Australian Capital Territory
The Australian
Capital Territory has much to offer students, with a great lifestyle and a
range of education providers covering all fields of study.
Living in the ACT
Interstate students
should feel at home amongst the city's diverse and largely imported population.
Like its politicians and public servants, a significant proportion of
Canberra's student body hails from outside the ACT.
Canberra is a friendly, liveable city within easy reach of the mountains, the
coast and the bustling metropolis of Sydney. As the seat of government and home
to Australia’s public service, it boasts the sophistication and cultural
variety of bigger cities, but with a more relaxed pace. As you would expect
from the nation’s capital, Canberra is full of museums, monuments and
memorials, including Parliament House, the War Memorial, Questacon and the
National Gallery of Australia.
For those seeking
less intellectual pursuits, there are numerous sporting and leisure activities.
Locals are passionate rugby fans and turn out in droves to support their teams,
the Canberra Raiders and ACT Brumbies. Amateur sporting clubs of all kinds run
weekend competitions, and the peaceful surrounds of Lake Burley Griffin are
popular spots for students to enjoy some time out from study. While the
nightlife may not be quite as lively as in Sydney or Melbourne, there are
plenty of bars, nightclubs and live music venues. Annual events such as the
National Folk Festival, Floriade, Groovin’ the Moo and the Summernats car show
draw visitors from around Australia. For shopping on a student budget, try the
city’s produce markets or factory outlets in nearby Fyshwick, where you can
find everything from gourmet food to clothes and homewares.
The median weekly rental price for a house in the Australian Capital Territory is $470, while the average rental price for a unit sits at $395.
The median weekly
rental price for a house in Canberra is $470, while the average
rental price for a unit sits at $395.
The student rental
market is very competitive. Visit your institution’s housing service for
referrals or advice.
Note: Figures presented here are intended as a guide only. Prices vary within and between suburbs. Source: Realestate.com.au, May 2017.
Canberra has a good
bus network with weekday, evening and weekend services. The MyWay ticketing
system enables ticket holders to “tag on and off” as they travel using
rechargeable pre-paid cards. MyWay tertiary student cards entitle students to
travel at a discounted rate per trip. For more information, refer to the ACT
Government’s Transport for Canberra website.
Extensive bike paths make cycling to uni another option for many students.
The ACT has four distinctive seasons, with temperatures ranging from an average daily maximum of 9°C in July to 26°C in January.
Learn more about:
