Living In Melbourne

Melbourne runs on trains, trams, and buses—all operated by Myki, a rechargeable smart card system. You’ll use your Myki card for every trip.

How Myki Works

Buy a Myki card at any 7-Eleven, train station, or convenience store for $6. Then load money onto it:

• Myki Money: Pay per trip ($4.60 for Zone 1, $7.60 for Zone 1+2)
• Myki Pass: Unlimited travel for 7 days ($48 Zone 1, $68 Zone 1+2)

If you’re studying full-time and travelling daily, a Myki Pass saves money. Otherwise, use Myki Money and top up as needed.

Tap on when you board (train, tram, bus) and tap off when you exit (trains and buses only—trams don’t require tap-off).

Train Network

Melbourne’s train network connects the CBD to all major suburbs. Edunex’s Melbourne CBD campus is near Flinders Street, Southern Cross, and Melbourne Central stations—all major train hubs.

Trains run every 10-20 minutes during the day (more frequent during peak hours: 7-9 AM, 5-7 PM). After 9 PM and on weekends, trains run every 20-40 minutes. Last trains leave the city around midnight on weekdays, later on Friday/Saturday nights.

Trams

Trams run through the CBD and inner suburbs (Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Richmond, South Yarra). They’re slower than trains but useful for short trips within the city.

Free Tram Zone: The CBD has a Free Tram Zone—you can ride trams within this zone without tapping your Myki. Useful for getting around the city centre, but tap on if you’re travelling outside the zone.

Buses

Buses cover areas not serviced by trains or trams. They’re slower and less frequent but necessary if you live further out. Always tap on and tap off.

Do You Need a Car?

No. Public transport covers the city well, and parking in the CBD is expensive ($15-40 per day). Most students don’t own cars. If you need one occasionally, rideshare (Uber, Didi) or car rentals are cheaper than owning a vehicle.

How Much You’ll Spend

Melbourne is expensive. Here’s a realistic weekly budget for a student:

That’s $1,800-2,800 per month, or $21,600-33,600 per year.

If you’re an international student working 48 hours per fortnight at minimum wage ($23.23/hour as of 2024), you’ll earn about $2,230 per month before tax. That covers most living costs, but not all—have savings ready, especially for your first 2-3 months before you find work.

How to Save Money

• Cook at home. Groceries cost $80-120/week. Eating out costs $15-25 per meal. Cook your own food and save hundreds per month.
• Buy groceries at discount stores. Aldi, NQR, and Asian supermarkets are cheaper than Coles or Woolworths.
• Use public transport, not Ubers. A Myki Pass costs $48/week. Ubers cost $15-30 per trip.
• Look for student discounts. Cinemas, gyms, museums, and software (Microsoft, Adobe) offer student discounts—always ask.
• Share costs with housemates. Split groceries, internet, and household supplies to keep expenses low.

Supermarkets

• Coles, Woolworths: Main supermarket chains. Found everywhere. Mid-range prices.
• Aldi: Cheaper than Coles/Woolworths. Smaller range, but good for basics (bread, milk, pasta, vegetables).
• IGA: Smaller local supermarkets. Convenient but slightly more expensive.
• Asian Supermarkets: Best for rice, noodles, spices, and fresh vegetables. Much cheaper than Coles/Woolworths if you cook Asian food.

Eating Out

Melbourne has food from every culture—Vietnamese, Indian, Chinese, Italian, Greek, Middle Eastern, Thai, Japanese. Eating out costs $15-25 per meal at casual restaurants, $8-15 for takeaway.

Food Courts & Cheap Eats

• Queen Victoria Market: Fresh produce, cheap groceries, food stalls
• Chinatown (Little Bourke Street): Affordable Asian food
• Lygon Street (Carlton): Italian cafes and restaurants
• Food Courts in Shopping Centres: Emporium, Melbourne Central, QV—cheap meals $10-15

Cooking at Home

Basic groceries for one person per week:

• Rice/pasta: $3-5
• Vegetables: $15-20
• Meat/chicken: $15-25
• Bread: $3-5
• Milk, eggs, basics: $10-15

Total: $50-80/week if you cook all your meals.

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – International Students

If you’re on a student visa, you’re required to have OSHC for the entire duration of your stay. OSHC covers:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Ambulance services
• Some prescription medications

How to Use OSHC

Download your OSHC provider’s app (Bupa, Allianz, Medibank, NIB). Find a bulk-billing GP near you—these doctors charge no out-of-pocket fees for OSHC holders. If you’re charged, keep the receipt and claim it back through your app.

Important: OSHC does NOT cover dental or optical. If you need glasses or dental work, you’ll pay out-of-pocket ($100-500+ depending on the service).

Medicare – Domestic Students

If you’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you’re covered by Medicare (Australia’s public healthcare system). Most GP visits and hospital treatments are free or subsidized.

Pharmacies

Chemist Warehouse, Priceline, and Terry White are major pharmacy chains. Over-the-counter medications (painkillers, cold medicine, allergy tablets) cost $5-20.

