A Complete Guide: Cost of Living in Melbourne for International Students in 2025
Melbourne is the No.1 Student City in Australia and is among the to- ranked cities in the world. Melbourne is popular for its quality lifestyle, top-ranked universities, student friendly suburbs, excellent public transportation system, and more. As a popular city among students, some common questions are often asked about Melbourne; Is the city affordable? What is the cost of living in Melbourne? How much money is required to study in Melbourne? etc. Today, we will try to answer all these questions along with some additional information about this beautiful southern city.
Cost of Studying in Melbourne for International Students
Studying at the top Australian student city is not cheap. Students must know the cost of studying in Melbourne beforehand to understand how much funds are required. The table below highlights the annual cost of studying in Melbourne.
Particulars | Annual Cost |
Undergraduate Tuition Fee (International) | AUD 46,976 to 105,472 |
Postgraduate Tuition Fee (International) | AUD 44,192 to 52,448 |
Cost of Living in Melbourne
The monthly cost of living in Melbourne for international students can range between AUD 2200 to AUD 3000. The cost of living is the sum of essential expenses like accommodation rent, food and groceries, utilities, clothing, leisure and entertainment, transportation, and healthcare expenses. International students planning to study in Melbourne, or any other Australian city must know everything about the cost of living. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living in Melbourne as per the University of Melbourne.
Particulars | Weekly Cost |
Accommodation | AUD 260 to 580 |
Food and Groceries | AUD 140 to 280 |
Clothing and Leisure | AUD 120 to 200 |
Transportation | AUD 30 to 60 |
Utilities (Internet, Water, Gas, Electricity) | AUD 20 to 50 |
Accommodation Cost in Melbourne
Accommodation Cost in Melbourne is one of the biggest factors in calculating the cost of living. The house rent can vary based on factors like room type, facilities available, location etc. The monthly house rent in Melbourne for international students can cost between AUD 260 to 580. The table below highlights weekly house rent in Melbourne for international students.
Property Type | Weekly House Rent |
University Halls | AUD 260 to 580 |
Private Apartments (ensuites/ studios) | AUD 300 to 550 |
Student Housing | AUD 280 to 520 |
Home Stay | AUD 350 to 500 |
Food and Groceries Cost
Food and groceries cost are an important factor when calculating the cost of living in Melbourne. Food and groceries cost depends on factors like the student’s diet, shopping habits, etc. The weekly food and grocery cost in Melbourne can range between AUD 140 to 280. Here’s a breakdown of the entire food and grocery cost in Melbourne.
Items | Weekly Cost |
Groceries | AUD 70 to 90 |
Bread Loaf (500 gm) | AUD 4 |
Milk (1 lt.) | AUD 2.1 |
Eggs Regular (6) | AUD 7 |
Local Cheese | AUD 13 |
Apple (1 kg) | AUD 4.5 |
Banana (1 kg) | AUD 4 |
Water (1.5 lt.) | AUD 2 |
Bottle of Wine | AUD 20 |
Domestic Beer | AUD 6.5 |
Cigarette Pack (20) | AUD 45 |
Clothing, Leisure, and Entertainment Cost
Melbourne has some of the most popular clothing stores, like Levi’s, Nike, RetroStar, PAM Store, etc. Clothing costs in Melbourne depend on individual choices and needs. It can range between AUD 80 to 100. For leisure and entertainment, there are multiple recreational centers, like gyms, movie theatres, concert halls, etc. Here’s a breakdown of the entire cost of clothing, leisure, and entertainment in Melbourne.
Categories | Weekly Cost |
Pair of T-shirt and jeans | AUD 80 to 100 |
Pair of Sports Shoes | AUD 100 to 120 |
Pair of Leather Shoes | AUD 120 to 140 |
Movie ticket | AUD 25 to 30 |
Gym | AUD 35 to 45 |
Utilities Bills
Utilities are essential for daily living and typically include electricity, mobile and internet services, gas, water, air conditioning, and heating. Many student accommodations offer all-inclusive rent, meaning these utilities are already covered in the rental price. However, to give students an idea of what utility bills might cost in Melbourne, we have provided the following table.
Categories | Weekly Cost |
Electricity | AUD 10 |
Water | AUD 15 |
Gas | AUD 10 |
Air conditioning | AUD 20 |
Internet and mobile | AUD 15 |
Transportation Cost
Melbourne has one of the fastest and most convenient public transportation systems in the world. Transportation costs in Melbourne for international students can range between AUD 30 to 60. Melbourne’s public transport includes trams, trains, and buses. Students can buy Myki smartcard for flexible travel between buses, trams, and trains. Here’s a breakdown of the transportation cost in Melbourne.
Categories | Cost |
Myki Smartcard (28 days) Full Fare | AUD 6.36 |
My Smartcard (28 days) Concession | AUD 3.18 |
Gasoline (1 lt.) | AUD 1.5 |
Conclusion
This was all about the cost of living in Melbourne for international students. Students must have prior knowledge about the cost of studying and living to plan their lifestyle. As a student city in Australia, Melbourne’s lifestyle is unbeatable. Student housing in Melbourne offer a comfy lifestyle at an affordable rent. The city is a perfect blend of academic growth and career opportunities.