Where to live in Australia: your guide to relocating Down Under

PTE Author
PTE Author
Flinders Street Station Melbourne

Endless beaches, world-class coffee, and… spiders the size of dinner plates (?) — Australia really does have it all! Thinking about making the move to the Land Down Under? Well, grab your sunscreen and let's explore the best places to call home in Australia.

Melbourne: the hipster haven

If laneway cafes, vibrant street art, and sipping artisanal coffee while wearing all black are your thing, Melbourne is your Southern Hemisphere soulmate.

Consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, Melbourne’s thriving arts and music scenes, paired with endless brunch spots serving smashed avo on toast, keep the vibe electric.

With its unpredictable weather and famous tram network, Melbourne is a quirky yet sophisticated hub that never goes out of style.

Sydney: the showstopper

Sydney dazzles with its iconic Opera House and Harbour Bridge, but there’s so much more to this multicultural metropolis.

From the golden sands of Bondi Beach to bustling neighborhoods like Newtown and Surry Hills, Sydney combines natural beauty with urban excitement. A magnet for international students and professionals, the city boasts fantastic job opportunities and a lively social scene.

Just prepare for housing prices that might rival your love for flat whites – but the unbeatable lifestyle makes it worth every cent.

Brisbane: the sunny sweetheart

Brisbane is a laid-back city that deserves more love. With over 300 days of sunshine each year, it’s a paradise for those who prefer a more relaxed pace without sacrificing big-city perks.

The South Bank precinct offers riverside dining, cultural attractions, and a man-made beach, while nearby adventures like Moreton Island and the Gold Coast are just a short trip away.

Perth: the isolated gem

Perth may be one of the most isolated major cities in the world, but it’s worth the extra travel time for the quality of life.

With pristine beaches, sunny weather, and a booming economy, this Western Australian city has it all. Weekend wine tastings in the Swan Valley or trips to the quokka-filled Rottnest Island are local favorites.

Plus, with world-class universities and a vibrant arts scene, Perth proves that being far from everything can be a blessing in disguise.

The Gold Coast: the eternal summer

If you dream of an endless summer filled with surfing, sunshine, and stunning beaches, the Gold Coast will be your ultimate playground.

Known for its laid-back spirit, you’ll find a booming food scene, thrilling theme parks, and lush hinterlands perfect for hiking, as well as the famous 3 km-long “Surfers Paradise”.

The Gold Coast offers a year-round vacation vibe without compromising on modern conveniences.

Adelaide: the festival city

Adelaide may be quieter than some of its bigger siblings, but don’t underestimate its charm.

Known as the “Festival City,” Adelaide comes alive with events like the Adelaide Fringe and WOMADelaide. Its surrounding wine regions, including the Barossa Valley, are world-class, and the city’s low cost of living is a bonus.

Whether you’re enjoying fresh produce at the Adelaide Central Market or swimming with dolphins off the coast, Adelaide combines culture, nature, and affordability into one appealing package.

Canberra: the sophisticated sister

Often overshadowed by Sydney and Melbourne, Australia’s capital city quietly holds its own with top-tier universities, abundant job opportunities, and a clean, green aesthetic.

Canberra’s museums, galleries, and parks make it a cultural treasure trove, while its thriving food scene keeps locals happy. Sure, there are plenty of roundabouts, but that just adds to the city’s unique charm.

With a focus on education, career growth, and quality of life, Canberra is a sophisticated choice for those who value stability and style.

Relocating to Australia

Moving to Australia isn’t just about picking a city—it’s about embracing a lifestyle that offers both opportunity and belonging. When we talked to people who’d made the move, 90% of respondents report that they feel welcome in Australia and 81% say they have access to opportunities that aren’t available in their home countries.

If you’re planning to make the move Down Under, we’re here to make sure you have a worry-free start. PTE Academic is accepted by 100% of Australian universities and colleges, and it’s valid for all migration visas.

It’s the faster, fairer, simpler test that opens the door to your Australian adventure — no matter which city you choose to call home.

Book PTE Academic now

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    Studying abroad is rarely cheap. Even if you’ve got a scholarship, a job on the side can help you live a little more comfortably during your degree. Luckily, there are lots of jobs for international students in the UK. You just need to know where to find them.  

    Once you arrive, you’ll be able to do the traditional resumé drop-offs and ask about opportunities in the store. But you don’t have to wait until then to start your hunt. Jumping online and applying in advance is the best method for getting a job in the UK for international students. It’s also nice to know that you’ve got a casual or part-time position waiting for you.  

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    • Summer jobs in the UK for international students 

    • Graduate jobs for international students in the UK

       

    Part-time jobs in the UK for international students

    If you’ve got strong time-management and organization skills, working a part-time job while you study can be an effective way to earn an income. On an international student visa (Student route visa), you’re able to work up to 20 hours per week during the term. 

