What’s it like to live in Melbourne?
Want to study in Australia’s most liveable city? According to the Global Liveability Index 2023, Melbourne is the 3rd best city in the whole world and offers one of the best academic experiences for international students. If you are keen to find out if it’s the right fit for you, this article will answer most of your questions.
Quick Facts Melbourne City
Melbourne is the capital of the southern state of Victoria and is the second largest city in Australia. It has a population of 5+ million people and is one of the world’s most culturally diverse cities, with almost 200 nationalities represented in the population.
Melbourne sits on the banks of the Yarra River and hugs the coastline from Port Phillip Bay to the Mornington Peninsula. It’s famous for Australian Rules Football, the historic tram system, leafy parks and gardens, and internationally renowned coffee and cafe culture. In fact, Melbourne city has more restaurants and cafes per capita, than any other city in the world.
Academic Excellence
Melbourne is home to some of Australia’s best academic institutions including the world renowned University of Melbourne (UNIMELB) — the #1 university in Australia and currently ranked #14 globally. You’ll also find several other highly regarded universities, 110 TAFE Victoria campuses, and 1,100 Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) that offer internationally recognised qualifications.
If you are seriously considering Melbourne for your study destination, you should definitely review:
DID YOU KNOW: the University of Melbourne (UNIMELB) is currently ranked #8 in the world for graduate employability.
Cost of Living
The city of Melbourne currently sits at #71 on the Mercer Cost of Living City Ranking 2023. It is Australia’s second most expensive city (ranked just behind Sydney) and we recommend researching common expenses like food, accommodation, utilities, and transport before making your final choice.
The following are excellent resources for working out if Melbourne is affordable for the duration of your student journey:
Finding Employment
International students living in Melbourne don’t have too many problems finding part-time employment in the hospitality, retail, and customer service industries as well as the health sector.
The best way to locate the latest job vacancies, do a generic search for part time jobs Melbourne or visit the many job search websites including Seek, Career One, Indeed, and Jora. The Victorian Government also has some great employment information on their Study Melbourne website.
Getting Around
The public transport system in Melbourne is simply world class. Buses, trams, and trains connect the metropolis and feature attractions with the outer suburbs, as well as regional areas like Bendigo, Ballarat, Seymour, and the Latrobe Valley.
Melbourne is famous in Australia for its fleet of 520 trams, and the tram system itself has been in place since 1884. In fact, the Melbourne tram system is the largest in the world (outside of Europe).
To use any of Melbourne’s public transport services you’ll need a myki card and account. Once you create your account, you can top-up your balance directly from a bank account or by using a credit card.
DID YOU KNOW?Public Transport Victoria offers heavily discounted fares for students who hold an
International Student Travel Pass. This fantastic travel concession reduces fares by up-to 50% for eligible students.
Accommodation
Most universities in Melbourne offer on-campus accommodation for students, but these places are highly sought after, and you should apply as early as possible.
If you prefer to live independently there are plenty of options for students including:
- Renting a house, unit, or flat
- Joining an existing sharehouse
- Finding a Homestay opportunity
When choosing somewhere to live, you’ll need to consider the weekly rental costs as well as the distance from the university, nearest public transport pickups, and location of shopping centres, eateries, and essential services.
For more detailed information, including a full list of online resources, check our Living in Australia Guide for International Students.
Food and Coffee
The people of Melbourne are serious foodies, and the city has a global reputation for multicultural cuisine and incredibly good coffee. Whether you’re into fine dining, beer and bar menus, or hole-in-the-wall cafes,patisseries, and laneway eateries, Melbourne has so much to offer.
DID YOU KNOW? The alleys and backstreets of Melbourne are a vibrant maze of graffiti, heritage buildings, murals, and street art. There is always somewhere new to explore and uncover.
Natural Wonders
If you love outdoor adventures, Melbourne is the gateway to some of Australia’s most incredible natural wonders including the Great Ocean Road and 12 Apostles, Phillip Island, the Yarra Valley wine region, Grampians National Park, Organ Pipes National Park, and Dandenong Ranges.And you want something really adventurous, jump aboard the iconic Spirit of Tasmania and visit Australia’s stunning island state.
Diversity
One of the most exciting things about the Melbourne is the incredible cultural diversity. More than half the city dwellers were born overseas, and the population includes around 200 nationalities. This is reflected in the city’s cuisine and dining opportunities, grocery selections, shopping, and entertainment choices. No matter where you’re from, you’re sure to find something from home in Melbourne.
Parks and Gardens
Finally, Melbourne City has fantastic public parks and gardens filled with floral displays, art installations, ancient trees, and heritage landscapes.
You could spend days and weeks strolling the Royal Botanical Gardens, the riverside Birrarung Marr, Fitzroy Gardens, Werribee Park and Mansion, Currawong Bush Park, Ruffey Lake Park, and many more — all within the Melbourne CBD and surrounding suburbs. Even better, nearly of these places are free to the public.
QUICK TIP:if you’re looking for free and fun activities in (and around) Melbourne, check the official tourism site
Visit Victoria.