About our State - NSW
Many students find our coastal and inland cities are a fantastic alternative to living in metropolitan Sydney.
Great Alternatives to Large City Living
Regional centres offer:
- Great study, health and recreation facilities
- Schools, TAFE Institutes and university campuses
- Friendly local citizens
- Lower cost of living
- Part-time work
Hunter Region
Two hours North of Sydney
- Famous wine-growing district
- Coastal resorts
- Dolphin-watching and whale-watching
- Part-time work, especially in tourism and hospitality
Newcastle: Largest City in the Hunter Region
- Population of 350,000
- Thriving business and commercial sector
- Excellent network of transport, hospitals, and schools
- University of Newcastle and TAFE NSW – Hunter Institute
- Wonderful beaches
- Casual lifestyle
- Restaurants, cafes, parks and gardens, theatres, art galleries and modern shopping centres
- Safe study environment
Illawarra Region
One Hour South of Sydney
Wollongong: Largest City in the Illawarra Region
- Multicultural population of 250,000
- University of Wollongong and TAFE NSW – Illawarra Institute
- Multicultural cafes and restaurants
- Sporting, leisure and cultural programs
- Spectacular beaches
- Magnificent rainforest minutes from the city centre
- Part-time work
Other major centres:
- Shellharbour and Dapto: close to Wollongong
- Goulburn: west of Wollongong; beautiful, historic inland city
New England Region
Region of great natural beauty and productive agriculture
- Safe, secure, healthy lifestyle
- Friendly people
- Low cost of living
- Large student population
- Peaceful country environment
- University of New England and TAFE NSW – New England Institute
- National parks and world heritage areas
- Pleasant climate with warm to hot summers and cool winters
- Leisure activities to suit all interests
North Coast Region
Beaches, Clean Rivers, Lush Rainforest, National Parks
- One-hour flight from Sydney
- Close to Queensland's Gold Coast
- Major sub-tropical tourist and holiday area
- Very popular destination for Study Abroad students from Europe and South America
- Restaurants, resorts and hotels
- Safe, regular transport to and from TAFE NSW North Coast Institute campuses
- Part-time work in retail, tourism, hotel and hospitality management
- Year-round warm to hot weather
Riverina Region
Safe, Healthy Environment with Excellent Facilities
- Daily flights to Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne
- World leader in rice and wine production
- Beautiful national parks, including the famous Snowy Mountains National Park and ski resorts
- Lower cost of living
- Friendly people
- Part-time work in shopping centres, tourism, hospitality and seasonal fruit picking
- Charles Sturt University and TAFE NSW – Riverina Institute
- Pleasant climate all year, with hot summers and cool winters
Western Region
Clean, Friendly Environment with Great Facilities
- Major centres: Dubbo, Orange and Bathurst
- All the benefits of city living with easy access to Australia's great outdoors
- Many industries, including heavy engineering, power generation, mining, tourism and agribusiness
- Charles Sturt University and TAFE NSW – Western Institute