Adelaide is the capital of South Australia and the country’s fifth-largest city. It’s compact enough to walk across in under an hour, and consistently ranks as one of the more affordable Australian capitals for international students. Like Perth, Adelaide carries a designated regional classification for migration purposes.

Universities and major institutes

University of Adelaide (Group of Eight)
University of South Australia
Flinders University
Torrens University Australia (Adelaide campus)
TAFE SA

Cost of living

The cheapest mainland Australian capital for international students by most measures. Expect $180–$350 a week for a share-house room. Groceries for one person cooking most meals tend to land around $65–$120 a week, among the lowest of the capital cities. A flat white usually costs $4–$5, and a casual lunch in the city centre runs $13–$19. Adelaide’s compact size also means many students can walk or cycle to campus rather than budgeting for transport at all, which helps the overall cost of living further.

Migration advantage

Designated regional status means graduates of Adelaide courses may be eligible for additional regional skilled migration points and the Subclass 491 visa pathway.

Getting around

Adelaide’s trains, buses, trams and the O-Bahn busway all run on the metroCARD, Adelaide Metro’s tap-on system. The O-Bahn, a guided busway that lets buses run at speed along a dedicated concrete track, is a distinctive part of getting into the city from the northeastern suburbs. A weekly metroCARD spend for a typical student commute usually sits around $20–$35, with concession fares for eligible students. Adelaide’s flat, compact layout also means a lot of students simply walk or cycle between home, campus and the city rather than relying on public transport day to day.

Weather and lifestyle

Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate similar to Perth’s: hot, dry summers, especially in January and February when temperatures regularly climb into the mid-30s, and mild, wetter winters. The Adelaide Hills nearby offer a cooler escape on the hottest days, and the Barossa and McLaren Vale wine regions are both a short drive away, a genuine drawcard for students who enjoy weekend trips. The city’s festival calendar, the Adelaide Fringe in particular, brings a burst of energy each autumn that the rest of the year doesn’t quite match. Life here moves at a noticeably slower pace than Sydney or Melbourne, which suits students who want a quieter base for study.

Working while you study

Subclass 500 visa holders can work the standard 48 hours per fortnight during term, with no cap during course breaks. Adelaide’s smaller economy means fewer casual roles overall than in the eastern capitals, but also less competition for the ones that exist. Hospitality, retail and tutoring around the CBD and North Terrace are the most common student jobs, and the wine and hospitality sector around the Barossa and McLaren Vale occasionally offers seasonal work during vintage season for students willing to travel out of the city.

Studying in Adelaide