Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria and one of the most multicultural destinations in the Southern Hemisphere, continues to rank among the Top 10 Best Student Cities in the World. Known for its world-class education system, urban lifestyle, exceptional infrastructure, booming job market, and safe, inclusive environment, Melbourne attracts more than 200,000 international students every year. With globally recognized universities—such as the University of Melbourne, RMIT University, Monash University, Deakin University, Victoria University, and La Trobe University—the city offers some of the best academic experiences in the world.

For students searching for student accommodation in Melbourne, the city provides an enormous selection of housing options, ranging from luxury Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) buildings, ensuite rooms, twin-share rooms, private studios, shared apartments, and homestays. Modern PBSAs in Melbourne offer premium amenities including fitness centres, 24/7 security and concierge support, cinema rooms, open terraces, rooftop lounges, BBQ zones, gaming lounges, co-working spaces, group study rooms, yoga studios, bicycle storage, and fully furnished apartments equipped with high-speed WiFi. These buildings often offer hotel-style living but with convenience and community designed especially for students.

Melbourne is divided into several student-friendly neighbourhoods, each offering a unique lifestyle experience. Carlton is one of the most popular suburbs due to its proximity to the University of Melbourne, RMIT University, and the CBD. This area is known for its European-style cafes, libraries, bookstores, gardens, and cultural venues. North Melbourne offers quiet residential streets with quick tram access. Southbank and Docklands offer riverside living, high-rise apartments, and modern PBSAs ideal for students who prefer upscale urban living. Parkville is surrounded by medical and research institutes, making it perfect for bioscience, medicine, and public health students. Footscray is the multicultural heart of Melbourne, while Bundoora and Burwood are preferred by La Trobe and Deakin students.

One of the biggest advantages of studying in Melbourne is its excellent public transport system. With trams, buses, and trains connecting every part of the city, students can reach their campuses quickly and affordably. The CBD also features a Free Tram Zone, which helps students living or studying in central Melbourne significantly reduce transportation expenses. Tram lines on Swanston Street, Elizabeth Street, Collins Street, and La Trobe Street run directly to university campuses and student neighbourhoods, making commuting extremely convenient. Melbourne’s Myki card makes travel seamless, and frequent services ensure that students never feel disconnected.

Melbourne is also known for its vibrant food, culture, and entertainment scenes. Students can explore world-famous laneways filled with cafes, coffee roasters, bakeries, fusion restaurants, dessert bars, and multicultural eateries from Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Middle Eastern, and African cuisines. Popular hotspots include Queen Victoria Market, Fitzroy, Chinatown, Docklands Harbour, Southbank Promenade, QV Melbourne, and Melbourne Central. For beach lovers, St Kilda Beach and Brighton Beach offer relaxation and weekend fun.

Universities in Melbourne are highly regarded for their academic excellence, advanced research output, and student-centric learning environments. They offer state-of-the-art laboratories, digital learning hubs, innovation centres, entrepreneurship programs, and international student support networks. Many courses also include industry placements, internships, and real-world project opportunities, ensuring students graduate with the practical skills needed in global job markets.

Melbourne also offers strong part-time job opportunities. Students can work in hospitality, retail, logistics, campus jobs, IT support, tutoring, customer service, aged care, administration, and flexible gigs. With a thriving economy and high demand for workers, students can easily find part-time employment to support their living costs. The new post-study work visa (PSW) policies in Australia also make Melbourne a highly preferred destination for long-term career planning.

Living in Melbourne means enjoying access to some of Australia’s most iconic attractions—from the Royal Botanic Gardens and National Gallery of Victoria to sporting events like the Australian Open and Formula 1 Grand Prix. Students can also enjoy free libraries, festivals, museums, art shows, concerts, university clubs, and student events.

Overall, student accommodation in Melbourne offers a premium lifestyle that combines education, safety, affordability, cultural diversity, career growth, and unforgettable experiences. Whether students are looking for luxury studios near the University of Melbourne, budget-friendly shared rooms near RMIT, or modern PBSAs in Docklands and Southbank, Admistay provides verified and trusted student housing options tailored to international student needs.

