International Students
Life in Melbourne
Melbourne is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities and it’s easy to see why. The city offers world-leading stability, healthcare, culture, environment, education and infrastructure. Labelled as Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne has something for just about everyone, be it brilliant street art, an eclectic range of architectural styles, or amazing wildlife.
Melbourne is rated the number one student city in Australia and third best student city in the world, so it’s no surprise it has the country’s biggest student population. A true university city, Melbourne is home to 227,000 international students from over 170 countries who make up one third of its student population. International students in Melbourne enjoy an action packed and inclusive inner-city lifestyle with world-class study options.
People, language and government
Melbourne is the capital city of the state of Victoria and is home to more than five million people. We have a proud history of cultural diversity – we’re made up of many different people from all kinds of cultures and all ages. We’re inclusive, progressive and respectful of people’s differences.
The official language spoken in Melbourne is English, but more than 100 languages are spoken by Melbourne residents including Mandarin, Italian, Greek, Cantonese, Arabic and Vietnamese.
Melbourne is governed by a strong and stable government and we have three levels of government in Australia to ensure all aspects of society are effectively governed.
Geography and Climate
Melbourne is affectionately known for having ‘four seasons in one day’. No matter the weather, in Melbourne you’ll find clean air, clean water and unique animals.
Victoria has a mild, temperate climate with summers that are warm, autumns that are moderate, winters that are cool, and springs that are sunny and bright.
Melbourne’s has clean air quality and doesn’t suffer from high levels of air pollution that are common to other major cities around the world. Skies are clear on most days in Melbourne (apart from the odd cloud). From a high view point you can often see the Dandenong mountain ranges, all of Melbourne’s suburbs and right across to Port Phillip Bay.
We have less overall rainfall than Sydney or Brisbane, but locals in Melbourne usually keep an umbrella in the car and wear layers of clothing because Melbourne weather can change quickly.
Average seasonal temperatures in Melbourne
| Season | Average Minimum Temperature | Average Maximum Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Summer | 14°C (57°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| Autumn | 11°C (52°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
| Winter | 7°C (45°F) | 14°C (57°F) |
| Spring | 10°C (50°F) | 20°C (68°F) |
For more information, visit the Bureau of Meteorology website
For more information about life in Melbourne, visit Live In Melbourne website
Accommodation Information
Many students will want to live within walking distance of the campus but this is not always possible, and accommodation is usually determined by availability and cost. Often it is more convenient and more cost-effective to live slightly further from the campus but closer to shops, public transport and other necessary amenities.
Renting in Victoria
You have the same renting rights as local residents have under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. You have the right to ask your rental provider or property manager to meet the obligations agreed in your rental agreement (lease) – this will not affect your visa.
Types of rental accommodation
It is important to understand the different types of rental accommodation available in Victoria, as there are different rules for each.
Rooming Houses
A rooming house is a building where at least four people can rent rooms and access communal facilities. Each resident has an individual rental agreement. It is different to a share house, where everyone signs the same agreement.
You should check that a rooming house is registered before you sign an agreement or move in as registered rooming houses must meet minimum standards for privacy, security and safety. Read the following information to find out what your rooming house must have:
To see if a rooming house is registered, check our public register of rooming houses.
When you agree to move in to a rooming house, the owner must give you:
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their contact details
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a written list of your rights and duties as a resident
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the house rules
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a notice stating if your room is exclusive or shared and if so, how many people are sharing the room
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a notice stating any additional costs for services (for example, cleaning or meals).
A list of your rights and duties and a copy of the house rules must also be displayed in your bedroom.
Private Rental
A private rental means that you have private use of a whole apartment or house. You will sign a rental agreement, which is a contract between you and your rental provider or their agent. The rental agreement states the rent and bond amount, how often the rent is to be paid, the length and type of agreement, and other conditions and rules. Read more about signing a rental agreement.
Share House
A share house is when you share a private rental with friends or housemates. All renters are listed on the rental agreement and pay their own share of rent and bond.
Sub-letting is when a renter (a head renter) rents out a room in the home they are living in to another person who is not on the rental agreement. If someone offers you a room to rent in a sub-letting arrangement, you should ask them to show you that they have written permission from their rental provider, before you agree to move in and pay them any money. If a renter sub-lets without the rental provider’s written permission, the rental provider can end the renter’s rental agreement and your agreement with the renter.
You can read more about renting in a sharehouse or subletting.
Boarding or Homestay
Boarding or homestay is when you rent a room in a home, and live with the home owner. This is a private agreement between you and the home owner, which does not fall under the Residential Tenancies Act 1997. For information on your rights in a private agreement, view Contracts.
