The best places to live in Australia

Moving to Australia but not sure where to live? Take a tour of the country's capital cities and find out what each has to offer.

Choosing where to live when moving to a new country is a major decision. It can have a big impact on how comfortable you feel in your new surroundings and on how successful your relocation becomes. We’ve put together a guide to some of the best places to live in Australia to help you make an informed decision.

Below you'll find a breakdown of the work and life opportunities in each of Australia's capital cities.

If you've already decided on where to move and are looking to take the next step, each state offers its own migration plan to help you start off on the right foot. Details can be found here.

australia_people_map_shutterstock_331562897

Living in Adelaide
Living in Canberra
Living in Darwin
Living in Perth

Which city has the best opportunities for my profession?

If you have a qualification from your home country and are planning to take your skills to Australia, you need to think about the best place to live to find employment in your field.

In 2016, the Australia's national unemployment rate was 6.3% (Australian Bureau of Statistics). This rate has remained fairly steady over the years, averaging 6.9% from 1978 to the present, which is a good indicator of what you can expect in the future.

A more specific breakdown of unemployment rates for each state is as follows:

Region	Unemployment Rate
Australian Capital Territory	4.3
Northern Territory	4.5
Western Australia	5.1
New South Wales	5.7
Victoria	6.0
Queensland	6.3
Tasmania	7.0
South Australia	7.6

What are my job prospects?

Remember that these rates are across all sectors of employment and may not completely reflect the opportunities in your specific field.

The Labour Market Information Portal states that the sectors employing the highest number of people (May 2016) include Health Care and Social Assistance (1,435,700), Retail Trade (1,238,000), Construction (1,037,500) and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (972,300). Areas employing the least number of people include Information Media and Telecommunications (212,000) and Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services (143,100).

If you want to see what the job prospects are like in your particular field in Australia, have a look at Job Outlook. This is a government initiative designed to provide an idea of how different areas of the job market are performing. It's a valuable resource for people who are looking for a job or considering further education.

There are a number of specific visas available for people coming into the country with particular skills. You can find out from the Skilled Occupations List which professions are currently in demand in Australia.

Occupations currently on this list include: Construction Project Manager, Engineering Manager, Child Care Centre Manager, Medical Administrator, Nursing Clinical Director, Actuary, Architect, Surveyor, Chemical Engineer, Structural Engineer, Veterinarian, Special Needs Teacher, General Practitioner, Midwife, Nurse Practitioner, Software Engineer, Barrister, Social Worker, Carpenter, Chef and Dental Therapist. Click here for a full, current list.

If you prefer the security of having a job to come to when you first arrive in Australia, you can start searching job portals such as Indeed, SEEK and jobsearch.gov.au and apply for any suitable positions. You will also get an idea of what roles are currently being advertised, and which city has the most on offer for your profession.

What should I be getting paid?

Salaries in Australia may be vastly different from what you would expect in your own country. While there will be variations between companies, positions and genders (yes, it can still happen), you should get a general idea of how much you will be able to earn.

Here, we've mashed together job search website Glassdoor's ratings, average salary ranges and gender breakdown across Australia's largest employees for Australian university students and graduates to give you an idea of how much you can expect to receive.

Moving to Australia? You should start thinking about...

- - VISAS: Which visa is right for you and how can you apply for it?
  - WORK: How to find work in Australia
  - CREDIT: Applying for a credit card
  - BANKING: Starting your savings plan
  - LIVE: Places to stay when you first arrive in Australia

Living in Sydney

From the sands of Bondi Beach to its iconic harbour, Sydney is famous all over the world. It is Australia's largest and oldest city, and is known for its natural beauty and cultural diversity. It combines the hectic pace you’d expect from a major city with some of the most recognisable landmarks on earth.

Sydney enjoys a temperate climate, the warmest months being from November to February, when temperatures often reach the mid-30s (Celsius) or sometimes higher. Winters are mild, the thermometer rarely falling below 8°C at night.

