global Liveability Index 2025, QS Best Student Cities 2026, QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Data is indicative and updated periodically — verify with official sources.
Brisbane — Livability & Outcomes Data
EIU Global Liveability Index 2025
#14 globallyOverall: 93.3/100
QS Best Student Cities 2026
#22 globallyGraduate Outcomes (QILT GOS 2024)
79.5%
Full-time employment
$68,000
Median salary (AUD)
85.2%
Employer satisfaction
Sources: EIU Global Liveability Index 2025, QS Best Student Cities 2026, QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Data is indicative and updated periodically — verify with official sources.
Canberra — Livability & Outcomes Data
EIU Global Liveability Index 2025
#30 globallyOverall: 91.2/100
QS Best Student Cities 2026
#32 globallyGraduate Outcomes (QILT GOS 2024)
82.5%
Full-time employment
$75,000
Median salary (AUD)
88.2%
Employer satisfaction
Sources: EIU Global Liveability Index 2025, QS Best Student Cities 2026, QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Data is indicative and updated periodically — verify with official sources.
Gold Coast — Livability & Outcomes Data
QS Best Student Cities 2026
#88 globallyGraduate Outcomes (QILT GOS 2024)
76.5%
Full-time employment
$62,000
Median salary (AUD)
82.3%
Employer satisfaction
Sources: EIU Global Liveability Index 2025, QS Best Student Cities 2026, QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Data is indicative and updated periodically — verify with official sources.
Hobart — Livability & Outcomes Data
Graduate Outcomes (QILT GOS 2024)
83.1%
Full-time employment
$65,000
Median salary (AUD)
85.5%
Employer satisfaction
Sources: EIU Global Liveability Index 2025, QS Best Student Cities 2026, QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024. Data is indicative and updated periodically — verify with official sources.
How to Read This Data
EIU Global Liveability Index: Scores cities on stability, healthcare, culture, education, and infrastructure (max 100). Published annually by The Economist Intelligence Unit.
QS Best Student Cities: Ranks cities for international students on university quality, student mix, employer activity, affordability, and student satisfaction. Published by QS Quacquarelli Symonds.
QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey: Australia's official graduate outcomes survey — employment rate and salary 4 months after graduation. Published by the Australian Government's Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching.
Frequently Asked Questions
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