Living in Sydney

What’s it like to live in Sydney?

Thinking about studying in Sydney? This quick guide looks at the top 10 considerations for international students. At the time of writing, Sydney is ranked No. 4 on the Global Liveability Index 2023 and consistently remains in the top 10 of the world’s best cities. If you’ve been wondering if Sydney is a good place to live for students, this post will answer many of your questions.

Universities and Education Providers

Sydney is home to some of the Australia’s best universities and education providers — including the highly prestigious University of Sydney (USYD). USYD is currently ranked No. 19 on the 2024 QS World University Rankings and is generally considered Australia’s top university for sustainability and environmental issues. But there are plenty of other great places to study in Sydney.

Some excellent institutions include the University of Technology, Macquarie University, UNSW Sydney, and the Western Sydney University. At the same time, you’ll also find outstanding technical colleges and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that deliver VET qualifications in business, fashion, art, media studies, and so much more.

Job Opportunities

One of the best things about Sydney for international students is the wide range of job opportunities. If you’re in Australia on a Student Visa 500 you’ll be able to work part-time while you complete your studies and Sydney has plenty of opportunities to choose from.

We recommend checking the Jobs Connect portal for International Students which is published by the NSW Government. Alternately, try the Seek, Indeed, or Jora websites.

Cost of Living

Sydney has a reputation for being an expensive city and we definitely recommend using the Australia Cost of Living Calculator to work out if it’s affordable for you.

While accommodation and dining out in Sydney can be expensive, international students can reduce their living costs by joining a sharehouse, living on campus, or trying homestay accommodation.

Getting Around

Sydney has a great transport system so it’s very easy for international students to get around. Grab yourself an Opal Card and you’ll have access to Sydney’s full network of public transport including metro buses, trains, trams (light rail), and ferries.

Opal Cards are available at newsagents, convenience stores, and some train stations and can be loaded with credits using the supporting mobile app or at Opal retailers.

Landmarks and Attractions

Studying in Sydney means having some of Australia’s best landmarks and natural wonders right on your door step. You could stroll around the Sydney Opera House, historic Botanical Gardens, or Harbour Bridge. You could ride the train to the Blue Mountains or take a bus to Bondi Beach. You could even board a relaxing ferry across the harbour to Manly and the northern beaches, Luna Park, or Taronga Zoo. There is simply so much to do in Sydney.

Weather and the Great Outdoors

Sydney is famous for it’s sunny climate and mild winters, making it perfect for the outdoors life. You can experience beautiful national parks, walking trails that hug the coastline, surf beaches, sporting facilities, public parks and heritage gardens. Or if you prefer to just chill at home, there’s plenty of sunshine and daylight for outdoor BBQs with your friends.

Nightlife and Entertainment

If you love dining out, live music, festivals, concerts, and theatre, Sydney has plenty on offer. You can enjoy live bands, drag and cabaret show 7x nights a week, as well as headline acts, national sports events, and live theatre most weekends.

Libraries, Galleries, and Museums

If you interested in history, art, and culture (or just laser focused on your academic pursuits), you’ll appreciate the NSW State Library, Australian Museum Archives and Research Library, and the rich array of galleries and museums. There are also opportunities for international students to join book clubs, writer’s festivals, and weekly cultural events around the city.

Diversity

Sydney is celebrated internationally for it’s rich multiculturalism and laid-back acceptance of people of different religions, sexual identities, gender expressions, ages, disability status, and more. You may not know that 50% of Sydney-siders were born overseas, 21.3% of the population identify as LGBTIQA+, and more than 39% speak a language other than English at home. Sydney is a great place to experience genuine diversity up-front and personal.

Safety

While all cities have their dangers and annoyances, Sydney is internationally regarded as one of the world’s safest cities. In fact, it is currently ranked No. 5 on the Global Peace Index 2023 which gives Sydney an average rating of 87.9/100 for digital security, health security, infrastructure, and personal safety.