With a population in excess of 4.6 million, Sydney is easily Australia’s largest city. The central business district (CBD) is contained within a compact area near the harbour, but the suburbs spread far to the north, south and west. Finding somewhere to live in the inner city is expensive, especially when you are first starting out. However, if you look further afield there are many more affordable options.
If a trendy, bustling 20-something lifestyle is something you'd be interested in, the inner western suburbs might be attractive. For a more family-friendly environment, take a look at the Hills District in the north-west or areas in the Northern Beaches. If you'd like to settle in cultural pockets of fellow expats, Western Sydney is home to a significant migrant population. For example, many Indian expats live in the Parramatta region, while a number of migrants from Britain and New Zealand live in the city’s south-west around the Macarthur and Blue Mountains regions.
Transport in Sydney is a much-maligned subject among residents. Many Sydneysiders choose to get around by car, but travel times and traffic queues can be extensive. This is especially true during peak hours on roads leading in and out of the CBD. Parking in and around the CBD is also hard to find and expensive.
Thankfully Sydney has an extensive public transport system servicing nearly all the metropolitan area. Commuters can get around by train, bus, light rail or ferry. You need to buy an Opal card to pay for fares on public transport. This is similar to London’s Oyster card and makes it simple to travel around the city.
Sydney’s economy is larger than that of Hong Kong or Singapore, producing more than $306 billion of goods and services each year. The major industries in the city are financial and professional services, manufacturing, information and communications technology, tourism, research and education, and the creative industries. Employment prospects in Sydney are quite good, with plenty of opportunities available and a low unemployment rate.
Sydney is home to a wide range of universities and educational institutions to help you further your learning. The University of Sydney (USYD) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) are ranks 46 and 49 respectively in the QS World University Rankings list.
Sydney is also home to other such as Macquarie University, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) and the University of Western Sydney (UWS). Whatever you'd like to study, you're sure to find a suitable course.

Read our full Sydney guide

Living in Melbourne

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and is Australia’s second-largest city. The city's centre branches out from the banks of the Yarra River. It is often referred to as the country's cultural and sporting capital, and is also home to some of Australia’s best dining and nightlife venues. Little wonder The Economist magazine regularly names Melbourne as one of the most livable cities in the world.

When it comes to weather, Melbourne is renowned for having "four seasons in one day". It does have four definite season changes, but conditions can often change unexpectedly within a single day. As it is further south than Sydney, winter daytime temperatures are lower.

Choosing where to live in Melbourne depends on your lifestyle and preferences. You can live by the bay in the artsy inner suburb of St Kilda, or further around the bay in Sandringham, which is also buzzy but has more of a village feel. Fitzroy, in the city's north-east, is unpretentious but vibrant and is one of the city's oldest districts. Richmond is a bustling retail centre with a liberal dose of cafes and restaurants. Camberwell and Surrey Hills are classic leafy suburbs, perfect for families. Melbourne is a multicultural city and you can find areas with large pockets of Greek, Italian, Chinese and Indian residents.
Melbourne's city centre was designed around a grid system, so it is simple to navigate. There is an extensive public transport system which is efficient and easy to use, especially in the inner city areas. Most areas are connected by train or tram, and any areas where they are not available are serviced by buses. You need to buy a myki card to pay for fares on any of these transport systems.
Job prospects are quite good for people planning to move to Melbourne. The main industries in Melbourne and in Victoria as a whole, include the automotive industry, aviation, building and construction, education, engineering, nursing, financial services, and information and communications technology. Many of the city's employers welcome migrants looking for work and there is a reasonably low unemployment rate.
The state of Victoria has the highest university participation and graduation rates in the Asian region, and Melbourne is home to some world-class educational institutions. Students can study at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), the University of Melbourne, La Trobe University, Monash University or a number of other educational providers.
Both Monash and the University of Melbourne are members of the Group of Eight, a coalition made up of Australia's eight leading research universities. In 2017, Melbourne was ranked the 5th best student cities in the world according to Top Universities.

Read our full Melbourne city guide

Living in Brisbane

Brisbane's weather is what attracts many migrants to Australia’s third-largest city. Temperatures are warmer than in Sydney and Melbourne as it sits in the subtropics, and consecutive days of sunshine are more reliable.

Although Brisbane is a major urban hub, it has a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere. It's also within easy distance of summer holiday spots like the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast.

With a population of over 2 million, Brisbane has been enjoying a growth period as more people relocate to take advantage of its climate and more reasonable house prices. The city centre is compact and is situated on the banks of the Brisbane River, from where its suburbs spread out.
You can find reasonably priced accommodation quite close to the city centre in suburbs such as Auchenflower and Paddington. If you are looking for more family-friendly living, have a look at the Morayfield region to the north. If you look for property away from the city itself, you can find homes boasting large parcels of land, but still be within reasonable driving distance of the CBD.
The grid-like layout and compact nature of Brisbane’s CBD make it relatively easy to get around. If you need to drive, a number of one-way streets can make navigation a little difficult which is not too unusual for larger cities such as Sydney, though not so much of a problem with smaller cities like Canberra and Adelaide. However, there is plenty of public transport available to all major areas, and you can catch trains, ferries and buses using the TransLink ticketing system. As the city continues to grow, the transport network is growing with it.
Brisbane has a thriving economic environment which, together with the relaxed ambience, offers a lifestyle you may not find in other cities. Major industries in the region include hospitality, tourism, health, finance, commercial business and manufacturing. As Brisbane is a city experiencing rapid growth, job prospects for migrants are good, with a wealth of employment opportunities available for the right applicants.
If you’re looking for study opportunities, Brisbane offers universities and educational institutions that cover all major disciplines and career paths .
The University of Queensland (UQ) is the state’s oldest university. It has more than 51,000 students and is 51st in the QS World University ranking list. Other options include, Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).

