If you’re thinking of studying and living in Sydney, you probably have a lot of questions. Why move to Sydney? Is Sydney a good place to live? Is Sydney safe to live in? Well, wonder no more because we have the answers! Beautiful beaches, incredible nature scenes, a thriving nightlife – there are countless amazing reasons to live and study in Sydney. Keep reading to discover our top 10.
1. Sydney is home to some of the world’s leading education providers
Sydney houses some of the best educational institutions on the planet. Here you’ll find some of the world’s top universities, which regularly rank in the top 200 in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World Rankings. But that’s not at all – Sydney is also home to several TAFEs, VET training providers and pathway providers like the Sydney Institute of Business and Technology (SIBT).
That means you won’t have to search for long to find the right course or degree to suit your learning needs.
2. Sydney’s landmarks are rich in history
You’re likely familiar with two of Sydney’s most world-famous landmarks: the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. But there’s even more to discover!
You can take historical tours (and ghost tours!) around The Rocks, get ‘shipwrecked’ at old Convict-era shipping yard Cockatoo Island, or take part in the Sydney City Museum Crawl to learn about Australia’s history. The tour takes you to the Australian Museum, the National Maritime Museum, the Art Gallery of NSW, and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Best of all? It’s not just for tourists – the crawl is popular all year round with Australian locals!
Many of these landmarks are within walking distance from several education providers in the CBD, such as SIBT. In other words, when you choose to study here, you’ll have an incredible backdrop to enjoy.
@insiderguides Planning to study in Sydney? Amazing choice! Here are some fun facts about the city’s most iconic landmarks to help you get familiar with your new home 🇦🇺 #insiderguides #sydney #studyinsydney #internationalstudents #traveltok ♬ B.O.T.A. (Baddest Of Them All) – Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal
3. The culture is vibrant and exciting
When you choose to live and study in Sydney, you’ll be spoiled for choice of fun things to do. Take a wander around the thriving city parks, bars, cafes and entertainment precincts. Each month, you’ll be sure to stumble across a wide variety of exciting cultural events such as markets, dance events, art exhibitions or fireworks displays. Plus, most events are completely free!
Prominent festivals throughout the year include The Sydney Festival, Vivid Sydney Festival, Sydney WorldPride, the Royal Easter Show and Sculpture by the Sea.
Plus, education providers typically host on-campus activities and events throughout the year to bring students together. For example, SIBT regularly hosts movie nights, noodle and doodle activities, pool competitions and so much more. You can stay up to date on SIBT’s calendar of events here.
4. Sydney has breathtaking natural wonders
If you study in Sydney at one of the local universities, chances are there’s a beautiful patch of green grass close by – perfect for picnics and outdoor study sessions.
Settle down at the Royal Botanic Gardens for a chilled study session with some breathtaking waterfront views. Alternatively, relax amongst sculptures and flowering lilies at Wendy’s Secret Garden, or the tranquil surrounds of the Chinese Garden of Friendship, right by Sydney’s Chinatown. Centennial Parklands is also a beautiful study space.
A stone’s throw from the SIBT campus, you’ll find Hyde Park, Sydney’s oldest park (and one of its most stunning). The 16-hectare park is directly next to SIBT, meaning you can be there in less than a minute’s walk. Here you’ll find historical attractions (such as the Anzac Memorial and Archibald Fountain), shaded areas to relax and plenty of lush greenery.
You can also take a day trip out of the city and visit some of the beautiful national parks just outside of Sydney including the Blue Mountains, the Royal National Park, Wollemi National Park, Yengo National Park or Nattai National Park.
5. The beaches are just brilliant
If you opt to study in Sydney, it goes without saying that not all your time will be spent in the classroom. In your spare time, there’s no better place to be than one of Sydney’s gorgeous beaches.
Sydney beaches are famous all around the world thanks to their beauty and great surfing and swimming opportunities (and that’s not to mention the amazing Sydney weather!). Head to the Eastern Suburbs and tackle the scenic Coogee to Bondi Beach Walk, stopping for a scuba-dive at Clovelly Beach, ‘local secret’ Gordons Bay, or the popular Bondi Beach. Otherwise, catch a ferry from Circular Quay to Manly Beach for a leisurely stroll around its beachside cafes.
