Adelaide is a compact city with lower rents than the bigger capitals and a university scene that changed this year. It also has a smaller job market, which is the main trade-off. This guide uses figures checked in October 2026. Visa fees, funds and work rules are in our Australia student visa guide.
Quick facts
| Main universities | Adelaide University (new in 2026), Flinders University |
| Median rent, whole dwellings | A$662 a week, up 4.8% over the year |
| A room in a share house | Roughly A$210 to A$300 a week, based on published listing data |
| Transport concession | Tertiary students, including international students, have been able to get concession metroCARDs. Confirm with Adelaide Metro. |
| Time difference from India | 4 hours ahead, or 5 hours during daylight saving (early October to early April) |
| Climate | Hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters |
What changed in 2026
Adelaide University launched in January 2026, formed from the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. If you are comparing older guides, rankings or course lists, they may still use the old names. Check the course page on the new university’s own site, and confirm that the program, campus and entry requirements you want still exist in the form you saw. Adelaide University and Flinders both appear in the Department of Education’s allocation reports, so ask about visa timing before you accept an offer.
Universities
- Adelaide University: campuses in the city, including the North Terrace precinct, and at Mawson Lakes in the north.
- Flinders University: the main campus is at Bedford Park in the south, with a presence in the city and a strong health focus.
For course shortlists across Australia, see top universities for Indian students in Australia.
What it costs
The median weekly rent across all Adelaide dwellings was A$662 in the June quarter of 2026 (Cotality). That is for a whole home, and it is up 4.8% on a year ago. Rooms in share houses run roughly A$210 to A$300 a week according to published listing data. At A$250 a week, a room costs about A$13,000 a year before food and bills, which is noticeably less than in Sydney.
The living-cost benchmark for the visa, A$29,710, is the same in every city, so in Adelaide more of it is left for everything else. Adelaide rents have been rising, so check real listings. The Study Australia cost of living tool is a good place to compare.
Where students live
- City campuses: the CBD, North Adelaide, Thebarton.
- Mawson Lakes: Mawson Lakes, Salisbury, Pooraka.
- Flinders: Bedford Park, Mitchell Park, Marion.
Main student accommodation providers in Adelaide
Adelaide has a smaller choice of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) than Sydney or Melbourne, and almost all of it is in or near the city centre. This is a guide to the main providers, not a ranking, and prices are “from” prices that vary by room type and semester.
| Provider | What it offers in Adelaide | Indicative starting price |
| Scape | Scape Adelaide University (230 North Terrace), Scape Adelaide Central (12 Bank Street) and Scape Waymouth (231 Waymouth Street) | About A$269 to A$319 a week depending on the building (Scape’s own site) |
| UniLodge and Student Living by UniLodge | UniLodge Metro Adelaide (30 Victoria Street), UniLodge on Waymouth, Student Living City West and Student Living Magill Campus | Roughly A$310 to A$400 a week at some buildings, according to listing sites |
| Dwell East End Adelaide | City-centre building in the East End | Around A$294 a week, according to a listing site |
| The Switch Adelaide Central | On North Terrace, beside the university precinct | Check the provider’s site for current rates |
| University housing | Ask Adelaide University and Flinders about their own residences and partner housing | Varies. Ask each university. |
A share-house room costs roughly A$210 to A$300 a week, so the cheapest PBSA rooms are priced close to it once bills are counted. That makes them good value for a first semester. Scape says bookings open 6 to 12 months before the academic year and popular rooms fill early, so apply soon after your offer. If you study at Flinders, remember that most of these buildings are in the city, about 5 to 6 km from Bedford Park. Book through the provider’s own website, ask what happens to your deposit if your visa is refused, and check the contract length.
Getting around
Adelaide Metro runs trains, trams and buses. Since early 2026 you can tap on with a contactless bank card or the Buy and Go app, and paper tickets are gone. Concession fares for tertiary students, including international students, have been available, but check the current rules with Adelaide Metro. Distances are short compared with Sydney or Melbourne, and many students can live close to campus.
The trade-off: jobs and flights
Adelaide has fewer large employers and fewer part-time openings than the eastern capitals, so finding work while you study can take longer. International flights are also less frequent than to Sydney or Melbourne, and many routes connect elsewhere. If your course depends on internships, ask the department what placements they offer locally.
Is Adelaide the right city for you?
Adelaide suits you if you want lower costs, short commutes and a calmer pace, and your course is offered here. It is a weaker fit if a large graduate job market is your priority. Compare with Melbourne and Perth.
Questions students ask
Is Adelaide the cheapest Australian city for students?
Among the cities in our Australia guides, Melbourne has the lowest median rent at A$641, with Adelaide close behind at A$662. For share rooms, Adelaide’s range is the lowest in published listing data.
Is the new Adelaide University the same as the old ones?
It replaces the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia as a single institution. Confirm that your chosen course and campus continue under the new university before you apply.
Can I work part-time?
Yes, up to 48 hours per fortnight during term. See the visa guide.
Need help choosing a city or a place to live?
If you are comparing cities, or want help matching student accommodation to your course and budget, send your details through our Talk to Our Expert page.
More Australian city guides
Compare Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Darwin, or read the Australia student visa guide for fees, funds and work rights. You can also go back to the Study in Australia from India overview.
Sources: Cotality Quarterly Rental Review, June quarter 2026 (via Canstar); published listing data; Department of Education provider allocation reports; Study Australia; Department of Home Affairs. Accommodation details from provider websites and listing sites. Last checked 8 October 2026. Confirm important details with the university or Home Affairs.
