When you think of Australia, your brain automatically goes straight to kangaroos, beaches, and sunsets. But the reality is that every single city down under has a completely different vibe from what you see in the movies and on the internet. Char from our International Recruitment team gives the rundown on each iconic Aussie city.
While most people are naturally drawn straight to Sydney or Melbourne, which are completely different in themselves, you cannot forget about all the other incredible places to live. Australia is a massive country, and there is guaranteed to be a city that perfectly matches you. The beauty of agency nursing and working with Healthcare Australia is that you can work nationwide. That means you don’t have to choose just one spot! You can go and try out each of the cities below to find out what best suits you and your lifestyle or simply use your shifts to travel and tick them all off your bucket list.
Have a flick through our compiled guide below to find out exactly where you are best suited to land.
Sydney
Sydney is the most popularly known city. Well, it definitely was for me! As a child watching Finding Nemo, I always wanted to visit Sydney, and it now happens to be my home. Yes, I am totally biased, but I would say I am a Sydney gal deep down. If you are someone that wants it all, then Sydney is for you.
You should move here if:
You want the balance of city and beach. Sydney is known for its iconic buildings but also for being surrounded by nature. Think weekdays in the city and weekends by the beach kind of vibe, especially the iconic Bondi Beach, which only takes about 30 minutes from the city by train btw. Now, it probably is the most expensive city to live in, but depending on your role, you will also earn the most here. Plus, there is a massive expat community making it so easy to make friends, and the best activities are completely free. Think coastal walks, whale watching, and even going to visit Benny the Seal!
- Cost of Living Rate: High 🔥
- Best Suburbs/Towns to Live In: Bondi, Coogee, and Randwick (perfect for beach vibes and close to major hospitals), or Surry Hills and Newtown if you prefer a trendy, urban lifestyle.
- Rent: A room in a beachside flat-share will cost you around $350 to $450 AUD a week, while your own 1-bed unit averages $650 to $750 AUD a week. Remember, rent in Oz is always advertised weekly!
- Transport: Caps adult fares at $50 AUD a week. Once you spend that commuting to your shifts, the rest of your travel for the week (including ferries) is completely free!
Things you MUST do:
- Walk from Bondi to Coogee
- Watch the sunset at Milk Beach
- Take a road trip to Palm Beach
- Hike in the Blue Mountains
- Catch the ferry to Manly
- Go for a sunrise kayak on the harbour
Melbourne
Melbourne is easily the most vibest, coolest city. It honestly reminds me a little of London or New York, and I would say it has the best bars and restaurants; it is very alternative. If you are a total foodie or a massive fan of music, fashion, and art and not in Australia for the beach, Melbs is for you.
You should move here if:
You love a cool city vibe that is alternative and full of character. You are also not so far from the beach, but it is a very different vibe to Sydney. It has less of a tropical feel and more of a trendy neighbourhood lifestyle. The weather isn’t quite as nice as Sydney (I think!), but it’s my absolute Favorite city for nightlife, fashion, and art. If your perfect weekend involves hidden bars, thrifting, and restaurant hopping, then you will love it. Plus, it’s packed with a massive crowd of young, social travellers making it so easy to make a group of mates.
- Cost of Living Rate: Mid-High ⚡
- Best Suburbs/Towns to Live In: St Kilda (by the beach), Fitzroy and Brunswick (the quirky, alternative hotspots), or South Yarra if you want something a bit sleeker.
- Rent: A room in a trendy house-share is about $250 to $350 AUD a week, while your own 1-bed apartment averages around $500 to $600 AUD a week.
- Transport: Super budget-friendly because all trams are completely FREE right inside the middle of the city centre!
Things you MUST do:
- Spend a morning getting lost in the famous Melbourne Laneways hunting for street art
- Walk down St Kilda Pier at dusk to see wild St Kilda Penguins living in the rocks at sunset
- Rent a car for a massive road trip down the Great Ocean Road
- Go shopping and restaurant hopping in Fitzroy
- Catch a game of AFL footy at the MCG
Perth
Perth is known for having some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches, and the lifestyle is so peaceful absolutely no one is in a rush here. If you want to completely escape the daily hustle and bustle, Perth will feel like your total sanctuary.
You should move here if:
You love the quiet life and don’t want the hustle and bustle. If your idea of heaven is white-sand beaches, ocean sunsets, the outdoors, and fitness, this is your place. It feels less touristy and more like an untouched paradise. It easily has the best weather in the country, and the sunsets directly over the ocean are unreal. Just a heads up you do probably need a car to get around properly here, but you get way more space for your money!