6. Sydney is a thriving transport hub
As a major city, Sydney is very well-connected. So, if you choose to live and study in Sydney, you’ll have no trouble getting around. You’ll find buses, trains and ferries that take you through the city, and to mountain getaways, the countryside and beyond. Conveniently, trains also run from Sydney Airport to Sydney’s Central Station.
Generally, Sydney’s train, bus and ferry services operate regularly, running late into the night. Make sure you download the Trip Planner app on your phone to properly plan your trip and get yourself an Opal card to pay for your ride. There are now daily, weekly and weekend travel caps for Opal card users, making public transport in Sydney more affordable. This means you’ll pay no more than $8.40 a day, $25 a week or $4.20 over the weekend as a concession no matter how many times you travel.
Conveniently located in the city centre, SIBT is situated next to a variety of public transport lines. Some of these routes lead directly to the previously mentioned beaches, making it super easy for you to enjoy them.
7. Sydney is a multicultural place
Sydney is home to a large and varied population. The city’s Chinese community is particularly vibrant, with ever-bustling Chinatown a great spot for cultural events and markets throughout the year. The Chinese New Year Celebrations are worth checking out, with a massive parade, lion dancers, art installations and the Southern Hemisphere’s largest dragon boat races on show. You’ll also find a wide range of multicultural eateries, cultural events and annual festivals in Sydney, including Korean, Japanese, Indian, European, Middle Eastern, Malaysian, and more.
8. Plenty of employment opportunities
Being a large, central city hub with a big population, there’s plenty of work to be found in Sydney. The city is Australia’s economic powerhouse, and more than 40 per cent of Australia’s top 500 companies, 90 per cent of international banks, 60 per cent of information and communication and technology companies, and 50 per cent of professional service firms have their global or regional headquarters in Sydney.
Many Sydney-based organisations actively look for student volunteers and host frequent Sydney student society meet-ups, international student gatherings and events. So, you’ll have plenty of networking opportunities as a student if you seek them out. In other words, choosing to study in Sydney could be the first step in building a successful career!
Your education provider can also help you identify and leverage these employment opportunities. For instance, SIBT features a dedicated industry placement officer to support you in starting your career on the right foot.
9. Sydney is Australia’s most sustainable city
Sydney takes sustainability very seriously – and it shows. The city was ranked #2 in the Asia-Pacific region and #1 in Australia (Perth is a close #4!) for sustainability in the Knight Frank Asia-Pacific Sustainability Index in 2022.
When ranking cities, research found Sydney scored top points on the number of green spaces available, the number of green-rated commercial buildings (think reduced potential environmental impact, lessened energy, water and material resource consumption), and how well the city is planned and managed to address the pressures of urbanisation.
Sydney’s education providers are equally committed to sustainability. SIBT and Western Sydney University are two perfect examples. These partner institutions ranked #1 in the world for commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2022.
10. Sydney is super safe
Moving to a new country can be intimidating. So, it’s perfectly normal to want the reassurance that your new home is safe. When you study in Sydney, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that you’re in one of the safest places in Australia. In fact, Sydney was ranked the fourth safest city in the world in 2021!
Education providers also take significant measures to ensure the safety of their students. SIBT features 24-hour security, including video surveillance and an onsite security team to assist you with safety around campus, lost property, theft and medical emergencies.
Plus, as we mentioned, Sydney is very multicultural. With such a diverse population, there is widespread acceptance and tolerance for people of all backgrounds. Ask any local, “Is Sydney safe to live in?” and we’re sure they’ll answer with an enthusiastic yes!
Image courtesy of Destination NSW.
Located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, SIBT has been the pathway provider of choice for students seeking a steppingstone to a bachelor’s degree at Western Sydney University. Here you’ll enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and countless amenities that come with living and studying in Australia’s biggest city.
