Sydney

Sydney is the largest Australian capital city located in New South Wales. The population of Sydney is around 5 million (2020) and it competes of the first spot together with Melbourne. The famous Sydney Opera House is possibly the most iconic building in the city centre – and also what Sydney is the most famous for. The residents of Sydney are known as Sydneysiders and the medium age is 36 years of age, so it is a perfect place to be around as a student! The timezone in New South Wales and Sydney is GMT +10.

The job market in New South Wales

The economy of New South Wales represents a significant proportion of the Australian economy with the total of 33.0% of Australia’s GDP. Sydney alone accounts for almost one quarter of Australia’s GDP. NSW has the largest manufacturing industry in Australia: The main industries are different types of services, mining, industrial and transportation equipment, food processing, chemicals and steel. More than half of Australia’s top 100 companies have their headquarters in Sydney, and NSW is also home to more than 65% of all Asia Pacific regional headquarters located in Australia, which accounts to more than 600 companies.

Is Sydney a good place to live?

Bigger than Melbourne and less remote than Sydney, Sydney’s got it all going on whether you’re a young single professional thinking of migrating to Sydney or a family that’s decided Australia has more to offer in general. Sydney and NSW offer a world-class quality of life: Sydney even beats sophisticated and well-known cities such as Luxembourg, Bern, Ottawa and Montreal who all make it into the top 30 but can’t beat Sydney for quality of life and economic stability. As for families, Sydney is a wonderful place to bring up children, with its great climate, beaches, parks and good education system.

Accommodation in Sydney for International Students

Which is the best suburb to live in Sydney?

According to the Urban Living Index, Crows Nest is the most liveable suburb in Sydney. Other suburbs that scored highly include North Sydney, Lavender Bay, Neutral Bay, Kirribilli as well as Manly and Fairlight. Suburbs, like Manly and Warringah – which are near the northern beaches – are very popular with expat families. These areas have some excellent private and public schools.

How much are student accommodation and rent in Sydney?

On average you can expect to pay between $250 – $750 a week in Sydney, keeping in mind this does not include your utilities. Flatmates and Flatmate Finders are popular sites to find shared accommodation in Sydney and will help you fall on the cheaper end ($250) of the rental price. The average cost of living on campus at a university in the Sydney area ranges between $665 – $1000 per week (that usually includes food).

Does universities and colleges in Sydney have student apartments?

Yes. Universities and vocational institutes in Sydney have a variety of different student apartments and dorms both on-campus and off-campus but be aware – most places reach full capacity well before the start of the academic year.

How do I find accommodation in Sydney?

• Flatmates.com.au
• Gumtree.com.au
• Hostelworld.com
• Realestate.com.au
• Domain.com.au
• Reiwa.com.au
• Different Facebook groups

Which accommodation should I select? Who provides accommodation for international students?

Deviating from the traditional norms of campus cultures, local university students in Sydney do not have a cemented norm of living on campus – but, a majority of the institutions in Sydney serve the option of living on campus that cater to both international and local students.

Cost of living in Sydney for International Students

How expensive is Sydney? Is Sydney more expensive than other cities?

Sydney has ranked 11th among the world’s most expensive cities to relocate for both students, singles and families. Sydney remains the most expensive Australian city to live in but still many argue it is by far the best place to live in.

What is the living cost for international students in Sydney?

• The living cost in Sydney for international students typically consists of the rent (on campus or off-campus), school fees and other general living costs. Even though Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia, once can find many lunch and dinner deals, as well as sales in supermarkets and retails shops.
• International students are unfortunately not offered discounts on public transport, however, are in entertainment and hobby areas.

What salary do you need to live in Sydney? How much money do I need at the beginning in Sydney?

It is recommended that you should have access to around A$4000* when you arrive in Sydney to settle in and pay your bond (which is a security deposit for your landlord), and a budget of approx. A$600* per week to cover the cost of living in Sydney.

*It is good to remember that the amounts depend on your rental cost and lifestyle.

How much does food cost in Sydney?

The price of basic dining out menu, including a drink, in the business district in Sydney is around AU$20. The prices in the grocery stores are average Australian prices.

Jobs in Sydney for International Students

Most of the Australia’s largest companies are located in Sydney City. There are a variety of different jobs available for international students in Sydney from cafes and bars to bigger companies and managerial positions.

As and international student you can also start your own company.

What sort of jobs can I do in Sydney as an international student?

