In comparison, France's Paris is ranked at 32nd, while the top-rated United States' cities are Hawaii's Honolulu at 28th followed by California's San Francisco at 29th. Switzerland's Zurich maintained its place as the world's most liveable city this year followed by Austria's Vienna in a tie with Geneva, in Switzerland at number two.

Mercer spokesman Rob Knox said the annual survey was used by international companies and governments as they set pay rates for expat workers. "The fact that Australian cities enjoy among the best standards of living in the world reinforces the attractiveness of Australia for workers and for multinational organisations," Mr Knox said in a statement.

"Our major cities continue to tick all of the boxes (with) established infrastructure and transport facilities, quality housing close to the city, a wide selection of restaurants and other amenities, as well as a good education and environment."

The global survey relies on data collected over three months to November the previous year, and last-minute monitoring is also made. Cities are rated across 39 areas considering such "quality of life" factors as political and economic stability, human rights and personal freedoms, pollution, crime rates, health standards and the cost of consumer staples. Access to education, housing and entertainment is also considered alongside public transport and traffic congestion, plus natural factors such as climate and the record of natural disasters.

Mercer also today released the results of a similar survey ranking the safety of 215 cities across the globe. Luxembourg came in at number one, while Australia's Sydney, Melbourne and Perth were tied on 29th, and Adelaide and Brisbane tied on 49th.

Mercer also found the "city with the world's lowest quality of living and lowest levels of personal safety" is Baghdad, as the war-torn Iraqi capital sits on the bottom of both lists.