Your guide to studying in Australia
One of the first choices you will need to make when deciding to study abroad is to narrow down your choice of country.
When choosing the country you want to study in, there’s a lot of factors to consider – from culture and safety to quality of education and employment opportunities.
Australia also has a range of qualifications, from vocational education (VET) for a short, hands-on qualification to higher education, which covers undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees – with generous pathway options that will help you get into the course you desire.
If you’re considering studying abroad, here’s five reasons why Australia should be at the top of your list.
- Australia has two of the Top 10 best student cities
Australia doesn’t have just one but two cities in the latest QS Best Student Cities 2025: Melbourne ranked at #5 and Sydney at #6. The ranking measures the world’s most student-friendly locations based on the opinions of current students, taking into account factors including affordability and desirability.
On top of having two of the top 10 best student cities, Melbourne has consistently been in the Top 10 of the most liveable cities in the world, with a perfect score of 100 for education and healthcare, 96.4 for infrastructure, a 95.8 for culture and environment and 95 for stability, according to the latest Global Liveability Index 2024. Sydney follows close behind Melbourne at ranked #7 in the world.
- A laid-back multicultural society
Australia is known for its laid-back, welcoming and multicultural society with a rich cultural diversity. 1 in 4 of the country's 22 million population were born overseas and 1 in 2 Australians have an overseas-born parent. In 2021, over 20% of Australians reported speaking a language other than English at home.
This diversity is reflected in Australia’s rich cuisines and cultural events across major cities. Melbourne also takes the top spot as the friendliest city in the world according to major UK insurance company William Russell – making it an ideal destination for international students.
- Employment opportunities while you study
One of the main benefits of studying in Australia is the ability to work and earn an income while you study. International students are permitted to work for 48 hours per fortnight while studying on their student visa.
Employment opportunities are a big consideration for anyone considering part-time work as a way to support the cost of studying and living abroad, or if you want to get on-the-job experience and gain exposure to workplace culture in Australia.
When it comes to finding employment and gaining work experience, many universities offer student support, such as La Trobe’s suite of career support services and work-integrated learning and placements embedded across a range of courses.
- Post-study work rights
International students in Australia have the chance to gain work experience after completing their studies through the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485).
This visa allows eligible graduates to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily. It provides international students with an invaluable opportunity to gain practical work experience in their field of study and enhance their employability.
Visit the Australian Government website for more information about this visa and its subclasses.
- Scholarship options
The Australian Government offers a generous number of scholarships, grants and bursaries for international students looking to study in Australia. This includes scholarships such as the Australia Awards, Australian Government Research Training Program, and more.
In addition to Government-sponsored scholarships, Australian universities also offer their own scholarships for international students such as the La Trobe High Achiever Scholarship.
Learn more about La Trobe scholarships for International Students.
If you’re thinking of studying abroad, then Australia is one of your top choices boasting some of the best higher education systems in the world, generous employment rights for international students, a laid-back and welcoming culture, ample scholarships and support, and extended post-study work rights.