• Catering and hospitality business
• Retail and warehouse staff
• Office and retail cleaning industry
• Health and aged care
• Car wash and automotive industry
• Painting and construction
• Different office jobs
• And many more!

How much can international student earn in Sydney?

A student on a Student Visa is entitled to earn a minimum wage of $19.49 per hour or $740.80 per 38-hour week (before tax) for working both on-campus and off-campus during the period of their full-time study. An average pay is usually higher, so it is likely to earn more.

How can an international student get a job in Sydney?

International students often work within the hospitality and childcare section; however, students are working in a wide range of different jobs. It is essential to look for work in the area that you will be studying in and, therefore, internships are an option to gain work experience and a future paid job.

Is it hard to get a job as an international student in Sydney?

Having a part-time job is often an essential part of studying abroad and international students are a big part of the job market in Sydney. The Student Visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week. Make sure you’re realistic about the work you can take on with your level of experience – but try to pick an area that will help you in your career. Jobs that aren’t in your field can still help you gain transferable skills that will be valuable and look great on your resume!

What is the minimum salary in Australia?

The current minimum wage in Australia is $740.80 per week, which equates to a minimum hourly rate of $19.49. However, usually, the pay is higher depending on your field of work. Many hospitality jobs also offer penalty rates.

Transport in Sydney

With convenient public transportation, you can easily move around the place without a hassle. Public buses, trains, trams, taxis and rideshare services (Uber, Ola, Didi and Taxify in Sydney) are the options for you if you don’t want to worry about parking. Sydney metro / train network peak times are usually between 6.30am-10am and 3pm-7pm.

How does public transport work in Sydney?

Public transport in Sydney features trains, light rail, buses and ferries. Privately operated light rail lines, airport links, sightseeing buses and taxis complement the public network. Planning your trip is easy with Google maps or with the public transportation operating Opal app.

Is public transport free in Sydney?

A free city centre shuttle bus (route 555) operates every 10 minutes on a circuit from Central Station to Circular Quay, along George Street, linking many of Sydney’s attractions. The service operates from 9am to 3.30pm on weekdays (to 9pm on Thursday evenings) and from 9.30am to 6pm on weekends.

How much does public transport cost in Sydney?

Adult tickets are for everyone aged 16 years and older and the prices for the tickets start from $3.61. You will receive a 30% fare discount on metro/train, bus and light rail services when travelling on weekends, public holidays and outside of the peak times (putting the price from $3.61 to $2.52). International students are only entitled to concession fares when their study is fully funded by specified Australian Government scholarships. International students on an Endeavour Scholarship, an Australian Awards Scholarship, or an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, are also eligible for concession rates.

How to use public transport in Sydney?

The Opal app trip planner or Google maps are the easiest ways to plan your trips with public transportation in Sydney.

What is the most popular mode of transportation in Sydney?

Public transportation, such as train and buses, is quite easy when traveling within the city, but it is also easy to use Uber, Ola, Didi and Taxify and while going out in the evenings.

Education in Sydney for International Students

Every year (since 2015) over 100,000 international students enrol to a university, Vocational College or English School in in NSW, making it the most popular study state in Australia. Most of the educational providers are in Sydney, therefore, the majority of the students can be found in the capital of the state.

Is Sydney a good place for international students?

Even in the world rankings, many of Sydney’s universities are in the top 10. Many international students want to study in Sydney because of the great weather and the good reputation. You can do countless of outdoor activities that include riding a bicycle, exploring the city centre, learning to surf in Manly or Bondi Beach, hiking in the Blue Mountains and a lot more.

What are the best Universities in Sydney?

The top 10 universities in Sydney are The University of Sydney (USYD), The University of New South Wales (UNSW), University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Macquarie University, Western Sydney University, The University of Notre Dame, Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS), National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), National Art School (NAS) and Whitehouse Institute of Design.

What can I study in Sydney?

Sydney is home to a substantial number of high-quality courses e.g. in many different business degrees, sports, technology and game design, architecture, economics, event management, web media, science, speech pathology, geophysics, and occupational therapy – and many more – for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees. Honestly, you can study pretty much anything on any level in Sydney! There are also a lot of different English courses for international students that you could study to prep up your English skills!

There are 35 universities in Sydney and even more Vocational Colleges and English Schools, so there is something for everyone!

How good is education in Australia?

The Education Index, published with the UN’s Human Development Index in 2018, based on data from 2017, listed Australia the second highest in the world! Australia is also a leading global provider of education to international students – and, after the United States and the United Kingdom, is ranked as the third-largest provider of international education.

