Melbourne

Melbourne is the second-largest Australian capital city located in the state of Victoria. The population of Melbourne is 4.9 million (2020) and it competes of the first spot together with Sydney. The historic Flinders Street railway station – opened in 1854 and once being the world’s busiest passenger station – is possibly the most iconic building in the city centre to welcome its visitors. The residents of Melbourne are known as “Melburnians” and the city itself was originally planned to be named “Batmania”, after one of its founding fathers, John Batman. The timezone in Victoria and Melbourne is GMT +10.

Leading industries in Melbourne, sector of employment from student’s perspective

Over the past 10 years, Melbourne’s population has grown faster than any other Australian city and it could overtake Sydney as Australia’s largest city any time soon. Melbourne’s population now sits at around five million people and it is constantly growing. The state of Victoria’s economy itself is larger than both Singapore and New Zealand together, and from the student’s perspective, it gives a lot of opportunities especially in the fields of business, creative industries and digital technology.

Is Melbourne a good place to live?

Melbourne has been rated as the world’s most liveable city for seven consecutive years by the Economist Intelligence Unit. Much of this status is due to education, infrastructure and healthcare, which all makes the city so good to live in, but also enjoyable to visit.

Accommodation in Melbourne for International Students

Which is the best suburb to live in Melbourne?

Inner Melbourne residents rank as the state’s happiest with their area ahead of regional Victorians. The best places for students to live in more affordable places close to the schools are in Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Doncaster, Camberwell, Glen Iris and many more. Richmond emerged as Melbourne’s top suburb for living, work and play ahead of Hawthorn East, Hawthorn, Eltham, Moonee Ponds, and Northcote. Melbourne’s inner east starred for liveability across demographic ranges spanning singles, students, retirees and families.

How much are student accommodation and rent in Melbourne?

On average you can expect to pay between $150 – $450 a week in Melbourne, keeping in mind this may not include your utilities. Flatmates and Flatmate Finders are popular sites to find shared accommodation in Melbourne and will help you fall on the cheaper end ($200) of the rental price. The average cost of living on campus at a university in the Melbourne area ranges between $665 – $825 per week (that usually includes food). *

Does universities and colleges in Melbourne have student apartments??

Yes. Many universities and vocational institutes in Melbourne have a variety of different student apartments and dorms both on-campus and off-campus but keep in mind that most of the places reach full capacity well before the start of the academic year. Choices include University owned and partnered accommodation, known as University Accommodation, and traditional residential colleges.

How do I find accommodation in Melbourne?

• Flatmates.com.au
• Gumtree.com.au
• Hostelworld.com
• Realestate.com.au
• Domain.com.au
• Reiwa.com.au
• Different Facebook groups

Which accommodation should I select? Who provides accommodation for international students?

Deviating from the traditional norms of campus cultures, local university students in Melbourne do not have a cemented norm of living on campus – however, a majority of the institutions in Melbourne serve the option of living on campus that cater to both international and local students.

Cost of living in Melbourne for International Students

How expensive is Melbourne? Is Melbourne more expensive than other cities?

Melbourne has ranked 99th among the world’s most expensive cities to relocate for both students, singles and families (2020 Cost of Living Survey). Currently Melbourne remains less expensive than Sydney of the Australian cities to live in, but it is more expensive than Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra and Perth.

What is the living cost for international students in Melbourne?

The living cost in Melbourne for international students typically consists of the rent (on campus or off-campus), school fees and other general living costs. Even though Melbourne is one of the most expensive cities in Australia to live in, you can find many good lunch and dinner deals, as well as sales in supermarkets and retails shops.

International students are unfortunately not offered discounts on public transport, however, are in entertainment and hobby areas.

What salary do you need to live in Melbourne? How much money do I need at the beginning in Melbourne?

It is recommended that you should have access to around A$4000* when you arrive in Melbourne to settle in and pay your bond (which is a security deposit for your landlord), and a budget of approx. A$600* per week to cover the cost of living in Melbourne.

*It is good to remember that the amounts depend on your rental cost and lifestyle.

How much does food cost in Melbourne?

The price of basic dining out menu, including a drink, in the business district in Melbourne is around AU$15. The prices in the grocery stores are average Australian prices.

Jobs in Melbourne for International Students

A lot of Australian and international businesses are located in Melbourne. There are a variety of different jobs available for international students in Melbourne from cafes and bars to bigger companies and managerial positions. Being a waiter is probably the most popular student job to do in Melbourne, because it is social, and the hours are usually pretty flexible – ideal for those exam and essay deadline periods where you don’t have a lot of time to spend outside the library. As and international student you can also start your own company!

What sort of jobs can I do in Melbourne as an international student?