- Cost of Living Rate: Mid 🔹
- Best Suburbs/Towns to Live In: Scarborough and Cottesloe (beach lifestyle), or Subiaco and Leederville if you want great cafes closer to the city.
- Rent: Much cheaper for the size! A room in a share-house is roughly $220 to $300 AUD a week, and your own 1-bed place is around $450 to $550 AUD a week.
- Transport: The city centre features free hop-on, hop-off CAT buses running all day, meaning you can navigate the city for absolutely nothing!
Things you MUST do:
- Grab some chips and watch the sun set over the ocean at Cottesloe Beach
- Take a ferry to Rottnest Island to cycle the bays and see the quokkas (the happiest animals in the world!)
- Explore the Scarborough Summer Sunset Markets
- Wander through the botanic gardens at Kings Park
- Take a long weekend trip down to the Margaret River vineyards
Brisbane
Moving to Brisbane feels like you are on holiday constantly. If you are coming to Australia for the sunshine and great weather, Brissie is the place to be. If you are trying to completely escape the freezing cold back home, you’ll love it here.
You should move here if:
You want a laid-back, tropical city vibe. Brisbane is built around a massive winding river and sits firmly on the relaxed side of life. The cost of living is noticeably cheaper, and you are perfectly wedged right between the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast (only a 1-hour drive to each!). It’s a river city so they might not have a natural beach in the CBD, but they built a giant man-made beach right in the middle of South Bank and it’s completely free! It has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, fun nightlife where the streets turn into a party, and heaps of wildlife.
- Cost of Living Rate: Mid-Low 🌱
- Best Suburbs/Towns to Live In: New Farm and Fortitude Valley (for incredible food and social scenes), West End (for that alternative, friendly vibe), or Paddington for beautiful hilly streets.
- Rent: Much more affordable. Share-house rooms average $230 to $320 AUD a week, and 1-bed apartments are around $480 to $580 AUD a week.
- Transport: You can jump on the CityHopper boats on the river for absolutely free, making your daily commute a scenic river cruise!
Things you MUST do:
- Swim at Streets Beach in South Bank
- Take a day trip to explore Moreton Island
- Head up to Mount Coot-tha Lookout at dusk to see the entire city lit up
- Spend a Saturday morning at the West End Markets
- Do a weekend road trip to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast
Adelaide
Adelaide is the absolute best-kept secret down under. It is the ultimate combo of world-class wineries and budget-friendly living, and it’s known as the “20-minute city” because it’s designed so beautifully that the rolling hills and sandy beaches are only 20 minutes from the city centre. If you love wine, food, and massive outdoor festivals, you’ll be in heaven.
You should move here if:
You want a city that is compact, highly affordable, and deeply laid-back. Adelaide hosts the famous Fringe Festival, which is the second-largest festival in the world! When it’s on, the whole city turns into a neon-lit playground of comedy, street performers, and night markets.
- Cost of Living Rate: Low 📉
- Best Suburbs/Towns to Live In: Glenelg or Brighton (if you want cheap, stunning beachside living), or North Adelaide and Norwood for beautiful leafy streets close to the city action.
- Rent: Your absolute biggest budget win! A room in a share-house is only $200 to $280 AUD a week, and your own 1-bed apartment is around $420 to $500 AUD a week.
- Transport: The city features a completely FREE tram travel zone that loops all through the CBD and runs straight past major healthcare hubs. Plus, they have the free 98 and 99 City Connector buses that loop you all around the CBD and North Adelaide for absolutely nothing!
Things you MUST do:
- Spend a Sunday afternoon wine tasting and eating wood-fired pizza in the world-famous Barossa Valley
- Take a trip south to Kangaroo Island to walk among wild sea lions on the beach and spot koalas sleeping in the trees
- Take the historic tram down to the beachside suburb of Glenelg for an ice cream and a pier walk
- Explore the massive Adelaide Central Market on a Friday night
- Hike through Morialta Conservation Park to spot wild koalas
So, what’s your gut telling you?
There isn’t a “perfect” city in Australia, there is only the city that is perfect for you right now. And remember, you don’t have to choose just one! The best part about working with Healthcare Australia is the flexibility. You can pack your bags, land in one city, work a few months of agency shifts, and then move right along to the next destination whenever you fancy a change of scenery.
Moving across the world is a massive adventure, but you don’t have to figure out the paperwork or the logistics by yourself. Our international team at HCA is here to help guide you through the entire process from getting your initial compliance sorted to booking your very first shift down under.
If you are a nurse looking to make the move (or know a nurse who is dreaming of the aussie lifestyle), let’s get the ball rolling! Drop our international recruitment team an email at international@healthcareaustralia.com.au or reach out to us here. We can’t wait to see you down under! 🐨☀️
