Living in Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and is located on the southeast coast of the Australian mainland. It is a cosmopolitan city with a population of over 3 million, offering a wide variety of entertainment, shopping, restaurants and sightseeing. Rated as ‘the world’s most liveable city’ by an international panel, Melbourne’s charm and elegance, sophistication and mild climate combine to make it an attractive city for residents and tourists alike.
For more information on Melbourne and Victoria see:
About Victoria - www.visitvictoria.com.au
Lonely Planet Travel Guide - www.lonelyplanet.com.au
Melbourne - www.melbourne.com.au
City Search - www.melbourne.citysearch.com.au
Melbourne’s Public Transport - www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
Climate
The weather in Victoria is temperate and mild with four distinct seasons. Students will need to have a range of clothing to cater for the seasonal climatic conditions. During winter you will need warm clothing.
Currency
The unit of currency is the Australian dollar ($ or AUD) (100 cents = $1.00). There are six coins: $2 and $1 are gold; and 50c, 20c, 10c and 5c are silver. There are five notes: $100, $50, $20 $10 and $5. Each note has a unique design and a different colour.
For currency conversion see: www.xe.xom/ucc
Cost of Living
The cost of living depends on individual lifestyle. MIBT estimates that a single international student requires approximately $13,000-$16,000 per year to live in Melbourne. This estimate does not include airfares or additional costs for those who have a more expensive lifestyle.
The first few weeks in Australia may be expensive, due to an outlay of ‘one-off’ expenses. These may include temporary accommodation, rental bonds, books, clothing, furnishings, etc. Other major expenditure may include purchasing and maintaining a car, and obtaining a driver’s licence.
Banking
Banks are open from Monday to Thursday 9.30am - 4.00pm, Friday 9.30am - 5.00pm. Some banks are open on Saturday mornings.
The main banks in Melbourne include ANZ, Bank of Melbourne/Westpac, Commonwealth and the National Australia Bank. Other financial institutions such as Building Societies, Credit Unions and Finance Companies can also be found. Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are widespread throughout Australia.
When opening a bank account you will be asked to provide your passport and other forms of identification eg. credit card, drivers licence, Student ID Card.
Permission to Work
If you wish to seek employment in Australia, you must apply for permission to work while studying with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Office (DIAC). See Visa Work Rights.
Tax File Number
If you obtain employment while in Australia it is recommended that you apply for a Tax File Number. You will be asked to provide your Tax File Number when you complete a taxation deduction form at the commencement of employment.
It is not compulsory to have or provide a Tax File Number, however if you do not have one, any income you earn will be taxed at a much higher rate. Students can obtain further information about work permits and Tax File Numbers from MIBT or visit: www.ato.gov.au
Driving
Holding a valid student visa allows you to drive in Victoria (for an indefinite period) provided you have an overseas licence which is current and valid and it is in English or is accompanied by an English translation, or you have an international Driver’s Permit.
To apply for a Victorian Driver’s Licence you must be 18 years of age or older and have a current overseas licence. You will undergo an eyesight test, a road law knowledge test and a practical driving test. Once you arrive in Melbourne you can contact Vic Roads on 131 171 or www.vicroads.vic.gov.au for more information about obtaining a Victorian Driver’s Licence or driving with an overseas licence.
Travel Maps
A very useful publication for people who are not familiar with the city of Melbourne, its surrounding suburbs and country areas is the Melway publication (Melway, Greater Melbourne - Street Directory). The cost of this publication is approximately $45 and can be an invaluable resource with detailed maps to help you around Melbourne. The maps include train stations, shopping centres, parks, highways, freeways, schools, rivers, hospitals, hotels, airports, etc. www.melway.com.au
Public Transport
Melbourne’s public transport system operates tram, train and bus services throughout the metropolitan area and generally operates between 5.00am and 12 midnight Monday to Saturday, and 8.00am to 11.00pm on Sundays and public holidays.
The transport system offers a wide variety of fares which allow you to change from train to tram to bus with the same ticket. Tickets are available through electronic vending machines at train stations, on board trams and buses, and various shops.
Melbourne is divided into three zones for public transport. Each zone has a specific colour and covers a specific part of the metropolitan area. The choice of tickets are: a 2 hour ticket, daily ticket, weekly ticket, monthly ticket and short trip card. The ticket you need to purchase will depend on the amount of time you require and the distance you need to travel.
Note: International student travel concessions are not available in Melbourne.
For more information about Melbourne’s public transport visit: www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au
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