    Common part-time jobs for international students in the UK include: 

    • Receptionist

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    • Waiter/barista/bar tender

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    • Library assistant

    Would you prefer a part-time job that is more academic in nature will intellectually challenge you as much as your actual course? You might consider becoming a research assistant at your university.

    If you’re studying a postgraduate degree or PhD, you could even apply for part-time teaching jobs in the UK for international students. Sharing your experience with undergraduates in tutorials is a great way to solidify your own knowledge while earning some money.

    The UK’s largest job databases are a good place to start your hunt:

    If you’ve got a specific job in mind, try searching for a niche jobs website (e.g. C+D Jobs is a great place to find pharmacy jobs in the UK for international students).

    Most UK universities have support services that can help you find a part-time job (as well as a job after you graduate). As an example, the career center at University College London helps UCL students with all types of career-related activities – including finding part-time jobs in London for international students. Similarly, the University of Edinburgh runs a careers service where international students can get advice about part-time jobs in Scotland. Visit your chosen university’s website to see what kind of career services they provide.

    Summer jobs in the UK for international students 

    Prefer to focus all your time and energy on your studies? That’s alright – a casual job during semester breaks might be a good alternative for you. A student visa allows you to work full-time during vacation periods.

    Most of the part-time jobs listed above are also great options for working during your time off. You may also find an opportunity over summer to work as a:

    • Sales representative

    • Event assistant

    • Call center operator

    • Private tutor

    The resources previously mentioned for part-time jobs are also relevant for international students finding a summer job in the UK. You should also consider talking to your university’s career support staff about any summer internships that might be available – these can provide a great experience and give you a foot in the door.

    Graduate Jobs in the UK for International Students

    As your final exam and graduation approach, you’ll naturally start thinking about your first job after university. The UK’s immigration program will allow you to transition from a student visa to a working visa if you secure a position that meets the relevant salary and time criteria.

    This is where your university’s career center will really come in handy, so make sure you’ve made appointments with them well ahead of your last class. They can help you find and apply for UK jobs for international graduates.

    Many jobsites allow you to filter your search to jobs that are marked as suitable for new graduates. Check that you’re searching in the right area/with the right filter.  

    Whether you’re looking for a part-time role while you study or a full-time job to extend your stay in the UK, you’ll find a wide range of opportunities available to you.

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    Reading: Self-Improvement
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    There are many ways you can improve your chances of gaining points in Part 2: Reading during PTE Academic.

    To improve your reading skills, practice increasing your reading speed and comprehension at the same time. In turn, you will improve your writing, grammar and vocabulary skills.

    To do well in this part of the test, you need to be able to read quickly, using effective reading strategies, as there is a limited time to answer all questions.

    Speed reading tasks will help improve your reading speed. Practice speed reading every day and:

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    • Reading short articles of around 300 words

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    You can also try this as a challenge with your friends to help keep motivated. Once you are happy with your comprehension and speed, focus on chunks (groups of words) rather than individual words.

    When your reading skills reach a level you are happy with, you will feel more confident to answer the questions.

    Multiple-choice, choose single answer

    In the Multiple-Choice, Single Answer question type, some test takers make the mistake of scan reading and matching the words in the text to the words in the answer. Generally, the words in the text are not used in the correct answer, therefore it is important to learn how to use synonyms and paraphrasing as it will be used in the test.

    Learn how to improve your grammar in our Reading: Core Skills part 1 article.

    Multiple-choice, choose multiple answers

    In this question type, you will need more time than in the Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer question type, as you need to intensively read the stem (the part before the options) as well as the options, then scan read the text on the screen until you find the part of the text that contains information that was in the stem.

    Read the options very carefully and match the meaning of the option with the text. Do not match the words – this is something test takers may make errors with.

    You should also make sure not to choose all the options since you lose one point for each incorrect choice. However, you cannot score below zero.

    Re-order paragraphs

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    In this question type, skim-read the text to get the ideas of the topic of the text. From there, you should read all the sentences carefully.

    Fill in the blanks and reading & writing: fill in the blanks

    For both Fill in the Blanks and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks question types, you will need to understand a range of vocabulary, collocations, grammar, pronouns, and cohesive devices, as well as being able to identify when plural nouns are needed.

    You will also need to be able to skim read to get an idea of the meaning of the text, then read intensively before and after each blank. If unsure, you should guess based on the context.

    Make sure you do not leave any spaces blank. You do not need to correctly fill in all spaces to get points.

    To go back and review the question types within the reading test, we suggest learning more about the reading questions.

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