The Lifestyle in Melbourne

Melbourne is one of the greatest liveable cities in the world!  It embraces diversity, so wherever you come from, there’ll be people living here from the same background as you, sharing the same culture.

In Melbourne you don’t need to worry about getting used to the eating styles.  If you don’t enjoy the local cuisine, there are supermarkets and specialist grocery stores stocked with food from around the world to choose from. Or have a good time out with friends dining at the variety of international restaurants.

As a beautiful garden city, there are many parks throughout Melbourne city you can visit.  Want to have some fun out?  Experience the local beach lifestyle!  The city abounds with outdoor cafés that are open late – perfect for watching the sun go down over the spectacular views whilst enjoying live bands or DJs.  Popular nightspots can be found in the city centre and in the inner suburbs.  Dynamic shopping styles or sports activities will also make your day.

If you like art works, you are also in the right spot.  Melbourne is Australia’s art and entertainment capital, showcasing world-renowned art galleries, museums, festivals and theatre productions.  The city has the largest range of theatre venues in Australia.

Throughout the year, Victoria hosts Jazz, Comedy and Film festivals, celebrations of food and wine, international festivals and a variety of theatre and music events.

And there’s so much more!

So come discover for yourself what this fantastic city, Melbourne, one of the most liveable cities in the World*, can bring to you!

Cost of Living

On average, an international student studying in Melbourne will spend around $346 a week ($18000 per year) on accommodation, food, clothing, entertainment, transport and telephone.  It is difficult to estimate how much money you will need to live in Melbourne as it depends on your lifestyle and individual circumstances, including:

• whether you are single, part of a couple or have a family;
• where you want to live;
• what you like to eat and wear;
• what you do with your spare time.

Further information can be found on the Live in Melbourne homepage, http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/living-in-victoria/cost-of-living

School-aged dependants

If you are an international student or an intending international student, please be advised that Australian law mandates your obligations to ensure that any school-aged dependants accompanying you must be enrolled into a school.  In the state of Victoria, the Education Reform Act 2006 defines “school age” as a child not less than six (6) years of age and no more than sixteen (16) years of age.

Your options for the schooling of your school-aged dependants are:

• Government Schools
• Non-Government Schools (including schools of different religions)
• Find further information at the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, located at http://www.education.vic.gov.au/

Note: Some visa holders may be required to make full payment of school fees for dependant school-aged children upfront. Please check with the school you wish to enrol your school-aged dependants into for advice. Further information can be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/students/visa-conditions-students.htm

Useful websites:

Melbourne Transport
Useful website http://www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au/

Student Visa Information
Useful website www.immi.gov.au/students/index.htm

Australian Government Advice on Studying in Australia
Useful website http://www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/

* Surveys by The Economist of the World’s Most Liveable Cities, based on cultural attributes, climate, cost of living, and social conditions such as crime rates and health care, regularly rank Melbourne as one of the top three most liveable cities in the world.