Read our full Brisbane city guide

Living in Hobart

From its relaxed country atmosphere to beautiful country surrounds, Tasmania's capital city has plenty to offer. A far cry from the hustle and bustle of Sydney or Melbourne, Hobart moves at a much slower pace. However, it is culturally rich and a food lover's paradise.

Being Australia's southernmost capital city, Hobart has the coldest temperatures of all the capital cities, getting down to as low as 4ºC during winter. Summers are pleasantly warm and can climb into the high 20s (Celsius).

The second oldest city in Australia, Hobart sits alongside the Derwent River and at the base of Mount Wellington. There are a number of desirable suburbs along the length of the Derwent, while the historic surrounds of Battery Point or the water views of Sandy Bay are always popular.
If you are migrating to Hobart with a family you should consider the southern suburb of Kingston which is known for its friendly atmosphere.
Hobart has a somewhat insular economy, which means it is protected to some degree from the global fluctuations of international markets. While it isn’t an area that often experiences rapid economic growth, there are still reasonable employment prospects for skilled migrants.
The occupations list provided under the State Migration Plan includes positions in industries such as construction, health, hospitality, automotive, viticulture and engineering. The Tasmanian Government Department of State Growth can assist people who are moving to Australia and looking for work.

Read our full Hobart guide

Living in Adelaide

Known for its Mediterranean climate, and with a population of around 1.3 million, Adelaide is becoming an increasingly popular place to live for new arrivals to the country. The capital of South Australia, Adelaide combines a relaxed lifestyle, affordable house prices and enviable weather conditions. The weather is generally very pleasant, only dropping to around 7ºC at night during winter, while averaging in the high 20s (Celsius) during summer.

Adelaide is often described as more like a big country town than a major city, and you can expect to pay country town house prices rather than the higher costs of big cities. The median house price in Adelaide is under $400,000, though properties on the coast tend to cost more than those inland.
The historic beachside suburb of Glenelg is one sought-after location, while family-friendly suburbs include Aberfoyle Park, Belair and Banksia Park.
Adelaide is currently experiencing a population decline with many workers migrating interstate. While increased skilled worker migration may be the answer to increase population and replace these roles, South Australia's limited migration structure for visa eligibility has hampered this process.
Bluestone Migration estimates stipulate that Adelaide needs about 5,000 new skilled migrants every year to thrive, so there is obviously a need for the right people. Immigration South Australia can help you with applications and additional information. Major industries in Adelaide include health care, manufacturing, retail, public administration, education and training.
Students looking to further their education in South Australia can choose from a number of institutions. According to the Good Universities Guide 2017, the University of South Australia's strength lie in skills development and social equality.
The University of Adelaide is the country’s third-oldest university and has been named as one of the world’s top 300 according to QS. Bradford College offers a pathway for international students to the university. Flinders University and the University of South Australia also offer international programs.

Read our full Adelaide guide

Living in Canberra

It’s a common misconception that Sydney, being the largest city in Australia, is also its capital. In fact the nation's capital, Canberra, is one of its smallest cities with a population of just over 373,000. It is part of a federal district known as the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). Being the home of Australia's parliament, it has a continual influx of workers as well as visitors. Canberra has a dry climate and experiences temperatures as low as freezing in winter and averages in the high 20s (Celsius) at the height of summer.