Mental Health Support

Studying, working, and managing finances is stressful. If you’re struggling:

• Lifeline: 13 11 14 (24/7 crisis support)
• Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 (depression and anxiety support)
• Headspace: Free mental health services for young people (12-25 years)

Opening a Bank Account

You’ll need an Australian bank account to receive wages, pay rent, and manage daily expenses. Open an account with one of the big four banks (Commonwealth, ANZ, NAB, Westpac) or student-friendly banks like ING or Up.

What You Need:

• Passport
• Student visa
• Australian address (or proof you’re arriving soon)
• Confirmation of Enrolment (COE)

Most banks let international students open accounts online before arriving in Australia. Do this before you leave your home country—it’s easier.

Tax File Number (TFN)

Apply for your TFN online through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) within your first week in Australia. It’s free and takes 10 minutes. You’ll need your passport and Australian address.

Without a TFN, employers withhold 47% of your pay as tax—you’ll only get it back when you file a tax return at the end of the financial year (June 30).

Sending Money Home

Avoid using bank transfers—fees are high (often $20-50 per transaction). Use money transfer apps like Wise (formerly TransferWise), Remitly, or Western Union. Fees are lower, and exchange rates are better.

Melbourne is famous for having “four seasons in one day.” The weather changes constantly—sunny in the morning, cold and rainy by afternoon.

Summer (December – February): Hot. 25-35°C. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and light clothes. Heatwaves can hit 40°C+.

Autumn (March – May): Mild. 15-25°C. Perfect weather. Light jacket needed in the evenings.

Winter (June – August): Cold and wet. 8-15°C. Rain is frequent. Bring a warm jacket, umbrella, and closed shoes. It doesn’t snow in Melbourne city, but it’s cold.

Spring (September – November): Unpredictable. 12-22°C. Can be sunny, rainy, or windy—sometimes all in one day.

What to Pack

• Warm jacket (winter gets cold)
• Rain jacket or umbrella (Melbourne rains year-round)
• Layered clothing (weather changes fast)
• Sunscreen (Australian sun is strong—even on cloudy days)
• Closed shoes (for work placement and campus)
• Laptop or tablet (required for courses)

Free & Cheap Activities

You’re here to study, but you still need downtime. Melbourne has plenty of free and affordable things to do.

Free Activities

• Federation Square: Events, exhibitions, outdoor screenings
• Queen Victoria Market: Open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, weekends. Fresh produce, food, and crafts
• State Library of Victoria: Beautiful building, free wifi, quiet study space
• Royal Botanic Gardens: Massive park. Perfect for walks and picnics
• National Gallery of Victoria (NGV): Free entry to permanent collection
• Melbourne Museum: Free on certain days—check website
• Beaches: St Kilda, Brighton. 20-30 minutes by tram. Free to visit.

Student Discounts

• Cinemas: $10-15 with student ID (Hoyts, Village, Event Cinemas)
• Gyms: Many gyms offer student rates ($15-25/week instead of $30-40)
• Software: Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Cloud—free or discounted for students

Nightlife & Social

Melbourne has bars, clubs, live music, and comedy shows. Cover charges range from free to $20-30. Drinks are expensive ($10-15 for beer, $15-20 for cocktails). Pre-drink at home if you’re on a budget.

Staying Safe

Melbourne is generally safe, but use common sense.

At Night

Stick to well-lit, busy streets. Avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar areas. If you’re coming home late, take an Uber or taxi instead of walking.

Public Transport

Trains and trams are safe during the day. Late at night (after 10 PM), sit near other passengers or the driver. Avoid empty carriages.

Emergency Numbers

• 000: Police, ambulance, fire (free call, works from any phone)
• 112: Emergency number from mobile phones (same as 000)

Scams

Common scams targeting international students:

• Fake accommodation listings (asking for money before you see the property)
• Fake job offers (asking you to pay for “training” or “uniforms” upfront)
• Fake tax or visa calls (government agencies don’t call and demand immediate payment)

If something feels wrong, it probably is. Hang up, don’t transfer money, and verify through official channels.

What Students Wish They Knew

Here’s advice from students who’ve been through it:

• Arrive 1-2 weeks before classes start. Give yourself time to find accommodation, set up your bank account, get your TFN, and adjust to the city before orientation week.
• Budget for your first month. You won’t get paid immediately when you start working (most jobs pay monthly or fortnightly). Have $2,000-3,000 in savings to cover rent, food, and transport until your first paycheck arrives.
• Don’t live too far from campus. A 60-90 minute commute each way sounds manageable, but it’s exhausting when you’re doing it 3 days a week for 52 weeks. Factor in travel time when choosing accommodation.
• Make friends early. Orientation week is where most students meet their study group for the year. Show up, talk to people, exchange numbers. It makes the year easier.
• Ask for help when you need it. Whether it’s student support, your trainer, or a housemate—people can’t help if they don’t know you’re struggling. Don’t wait until things fall apart.