Perth vs Adelaide: Best Study Destination for 2025

Global Ed
August 8, 2025


Which is the best city for international students in Australia: Perth vs Adelaide? It’s a question more and more students are asking while planning to study in Australia.

And honestly, it’s a great one.

Even though cities like Sydney are always in the spotlight, now the trends are tilting in favour of Adelaide and Perth. Many factors, like quality education, relaxed lifestyles, and affordable living, are drawing in more international students to both locations.

But when it comes down to choosing between the two, students often get stuck. Which suits better for international students better?


1. Academic Quality


Academic Quality

As far as educational standards are concerned, both Adelaide and Perth are excellent choices for international students. They are a good choice if you want a world-class university experience without going through the chaos of bigger cities. Now, let’s have a closer look at the universities in both cities and how they rank globally.

Perth

Perth is a city that takes education seriously. The universities are well-known for their global rankings and industry partnerships. Check out the best universities in the city:

The University of Western Australia (UWA)

UWA is Perth’s highest-ranked institution and a member of Australia’s Group of Eight, the country’s top research universities. As per QS University Rankings 2025 and GRAS 2024, 13 subjects of the university are ranked among the world’s top 50. And it’s #1 in Western Australia for graduate employability.

Curtin University

Curtin is a contemporary institution ranked in the top 1% of global universities. As of 2024, the university has the highest number of international students in Western Australia: 15,961.

The best part is that Curtin maintains close connections with Australian and Asian industry partners. Students can develop practical skills through the university’s global mobility programs and work-integrated learning structure.

Murdoch University

Murdoch is a Perth university that is known to be open-minded and inclusive. According to Times Higher Education, 60% of full-time enrollments in the university are from international students.

It provides distinctive study options in veterinary science, environmental science, criminology, and creative arts.

Edith Cowan University (ECU)

ECU is renowned for its high focus on teaching and applied learning. It’s famous for courses in nursing, teaching, cyber security, and performing arts.
In fact, ECU’s cyber security courses are recognised by the Australian Government and top industry bodies.

Adelaide

Here’s what Adelaide brings to the table:

The University of Adelaide

The University of Adelaide is another Group of Eight member and one of the oldest universities in Australia. The university boasts a legacy spanning more than 150 years, and it has an extensive record of Nobel Prize laureates among its graduates.
But the most appealing factor is that it is associated with a number of international research networks, presenting international students with a strong foundation for future career.

University of South Australia (UniSA)

UniSA is the largest university in Adelaide and is famous for its career-oriented education. Its curriculum is based on practical problem-solving. And many courses involve mandatory internships. The university’s collaborations with firms such as Siemens, Accenture, and PwC could create a competitive advantage for the students.

Flinders University

Flinders is a prestigious university in Adelaide that’s well-known for nursing, medicine, psychology, and humanities. As per official figures, the university has 4,015 international students onshore in 2024.

Perth vs Adelaide University Rankings (2025)


Now let’s have a look at the University Rankings in Adelaide and Perth:

City University QS World Rank 2025 Times Higher Ed Rank 2025
Perth University of Western Australia (UWA) 77 149
Perth Curtin University 174 251–300
Perth Murdoch University 436 401-500
Perth Edith Cowan University (ECU) 516 351-400
Adelaide University of Adelaide 82 128
Adelaide University of South Australia 340 301-350
Adelaide Flinders University 336 301-350

Perth vs Adelaide: Which Has Better Universities?


Both cities are excellent options if rankings and prestige are your primary concerns. Perth has a slight advantage in terms of research-heavy learning due to UWA and Curtin.
However, Adelaide’s excellent health and social science programs, particularly at the University of Adelaide and UniSA, are a good fit. So, the better city really depends on your learning style and preferred field of study.

2. Cost of Living


Perth

Perth is a lovely city with a laid-back lifestyle, but in some places it can be a bit more expensive.