Australia’s capital city is divided down through the centre by Lake Burley Griffin. To the north are the shopping and commercial areas, as well as institutions such as the Australian War Memorial and National Library. Beyond these are the main suburbs, where many government workers choose to reside.
Suburbs such as Ainslie and O’Connor are popular areas for family living, while the majority of residents in Braddon and Civic live in apartments.
South of the lake is the Parliamentary Triangle and embassy area. While there are also residential areas, the population is around half of that in the north, and features more expensive, waterside properties such as those on the Kingston Foreshore.
As Canberra was purposely designed to be Australia's capital city, it is an easy city to navigate. Traffic jams don’t really exist, and most car journeys take little more than 20 minutes. As the city is flat, many residents choose to walk or cycle into work.
Because of its small size, Canberra hasn't had the need for a suburban train or tram system. There is an extensive local bus network, plus a train station and interstate buses for travel to other cities and townships.
A large proportion of Canberra's residents are public servants who work for either the Australian or ACT governments. However, there are also many people employed in the private sector, making it a destination for business people.
While it may not be the business mecca of Australia, Canberra enjoys a low unemployment rate and the highest average full-time income in Australia, making it an enviable place in which to work.
Canberra has a wealth of choices for higher education. The University of Canberra (UC) and the Australian National University (ANU) offer undergraduate and graduate courses in a range of disciplines, including arts, business, engineering and legal studies. ANU was listed in the top 25 of the QS world university rankings in 2017.
Other options for study include trade-based schools such as The Australian International Hotel School (AIHS), and the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA).
ACT is one of the most affordable states or territories to purchase a home. That is, when you consider the proportion of income required to meet loan repayments. Rent-wise, it's cheaper than Sydney and Darwin but not more affordable than Melbourne.
As at February 2017, the average asking rent for a unit in Canberra is $416.20 per week. The average asking rent price in Canberra for a house is $574.20 per week.

Read our full Canberra guide

Living in Darwin

Thanks to its tropical location, Darwin has a laid-back and relaxed environment. It is surrounded by world-class natural scenery, has a buzzing nightlife and enjoys warm weather all year round. There is a tropical weather pattern of dry and wet seasons. The dry occurs between April and October and is the more pleasant of the two, with clear skies and balmy nights. During the wet season there are many storms and little reprieve from the average temperature of around 30ºC.

Darwin is currently experiencing economic growth, and with new port facilities, an improved airport and the construction of the north-south railway, that growth is expected to continue. There are plenty of employment opportunities available for migrants with the right skills and training.
Major industries in the region include construction, retail, accommodation and food services, public administration and health care.

Read our full Darwin guide

Living in Perth

Last but certainly not least on this guide to Australia’s capital cities is Perth. Featuring a wonderful climate and relaxed beachy lifestyle, it’s definitely worth considering when looking for somewhere to live. It has a population of around 1.25 million, and although it is the most isolated capital city in the world, it has just as much to offer as its long-distance neighbours. Another consistently warm city, Perth temperatures never drop too low, peaking above 30ºC during summer and dipping to around 18ºC in winter.

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is a member of the Group of Eight and is one of Australia’s leading educational institutions. It is ranked just outside the top 100 tertiary education institutions in the world.
There are plenty of other study options for Western Australian students, including Curtin University, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University (ECU), each of which offers a comprehensive range of disciplines.

Read our full Perth guide

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243 Responses

EFebruary 20, 2018

Hi. I have previously lived in Australia when I was in my 20s on a working holiday visa. Since I have been playing professional sport in the UK and France. Post retirement (in the next 2-4 years) I would like to relocate with my family back to Aus.
What are the visas or requirements available if you are looking to bring you own business to the country? My wife both have our own businesses separately some based in the uk and other bits of it online. Thanks.

Reply
- Staff
  
  MayMarch 12, 2018Staff
  
  Hi E,
  
  Thanks for your question.
  
  Best to check the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) who is responsible for Australian business visas. Although you can get some important guides on Business Government page as well.
  
  Hope this helps.
  
  Cheers,
  May
  
  Reply
ShenuNovember 24, 2017

My name is Shenu. I’m living in sri lanka. Actually my dream is to live in Australia. And I want to be a citizen in Australia.I want do a job in Australia but I don’t know what are the rules and regulations to be a citizen and come to Australia . I hope this site will help me to find that informations quickly. I’m waiting for a reply.

Reply
- MariaNovember 25, 2017
  
  Hi Shenu,
  
  Thank you for your inquiry.
  
  You may find our Australian Visa and Citizenship Guide helpful as it provides information on the application process as well as links to the government pages concerned.
  
  On the other hand, you may also read about Jobs in Australia regarding areas of employment, the different working visas and the legal requirements to work in Australia.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Best,
  Maria
  
  Reply
EmadOctober 14, 2017

Hi, I’m from Egypt and searching for studying & working in Australia, but confused about where I should start.
I like quite places like villages & also like beaches, but which place could be helpful to study English and also could find part time jobs.

Reply
- Staff
  
  ArnoldOctober 15, 2017Staff
  
  Hi Emad,
  
  Thanks for your inquiry
  
  The page above shows information about each location’s transport, working life, universities, and cost of living. You may check them out. desirable features of the places are highlighted so it will be easy for you to decide which one suits your needs.
  
