What’s it like to live on the Gold Coast?
The Gold Coast is one of Australia’s most celebrated coastal regions, famous for its surf beaches, warm
sunshine, and rich outdoor lifestyle. In this quick guide for international students, we outline some of
the highlights of the Queensland Gold Coast and give you an idea of what it’s really like to live and
study in this beautiful beachside city.
Gold Coast Quick Stats
The Gold Coast is a city in South-east Queensland, Australia with a population of around 600,000 people.
It is famous for its gorgeous sandy beaches, large broadwater, and elaborate system of canals and
waterways.
Gold Coast City has almost 42km of unbroken beach with most sections accessible by a long stretch of
esplanade, walking trails, and bicycle paths. Even better, the region enjoys a sub-tropical climate with
more than 300 days of sunshine every year.
Academic Institutions
There are three Gold
Coast universities that accept international students as well as a range Registered Training
Organisations (RTOs) that provide high quality VET (vocational education and training) qualifications.
The primary institutions are:
Even though there are only three universities in the city, can you imagine uni campuses that are just
stone’s throw from internationally acclaimed beaches and connected to the entertainment precinct, shopping
centres, and regional attractions by light rail and busways? Sounds great doesn’t it?
Tourist Attractions
Gold Coast is Australia’s premier tourist destination so there are plenty of local attractions and
awesome things to do. Apart from the fantastic beaches and water activities, you’ll also find
internationally acclaimed theme parks (Seaworld, Dreamworld, Warner Bros Movie World, Wet n’ Wild) and
incredible nature trails in the Gold Coast Hinterland.
Employment prospects
International students who have a valid Student Visa 500 are able to work part-time and earn money while
they complete their studies. The Gold Coast always has part-time and casual vacancies for students,
especially in the hospitality sector.
For the latest job opportunities, we recommend checking Gold Coast Student Jobs as well as
Seek, Indeed, JobSearch, CareerOne, and Jora.
Getting Around
Public transport is a big deal for most international students and the Gold Coast provides bus, tram
(light rail), and train services that connect the three universities and major learning centres to the
sandy beaches, residential areas, and entertainment zones. You can also access the city of Brisbane and
key tourist areas like Byron Bay, Lennox Head, and Lismore.
Additionally, the Gold Coast has an international and domestic airport so you are always connected with your home
country and the state capitals.
Living Costs
Life on the Gold Coast is slightly cheaper than the major cities, but is still relatively expensive
compared to other parts of Australia. To estimate your daily expenses, try the Australia Cost of Living
Calculator and select Brisbane. You’ll find Gold Coast prices similar to the city of Brisbane.
Accommodation
Rental accommodation on the Gold Coast is competitive and is currently one of the tightest markets in
Australia. There are always plenty of short-term accommodation options, but these quickly become
expensive.
If you are studying at a Gold Coast university, there are opportunities to live on campus otherwise you
can look for a rental property, sharehouse, or home stay arrangement. Check our detailed International
Student Guide for more information about finding suitable accommodation while you are studying.
DID YOU KNOW? If you have any complaints or concerns while renting a property in
Queensland, you can always contact
Tenants
Queensland. This not-for-profit organisation represent the concerns of people living in rental
accommodation in Queensland.
Essential Services
On the Gold Coast, international students have access to a full range of personal services including
top-level hospitals and medical centres, libraries, real estate agencies, department stores, service
centres and shopping malls. There are also government offices to process licences, car registrations, and
essential documents.
Nightlife and Entertainment
There is plenty of nightlife and live entertainment on the Gold Coast. You can enjoy live bands and DJs
at the many nightclubs and entertainment venues as well as restaurants, hotels, bars, theatre houses, and
the Conrad Jupiters Casino. There is always something happening.
Diversity and Inclusion
Gold Coast is a city that embraces cultural diversity and strives for an inclusive culture and lifestyle.
You’ll find more than a third of Gold Coasters were born overseas and many residents speak languages other
than English and practice different religions.
There are vibrant communities with backgrounds from New Zealand, UK, China, South Africa, India,
Philippines, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, USA, and many more foreign nations.
Learn what it’s like to work here, how to manage your finances, arranging living arrangements and more.
Need help deciding on a University? Compare Australian Universities by their global and national rank.
A comprehensive guide to the student visa application process and how to take the first step.