Why should you Study in Cairns?

Choose to study in Cairns and you will live in an education-focused city that offers a personal and welcoming experience in a safe and clean environment.  You will experience quality education, friendly people, a good climate and a range of attractions including the world heritage areas of the Great Barrier Reef and the Daintree Rainforest in the Wet Tropics, the world’s oldest rainforest.

Cairns is a destination chosen for study by over 25,000 international students from over 34 countries each year as well as domestic students choosing to study away from their home base in Australia. 

Seven reasons why we think Cairns is a great choice to live and study:

Livability:  Cairns is a vibrant and exciting place to live and study, offering a safe, friendly and an affordable lifestyle

Cost of living:  Part-time employment opportunities combined with lower accommodation and living costs makes Cairns an attractive destination to study for self-funded students.  Part-time employment helps to sustain fees and living expenses, and provides an opportunity to interact with other Australians

Social and cultural:  Cairns is a multicultural friendly society, not too large, an attractive modern city with a tropical climate; an extensive range of public and sporting facilities, with good accessibility to local attractions

Connectivity:  The city is in close proximity to Asia and the Pacific, and well-connected with flights from Cairns International Airport to the city hubs of Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Osaka, Port Moresby, Shanghai, Guanzhou, Auckland, Bali, Manila and Seoul.

Quality of the education:  Australia has a highly-regarded education system, classes are English speaking. James Cook University is ranked in the top 2% of the world’s tertiary institutions.  Central Queensland University enjoys a reputation as one of Australia's most progressive and innovative universities.

Education Pathways:  You can start your study in Cairns on a short Study Tour, at School or at an English Language College and then continue with long-term study at a Vocational Education and Training College or at one of our two Universities.

Attractions:  Cairns has a wide and diverse range of natural and tourist attractions.  It is the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can go bungy jumping, white water rafting, take a scenic railway or a rainforest cableway, or just go diving and snorkelling.  Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park tells the stories of the indigenous Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with music and dance. Cairns Esplanade in the centre of the city is lined with bars and restaurants and has a saltwater swimming lagoon.

Hope to see you studying in Cairns soon!

Carol Doyle

President – Study Cairns