Weather in Sydney

What is the warmest and coldest months of the year in Sydney?

Summer weather averages 26 to even up to over 40 degrees during it’s hottest days and it falls to a not so chilly 6-17 degrees during winter days and nights. Wettest is in June and windiest in January.

(As in the rest of Australia, summer is during December to Feb, while winter is during June and August)

When is the best time to visit Sydney?

Sydney and New South Wales has the best of both worlds when it comes to sunshine and rainfall. Warm in the summer and just the right amount of damp in the Autumn and Winter, Sydney has a fantastic climate to visit any time of the year. September is typically the driest month if you want to skip the rainfalls.

Does it rain a lot in Sydney?

Sydney weather sees a lot of rain throughout the year. In fact the average number of days with rain is 143.7. There is no real rainy season but September and October are the months with the least amount of rain – September being the driest.

What are the seasons in Sydney?

• Summer: December to February
• Autumn: March to May
• Winter: June to August
• Spring: September to November

Culture in Sydney

Sydney takes its theatre pretty seriously and is well-known for its love of all things performance related. From tiny, atmospheric theatre clubs and fringe shows, to spectacular drag and cabaret shows, there is a plethora of theatre on offer here. The State Theatre and the Sydney Opera House host world-class performers on a regular basis and you’ll never be short of something amazing to see. Packed with museums and visitor centres, there are plenty of opportunities to learn more about the city’s past and there are also plenty of organised and informative history walks to participate in.

Is Sydney a global city?

Sydney has of course long been attractive to migrants and today this colourful history has balanced and settled, with the many nationalities creating a wonderfully urbane feel to the city. Food from all nations is available in the many high-quality eateries which thrive in Sydney. Sydney’s Chinatown has a long and fascinating history and today is a thriving centre for shopping, cuisine and cultural experience. It also hosts one of the largest Chinese New Year Festivals in the world.

5 interesting facts about Sydney:

• Other than English, Chinese and Arabic are very popular languages spoken in Sydney.
• More than half of Australia’s top 100 companies have their headquarters in Sydney.
• The architect for the Sydney Opera House won only 5000 dollars for the design of the world renown building.
• World famous landmark Sydney Harbour Bridge is nicknamed ‘The Coat Hanger.’ It is the tallest steel arch bridge and the widest long-span bridge in the world.
• Like in the US, Sydney (and the rest of Australia) calls the worlds most popular sport soccer. Australia is one of the few places in the world that doesn’t say football, but instead calls it soccer. The Australian National Team is called the Socceroos.

What is Sydney famous for?

The most famous attractions include the Sydney Opera House, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Other attractions include the Sydney Mardi Gras, Royal Botanical Gardens, Luna Park, the beaches,Blue Mountains and Sydney Tower.

What is the food culture like in Sydney?

Sydneysiders are big on food and the huge variety available reflects the cultural diversity of the city. So no matter whether you’re looking for a café for lunch, to celebrate a night out with friends, try some Vietnamese or even an English pub to alleviate homesickness, you won’t be disappointed.

Lifestyle in Sydney

Why is Sydney a liveable city?

NSW and Sydney could be the most perfect place to raise a family in friendly and welcoming, clean environment with great schools, weather, beaches, outdoor lifestyle, safe, combined with all the advantages of living close to a cosmopolitan city.

Are there many clubs and restaurants in Sydney?

Nightlife and restaurants in Sydney and in general in Australia are good. Sydney has a lot of different types of cafes, rooftop bars, restaurants and breweries.

What to do during your free time in Sydney?

Sydney’s markets are famous for the many beautiful handmade goods on offer; from one-off jewellery and fashion to children’s toys and clothes, there always seems to be a market happening somewhere. Add the buzz of live music and excellent street food and you’ve got the makings of a great day out shopping. The stunning islands around Sydney Harbour National Park make wonderful places to visit for a day or longer and then there are some incredible bushwalking opportunities in Royal National Park too. Don’t forget the wonderful Blue Mountains National Park! You can enjoy a full-on camping experience, sleeping under the stars and observing some of the amazing wildlife here, or just have a ‘day out and a stroll’. It would take a lifetime to fully explore the many beautiful places in this part of the world!

What does nightlife look like in Sydney?

Nightlife in Sydney has always been a big part of the city’s history and today the clubs, bars and cafés are still renowned for their excellent music and cutting-edge mixology. But it’s not all fashion-forward and edgy; you will find that there are plenty of more traditional pubs and restaurants for those of us who prefer the quiet life!