• Catering and hospitality business
• Retail and warehouse staff
• Office and retail cleaning industry
• Health and aged care
• Car wash and automotive industry
• Painting and construction
• Different office jobs
• And many more!

How much can international student earn in Melbourne?

A student on a Student Visa is entitled to earn a minimum wage of $19.49 per hour or $740.80 per 38-hour week (before tax) for working both on-campus and off-campus during the period of their full-time study. An average pay is usually higher, so it is likely to earn more.

How can an international student get a job in Melbourne?

International students often work within the hospitality and childcare section; however, students are working in a wide range of different jobs. It is essential to look for work in the area that you will be studying in and, therefore, internships are an option to gain work experience and a future paid job.

Is it hard to get a job as an international student in Melbourne?

Having a part-time job is often an essential part of studying abroad and international students are a big part of the job market in Sydney. The Student Visa allows you to work up to 20 hours per week. Make sure you’re realistic about the work you can take on with your level of experience – but try to pick an area that will help you in your career. Jobs that aren’t in your field can still help you gain transferable skills that will be valuable and look great on your resume!

What is the minimum salary in Australia?

The current minimum wage in Australia is $740.80 per week, which equates to a minimum hourly rate of $19.49. However, usually the pay is higher depending on your field of work. Many hospitality jobs also offer penalty rates.

Transport in Melbourne

With convenient public transportation, you can easily move around the place without a hassle. Public buses, trains, trams, taxis and rideshare services (Uber, Ola, Didi, Taxify and Sheba in Melbourne) are the options for you if you don’t want to worry about parking. Melbourne metro and train network rush hours are usually between 6.30am-9am and 3:30pm-6:30pm on weekdays.

How does public transport in Melbourne look like?

Melbourne’s public transport network extends from the city centre in all directions, with trains, trams and buses offering comprehensive public transport services. There’s also the free City Circle Tram to help you get around to all the city’s major attractions.

Is public transport free in Melbourne?

Travel on trams in Melbourne’s city centre is free. Check a map of the Free Tram Zone on the Public Transport Victoria website to see if your journey is within the Free Tram Zone. If you start or finish a journey outside the Free Tram Zone, a valid Myki-card for transportation is still required.

How much does public transport cost in Melbourne?

Adult tickets are for everyone aged 16 years and older and the prices for the tickets start from $4.30 per trip, with a daily cap of $8.60. You can save up to 30 per cent by travelling off-peak. These services are also quieter and you’re more likely to find a seat. Off-peak traveling means leaving or arriving in Melbourne between 9am and 4pm on weekdays (three zones or more), leaving or arriving in Melbourne after 6pm on weekdays (three zones or more), or traveling on weekends and public holidays.

International students on an Endeavour Scholarship, an Australian Awards Scholarship, or an International Postgraduate Research Scholarship, are also eligible for concession rates.

How to use public transport in Melbourne?

Myki is your ticket to travel on with trains, trams and buses in Melbourne, V/Line trains between metropolitan Melbourne and Eaglehawk/Epsom, Seymour, Traralgon, Waurn Ponds and Wendouree – or buses within Geelong, Ballarat, Bendigo, Seymour and the Latrobe Valley. Using a trip planner or Google maps are the easiest ways to plan your trips with public transportation in Melbourne.

What is the most popular mode of transportation in Melbourne?

Public transportation, such as train and buses, is quite easy when traveling within the city, but it is also easy to use Uber, Ola, Didi and Taxify and while going out in the evenings.

Education in Melbourne for International Students

Recent years over 200,000 international students from 170 different countries are enrolling to a universities, Vocational Colleges or English Schools in Victoria, making it one of the most popular study states in Australia. Melbourne’s CBD had 19,511 resident international students last year, more than double that of any other suburb in Australia, so it is easy to blend in and make international friends!

Is Melbourne a good place for international students?

Melbourne is the most attractive destination for international students because of having the world’s most diverse student communities and universities. The QS World University Ranking in 2018 placed 6 out of 10 universities in Victoria among the top-ranked universities in the whole world!

What are the best Universities in Melbourne?

The top universities in Melbourne are RMIT University , The University of Melbourne, Monash University, Deakin University, La Trobe University, Victoria University and Swinburne University of Technology. There is also Torrens University that is our leading partner and the most frequently selected University by the students of Australia Study.

What can I study in Melbourne?

Melbourne is home to a substantial number of high-quality courses e.g. in many different business degrees, music, sports, technology and game design, architecture, economics, event management, web media, science, speech pathology, geophysics, and occupational therapy – and many more – for both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees*. Honestly, you can study pretty much anything on any level in Melbourne! There are also a lot of different English courses for international students that you could study to prep up your English skills!

