Darwin is an idyllic, coastal city, situated at the very top of Australia in the Northern Territory (NT).
Although Darwin is a vibrant and modern city, it is also surrounded by incredible natural wonders and iconic Australian wildlife, making it a truly unique part of the world. Culturally diverse, warm all year round, and offering experiences and adventure, there are plenty of other great reasons to study (and work) in Darwin as an international student.
Receive a world-class education
There is an incredible range of education providers across Darwin (and the wider Northern Territory). Whether you’re looking to enrol in senior secondary studies and complete your high school qualifications, study English, undertake a Vocational Education and Training course, or enrol at university, there is something for every international student at all stages of your study journey.
With so much choice, it’s essential to understand and review your options of institutions and of courses available. On the Study NT website, you can search by what you want to study, and then tailor it to specific institutions around the NT or course levels. Otherwise, just search by subjects you would be interested in pursuing. That way, you can see all of the different institutions that offer that course, and the requirements or prerequisites you will require to apply for them.
As a small example of the study options available to you, there’s Charles Darwin University (CDU), a member of Australia’s Innovative Research Universities network; the Canterbury Institute of Management, a private higher education provider offering programs in business and commerce, information technology, information systems, hospitality management and project management; or a number of Vocational Education and Training providers that offer courses to help you get job-ready.
Study in Australia’s Northern Territory Scholarships are also available with 12 of the Territory’s international education and training providers. Scholarships mean you can focus more on studying and exploring this beautiful part of the world, and less on finances.
A job market full of opportunities
The employment conditions in Darwin are a candidate’s dream. In fact, Darwin has one of the highest employment rates in Australia. A city of diverse industries, Darwin is close to Asia, has a growing population, and a strong hospitality and tourism sector, leading to high demand for workers. The NT government has a comprehensive list of high-priority occupations, as well as comprehensive information on skilled migration. Key sectors with particularly high demand include automotive, hospitality, teaching and education, aged and disability services, health, and construction.
Stay longer in Australia with regional migration incentives
If you are hoping to stay in Australia long-term after you graduate, studying in Darwin could be your ticket to getting a visa.
Darwin is considered a regional destination for migration purposes, which means that international students who study at institutions in Darwin, like CDU, are eligible for certain migration perks, such as a second Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa. This means that you may be eligible to live, work and explore this unique part of Australia for an additional one to two years (on top of the two to four years granted on your first Temporary Graduate visa).
Plus, when you study in a regional area, you become eligible for skilled migration visas. Check out the Australian Government’s regional migration programs here.
More bang for your buck in Darwin!
The lifestyle in Darwin allows for unparalleled balance—you’ll find more time to have fun and explore the incredible natural wonders around you thanks to the cost of living in Darwin being lower than the national average. Not only that, but Darwin also boasts the highest average wages in Australia, shorter commutes and free parking in the city on weekends. From Darwin, you can get to Bali in under three hours, and Manila, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur in under five. This makes Darwin the perfect place to kickstart your career, take advantage of the hungry job market, and make the most of exploring one of the most stunning parts of Australia. It doesn’t hurt those amazing Asian destinations are at your doorstep!
You will never run out of things to see and do in Darwin and the NT
Darwin is a thriving cultural hub with a youthful, friendly population—in fact, the median age in Darwin is just 33 years old. Darwin is the gateway to exploring the rest of the NT, and a place where you will find adventure, culture, wildlife and unique festivals and events. In the NT you can learn more about Aboriginal culture through incredible art galleries, tours led by Aboriginal guides, and festivals. There are also well-known community markets like the Parap Markets and Nightcliff Markets, two World Heritage-listed national parks and over 50 other national parks, nature reserves, conservation areas and marine parks—not to mention native birds, plants and wildlife like you won’t find anywhere else in the world. With all of these incredible perks, it’s hard to find a reason not to study (and work) in Darwin!