Average Tuition Fees

Have a look at the estimate of the tuition fee you’ll pay at Perth universities:

University Estimated Tuition Fee
University of Western Australia (UWA) AUD 38,100 – 49,300 per year
Curtin University AUD 28,200 – 47,347 per year
Edith Cowan University AUD 32,000 – 49,800 per year
Murdoch University AUD 24,750 – 53,460 per year

Accommodation

A variety of living options are available in Perth:

  • On-campus accommodation options are available at a range of AUD 170 to AUD 400 per week. That’s indeed the best option to start with.
  • As you get used to the city and make friends, you can move to a shared apartment for more freedom. The cost range is almost the same (lower if you’re willing to share with more students): AUD 180–220 per week, depending on location.
  • If you’re financially stable enough, you can move to a single studio apartment for better privacy. However, it may cost up to AUD 300–350/week.

The most affordable option is shared housing outside of the city. Suburbs like Bentley and Joondalup offer cheaper rent and are close to major campuses.

Public Transport

Perth has a great transport system called Transperth. International students can get discounts with a Tertiary SmartRider card.
You can expect a student fare of around AUD 1.10–2.30 per ride. The monthly cost will be about AUD 40 to 60.

Groceries and Utilities

If you cook most of your meals, you can bring down the cost to AUD 80 to 120 a week. Restaurants will be way more costly.
On top of that, you can expect to pay about AUD 30–50 per week for utilities like electricity, the internet, and gas in shared apartments.

Entertainment

There are many free outdoor activities in Perth, such as beaches, parks, and festivals, that help offset the cost of living.
Plus, you can set aside almost AUD 18 — AUD 22 for the cinema and another AUD 15 – AUD 20 for a cafe. The total weekend outing budget would be about AUD 40 – AUD 60.

Adelaide

Adelaide is renowned as one of the most affordable cities for international students in Australia.

Tuition Fees

When it comes to tuition fees, there’s not much difference between Perth and Adelaide.

University Estimated Tuition Fee
University of Adelaide AUD 32,000 – AUD 59,000 per year
University of South Australia (UniSA) AUD 25,600 – AUD 43,800 per year
Flinders University AUD 17,750 – AUD 59,200 per year

Accommodation

The housing market in Adelaide is more reasonably priced, particularly in student-friendly suburbs like Bedford Park and Mawson Lakes.

  • You can get on-campus accommodation at approximately AUD 160–220 per week.
  • Weekly rent for a shared flat would be around AUD 150–200
  • AUD $250–300 per week for a private studio in the city

Students frequently find better deals than in other major Australian cities, even in the city centre.

Public Transportation

Adelaide Metro offers reliable trams, trains, and buses. The cost for students is approximately AUD 1.50 to AUD 2.00. You can apply for an unlimited 28-day student metro card for around AUD 10.

Groceries and Utilities

Daily costs are marginally less than in Perth because of the nearby farmer’s markets. You need to set aside only AUD 70 to AUD 100 a week for groceries. And in shared housing, utilities cost roughly AUD 25 to 45 per week.

Entertainment

Adelaide is a great choice for people who enjoy cultural events on a budget because of its festivals and wine regions.
A movie ticket may cost around AUD 17–20, and cafe fare will be AUD 12–18. In addition to that, you can calculate to spend about AUD 30 to 50 on social events over the weekend.

Expense Category Perth Adelaide
Tuition Fee Range AUD 24,750 – AUD 53,460 AUD 17,750 – AUD 59,200
Accommodation AUD 750 – AUD 1,200 AUD 650 – AUD 1,000
Transport AUD 40 – AUD 60 AUD 10 (Student Fare Card)
Groceries AUD 350 – AUD 500 AUD 300 – AUD 450
Utilities AUD 120 – AUD 200 AUD 100 – AUD 180
Entertainment AUD 150 –AUD 250 AUD 120 – AUD 200
Estimated Total AUD 1,410– AUD 2,210/month AUD 1,215– AUD 1,885/month

3. Part-Time Job Opportunities


The rules are the same across both cities. International students are allowed to work 48 hours per fortnight during semesters and unlimited hours in breaks.
But which city offers more job opportunities and higher hourly rates? Let’s check it out:

Perth

Perth has a resource-rich economy with job openings across several industries. The city’s fast-growing infrastructure has made part-time employment easy in both casual as well as skilled fields. You can work as:

  • Retail employees at shopping centres like Lakeside Joondalup or Karrinyup.
  • Jobs in food delivery, hotels, restaurants, and cafes
  • Jobs on campus at Curtin or UWA, like research interns, administrative assistants, or library support
  • Customer service executive
  • Freelance work (especially  for students with technical or artistic abilities)

How Much Can You Earn?

