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Have you ever wondered what’s it like to be living in Melbourne as an international student? Read on, as we’ve provided you with all the information you’ll need to start your higher education in this city. Melbourne is famous for its culture, food and sport, but to experience the true Melbourne lifestyle, you’ll need to know the real ins and outs of being a student in this city. That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you navigate through living costs, work options, student accommodation in Melbourne, living in Melbourne as a student and much more.
How Many People Live In Melbourne?
Safety, access to leisure facilities and a keen sense of belonging are just some of the reasons why international students prefer living in Melbourne suburbs. However, before taking a call on living in Melbourne as a student in the CBD or suburb, take into consideration the budget, the suitability of the lifestyle, the proximity of universities, shopping, entertainment options, and the ease of travelling around. Whatever the case may be, UniAcco has a wide selection of student accommodation all over Melbourne. Here are some of the best places to live in Melbourne for students –
Best Suburbs To Live In Melbourne
Safety, access to leisure facilities and a keen sense of belonging are just some of the reasons why international students prefer living in Melbourne suburbs. However, before taking a call on living in Melbourne as a student in the CBD or suburb, take into consideration the budget, the suitability of the lifestyle, the proximity of universities, shopping, entertainment options, and the ease of travelling around. Whatever the case may be, UniAcco has a wide selection of student accommodation all over Melbourne. Here are some of the best places to live in Melbourne for students –
| Suburb | Reason |
| South Yarra | A thriving shopping, café and nightlife culture. |
| St Kilda | Close to the beach and an abundance of cafés, live music, cinema and festivals. |
| Carlton | Adjacent to the Melbourne CBD. Well connected public transport network. |
| Brunswick | A hub for young art creators. |
| Footscray | Over 100 food & drink outlets are spread across the suburb. |
| Fitzroy | Most densely populated areas in Melbourne. Victorian-era terraced housing and modern apartments. |
These are some of the best suburbs to live in Melbourne.
1. Student Village Melbourne
Student Village Melbourne is located in Carlton, which is one of the best places to live in Melbourne for students. This area is known for its rich student population, so you’ll never feel alone or fall short of things to do. Student Village offers a wide range of fully furnished studio rooms and Melbourne campus apartments.The communal amenities here include a study area, social events, a residents lounge and much more. One of the best parts about living at Student Village Melbourne is that the University of Melbourne is just 5-minutes away!
Room types –
- 1 and 4 Bed Apartments
- Large Studio Apartment
- Superior Student Apartment
- Studio Apartment
Accommodation Amenities –
A laundry room, all-inclusive utility bills, a communal area, a study area, social events, CCTV security, 24/7 dedicated support and parcel receipt service-all these features to make living in Melbourne easy for you.
Price range –
$338 – $514/week
2. Yarra House
Yarra House guarantees a pleasant staying experience while living in Melbourne. Students can choose from fully furnished non en-suite rooms, en-suite rooms, disabled facilities room and even one-bed flats. All these rooms come equipped with a wardrobe, a study table and chair and a television setup. Yarra House offers amazing communal amenities like a lounge, a communal area, a study area, a laundry room, all-inclusive utility bills and CCTV security. It is among the best places to live in Melbourne.
Room types –
- Single Room
- Disabled Facilities Room
- Single En-suite
- Twin En-suite
- Cottage Single Room
Accommodation Amenities –
CCTV security, 24/7 dedicated service, a communal area, a study area, a lounge, parcel receipt service, a laundry room and all-inclusive utility bills.
Price range –
$211 – $319/week
If you’re an international student in search of student accommodation, all you have to do is click on the form to your right-
3. Unilodge Victoria University
Unilodge Victoria University is one of the best places to live in Melbourne for students, especially if you are enrolled at Victoria University. This student accommodation in Melbourne is just a minute away from Victoria University. Students can choose from a variety of room types that come fully furnished with a WiFi connection, a wardrobe and a study desk & chair. The communal amenities at Unilodge Victoria University include a BBQ area, a cafe, a games room and much more. It is among the best international student accommodation in Melbourne.
Room types –
- 2 and 6-Bed Apartments
- Twin Room (Shared)
- Regular Room
- Deluxe Room
- Accessible Room
Accommodation Amenities –
A BBQ area, all-inclusive utility bills, parcel receipt service, a games room, CCTV security, a cafe and 24/7 dedicated support.
Price range –
$221 – $411/week
The Cost Of Living In Melbourne
Estimating the cost of living in a foreign city is always a tough task, but luckily, the Australian Government has calculated some average living costs to help guide international students. The actual cost of living in Melbourne will depend on the standard of living you wish to adopt in Melbourne. Use the following figures to gauge whether or not you can afford to be living in Melbourne comfortably. If you’re struggling to cope with the cost of living in Melbourne, consider getting a student loan from UniCreds. UniCreds is one of the few reliable education loan providers that cover not only your cost of tuition but also living expenses.
The cost of living in Melbourne for international students, as calculated by the Australian Government –
| Particulars | Cost |
| Student Accommodation | $180 to $460 per week |
| Groceries and Eating Out | $80 to $280 per week |
| Travelling | $15 to $55 per week |
| Phone and Internet | $15 to $55 per week |
| Entertainment | $80 to $150 per week |
It is recommended that international students in Melbourne have a budget of around $20,000 a year to live comfortably.
Work While Studying
As you’ve probably learned by now, living in Melbourne as an international student can be expensive. But don’t worry! Australia allows students to work up to 40 hours every two weeks and unlimited hours during holiday breaks. What’s more, international students are entitled to the prevailing minimum wage rate, so you know you will be treated as an Australian citizen.
Some common jobs for international students living in Melbourne include:
- University or school tutor
- Call centre staff
- Retail sales assistant
- On-campus jobs e.g. university library assistant, university pool lifeguard
- Waiter or bartender
- Internships
In order to work in Melbourne, you will need to get yourself an Australian Tax File Number (TFN). Although it sounds daunting and complicated, getting a TFN is actually very easy and this can be done online.
