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 around 3.8 million people and more than 140 cultures. The city is famous for its local and international sporting events, diverse music and arts scenes and outstanding dining options. For more information, visit www.melbourne.com.au.

Cost of living

For an international city, Melbourne is surprisingly affordable. Low-cost public transport helps keep day-to-day living expenses down. Depending on your lifestyle and where you choose to live, you can expect to spend around AU$12,000 — $20,000 a year on living expenses (not including tuition fees).

Getting around

Melbourne has an excellent public transport system, consisting of trains, trams, ferries and buses. Most services run from early morning to midnight, 7 days a week. There is a free city circle tram that departs every 12 minutes so you can move around the city easily. And the NightRider bus will get you home after midnight on weekends. For the complete transport guide to Melbourne, head to www.metlinkmelbourne.com.au.

Climate

Melbourne has a temperate but rather unpredictable climate, with warm summers and cool winters. Summer runs from December to February with average maximum temperatures reaching around 26°C. During the winter months, from June to August, the average temperature ranges between 6 and 13°C. For up-to-date information on Melbourne’s weather, head to www.bom.gov.au.