Deposits
A rental provider, agent or owner may ask you for a ‘holding deposit’ before you sign a rental agreement. They must refund it after both you and they have signed the rental agreement. If the agreement is not signed within 14 days, the deposit must be given back to you by the next business day.
A rental provider or agent cannot charge fees for other things, such as administration. If you are unsure if you should pay for something, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria.
Bonds
If your landlord, estate agent or owner asks you to pay a bond, they must:
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give you a completed bond lodgement form for you to sign
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lodge the bond with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA). You will receive a confirmation letter from the RTBA within two weeks of your bond being lodged
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prepare a condition report, which notes the general condition of the property. See Condition report.
If you cause damage or fail to keep the property clean at the end of your tenancy, your rental provider can claim some or all of the bond.
View Lodging the bond.
Condition Report
If you pay a bond, your rental provider (landlord), estate agent or rooming house owner must prepare a condition report. This document records the general condition of the property or room, including fittings and fixtures, such as carpets, curtains and heaters.
Your rental provider or agent must give you two signed copies of this report before you move in. This can be done electronically if you have agreed to that.
Once you have moved in, inspect the property and fill in the report with any existing damage, such as cracks, marks on the walls, or broken handles. Also check if any appliances that came with the property work. Also note on the condition report if you disagree with what the rental provider or agent has written. Take close up photos of any damage to support your comments.
You must complete and return one signed copy of the condition report to the rental provider or agent within three days of moving in, and keep the second copy of the condition report as a record for yourself. You will need it at the end of your rental agreement if there is a dispute about who should pay for cleaning, damage, or replacement of missing items.
You can read more about Condition reports.
While You Are Renting
- Pay your rent on time. To calculate rent for daily, monthly or other payment periods, use our Rent calculator.
- You are entitled to receive a receipt for each rent payment.
- Tell your rental provider (landlord) or agent about any repairs that need to be done. You can read more about repairs.
Moving Out
If your rental agreement is periodic (a month-by-month agreement), you must give 28 days written notice to your rental provider or agent when you decide to leave. You must still pay rent for the 28 days.
If you have a fixed term agreement – for example, 12 months – and you plan to move out on the date your agreement ends, you must still give 28 days written notice to your property manager or rental provider.
If you are living in a rooming house, you will have to give the rooming house operator at least 2 days’ notice if you want to leave or 14 days if you have a fixed-term rooming house agreement.
Check the minimum notice periods to end your rental agreement, and download the forms for giving notice from:
If you want to move out early you can break the lease, but there are different notice requirements. You may have to pay a fee if you move out early, too. Read more about Breaking a rental agreement.
Important renting tips
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Do not sign anything unless you understand what it means.
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Never sign a blank form, even if it looks official.
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Keep a copy of anything you sign.
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Ask for a receipt every time you have to pay for something and keep the receipt in a safe place.
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Do not pay a deposit or bond if you have not visited the property yourself.
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Ensure you receive confirmation from the RTBA that your bond has been lodged.
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Lodging a complaint about your rental provider (landlord) or agent will not affect your student visa.
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Ask VSC’s Student Support staff for help and advice.
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Know where you stand with share house living.
Cost of Living in Melbourne
You should be aware of the average living costs in Melbourne. It is an important part of your financial preparation. For your reference, here are some of the costs associated with living and studying in Melbourne (all costs are in Australian dollars). The costs below are an approximate guide only and don’t take into account your budget and spending habits.
As of October 2019 the 12-month living costs are:
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For students or guardians – AUD$21,041
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For partners coming with you – AUD$7,362
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For a child coming with you – AUD$3,152
Accommodation
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Hostels and Guesthouses – $90 to $150 per week
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Shared Rental – $95 to $215 per week
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On campus – $110 to $280 per week
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Homestay – $235 to $325 per week
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Rental – $185 to $440 per week
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Boarding schools – $11,000 to $22,000 a year
Other living expenses
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Groceries and eating out – $140 to $280 per week
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Gas, electricity – $10 to $20 per week
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Phone and Internet – $15 to $30 per week
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Public transport – $30 to $60 per week
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Car (after purchase) – $150 to $260 per week
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Entertainment – $80 to $150 per week
The Home Affairs website covers in more detail how to work out how much money you might need to cover the costs of your stay in Australia as international student.
The Insider Guides ‘Cost of Living Calculator’ is also a useful, practical tool to help estimate your cost of living in Australia www.insiderguides.com.au/cost-of-living-calculator/.
If you experience financial trouble while in Melbourne, talk to VSC’s student support staff for assistance.
This information has been obtained from the Study Australia government website available here: https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/live/living-costs