A safe, friendly and genuine Australian welcome awaits in Country NSW, along with the opportunity to gain internationally-recognised qualifications across some of the world’s most in-demand industries.
Country NSW is rich in authentic rural Australian experiences. Stretching from Tenterfield in the NSW north-east to Broken Hill in the far west and Oberon in the central west, the region covers the state’s most diverse landscapes, from rugged country plains and farming communities to World Heritage Listed national parks and tranquil rivers. The region’s clean, green, open spaces are home to some of the state’s fastest growing inland cities. Recognised as a premier agribusiness and food production hub, cool-climate vineyards and food trails are plentiful. A strong agricultural heritage is supported by regional incubators, breeding and genetics research organisations and co-operative research centres.
Two and a half hours’ drive west of Sydney, Bathurst is Australia’s oldest inland settlement and was the site of the first gold discovery in Australia. Today education, tourism, manufacturing and food production drive its economy. On track to become a smart city, Bathurst combines technology, data and skills to encourage economic activity and accelerate innovation. Charles Sturt University (CSU) has its headquarters here, and up to 60 other educational institutions offer placements across the city. CSU was ranked number 1 for graduate employment in 2020, with its graduates reported to secure jobs faster than those from any other university in Australia.
Home to one of Australia’s oldest universities, Armidale is under six hours’ drive north of Sydney and known for its strong education, health care, agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. The University of New England’s Smart Region Incubator in Armidale fosters research, development, entrepreneurial and commercial activity across livestock production and research, including international livestock genetics and animal health. Study globally relevant subjects including agriculture and environmental science in a pristine, and typically Australian, environment.
Bathurst is a university city known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. CSU is based here. Given its rural location, CSU has a proud record of international research across disciplines including agricultural and veterinary science, education, biological, environmental and chemical sciences. Bathurst is also the perfect location to study communications and journalism, exercise and sports science and nursing. CSU was ranked number one for graduate employment in 2020 — with its graduates getting jobs faster than graduates from any other university in Australia.
With its long-established farming heritage including sheep and cattle production, as well as stone fruit and cool-climate grapes, agriculture is a key industry for Bathurst’s economy and offers a variety of part-time and post-study work placements. A number of state and federal government regional offices are based in the city, largely across the health and education sectors. Bathurst is home to strong mining and resources, professional and financial services and manufacturing sectors, with leading businesses including Simplot, Borg, Devro, Mars Petcare and Carter Holt based in the city. Bathurst is one of the fastest-growing inland cities in the state of NSW. CSU provides information on off-campus and on-campus opportunities to work while studying .
Study NSW also offers a comprehensive range of programs to help international students find work during and after study in the regions, including #NSWGlobalConnections, Farm Jobs Connect, Finding a Job, and 2021 Study NSW Employability Program for International Students. For information on your rights and opportunities around working in Australia, visit the Australian Government’s Study in Australia website.
Bathurst offers the perfect combination of country and city life, with easy connections to Sydney and Australia’s capital city, Canberra (3.5 hours’ drive away). With vibrant bars, restaurants and cafes, as well as sporting and social activities, Bathurst offers a safe, friendly and lively social scene.
The cost of living in Bathurst is generally lower than in Australia’s major capital cities. CSU offers various options to live on-campus and has an off-campus student accommodation register to help find places to live, including board, shared and rental options. To see prices of independent apartments or houses in Bathurst visit local real estate sites such as www.flatmates.com and www.realestate.com.au. For more about the cost of living in Australia, visit the Australian Government’s Study in Australia website.
Bathurst Regional Airport operates daily flights to Sydney. For more information on transport to and around Bathurst, visit Transport NSW. Bathurst Regional Council offers information on living, working and enjoying Bathurst and surrounding areas, including community and support groups and arts and culture listings. The Bathurst Visitor Information Centre also provides a comprehensive guide to life in Bathurst.
Bathurst is the home of Mount Panorama, one of the world’s most famous motor racing circuits, and the Bathurst 1000 Supercars event draws tens of thousands of tourists each year. But there is so much more to do and see in this incredibly diverse city. A great food and wine scene (which has a lot to do with its nearby cool-climate vineyards and agricultural heritage), fascinating historical sites, and amazing nature experiences including pristine bushland, farms and limestone caves, mean there is something to please everyone in this unique environment. And when friends and relatives come to visit, plan a trip to the famous Blue Mountains, which are just an hour away.
Visit the Bathurst Region and Visit NSW websites for the latest on where to eat, drink, shop, live and play in Australia’s oldest inland settlement.
UNE is one of Australia’s oldest universities, and its main campus is in Armidale, a city surrounded by forests, mountain ranges, spectacular waterfalls and four national parks. The campus is on 74 hectares of heritage parklands, with classes, residences and recreational facilities an easy walk away. A free college Safety Shuttle transports students from more than 75 nations into the centre of the city. In the heart of Australia’s most productive rural and farming communities, the University is well positioned to offer internationally recognised courses across subjects including agribusiness, environmental and rural science, science and technology and economics. The University’s SMART Farms enable UNE researchers and their industry and community partners to conduct world-class activities across sustainable, manageable andaccessible rural technologies. Armidale is the perfect place to experience regional Australian life at its best, while receiving a world-class education.
Armidale is the service centre for the broader New England region and has growing education and training, agriculture, forestry and fishing sectors. Local supermarkets, retailers, restaurants, cafés and rural industries provide casual and part-time employment for international students. The University of New England has a careers toolkit to help identify jobs in the region.
Study NSW offers a comprehensive range of programs to help international students find work during and after study in the regions, including #NSWGlobalConnections, Farm Jobs Connect, Finding a Job, and 2021 Study NSW Employability Program for International Students. For information on your rights and opportunities around working in Australia, visit the Australian Government’s Study in Australia website.
Halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, Armidale is known as the Cathedral City due to its beautiful 19th century churches and colonial buildings. But despite its historic landmarks, Armidale’s modern cafes, pubs and restaurants and vibrant food and wine scene (the result of the fertile pastoral lands that surround it) give it a cosmopolitan heart.
Accommodation is more affordable than in Australia’s capital cities, and UNE’s Advocacy and Welfare Department can help you find the right place to stay while studying, from shared accommodation to private board or local rentals in the city. To see prices of independent apartments or houses in Bathurst visit local real estate sites such as realestate.com.au and flatmates.com.au. For more about the cost of living in Australia, visit the Australian Government’s Study in Australia website.
Armidale Regional Airport is just 6 kilometers from the city centre and offers flights to Brisbane and Sydney, with onward international connections. For more information on transport to and around Armidale, visit Transport NSW.
Armidale offers a healthy and active lifestyle and the opportunity to experience some of Australia’s most beautiful scenery, including World Heritage-listed national parks, state forests and even one of the highest waterfalls in Australia. Paddle along the Macleay River, go white-water rafting or trout fishing, or simply check out the city’s live music scene while enjoying a drink from a local vineyard. Then there are the wonderful galleries, museums, fine food and culture experiences. For more information on events and experiences around Armidale go to the Armidale Tourism or Visit NSW websites.
