Life in Melbourne


Melbourne is located in the state of Victoria and is Australia's second largest city with 3.7 million inhabitants. Like all other main settlements in Australia, Melbourne directly borders the ocean. So what is it what makes Melbourne so special? It's the combination of natural assets, the cultural diversity and laid back friendliness of its inhabitants as well as the never ending amount of things to do.

Melbourne has a number of decent beaches close to the city centre. And the further down you drive along each side of Port Phillip Bay the better the beaches get. Melbourne is also highly marketed as Australia's event and sports capital. There is always an event going on that draws the attention to the city.

There is much to love about Melbourne, Just ask the locals. This sophisticated world city in the south-east corner of mainland Australia inspires a deep passion in those lucky enough to live here. Melbournians love the city's vibrant energy, beautiful old churches, staggering choice of restaurants, boutiques, café-filled laneways, cool bars, unbeatable galleries, lush-green parks and village-like inner suburbs, each with its own special character.

Melbourne is the capital of Victoria and is a relatively modern city. It is less than 200 years old and never sits still. New futuristic designs add to the fascinating mix of architecture and ensure the skyline is constantly changing. Melbourne is very much about lifestyle. It is no huge surprise to residents that their city has been ranked as one of the world’s most livable cities.

Melbournians embrace three things in particular:

  • sport (Australian Rules football is almost a religion);
  • fashion (the look is chic with a dash of quirky); and
  • festivals (the calendar is packed year round).

Melbournians even embrace their notoriously changeable weather. A standing joke in Australia is that Melbourne can experience four seasons in a day. But, really, it’s just another example of how Melbourne has it all!

Sometimes, the best part of visiting a new city is when you unexpectedly depart from the tourist trail and glimpse the city’s “real” side. While the big attractions can be great fun, often it’s the more subtle “insider” experiences that leave you feeling really satisfied.

Accommodation

When looking for accommodation, the first decision to consider is what type of place you want to live in and where you want to live. You can rent your own apartment, flat or house or you can share a flat or house with other people (“shared accommodation”). When you make a decision about where to live, you need to balance the cost of higher rents in the inner city areas with the lower rents and higher transportation costs of living in the suburbs.

UIT’s Student Services Department can advise you of your accommodation options, assist you in finding suitable accommodation and provide information about the legal guidelines and regulations governing accommodation tenancy in Victoria. There is a notice board at the Flinders Lane Student Campus with information regarding available student accommodation, such as share accommodation.

You can also search for accommodation on the following websites:

Homestay

Homestay is lodging with a local family, which can be a valuable experience, as it will provide you with the added opportunity to practice your English and to experience the Australian way of life. Host families are experienced in providing hospitality to foreign students, and all homes are individually selected for their ability to meet your needs. Homestay rooms are fully furnished and include all household necessities such as bed linen, towels, etch to provide students with a comfortable, friendly home environment.

Studio Apartments

Accommodation can be arranged in ‘Student Studio Apartments’, which offer clean, safe, secure and independent living with 24/7 on-site management staff. Studio apartments are fully furnished and self contained. Recreational facilities, such as the gym, swimming pool, sauna, in-house restaurant, sitting area with TV and pool table are available at some Student Studio Apartment complexes.

Renting an Apartment, Flat or House

Renting your own apartment, flat or house means you can choose who lives with you. This is a good choice for students who prefer their independence. It also means that you may need to buy or rent all your own furniture.

The real estate agent will ask you to sign a tenancy agreement or lease contract with the owner, agreeing that you will stay in the place for a minimum period, usually of 6 or 12 months. Prices and quality of the property may very greatly in the suburban areas, but are generally cheaper than the inner city areas.

Make certain that the accommodation is suitable for your needs and that you can afford it. Contact real estate agents close to the area in which you want to live. The average apartment or flat ranges from $150 - $300 per week (one bedroom) or $200 - $400 per week for a larger flat or house (two/three bedrooms). You will also pay a bond or security deposit equal to one month’s rent. A bond is money you pay to the landlord or real estate agent in case you don’t fulfill your responsibilities. It is refundable after you move out of the flat or house, provided you leave the property in reasonable condition and fulfill your obligations under the lease.

Sharing an Apartment, Flat or House

This type of rental accommodation can only be arranged after you arrive in Melbourne. In a shared apartment, flat or house each person usually has his or her own bedroom and shares the bathroom, kitchen and living areas with other people. Costs depend on the size of the residence and the number of people sharing. Your budget should allow for food, electricity and other bills, plus transport and other personal costs. Food costs can be shared, with everyone paying an agreed amount per week, or each person buying his or her own food (approximately $75 to $100 per week).

In most households, the cost of electricity, telephone rental and other bills are shared equally (approximately $50 per week). You will normally record and pay for your own telephone calls. Long distance and international calls are listed individually on the bill, with the called number and the cost of the call. The average price of a room ranges from $100 to $150 per week. You will also be asked to pay a bond or security deposit.

Hostels

Hostel accommodation is often located near tourist attractions like hotels, but is less formal, and is thus cheaper. They are a good option for interstate and international students to settle down temporarily in before finding a more permanent accommodation option. Hostels provide small, private, furnished rooms or dormitory rooms (shared bedroom) with access to common areas (shared areas) such as the kitchen, sitting rooms, laundry, and sometimes a computer room with internet access. Most hostels have a friendly community atmosphere, as the common areas provide guests with the opportunity to interact with other guests who are usually travellers from all over the world. It’s a fantastic way to make new friends and to gain information about other countries as well as the local area. Most hostels provide activities, such as guided tours of the town, language lessons, live music, barbeques, etc. for their guests for free or for a nominal charge.

