Sydney vs. Melbourne: Which City is Better for Indian Students in Australia?

Two cities, one visa, and a choice that will determine whether you will enjoy the next few years of your life. If you’re an Indian student and currently planning to study in Australia, chances are two names keep coming to your mind and Google searches: Sydney and Melbourne. Both of these cities are exciting and diverse. 

Australia is full of opportunities. But when you’re flying thousands of kilometers from home, the decision isn’t just limited to university rankings. It affects your life. It’s important to weigh all the pros and cons of two of the best cities in Australia before you move there. Where will you find better part-time jobs? Which city is more affordable? Where will you feel more at home? You will get answers to all of these questions if you keep reading till the end.

1. First Impressions: Sydney vs Melbourne

Sydney feels like that friend of yours who has everything figured out in life. You’ll find sky-high buildings, iconic landmarks (Opera House), beaches, and a fast-paced lifestyle. It’s big, exciting, and full of hustle.

Melbourne is that friend who reads poetry and goes to indie concerts and knows where the best coffee is. It’s more laid-back, creative, and slower than Melbourne.

If you’re an Indian, you can think of Sydney as Mumbai, a city that never sleeps, and Melbourne as Delhi, where people still love to relax on a weekday. 

You can’t label one as better than the other because it depends on your personal and professional life goals.

2. Universities and Quality of Education

Both cities have their strengths when it comes to education.

Sydney has top institutions like

• The University of Sydney
• UNSW (University of New South Wales)
• UTS (University of Technology Sydney)

While Melbourne has:

• The University of Melbourne
• Monash University
• RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology)
• Deakin University

All these universities are globally ranked, offer a wide range of courses, and have strong Indian student communities. 

• The University of Melbourne is often ranked slightly higher globally.
• The University of Sydney is Australia’s oldest and has a stunning campus that is often compared to Hogwarts.

You can compare different universities based on your budget and course.

3. Living Costs in Sydney vs. Melbourne

The cost of living in Australia isn’t as cheap as living in India. But between the two cities, Sydney is more expensive. Rent is higher, especially closer to the city. Even your daily coffee or grocery run is costlier than in Melbourne.

A rough monthly estimate for a student budget:

Expense Type	Sydney (AUD)	Melbourne (AUD)
Rent (shared)	$350–$450	$200–$300
Food + Groceries	$300–$500	$250–$450
Transport (student pass)	$50–$100	$50–$100
Entertainment	$100–$200	$80–$150

If you’re looking for a cost-sensitive option, then Melbourne is slightly more affordable overall, especially in terms of rent.

4. Part-Time Jobs in Australia: Sydney & Melbourne

International students in Australia are allowed to work up to 48 hours per fortnight during semesters (and unlimited during breaks).

Both of these cities offer plenty of part-time jobs:

• Hospitality (cafes, restaurants)
• Retail (supermarkets, clothing stores)
• Delivery services (Uber Eats, DoorDash)
• Tutoring or admin work on campus

Sydney is more commercial, and so it offers a wider variety of gigs, especially in professional fields like IT, marketing, and business.

Melbourne, on the other hand, is great for hospitality and creative jobs like photography, freelance writing, and design. Many students also say that it’s easier to find part-time jobs in Melbourne because it’s less saturated.

If you want to know about part-time job opportunities in Australia, you can read our detailed blog here.

5. Weather Conditions

Sydney has warmer, more temperate weather. You’ll get lots of sun, beach days, and even mild winters. Melbourne is famous (or infamous) for having four seasons in a day. It can be 30°C and sunny, and two hours later, you’re soaked in rain and wind.

Sydney is the better choice for you if you care a lot about the weather, unless you love moody weather and surprise rain.

6. Culture, Food, and Indian Community

There are two things every Indian student in Australia secretly worries about - Food and Friends.

Melbourne has a bigger focus on multiculturalism. You’ll find cultural festivals and local art events. There are a lot of student-friendly hangouts. Even the Indian food scene is really good. You’ll find almost everything from authentic dosas and tandoori paneer to desi Chinese.

Sydney also has a large Indian population and amazing food spots, but the community is a bit more spread out. That said, suburbs like Parramatta, Harris Park, and Blacktown are mini-India!

Both cities have:

• Indian grocery stores
• Temples, gurdwaras, and mosques
• Bollywood nights at clubs
• Indian student societies

If you want to find out more about the top Indian food spots in both these cities, this blog is for you.

7. Public Transport and Getting Around

Both cities have decent public transport, but there’s a slight difference:

Sydney:

• Trains cover a larger area.
• Opal card system.
• Ferries are also available.

Melbourne:

• You’ll find those iconic Trams in Melbourne
• Myki card system.
• More student-friendly discounts.

Melbourne offers free trams in the CBD and better coverage in the inner city, which gives it a slight edge.

8. Post-Study Opportunities

Both cities are in regional zones for post-study work rights, meaning that you may get up to 4 years of stay-back after your degree.

Job opportunities in Sydney are better in finance, tech, law, and corporate sectors. Melbourne leans more towards healthcare, teaching, creative industries, and startups.

Sydney is better for you if you're looking for high-paying corporate roles after graduating.

In Conclusion: Sydney vs Melbourne

There’s no correct answer here; it depends on your preferences. But to simplify everything:

Preferences	Choice
Into Hustle Culture	Sydney
Relaxed and Laid-Back	Melbourne
On a tight budget	Melbourne
Looking for corporate work post-study	Sydney
An arts/design student	Melbourne
Beaches and outdoor activity	Sydney
Food and culture	Melbourne

Whichever city you choose to study in Australia, you’ll be okay. Many Indian students are living and thriving in both cities. Your comfort, happiness, and success will depend more on how you adapt, make friends, find mentors, and take risks.

Australia is welcoming and has a multicultural environment, but you’ll miss home at times, and that’s fine. You’ll also build a new version of yourself who’s stronger, more independent, and global. Life, university, and coursework in Australia are different from what you’re used to in India. If you find yourself struggling with uni life and assignments, you can contact our team at India Assignment Help, and we’ll help you with your queries.