The Government of Western Australia has set a minimum hourly wage of AUD 25.08 for part-time work and AUD 31.35 for casual employment for adults. If you’re under 21 years of age, the hourly rates will be lower.
Most student jobs in hospitality and retail pay at or just above these minimum rates. Working on weekends or public holidays often attracts even higher pay due to penalty rates.

Adelaide

Despite its smaller size, Adelaide has surprisingly promising part-time jobs for students. International students can find flexible work in the city with relative ease due to its growing industries (such as tourism and healthcare). The best part is the lower competition for jobs. Some of the most common part-time jobs in the city are:

  • Café/barista or kitchen help in places like Rundle Street or Central Market
  • Retail assistant in malls like Rundle Mall or Westfield Marion
  • On-campus roles at UniSA or the University of Adelaide (student services, events, digital support)
  • Disability support workers (in high demand with decent hourly pay)
  • Festival/event crew, especially during Adelaide Fringe and other seasonal events
  • Office assistants

How Much Can You Earn?

The National Minimum Wage from July 2025 is AUD24.95/hr or AUD948/week as a base for adult employees (above 21 years of age). The rates would be higher in the health and hospitality sectors with extra pay for weekends.

4. Post-Study Work Opportunities


The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) in Australia lets international students stay back in the country and work after their studies. Undergraduates and postgraduates can stay for two and three years, respectively.
But the case is a bit different in Adelaide and Perth. Both are classified as ‘Category 2 – Regional Centres’ under Australia’s migration framework.
That regional status gives a great edge for international students. You will get an additional 1 to 2 years on your post-study work visa. On top of that, you will have regional migration points while applying for PR.
Even though the stay back period is sme, you need to have a clear-cut idea of the job opportunities of both cities for choosing to study between Perth and Adelaide.

Perth

Compared to Adelaide, Perth has a more solid economy and business opportunities, particularly in:

  • Mining and Resources
  • Engineering
  • Tech Startups
  • Health and Aged Care

Universities such as UWA and Curtin have strong industry connections to provide you with better placement opportunities.
As per Glassdoor, the average graduate student salary in Perth is AUD 60,000 to AUD 84,000.

Adelaide

In Adelaide, opportunities are available in a few slightly different sectors, like:

  • Research and public policy
  • Health
  • Creative Industry
  • Food Technology and Wine

Many global firms like BAE Systems, SAHMRI (health research), and Lot Fourteen (an innovation precinct) operate from Adelaide.
The average salary of a graduate student in Adelaide is around AUD 45,000 – AUD 73,000 per year (slightly lower than Perth).

5. Lifestyle and Culture


Perth has a strong outdoor vibe with lots of green spaces and sunny beaches. This city might be a good fit for you if you love a laid-back lifestyle. Additionally, there are many cafes and music venues that add excitement to student life.
Adelaide feels more artistic.  It’s often called Australia’s festival city, with art shows and live music events happening always. The city is small and home to a diverse population that welcomes international students.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


1. What is life like for international students in Adelaide and Perth?

Luckily, both cities are welcoming and multicultural. You will live in a safe environment with full community support.

2. Which city is the safest for single international students?

Both cities have high safety ratings. But Adelaide’s smaller population and slower pace tend to make it safer for single students.

3. Perth VS Adelaide: Which city has better weather?

Adelaide experiences colder winters, whereas Perth enjoys year-round sunshine and warmth. Both have Mediterranean climates, which are perfect for students who enjoy being outside!

4. Which city offers more networking opportunities for students?

Perth has a slight advantage due to its larger business scene, particularly in STEM and engineering.

Conclusion


So, when it comes to the same old debate of Perth vs Adelaide for international students, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both have great universities. The best option completely depends on your objectives and financial situation.

Still having doubts? At The Chopras – TC Global, we can help you figure out what’s better for you. Our dedicated team of experts will guide you through choosing the right city to getting your visa. Book a free counselling session with us now!

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