LIVING INFORMATION

Melbourne is a city that has it all. With the incredible distinction of being voted The World’s Most Liveable City for six consecutive years (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016), it’s the capital of the state of Victoria, and Australia’s most multicultural, lively, and inclusive city.

In 1835, John Batman sailed up the mouth of the Yarra River and wrote of the site he discovered, “Land of the best description, equal to any in the world.” Here Melbourne was founded – a city with endless charms. Its 4.5 million inhabitants enjoy its famous arts scene, coffee culture, live music, nightlife, recreational activities, restaurants, shopping and a renowned obsession with sport.

As a general rule, Melbourne enjoys a pleasant climate, with an average summer temperature of 25˚C, more moderate weather in spring and autumn of around 20˚C, and cool winters averaging 14˚C. “Four seasons in one day” is a well-known saying about Melbourne’s weather, so be prepared for anything!

Melbourne is also celebrated for its world-class events, with over 8,000 diverse exhibitions, events, and festivals hosted in the city each year, including the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the Melbourne Writers Festival, Melbourne Spring Fashion Week, and Moomba, amongst others.

Welcome to Melbourne.

Melbourne has an excellent public transport system, consisting of buses, trams and trains, which you may travel on using a single, reusable ticket, called a ‘myki’ card. It’s an affordable, easy and safe way to get around the city. You can plan your trip using the Journey Planner on the government’s website and also find further information about the public transport system (fares, ticket types and timetables).

Public transport users must ensure they have purchased a valid ticket for their trip, as fines are regularly issued to people caught travelling without one. Be aware that international students do not qualify for the student concession rate on public transport, and must therefore pay full fare.

There is no public transport system from Melbourne to the Airport, but Acknowledge Education can arrange a personalised airport pick-up service.

Melbourne offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit students in either share houses or private residences that can hold an entire family. Choose from apartment living in the cosmopolitan inner city, or a spacious house or unit with a garden in the picturesque suburbs. It’s a city renowned for its high quality, safe student accommodation in a range of settings.

Another option is Acknowledge Education’s personalised Homestay service, which will help you settle into your new city as quickly and easily as possible – we have over 100 host families who have been thoroughly checked and registered by our Homestay Officer.

This video from Consumer Affairs Victoria provides an overview of your rights and responsibilities if you are an international student renting in Victoria.

Download the video transcript from the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.

Some useful websites for searching accommodation are listed below:

http://www.realestate.com.au/share
http://flatmates.com.au/
http://www.domain.com.au

Living in Australia on a visa can mean you face certain restrictions. If you are a student visa holder, you and your dependent family members have permission to work included with your visa, but there are certain conditions you may need to adhere to, such as the number of hours you are able to work. It’s important to ensure you don’t breach the work conditions that apply to your visa.

To keep up-to-date with the regulations, please visit the website

It’s important to take time out from study to relax and unwind, so why not enjoy all that Melbourne and regional Victoria have to offer while you’re here.

There are plenty of ways you can explore Melbourne: on foot, by bike, bus, tram, train or even in the air with a chartered flight or hot air balloon ride! Melbourne and Victoria are renowned for great bars, restaurants and wineries, as well as many shopping, sporting and cultural events. If it’s entertainment you’re after, there’s a thriving live music and theatre scene waiting to be discovered in venues across the state, every night of the week.

To explore the options, visit the website.

With the perfect mix of city and beach life, thousands of people head to Sydney every year to start their student life. Famously known for the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour bridge and the Royal Botanical Gardens, you could quite easily lose yourself for the day wandering around the streets of Sydney.

In Sydney, summer temperatures peak at around 26 degrees and there are plenty of beaches to explore, waves to surf or sunsets to experience.

Welcome to Sydney.

Sydney central and the outer suburbs are very well connected by public transport. Make sure you grab yourself an Opal Card so you can travel on the bus, metro, train and the ferry. Ticket conductors are often on public transport and can issue you with a large fine if you have not paid your fare, therefore make sure your card is always topped up and you always tap on.

Sydney offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit students in either share houses or private residences that can hold an entire family. Choose from apartment living in the cosmopolitan inner city, or a spacious house or unit with a garden in the picturesque suburbs. It’s a city renowned for its high quality, safe student accommodation in a range of settings.

For more information about student accommodation and some handy hints and tips, you can access the NSW government website for more information.

https://www.study.sydney/live/accommodation

Some useful websites for searching accommodation are listed below:

http://www.realestate.com.au/share
http://flatmates.com.au/
http://www.domain.com.au

Living in Australia on a visa can mean you face certain restrictions. If you are a student visa holder, you and your dependent family members have permission to work included with your visa, but there are certain conditions you may need to adhere to, such as the number of hours you are able to work. It’s important to ensure you don’t breach the work conditions that apply to your visa.

To keep up-to-date with the regulations, please visit the website

Sydney and the outer suburbs are so bustling, you will not be lost for things to do when you’re not studying. Enjoy a trip to the Bondi icebergs pool, where the pool juts out magnificently and meets the beach. Wander the back streets and browse one of the many markets offering fresh baked goods and homemade trinkets. Alternatively join the hype and treat yourself to an extravagant Sunday brunch.

If you travel a bit further out of the city you will find the Blue Mountains (90 min car journey, 2 hour train journey). With plenty of bushwalks through rainforest, mountains and caves, you will not regret visiting this word famous spot.

Find out more about what you can see and do here.

Before Europeans inhabited the beautiful city of Perth, the whole of Western Australia was occupied by Indigenous Australians, who lived off the land for tens of thousands of years. Perth is steeped in heritage and is known as a city built on gold. Fun Fact: Western Australia produced more than two million ounces of gold in the year of 1903 alone which is around 56,699kg.

Perth boasts long warm summers, filled with 8 hours of sunshine and little rainfall. However come winter temperatures can drop to around 12 degrees with rainy season between July and August.

Welcome to Perth.

Travelling around Perth is made easier with various free bus and train routes in certain areas of the city and Freemantle. More information regarding these routes can be found online. You can also access ferries and paid bus and train routes with a SmartRider card. Ticket conductors are often on public transport and can issue you with a large fine if you have not paid your fare, therefore make sure your card is always topped up and you always tap on.

Perth offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit students in either share houses or private residences that can hold an entire family. Choose from apartment living in the cosmopolitan inner city, or a spacious house or unit with a garden in the picturesque suburbs.

For more information about student accommodation and some handy hints and tips, you can access the WA government website for more information.

https://www.gsdc.wa.gov.au/our-activities/our-projects/student-accommodation/

Some useful websites for searching accommodation are listed below:

http://www.realestate.com.au/share
http://flatmates.com.au/
http://www.domain.com.au

Living in Australia on a visa can mean you face certain restrictions. If you are a student visa holder, you and your dependent family members have permission to work included with your visa, but there are certain conditions you may need to adhere to, such as the number of hours you are able to work. It’s important to ensure you don’t breach the work conditions that apply to your visa.

To keep up-to-date with the regulations, please visit the website

You are on the West Coast, the most famous place in Australia for stunning sunsets, beautiful starry nights and beaches that stretch longer than the day is long, so make the most of you time here.

If you are looking for a weekend adventure head to the home of the quokka, Rottnest island for an unforgettable experience. Boasting white sandy beaches and secluded coves, you will find yourself wishing you never had to leave.

Head to the port city of Fremantle if you want to soak up some of WA’s history. Here you can book a tour to visit Fremantle prison, a 12 sided Round House, where you can walk the footsteps of the inmates that were imprisoned up until 1991.

Find out more about what you can see and do here.