Are looking for the best place in Australia to study and not sure about Adelaide? This coastal city capital is gaining more and more global attention and is currently ranked #26 in the world on the QS Best Student Cities 2023. If you’re interested in learning more about the lifestyle, culture, and living costs in Adelaide our quick guide will answer most of your questions.
Adelaide City is the capital of South Australia and located on the southern coast of Australia about 650km west of Melbourne. It has a population of 1.3 million people and rests along the pristine beaches and coastline of the Gulf St Vincent — a large ocean inlet teeming with marine life, seafoods, and water birds.
The city is famous for its historic churches, international sporting events and festivals, surrounding mountain ranges, and (most especially) the free tram service that connects Adelaide CBD with the famous Glenelg beach and jetty.
Academic Choices
Adelaide has a great selection of academic institutions including three state universities, a private university, and a large number of highly regarding TAFEs, technical colleges, business and language schools. If you are seriously considering Adelaide as your study destination, we do recommend checking out the course offerings at:
For a full list (with links) of universities and educational institutions in Adelaide, check out our universities in Adelaide page.
Food, Wine, and Festivals
Adelaide is world renowned for its fine produce and exceptional wines. Living in this city you can enjoy locally sourced seafoods, almonds, olives, and citrus fruits from the local fish and farmer’s markets. And if you’re into sporting events and cultural festivals, you can join the Adelaide Fringe Festival, Womadelaide, Santos Tour Down Under (cycling), Tasting Australia (food and wine), Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Illuminate Adelaide, OzAsia Festival, Vailo Adelaide 500 (motor racing) and many more.
Finding a Job
There is a lot of competition for employment vacancies in Adelaide, but savvy international students who are keen for a job can usually find part-time work at restaurants, cafes, bars, hotels, supermarkets, hostels, department stores, clothing and specialty shops, telemarketing firms, and tourist attractions. You can also earn money by provide tutoring and freelance writing services.
To find a job, do an internet search for job vacancies Adelaide, check the jobs board at the universities and shopping centres, register with an employment agency, and search the job search websites such as Indeed, Seek, CareerOne, and Jora.
For more information about working in Australia, check the FAQs section of our detailed Living in Australia Guide for International Students.
Public Transport
It’s easy to get around Adelaide without a car and the state public transport system includes buses, trams, and trains. To use the services, grab yourself a metroCARD and apply for a student concession. As an international student you’re eligible for free and discounted travel around South Australia.
The Adelaide Metro system also connects the state capital with regional buses that service the Barossa Valley, Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, Eyre Peninsula, Far North region, Limestone Coast, and other iconic regions of South Australia.
DID YOU KNOW? Adelaide has free busses and trams around the CBD, key attractions, university campuses, and entertainment zones.
Cost of Living
Living in Adelaide is much cheaper than cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Canberra. You will find more affordable food, groceries, and essential services and you can really save on accommodation costs.
Why not use the Australian government’s Cost of Living Calculator to compare the student cost of living in Adelaide against other destinations. You can start compiling that budget and cost analysis you will need when applying for your Student Visa 500.
DID YOU KNOW? Adelaide is around 12% cheaper than other Australian cities and has some of the lowest city rental prices in the whole country. Source: South Australia's Study Adelaide website
Accommodation
Universities in Adelaide have a good selection of on-campus accommodation for international students that are fully furnished with WIFI, parking, and utilities included in the price. Living on-campus you’ll enjoy native gardens and fitness facilities as well as inclusive events and social programs. Choose from single gender accommodation, studio apartments, or private room with shared bathroom and kitchen.
International students seeking a more immersive cultural experience, may prefer a private rental or homestay opportunity. Homestays are great because they are very affordable, and your host family will help you establish yourself in Adelaide. It’s wonderful having someone local to show you around and introduce you to the best eating places and shopping centres.
To find private accommodation in Adelaide, use the following websites:
Essential Services
With more than 1.3 million people living in the city of Adelaide, you can expect an excellent range of shopping centres, department stores, supermarkets, and retail outlets. You’ll also find government offices, world class hospitals and healthcare facilities including the famous Royal Adelaide Hospital.
DID YOU KNOW? Royal Adelaide Hospital was named in the Statistica World’s Best Hospitals 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023.
Outdoor Adventures
Living in Adelaide opens the door to some of Australia’s incredible wineries, rugged coastlines, mountain ranges, and outback adventures. South Australia is also rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage including the famous Aboriginal rock art and engravings.
In your downtime you could visit decorated cave systems in the Flinders Ranges with ochre and charcoal images more than 5,000 years old, or try Great White Shark cage diving in Port Lincoln, or join a boutique food and wine tour in the Barossa Valley, or take a hike over ancient rocks and waterfalls in the Morialta Conservation Park, or just relax during a lunch cruise along the Murray River. If you love the great outdoors, you will never run out of things to do in South Australia.
DID YOU KNOW? South Australia is home to an abundance of native wildlife and birds including koalas, kangaroos, wombats, fairy penguins, spotted quolls, echidnas, wedge-tailed eagles, rock wallabies, and platypus.