Key highlights for Melbourne

• Ranked#3 in the world and Australia’s highest-ranked city.
• Achieved perfect scores of 100 for healthcare and education.
• Recognised globally for its outstanding quality of life, culture, education and lifestyle.

Melbourne has once again been recognised as Australia’s most liveable city, ranking #3 in the world in the 2026 Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Global Liveability Index. The result reinforces Melbourne’s reputation as one of the world’s best places to study,  live, and work.

The annual index assessed 173 cities across five categories: stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Melbourne was ranked #3 in the world, behind Copenhagen and Vienna.

For international students, the rankings highlight many of the qualities that make Melbourne a leading study destination. Melbourne received perfect scores for healthcare and education, reflecting the city's high-quality learning environment and access to world-class services.

Melbourne also achieved one of the highest scores globally for culture and environment. Its vibrant arts and cultural scene, major events calendar, diverse communities, cafés, sporting events and welcoming environment continue to set Melbourne apart on the world stage.

The city is home to globally recognised universities, a thriving international student community and a lifestyle that combines academic excellence with rich cultural experiences. These strengths help make Melbourne and Victoria a destination of choice for students from around the world.

The result also highlights Melbourne’s continued competitiveness among the world’s leading cities. While the rankings note opportunities to strengthen infrastructure and maintain stability over time, Melbourne’s strong performance across all categories demonstrates why it remains a top destination for study, career opportunities and quality of life.