Live in Melbourne

Around 5.6 million people live in Victoria, the second largest population of any state in Australia. More than 70 percent of Victorians live in Melbourne, that state’s capital city.

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria, consistently ranks highly in international research on liveable cities. The Economist Intelligence Unit has ranked Melbourne the world’s ‘most liveable city’ for three years running. The August 2013 Report praises our culture, safety and infrastructure.

Victoria is Australia’s smallest mainland state – so regional centres are all within easy reach.

Public Transport

Melbourne is well serviced by buses, trains and of course the famous trams. For more information click here.

Average Costs

Type of Accommodation		No. of Weeks	Weekly Rent / Board Range ($)	Estimated Total ($) Rent or Board and other expenses
Sharing Rented Premises (with 2 others)	Around the CBD	52	190 – 230	22 000 – 28 800
	Within 6 kilometres of CBD	52	155 -185	20 000 – 26 300
	Rural area	52	80 – 100	15 600 – 20 700
Student Apartments	Two bedroom, shared	52	215 – 260	23 400 – 30 500
Student Apartments	One bedroom not shared	52	305 – 370	28 500 – 36 700
Hostel	One bedroom – shared bathroom/kitchen	52	185 – 225	22 100 – 28 200
Residential Colleges (near or on campus)	35 week stay	35	552 – 712*	27 600 – 36 600
Residential Colleges (near or on campus)	44 week stay	44	552 – 712*	34 072 – 45 017
Homestay	Living with a local family	40	240 – 290*	16 000 – 20 700

The above total annual living cost estimates include the following expenses:

Items	Amount
Weekly Cost (other than Rent)
Food and Groceries Contribution	$80-100
Bills (Electricity, Gas etc)**	$35-45
Telephone	$10-15
Public Transport fares ***	$30
Spending Money	$40-80

Establishment Costs
Bond (usually 1 month’s rent)	4.333 x weekly rent
Telephone / utilities connections	$150-200
General furniture items (Not including whitegoods)	$450-800