If you’ve decided to pursue your studies in Adelaide, you’ve made an excellent choice. Adelaide is one of Australia’s most affordable and liveable cities for students, and is home to some of Australia’s most renowned educational institutions, beautiful scenery, and exciting employment opportunities, among many other things that make living and studying in Adelaide so amazing.
If you’re in the preliminary stages of making your move to this vibrant city, there are many things to consider: which institution you’ll attend, how to find accommodation, and how you’ll get there amid the current interstate travel restrictions.
Want to make your relocation as smooth as possible? Here’s everything you need to know about moving to Adelaide.
Choosing an institution
Whether you’re hoping to attend a university, pursue a pathway program or hone your skills through vocational education and training (VET), Adelaide offers a wide array of education options.
The city houses three public universities: Flinders University, The University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia. There are also campuses of Carnegie Mellon University and Torrens University, which is a private university. Across these universities, you’ll have an extensive choice of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate degrees covering a range of disciplines.
Adelaide’s institutions that offer vocational training and alternate study pathways include TAFE SA and Le Cordon Bleu, and there are many other high-quality education providers located around the city.
No matter your field of study, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from when deciding to further your education in Adelaide.
Finding accommodation
Once you’ve decided which educational institution to attend, the next thing you’ll need to figure out is where to live and how to find accommodation that suits you. To make your move to Adelaide as smooth as possible, ensure you’ve secured accommodation before you arrive.
Consult your institution’s website or sites like Adelaide Student Housing to explore housing options. You can also check out StudyAdelaide’s 4-week accommodation deals for students outside South Australia who intend to move to Adelaide. Whether you opt for university-managed accommodation, a residential college, or a student hostel, be sure to compare and contrast the various accommodation types and their rates to find the one that best suits your lifestyle and your budget.
You can also consult websites such as Flatmates.com.au or Flatmatefinders.com.au to search for rooms for rent. Not only do sites like these offer a selection of affordable housing options, but they can also be a great way to branch out, meet people, and make friends in a new city.
Moving to Adelaide
Given that we are still living with COVID-19, there are many restrictions and requirements when it comes to interstate travel within Australia. However, South Australia’s borders currently remain open to everyone, except travellers from Victoria. You have the option to fly or drive when coming into the state.
As of July 1, you will need to complete a Cross Border Travel Registration in order to enter South Australia. On this form, you’ll need to explain why you’re moving to Adelaide. To speed up the border crossing process, try to complete and submit the form at least three days before your intended date of entry into South Australia.
You should receive an assessment of your registration within 72 hours of submission, which will tell you if you’re eligible to travel freely once you enter the state and whether or not you’ll be required to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. If you are eligible, you’ll receive a unique number that will need to be provided at a checkpoint when you’re crossing the border.
At this stage, most people are allowed to enter South Australia, but are simply subject to different travel limitations and quarantine requirements depending on the state they’re travelling from. However, these rules could change, so be sure to stay up to date on the status of COVID-19 in South Australia.
Once you arrive
If you are permitted to travel freely upon arrival, then you can start exploring your new city and all it has to offer. Once you’re settled, you can use Adelaide’s efficient transit system to check out some of its best restaurants and beaches. You can also consult a list of student resources and programs to see what support is available to you as an international student.
Good luck on your journey to study in South Australia!
