Queensland lifestyle and culture
Settle in, there’s no better state to live and learn in than ours.
Queenslanders are some of the friendliest people you’ll meet. We’re excited to share our unique culture and way of living with you.
A safe and welcoming place to live and study
Australia is a safe, friendly and welcoming country with a stable system of government.
All Australians, including Queenslanders, are expected to treat each other with dignity and respect regardless of their race, country of origin, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, heritage, culture, politics, wealth or religion.
Here in Queensland, we’re a welcoming bunch. It’s a place of great opportunity – where students are encouraged to study and thrive in whatever field they choose. Our cities and towns have a long history of providing high quality education for international students, with students support services available for all international students.
Vibrant and multicultural communities
In Australia, we’re fortunate to have one of the richest and oldest continuing cultures in the world. Queensland has two distinct First Nations cultures: the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. For more than 65,000 years Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been caretakers of this land, and their knowledge systems and traditional beliefs are a key part of Queensland’s identity.
People in Queensland and the rest of Australia come from many different cultures. There are Indigenous Australians, and people from Asia, Europe, North and South America, Africa and the Middle East. Over 24% of Queensland’s population were born overseas, with roughly 1 in 10 speaking a language other than English at home.
Queensland also attracts the most diverse student cohorts out of all seven of Australia’s capital cities. This diversity of backgrounds, cultural groups, experiences and ages is what makes our state such a lively, and globally minded place to live and study.
An abundance of lifestyle options
Queensland offers the very best of Australia. From city skyline views in Brisbane, to the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef, biodiverse Wet Tropics and red sands of the Aussie outback, there’s a whole lot to see and do here.
Known as the ‘Sunshine State’ there are roughly 300 days (about 10 months) of sunshine a year in Queensland. Compared to other major global education destinations, Queensland boasts relatively affordable living costs. Accommodation, food and public transport expenses are considerably lower by comparison, even to other parts of Australia like Sydney and Melbourne. There is a wide variety of accommodation options for all students, whether that be student accommodation, homestays or private rentals.
You can use our Cost of Living Calculator to compare lifestyle options and costs between Queensland Cities. You can also compare the costs of living in Queensland to other Australian capital cities by visiting the Study Australia Cost of Living Calculator.
Take advantage of what Queensland has to offer – our diverse landscapes and experiences provide plenty of opportunities to tailor your study experience.
Looking ahead
Queensland is looking ahead, and we’re planning a bold future. The Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games will provide a transformational opportunity for businesses and communities across the state. Being in the global spotlight is accelerating the delivery of long-term projects and growing our international networks. There will be significant benefits and opportunities for international students who choose to start their future in Queensland.
Wherever you choose to live and study in Queensland, whether it be in tropical Townsville, Brisbane, or the glitzy Gold Coast, there’s no denying the diverse and vibrant lifestyle options waiting for you.