Update (October 2026)
This post reflects the 2021 Economist Intelligence Unit liveability ranking and the state migration settings at that time. Rankings change every year, and every state has since changed its program. For 2026-27, most states have opened their 190 and 491 programs with tight allocations, Western Australia has 4,700 places, Victoria has 900 subclass 190 places, and South Australia invites offshore candidates directly from their EOI. See our state sponsorship guide and October 2026 migration news.
Australia has long been a top destination for migrants all over the world to come for working, studying, and settling a new life. Australia prides itself in a safe environment, stable economy, high class educational and medical system, and multicultural demography. It also boasts many migration programs that encourage talents around the globe to come and develop their career in Australia.
During Covid19, Australia has once again proven its safe environment by successfully containing the virus with the possible minimal number of cases. In 2021, continuing its long-standing record, Australia has 4 cities ranked in the top ten most liveable cities in the world.
Let’s have a look at the cities that were ranked in the top ten and explore how to migrate to these cities in Australia.
The ten most liveable cities in the world
This is ranked annually by The Economist Intelligence Unit. If you have been following this survey for years, you will notice that many cities in Australia have been nominated in the top ten for many years. This is ranked based on different aspects of the cities, including the stability, healthcare, environment, education, and infrastructure.
Rank |
City |
Country |
Stability |
Healthcare |
Culture & Environment |
Education |
Infrastructure |
| 1 | Auckland | New Zealand | 95 | 95.8 | 97.9 | 100 | 92.9 |
| 2 | Osaka | Japan | 100 | 100 | 83.1 | 91.7 | 96.4 |
| 3 | Adelaide | Australia | 95 | 100 | 83.8 | 100 | 96.4 |
| 4 | Wellington | New Zealand | 95 | 91.7 | 95.1 | 100 | 89.3 |
| 5 | Tokyo | Japan | 93.7 | 100 | 84 | 91.7 | 92.9 |
| 6 | Perth | Australia | 93.7 | 100 | 78.2 | 100 | 100 |
| 7 | Zurich | Switzerland | 93.3 | 100 | 85.9 | 83.3 | 96.4 |
| 8 | Geneva | Switzerland | 92.8 | 100 | 84.5 | 83.3 | 96.4 |
| 8 | Melbourne | Australia | 92.5 | 83.3 | 88.2 | 100 | 100 |
| 10 | Brisbane | Australia | 92.5 | 100 | 85.9 | 100 | 85.7 |
This year, Adelaide has taken over big cities like Melbourne and Sydney to be ranked the third in the top ten, and obviously the first in Australia. Perth and Brisbane secure their 6th and 10th spots respectively in the top ten, while Melbourne drops seven places to sit at the eighth spot.
Notably, the 4 cities of Australia score the perfect score, 100, in education (another reason for international students to choose Australia to study abroad), and healthcare (except for Melbourne).
If you are planning to move to one of these cities in Australia, there are many pathways that you can investigate. The most popular migration programs for permanent residency are skilled migration visas. You can either start by studying a high demand course in these cities, or if you already have skills and work experience in demand, you can start your application now. While Melbourne (Victoria) and Brisbane (Queensland) have more quota for skilled migrations, Perth (Western Australia) and Adelaide (South Australia) have more relaxed migration policies.
How to migrate to each of these cities
Select a city to see the migration options described in this post.
Migrate to Adelaide – South Australia
South Australia offers a relaxed, safe, family-friendly lifestyle where you can achieve true work-life balance, centrally located on mainland Australia. It boasts pristine natural landscapes and a beautiful climate that presents residents with great opportunities to explore South Australia’s regions, year round. So, whether you are starting or furthering your career, growing your business, or wanting better lifestyle opportunities for you and your family, South Australia has more to offer.
South Australia offers state nomination and endorsement pathways across a range of visa options for skilled and business migrants, and local businesses.
There are several streams leading to permanent residency in South Australia. Whether you are talent and innovators, or currently working in South Australia, or you are international graduate from a South Australian university, you might assess your situation and start your application now.
To know more details about South Australia migration program, see:
The top 10 most liveable cities in the world, and their scores according to The Global Liveability Index 2019, 2018 and 2017, were:
| Rank |
Year 2019 |
Year 2018 |
Year 2017 |
| 1 | Vienna, Austria (99.1) | Vienna, Austria (99.1) | Melbourne, Australia |
| 2 | Melbourne, Australia (98.4) | Melbourne, Australia (98.4) | Vienna, Austria |
| 3 | Sydney, Australia (98.1) | Osaka, Japan (97.7) | Vancouver, Canada |
| 4 | Osaka, Japan (97.7) | Calgary, Canada (97.5) | Toronto, Canada |
| 5 | Calgary, Canada (97.5) | Sydney, Australia (97.4) | Calgary, Canada |
| 6 | Vancouver, Canada (97.3) | Vancouver, Canada (97.3) | Adelaide, Australia |
| 7 | Tokyo, Japan (97.2 tie) | Toronto, Canada (97.2) | Perth, Australia |
| 8 | Toronto, Canada (97.2 tie) | Tokyo, Japan (97.2) | Auckland, New Zealand |
| 9 | Copenhagen, Denmark (96.8) | Copenhagen, Denmark (96.8) | Helsinki, Finland |
| 10 | Adelaide, Australia (96.6) | Adelaide, Australia (96.6) | Hamburg, Germany |
Related news:
Condition 8503 to Apply to All Visitor Visas, ETAs and eVisitors
Applying for Another Visitor Visa From Inside Australia
Visiting Australia While Your Partner or Parent Visa Is Being Processed
Sponsored Family Visitor Visas: Who Can Sponsor and How Security Bonds Work
Visitor Visa Conditions Explained: 8101, 8201, 8503, 8531 and 8558