VIC · Cost of living
Cost of living in Melbourne
Australia's biggest student city and a little cheaper than Sydney, with a large rental market, extensive trams, and a strong part-time job market.
Estimated annual cost, sharing accommodation
A$30,000 to A$39,500
That is roughly A$577 to A$757 a week. Add your tuition on top. The Australian Government requires you to show A$29,710 in living funds for the student visa.
Weekly breakdown
Estimates for 2026, based on published international-student cost ranges. Rent is the figure that varies most, by suburb and by how close you are to campus.
Universities in Melbourne
- University of Melbourne
- Monash University
- RMIT University
- Deakin University
- La Trobe University
- Swinburne University of Technology
- Victoria University
See the cheapest universities in Melbourne ranked by first-year budget.
Cost of living in Melbourne: common questions
How much does it cost to live in Melbourne as an international student?
Around AUD 30,000 to 39,500 a year sharing accommodation. A room in a shared house is usually AUD 280 to 460 a week; an inner-city studio is a lot more. Melbourne's tram network keeps transport costs down, and inner suburbs have a dense casual job market.