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Make your mark in Melbourne

Not only is it one of the world's most liveable cities, Melbourne is also home to La Trobe University’s largest campus.

New to Australia?

Be ready for your arrival. Find all the information you need for preparing to arrive in a new city here. Simply follow the steps!

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Discover Melbourne

Explore one of the world’s most liveable cities

Melbourne has repeatedly been named one of the world’s most liveable cities by The Economist’s famous liveability rankings. It is also one of the world’s most multicultural cities – and therefore, also one of its most welcoming.

There are so many things to see and do across Melbourne that the hardest part is knowing where to start.

Some of Melbourne’s top attractions include:

  • Federation Square
  • Melbourne Museum
  • Melbourne Zoo
  • National Gallery of Victoria
  • Melbourne Cricket Ground
  • Eureka Tower
  • State Library
  • Botanical Gardens

About Melbourne

Learn the basics

Melbourne has four different seasons, hot in summer and cool in winter. You need to have a range of clothing – warm clothes and a coat for winter and light clothes for summer.

Australia uses the Australian dollar (A$ or AUD) and cents (100 cents = $1.00).

For currency conversion see: www.xe.com/ucc/

Cost of living depends on your lifestyle but a single international student requires approximately $18,000 to $21,500 per year to live in Melbourne. This does not include your airfare.

Banks are generally open Monday to Thursday, 9.30 am – 4.00 pm and Friday 9.30 am – 5.00 pm. Some banks are open on Saturday mornings. If you want to open a bank account, you will need to take some identification documents, including your passport, credit card, driver’s licence (if you have one), and student ID card.

If you want to work in Australia, you need to apply for a Tax File Number (TFN). If you don’t have a TFN, you will be taxed at a high rate. Visit www.ato.gov.au to learn more.

For current information on driving in Victoria and obtaining a drivers licence, please visit Vic Roads at www.vicroads.vic.gov.au

Melbourne’s public transport system operates tram, train and bus services, generally between 5 am – 12 midnight Monday to Saturday, and 8 am – 11 pm on Sundays and public holidays. You will need a myki card to use public transport – see www.myki.com.au

For information about Melbourne’s public transport system, visit Public Transport Victoria.

It is exciting living in a new city, making new friends and experiencing different cultures, but make sure you are safe at all times. Please check out our Health & Safety page to ensure that you are safe at all times.

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