There are plenty of public universities* in Melbourne, dozens of English Schools and hundreds of Vocational Colleges, so there is something for everyone!

How good is education in Australia?

The Education Index, published with the UN’s Human Development Index in 2018, based on data from 2017, listed Australia the second highest in the world! Australia is also a leading global provider of education to international students – and, after the United States and the United Kingdom, is ranked as the third-largest provider of international education.

Weather in Melbourne

What is the warmest and coldest months of the year in Melbourne?

The warmest month in Melbourne is January with an average maximum temperature of 27°C and the coldest month in Melbourne is July with an average maximum temperature of 14°C.

As in the rest of Australia, summer is during December to Feb, while winter is during June and August.

When is the best time to visit Melbourne?

The best times to visit Melbourne are between March and May and September and November when Melbourne has moderate temperatures and tourist crowds, plus lower airfare rates.

Does it rain a lot in Melbourne?

It does rain a lot in Melbourne with an average rainfall of 650 millimetres of rain every year. This is spread out over an average of 150.6 days.

What are the seasons in Sydney?

• Summer: December to February
• Autumn: March to May
• Winter: June to August
• Spring: September to November

Culture in Melbourne

Melbourne hosts and supports many cultural institutions, such as museums, galleries, events, festivals, street art, popular music, live music, film, independent music and literary talks, independent film and fashion. Melbourne’s culture is very vibrant and alive. A city that incites inspiration, it’s a melting pot of creativity expressed in its arts, design, fashion and events. You will discover that from theatre shows and live music to comedy clubs and fashion shows, Victoria celebrates a vibrant artistic culture, ready to be explored.

Is Melbourne a global city?

Melbourne is a global city that is widely regarded as one of the world’s best places to live, work and do business. Melbourne is definitely an economic powerhouse, and for years, the Economist Intelligence Unit has named it the world’s most liveable city.

5 interesting facts about Melbourne:

• According to the RSPCA, Melbourne is officially the fox capital of the world, with between 6 and 23 foxes per square kilometre in the urban area of the city. Despite these numbers, it’s still quite rare to see one!
• Melbourne’s tramway system is the largest outside Europe and the fourth largest in the world, stretching along 244km of track and boasting 450 trams.
• 38 per cent of the population in Melbourne were born overseas, as of 2013
• Melbourne was the capital city of Australia for 26 years between 1901 and 1927 before the capital became Canberra.
• Melbourne has the highest number of cafes and restaurants per number of people than any other city in the world.

What is Melbourne famous for?

The most famous attractions include the Flinders Street railway station, Queen Victoria Market, National Gallery of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens of Victoria and Eureka Tower. Other attractions include the street arts all over the city.

What is the food culture like in Melbourne?

The iconic and popular Australian dishes in Melbourne are lamb roast, chicken parma and salt and pepper calamari, but since thousands of refugees settled in Melbourne after the Vietnam War, one of the most popular dishes in Melbourne is, in matter of fact, Banh mi. Melbourne has a wave of incredible Vietnamese bakeries but also amazing cafes around the city.

Lifestyle in Melbourne

Why is Melbourne liveable city?

Melbourne’s cohesive and stable society, healthcare, education, and world-class infrastructure make Melbourne a magnificent city in which to live and work.

Are there many clubs and restaurants in Melbourne?

Nightlife and restaurants in Melbourne and in general in Australia are good. Melbourne has a lot of different types of cafes – of what it is also famous for, rooftop bars, restaurants and breweries.

What to do during your free time in Melbourne?

Melbourne has so many things to do that cost absolutely nothing that it can be overwhelming. There’s a reason that Melbourne is consistently voted the most liveable city in the world and we think it’s down to the number of things you can do for free. Experience galleries, laneways, music, gardens, beaches and more. Melbourne is also bursting with vibrant street art. So much that it’s one of the most iconic things about the city other than the famous Melbournian coffee. Start at Hosier Lane, the place that put Melbourne’s street art on the map and enjoy a dizzying array of colours and shapes. You’re sure to find some special pieces of art. 

What does nightlife look like in Melbourne?

Melbourne is a vibrant city with many theatres, laneway and rooftop bars and festivals and an award-winning dining scene. To view the city lights jump on board a dinner cruise, a historical Tramcar Restaurant, go up to the Eureka Skydeck or ride on the Melbourne Star Observation Wheel. If it is live entertainment you are after then you can view a magic show, visit the Comic Lounge or watch the Sovereign Hill dinner and light show. Melbourne’s night attractions are varied, with opportunities to go on an evening tour to visit historic haunted architectural sites, witness amazing nocturnal wildlife or enjoy a meal and drinks in a unique environment.