Let's Go StudyAustralia

Study in Sydney, Australia

25 universitiesQS #6 student city globally (2025)300,000+ international students

Sydney is home to more international students than any other Australian state — over 300,000 enrolled across New South Wales, the largest concentration in the country. Six Sydney universities sit inside the QS World Top 200, more than any other Australian city. The two biggest, UNSW Sydney (#20) and the University of Sydney (#25), rank inside the global top 25 — and USyd holds the #1 position in Australia for international student diversity, placing #12 globally on that measure alone. Sydney also leads the country's tech sector: 64% of Australia's startups are based here, which matters directly if you're planning to work during or after your degree. Shared accommodation starts from AUD $150–$180/week in outer suburbs like Parramatta, though inner-city areas near UNSW or USyd run closer to $280–$350/week. Getting around costs AUD $160–$168/month on an Opal concession card (50% discount for eligible international students), covering trains, buses, ferries, and light rail across the metro.

Last reviewed: March 2026 · Next review: March 2027 · Let's Go Study Australia editorial team

Sydney — Livability & Outcomes Data

EIU Global Liveability Index 2025

#6 globally
Stability
90
Healthcare
100
Culture & Env.
96.3
Education
100
Infrastructure
100

Overall: 96.1/100

QS Best Student Cities 2026

#6 globally
Student Mix
98.3
Desirability
87.1
Employer Activity
93.2
Affordability
31.5
Student View
71.8

Graduate 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.

Universities in Sydney

The University of Sydney

Sydney, NSW

640 courses$22,500 – $630,900/yr

UNSW Sydney

Sydney, NSW

620 courses$21,105 – $846,500/yr

University of Technology Sydney (UTS)

Sydney, NSW

518 courses$19,395 – $320,031/yr

Macquarie University

Sydney, NSW

426 courses$15,400 – $395,700/yr

The University of Newcastle (UoN), The University of Newcastle Language Centre, Sydney

Sydney, NSW

422 courses$17,195 – $512,198/yr

University of Wollongong

Sydney, NSW

337 courses$14,880 – $310,128/yr

Western Sydney University

Sydney, NSW

293 courses$17,388 – $427,600/yr

La Trobe University

Melbourne, VIC

225 courses$20,100 – $418,000/yr

University of Tasmania (UTas)

Hobart, TAS

203 courses$12,975 – $455,588/yr

Federation University Australia

Melbourne, VIC

176 courses$14,700 – $158,000/yr

Australian Catholic University

Sydney, NSW

155 courses$16,036 – $210,176/yr

Charles Darwin University

Darwin, NT

140 courses$14,760 – $204,070/yr

The University of Notre Dame Australia

Broome, WA

127 courses$32,402 – $335,988/yr

Torrens University Australia; Torrens University Language Centre; Chifley Business School at Torrens University Australia CBS at Torrens University Australia Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School at Torrens University Australia BMIHMS at To

Sydney, NSW

127 courses$14,050 – $129,000/yr

University of New England

Sydney, NSW

119 courses$15,216 – $179,040/yr

Southern Cross University

Sydney, NSW

116 courses$13,000 – $136,000/yr

Central Queensland University

Brisbane, QLD

83 courses$13,344 – $214,671/yr

Charles Sturt University

Sydney, NSW

62 courses$12,280 – $432,480/yr

Alphacrucis College

Sydney, NSW

61 courses$10,725 – $111,200/yr

SAE University College

Sydney, NSW

42 courses$12,000 – $83,880/yr

Australian University College of Divinity

Sydney, NSW

34 courses$10,440 – $72,960/yr

Victoria University

Fortitude Valley, VIC

28 courses$10,880 – $100,200/yr

Australian College of Applied Professions, ACAP University College

Sydney, NSW

23 courses$12,375 – $116,704/yr

Australian University of Theology Limited

Sydney, NSW

21 courses$15,144 – $108,384/yr

USQ - Sydney Education Centre

Sydney, QLD

9 courses$16,480 – $93,120/yr

QS World University Rankings

UNSW Sydney — #20 globallyUniversity of Sydney — #25 globallyUniversity of Technology Sydney (UTS) — #88 globally

Why Sydney for International Students

Study NSW — International Student Support

Services available statewide and at Sydney Airport Welcome Desk

Unlike Victoria's single walk-in hub, NSW distributes its support across airport, legal, and community service touchpoints. The Redfern Legal Centre, funded by Study NSW, provides free confidential legal advice specifically for international students on tenancy, employment and visa matters — a service not available in any other state. Each university also runs its own international student support office with dedicated advisors.