Melbourne offers a balanced cost of living when compared with other major Australian cities like Sydney. For students, the overall budget depends on accommodation type, suburb choice, and lifestyle preferences. Weekly rent typically ranges from A$230–A$320 for shared and ensuite rooms, while private studios cost between A$350–A$550 per week depending on amenities and property location. Students living in premium areas like CBD, Docklands, or Southbank tend to pay slightly higher rents, while suburbs like Footscray, Brunswick, Burwood, Bundoora, and Preston offer more affordable student housing options. Monthly living expenses—including food, transport, utilities, internet, entertainment, groceries, and study materials—range between A$1,100–A$1,800. Students can significantly reduce costs by using the Free Tram Zone, buying discounted Myki passes, shopping at budget supermarkets such as ALDI, Woolworths, and Coles, cooking meals at home, and sharing accommodation instead of renting private studios. PBSAs with all-inclusive bills prevent unexpected utility costs and help students manage their monthly expenses more efficiently. Students arriving from India and Asia often find Melbourne affordable when compared to major US, UK, or Canadian student cities.

Melbourne is widely recognized as one of Australia’s safest cities for international students. The city provides strong community policing, well-lit streets, emergency response services, and safe public transport systems. Student-centric suburbs such as Carlton, Parkville, CBD, Hawthorn, Docklands, Bundoora, Southbank, and Brunswick are particularly secure due to high student populations and constant foot traffic. Purpose-Built Student Accommodations include 24/7 onsite teams, CCTV surveillance, access-controlled entrances, secure elevators, and emergency management systems. Universities maintain dedicated safety teams, safe-walk programs, campus patrols, and student assistance hotlines. International students also receive support through government-run initiatives like Study Melbourne, which provides free legal advice, safety workshops, and emergency support. Melbourne’s welcoming, multicultural environment makes it an excellent choice for international students seeking a safe and comfortable study abroad experience.

Melbourne offers a world-class public transport network that includes trams, trains, and buses—making commuting extremely convenient for students. The city’s trams are iconic and operate across major student suburbs, with the CBD offering a Free Tram Zone that allows students to travel without paying for Myki fares. Tram routes that serve Swanston Street, La Trobe Street, Collins Street, and Elizabeth Street provide direct connectivity to the University of Melbourne, RMIT University, and many central student accommodations. Melbourne Central, Southern Cross, and Flinders Street stations offer frequent train connections to suburbs such as Clayton, Caulfield, Burwood, Hawthorn, Bundoora, and Footscray—making it easy for Monash, Deakin, Swinburne, and La Trobe students to reach their campuses. Bus routes fill in the gaps and connect areas not serviced by tram or train lines. Melbourne’s transportation is extremely safe, reliable, and student-friendly. The Myki smart card system simplifies payments across all transport services. Students benefit from frequent services, discounted fares, and easy access to all parts of the city.

Melbourne is one of the most vibrant, student-friendly cities in the world. The lifestyle here combines culture, entertainment, festivals, food, arts, nature, and academic excellence—ensuring students enjoy a balanced and fulfilling daily routine. On weekends, students explore laneways, rooftop cafes, art galleries, riverside promenades, and multicultural food streets. Popular hangout spots include Fitzroy, Southbank, Chinatown, St Kilda Beach, Docklands, DFO South Wharf, Queen Victoria Market, and Melbourne Central. The city hosts major festivals such as White Night, Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Moomba Festival, Lunar New Year celebrations, and Diwali events—making it easy for Indian students to feel at home. Universities offer thousands of student clubs, cultural societies, sports teams, tech groups, entrepreneurship clubs, and volunteering opportunities. Melbourne also supports students with career expos, networking meetups, part-time job fairs, and internship programs. The city’s multicultural atmosphere ensures that students from all backgrounds feel welcome and included.