Australia is known for its top-tier education, diverse culture, and excellent living standards. Its cities are vibrant educational and lifestyle centers, perfect for both studying and living well.
Discovering the best Australian cities for study and living reveals a mix of great academic offerings, rich cultural experiences, and a high quality of life. Whether it's the beautiful beaches of Sydney, Melbourne's thriving cultural scene, or Brisbane's inviting atmosphere, these cities provide students with an enriching environment to pursue studies, career and enjoy a fantastic lifestyle in Australia.
In-demand occupations in Australia
Understanding which skills will be most sought after in the upcoming year can assist you in planning for your future career goals and learning. This inaugural Jobs and Skills Report 2023 that was published recently provides an initial assessment of the national skills system and Australia’s current, emerging, and future skills needs.
See the full list of occupations in demand in Australia here .
Consider the employment opportunities when selecting a state for your studies. Some states offer more job opportunities for certain occupations than others. This decision will benefit you when searching for an internship during your studies or when securing your first professional job after graduation. Alice Guan (MARN1909953) , migration agent at IDP
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Sydney
Sydney is Australia’s largest city with a population of more than 5 million residents and a thriving multicultural scene. As one of Australia's best-known, most vibrant destinations and surrounded by world-famous attractions (hello Opera House), Sydney has six universities under its belt and is one of the country's biggest, most diverse student cities.
Local attractions
Top universities in Sydney and their IELTS requirements
University | Overall IELTS score | Minimum IELTS score for each skill | Accepts One Skill Retake |
|---|---|---|---|
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.5 | 6.0 | No | |
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.0 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.5 | 6.0 | No |
Always check with universities in Australia to make sure the IELTS scores listed here match the required score for admission.
Top occupations in demand in NSW
Occupations | No of job ads |
|---|---|
Registered Nurses | 2881 |
Advertising and Sales Managers | 2238 |
Software and Applications Programmers | 1883 |
Child Carers | 1518 |
Construction Managers | 1467 |
Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia’s most liveable city (as ranked by Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index for 2022) and is popular among sport lovers and art enthusiasts alike.
Local attractions
Top universities in Melbourne and their IELTS requirements
University | Overall IELTS score | Minimum IELTS score for each skill | Accepts One Skill Retake |
|---|---|---|---|
6.5 | 6.0 | No | |
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.0 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.0 | 6.0 | No |
Always check with universities in Australia to make sure the IELTS scores listed here match the required score for admission.
Top occupations in demand in Victoria
Occupations | No of job ads |
|---|---|
Registered Nurses | 3024 |
Advertising and Sales Managers | 1722 |
Software and Applications Programmers | 1475 |
Aged or Disabled Carers | 1233 |
Retail Managers | 1215 |
Brisbane
With its year-round warm climate, excellent education opportunities and family-friendly attractions, it’s easy to see why Brisbane is one of Australia’s most popular migration destinations. As Australia’s fastest growing city, the job market is expanding at twice the rate of the population, making employment more accessible than other states.
Local attractions
Top universities in Brisbane and their IELTS requirements
University | Overall IELTS score | Minimum IELTS score for each skill | Accepts One Skill Retake |
|---|---|---|---|
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.0 | 6.0 | No | |
6.0 | 6.0 | Yes |
Top occupations in demand in Queensland
Occupations | No of job ads |
|---|---|
Registered Nurses | 1868 |
Generalist Medical Practitioners | 1474 |
Metal Fitters and Machinists | 1212 |
Child Carers | 1132 |
Motor Mechanics | 1114 |
Adelaide
Adelaide is a highly livable city, offering a great climate and a flat terrain conducive to cycling and walking. Although the job market in Adelaide is competitive, the city attracts numerous international students and graduates seeking work. If you're contemplating Adelaide as your study and work destination, expect an exceptional experience.
Local attractions
Top universities in Adelaide and their IELTS requirements
University | Overall IELTS score | Minimum IELTS score for each skill | Accepts One Skill Retake |
|---|---|---|---|
6.5 | 6.0 | No | |
6.0 | 6.0 | No | |
6.0 | 6.0 | Yes |
Top occupations in demand in South Australia
Occupations | No of job ads |
|---|---|
Registered Nurses | 688 |
Aged and Disabled Carers | 315 |
Software and Applications Programmers | 309 |
Generalist Medical Practitioners | 302 |
Motor Mechanics | 293 |
Perth
Despite being over 2,000 km from the nearest capital city, Perth is a very popular migration destination. With a population of just over 2 million residents, Perth is an exciting regional city known for its emerging arts scene and more affordable cost of living.
Local attractions
Whale Watching (September to November)
Top universities in Perth and their IELTS requirements
University | Overall IELTS score | Minimum IELTS score for each skill | Accepts One Skill Retake |
|---|---|---|---|
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.5 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.0 | 6.0 | No |
Top occupations in demand in Western Australia
Occupations | No of job ads |
|---|---|
Metal Fitters and Machinists | 1026 |
Registered Nurses | 911 |
Motor Mechanics | 854 |
Civil Engineering Professionals | 675 |
Electricians | 636 |
Canberra
Canberra, Australia's capital, boasts cultural institutions, scenic landscapes, political significance, and a vibrant community. It an ideal study and work city, that merges academic excellence with career opportunities and offers a blend of urban amenities within a picturesque setting.
Local attractions
Top universities in Canberra and their IELTS requirements
University | Overall IELTS score | Minimum IELTS score for each skill | Accepts One Skill Retake |
|---|---|---|---|
6.5 | 6.0 | No | |
6.0 | 6.0 | Yes | |
6.0 | 6.0 | Yes |
Top occupations in demand in the Australian Capital Territory
Occupations | No of job ads |
|---|---|
Software and Applications Programmers | 433 |
Construction Managers | 247 |
Registered Nurses | 240 |
Generalist Medical Practitioners | 145 |
Database and Systems Administrators, and ICT Security Specialists | 130 |
Get expert migration and study advice
Most universities and academic institutions have different requirements when it comes to IELTS scores and enrollment. The best way to find out about the requirements for the course you’re interested in is to contact the course provider directly.
You can also get in touch with an education counsellor as they have access to information from multiple education providers.
If you require assistance with Australian immigration or visa applications, seek expert migration guidance from IDP's team of multilingual migration agents.
Whether you're starting your stay in Australia or seeking an extension, IDP's registered agents can provide assistance. Whether your goal is to study and obtain permanent residency or have a temporary stay, they can help you with various visa types.
To receive support, book an appointment with one of their registered MARA agents located across most of Australia.
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Ready for test day? Book your IELTS test today and get one step closer to living, working or studying in Australia!
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Source: Analysis based on Skills Priority List 2023, Internet Vacancy Index and Jobs and Skills Australia employment projections