Some hostels include meals in their fees, while at others you cook for yourself. Half board includes two meals – breakfast and either a lunch or a dinner – and full board includes three meals. Guests can have their own room (private rooms) at most hostels, but is more expensive than a shared room (dormitory) with other guests. Prices vary from $35 (shared) to $110 (private) per night. There may be other charges, such as a bond (security deposit) and appliance charges. Gas and electricity are usually covered in the overall cost. It is recommended that students considering hostel accommodation options look at two or three places prior to making a decision. Many hostels are privately run, and as such come under the Rooming House Act. Please note, if the student signs a lease, they are covered by the Residential Tenancies Act.

Guests must be careful of their own belongs when staying in a hostel, as theft can occur. Lack of privacy may also be an issue when staying in a dormitory room.

Note: Hostel can start from $100 AUD per night for a private room, and $35 AUD for a shared room. The price must be confirmed at the time of booking.

List of websites for hostels

Other Accommodation Issues

If you choose to rent or live in shared accommodation or organise a shared accommodation house you should be aware of your legal rights and responsibilities. You can get most of this information from a booklet called ‘Renting: Your Rights and Responsibilities’. This booklet will give you information about your rights as a tenant in rental accommodation and your responsibilities, such as household maintenance and paying your rent on time. You may also be responsible for paying for the cost of the reconnection of the utilities, that is, to have gas, electricity, water and telephone turned on.

When you leave a rental property it is your responsibility to notify the electricity, telephone water and gas companies that you have left and are no longer responsible for the bills. When you move into a place you need to make sure that you understand all of the papers that you sign. Do not sign anything unless you are fully aware of all terms and conditions, and you are sure you understand them clearly.

Transport

Melbourne is a relatively easy city to travel around by the following modes of transport. The terrain is generally flat, so walking or cycling can be a pleasure.

Airport Transfers

The Melbourne Airport website is useful for maps and airline, flight and passenger information. It also lists transport options to the city centre.

New Interstate, International, Study Abroad or Exchange students can apply for free airport reception through the University's On Arrival Services for Interstate and International Students (OASIIS).

Alternatively, the Skybus is a popular airport shuttle service. If you are travelling to or from the airport on your own or with one other person, the Skybus is cheaper than a taxi.

If you are flying into Avalon Airport, ensure you read the transport information on the Jetstar Airways website.

Bicycles

Many staff and students enjoy the health and financial benefits of riding a bicycle to get around campus and the inner city. The Bicycle Victoria website provides useful information on rules and regulations, purchasing bikes and accessories, safety and path maps.

Public Transport

Public transport in Melbourne is run by Metlink. You can travel by train, tram or bus through three different zones.

Ticket fares are based on zones and periods of validity. Various ticket types are available. Ensure you travel with a valid ticket as strict uniformed and non-uniformed inspectors check tickets. Fines are hefty.

Concession tickets are only available to those who carry concession identification (ID). You may be fined if you are unable to show your valid concession ID when approached by an inspector.

There are various types of concession cards available, for example Victorian Public Transport Student Concession Card or Victorian Health Care Card. Make sure you investigate your eligibility, as public transport concession tickets cost around half that of a full fare.

International full degree and study abroad (this does not include exchange) students are currently ineligible for public transport concessions.

Check out the information on the Student Financial Aid website regarding Concessions & Discounts.

Fare prices, concession details, timetables and route information can be found on the Metlink website.

Car

Maintaining a car is expensive. If you must travel by car, note that parking around the campus is limited and you generally need to pay. For details on parking on-campus please refer to the Parking Office website.

Refer to the VicRoads website for details on obtaining or renewing a Victorian driver’s license.

Students who need to travel by car because of a disability may find the Disability Liaison Unit (DLU) website useful

Doctor's Contact

Australia has a system of health cover for international students called Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC). Students are required to have this cover while they are in Australia. It provides a safety net for international students similar to that provided to Australian citizens through Medicare, Australia’s National Health Insurance System.

When visiting a doctor in Victoria, you will need to check if the medical clinic has an agreement with your Overseas Student Health Care Cover. If they do have an agreement, your payment will be considerably less.

QV Medical One Work
23 QV Terrace, 292 Swanston St Melbourne
Tel: 03 8663 7000

Swanston Street Medical Centre
393 Swanston St Melbourne
03 9662 3322

City Baths Medical Centre
420 Swanston St Melbourne
03 9662 4644

Swinburne Health Centre
John St Hawthorn
03 214 8483

Mediscreen Medical Centre
799 Toorak Rd Hawthorn
03 9822 3105

Alphacare Medical Centre
50 Stud Rd
Dandenong, VIC 3175
03 9792 9899

Boroondara Community Health Service
378 Burwood Rd
Hawthorn, VIC 3122
03 9818 6703

Kilmore Medical Centre
36 - 38 Melbourne St
Kilmore, VIC 3764
03 5783 0555

Medical One
23 QV Terrace, 292 Swanston St
Melbourne, VIC 3000
(03) 9686 9229

Monash Health Service - Caulfield
Level 1, Building B, Sir John Monash Drive
Caulfield, VIC 3145
03 9903 1177

Monash Health Service - Clayton
Building 10, Clayton Campus, Wellington Rd
Clayton, VIC 3800
03 9905 5453

William Angliss - Health Service
555 LaTrobe Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000
(03) 9606 2208

Clayray X-ray Services
Level 1/24 Collins Street, Melbourne
03 9650 1152


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