  Hope this information helps
  
  Cheers,
  Arnold
  
  Reply
PhilisileOctober 6, 2017

I’m planning to move in to Australia with my husband and 2 kids, we are forex traders. Won’t I have a problem when applying for a Visa?

Reply
- Staff
  
  AshOctober 6, 2017Staff
  
  Hi Philisile,
  
  Thank you for reaching out to us.
  
  You may look into this page for guide in migrating to Australia. And this page for getting a Visa and Australian Citizenship.
  
  This may also help you in your move to Australia.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Let us know if there is anything else that we may assist you with.
  
  Cheers,
  Ash
  
  Reply
NgawangGedunSeptember 13, 2017

Could you do a favour for my family unite? but now i have not enough visa fee.

Reply
- MariaSeptember 13, 2017
  
  Hey Gedun,
  
  Based on your comment, you might be looking for assistance for your Visa in order to be reunited with your family.
  
  As finder is a financial comparison website providing general information, we cannot assist you financially and it would be best to reach out to your local lenders to check your eligibility and options.
  
  We do have this page on Australian Visa and Citizenship Guide that may be of use to you.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Best,
  Maria
  
  Reply
SAKSeptember 12, 2017

Hello! I am a Manufacturing Engineer currently working in India and have work experience of over 22 years . Last year I applied and got visa under subclass 190 from South Australia. As my job was in demand in the state’s occupation list, I got my visa in very quick time.
Will it be a good decision to move to South Australia to settle down?
Since I have a good job here, I am a little reluctant as I am not much aware of the job prospects there in SA. Can somebody let me know whether I can get a reasonably good job in SA in my field?

Reply
- GruSeptember 13, 2017
  
  Hello Sak,
  
  Congratulations on the speedy approval of your visa application.
  
  As a friendly reminder, please note that finder is an Australian comparison website and general information service.
  While we do not represent any company we feature on our pages, we can offer you general advice.
  
  You would have to ultimately decide on you own if it would be a good decision to move to South Australia to settle down.
  
  Aside from this page, the links below may guide you to make an informed decision on your planned move.
  Finding a Job in Australia
  Job Outlook in Australia
  Long-term and Short-term Accommodation in Australia
  Living in Australia – What happens after you settle in
  Australian Immigration Guide
  
  Hope this helped.
  
  If you need further guidance, please do not hesitate to reach out to us again so we can assist.
  
  Cheers,
  Gru
  
  Reply
AnnSeptember 11, 2017

Hi there I’m currently working here in UAE and planning to move to Australia after my contract. I’m a nurse. What would be the requirements or qualifications?

Reply
- Staff
  
  DanielleSeptember 11, 2017Staff
  
  Hi Ann,
  
  Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
  
  You may refer to this page https://www.finder.com.au/moving-to-australia as a reference guide.
  
  I hope this helps.
  
  Cheers,
  Danielle
  
  Reply
PeterAugust 11, 2017

Hello, I was planning to move from East Africa to Australia. I am a pharmacist, my wife is a nurse and we have a kid of 2 years old. Can you tell me the process?

Reply
- JonathanAugust 11, 2017
  
  Hello Peter,
  
  Thank you for your inquiry.
  
  We have a detailed guide written on this page about moving to Australia. Alternatively, we have a checklist to help you on-board. :)
  
  Hope this helps.
  
  Cheers,
  Jonathan
  
  Reply
TravisJuly 31, 2017

Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Hobart
Adelaide
Canberra
Perth

-From the list above, what do you think is Australia’s best place to visit
-From this list what do you think is Australia’s best place to live
-What age group are you in 5-10 11-19 20-39 40-59 60 and over

Reply
- Staff
  
  ArnoldAugust 4, 2017Staff
  
  Hi Travis,
  
  Thanks for your inquiry.
  
  1. Canberra
  2. Sydney
  3. 20-39
  
  Hope this information helped.
  
  Cheers,
  Arnold
  
  Reply
tianaJuly 21, 2017

Hey, I am looking to move from New Zealand with a 1 year old. So I’m looking for good working hours and a nice community.

Reply
- Staff
  
  RenchJuly 22, 2017Staff
  
  Hi Tiana,
  
  Thanks for reaching out to us.
  
  You’re actually already on the correct page on where you can get helpful information on living and working in Australia. You may check each state and click on the tabs like ‘Where to live’, ‘Working life’, ‘Cost of living’ on this page to see more info.
  
  Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
  
  Cheers,
  Rench
  
  Reply

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