  • ✓ Airport Welcome Desk (12,000+ students welcomed annually)
  • ✓ Free legal advice via Redfern Legal Centre (tenancy, employment, visa issues)
  • ✓ Support in 11+ languages including Hindi, Nepali, Vietnamese, Arabic
  • ✓ Mental health and safety resources
  • ✓ Liverpool Study Hub — 50 study spaces, computers, Wi-Fi (opened Dec 2025)
  • ✓ City of Sydney annual student welcome event (April)
Visit Study Melbourne Hub →

Cost of Studying in Sydney

Tuition fees

Undergraduate

AUD $25,000–$48,000

per year

Postgraduate

AUD $24,000–$52,000

per year

VET / TAFE

AUD $4,000–$22,000

per year

Weekly living costs

ExpenseLowHigh
Shared rental$150/wk$350/wk
Private rental$300/wk$600/wk
Groceries$80/wk$200/wk
Myki (public transport)$/mo$/mo
OSHC health cover$50/mo$120/mo

A realistic monthly budget in shared accommodation is AUD $2,200–$3,500, excluding tuition. Sydney consistently runs 8–12% higher than Melbourne on comparable accommodation. Outer western suburbs (Parramatta, Liverpool, Penrith) offer 20–30% savings on rent compared to inner-city areas.

Rent by suburb

Glebe / Ultimo

$250–$350/wk

Walking distance to University of Sydney and UTS

Kensington / Randwick

$270–$350/wk

Adjacent to UNSW Sydney Kensington campus

Newtown / Erskineville

$220–$300/wk

Inner west, train to CBD in 10 min

Ryde / Macquarie Park

$180–$250/wk

Next to Macquarie University, Metro to CBD in 25 min

Parramatta

$150–$220/wk

Western Sydney hub, train to CBD in 35–50 min, near Western Sydney University

After Graduation — Can You Stay in Australia?

Most graduates qualify for a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate). The length depends on your qualification level:

Bachelor degree

2 years

Master degree (coursework)

2 years

Master degree (research)

3 years

Doctoral degree

4 years

Regional study bonus

+2 years

Permanent residency routes

Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent)

Points-tested, no employer or sponsor needed. Most successful applicants in 2025 hold 85–95 points. The 65-point minimum is rarely enough for an invitation. Your Australian degree contributes 15–20 points; age, English proficiency, and work experience make up the rest.

Subclass 186 (Employer Nominated)

Requires an employer to sponsor you after 2+ years on a 482 visa. From November 2023, PR eligibility begins after 2 years on a 482. The employer must demonstrate they cannot fill the role with an Australian worker.

Subclass 190 (NSW State Nomination)

NSW nominates applicants based on its skilled occupation shortage list. Healthcare, IT, engineering, and trades are priority fields. Studying and working in Sydney strengthens a NSW 190 application. NSW nomination adds 5 points to your 189 score.

Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional)

For regional NSW outside Sydney. Provides a pathway to PR via the 191 visa after 3 years of living and working in a regional area. Lower points threshold than 189. Regional NSW includes cities like Wollongong, Newcastle, and the Central Coast.

Let's Go Study Australia is not a registered migration agent and does not provide immigration assistance or migration advice as defined by the Migration Act 1958 (Cth). Information on this website is general in nature. For advice about your specific visa situation, consult a registered migration agent at mara.gov.au or an Australian legal practitioner.

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Sources