University of South Australia

Visiting your child at the University of South Australia (UniSA) means flying into Adelaide Airport (ADL); the Jetbus reaches the centre in about 15-20 minutes. Plan the subclass 600 visitor visa well ahead.

Getting from ADL to campus

Visitor visa for parents

Indian parents need an Australian Visitor visa (subclass 600), usually the Tourist stream. It is applied for online through ImmiAccount and is fully digital - there is no visa stamp, and status is checked via VEVO. It allows stays of 3, 6 or 12 months; parents of a student in Australia often qualify for a longer 6 or 12-month stay, and in some cases a multi-year (up to 3-year) multiple-entry visitor visa is granted.

• Apply online via ImmiAccount; the visa is digital (no passport stamp) and verified through VEVO.
• Build a strong file: proof of funds, an invitation letter from your child, and clear ties to home for the 'genuine visitor' test.
• Parents of a student already in Australia have a strong reason for a longer 6 or 12-month stay - state it clearly.
• A health-insurance condition (8501) may be attached, and the visitor visa cannot be used to work or converted to a work visa.

Just admitted to the University of South Australia (UniSA)? Here's your arrival checklist.

Arrival checklist

• Book your flight into Adelaide (ADL) early for the best semester-intake fares.
• Jetbus from ADL to the centre (~15-20 min), then tram/bus to campus.
• Adelaide is affordable and a regional centre for migration - line up housing before arrival.
• Arrange Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for your whole stay and show ~AUD 24,505 in living funds for the subclass 500 visa.

Adelaide, the South Australian capital, is one of Australia's most affordable and liveable student cities - about AUD 1,500-2,150 a month all-in sharing and cooking, with weekly-quoted rents (a shared room typically AUD 180-300/week). It is compact, relaxed, and designated a regional centre for some migration purposes, which can extend post-study work rights. Trams, trains and buses use the metroCARD.

Monthly cost of living in Adelaide (a student estimate)

That's roughly A$17,500-25,500 a year for living costs, on top of tuition.

Finding accommodation

Adelaide rents are quoted weekly and among the lowest of the big cities; students share near the city-centre campuses.

• Rents are quoted weekly - multiply by about 4.3 for the monthly figure.
• Adelaide counts as a regional centre for some migration purposes - this can mean extra post-study work time.
• The city is compact and walkable; get the metroCARD concession if eligible.

Working part-time

On a Student visa (subclass 500) you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight (a rolling two-week period) while your course is in session, and unlimited hours during scheduled course breaks - this is visa condition 8105. Master's-by-research and PhD students have no hour limit. The cap counts all jobs combined and is enforced through tax-office data-matching, so staying within it protects your visa. After graduating you can apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485): full, unrestricted work rights for two to four years depending on your qualification and study location (regional areas give more time), with a pathway toward permanent residency. You must generally be under 35 and apply while in Australia.

Safety & student support

Adelaide's universities sits in a generally safe Australian city; use normal city awareness at night.

• Adelaide's universities has campus security and student-safety escort services - save the campus number.
• Australian cities are generally safe, with reliable public transport.
• A compact, relaxed, generally very safe city; normal awareness at night.

Indian community & food

Adelaide has a growing Indian community with desi grocers across the city.

Indian grocery stores

• Indian/South Asian grocers (including India At Home outlets) across the city stock spices, lentils and staples.
• Mainstream Woolworths, Coles and Aldi carry world-food aisles; specialist stores cover the rest.
• Selection is solid for the city's size and growing.

Student community

• Adelaide's universities have active Indian and South Asian societies with Diwali and Holi events.
• The city has Hindu temples and community organisations.

• A good and growing range of Indian restaurants across the city.

Cost & living figures for Adelaide last verified Jun 2026. Figures are estimates and change over time.