Life in Melbourne

Enjoy free public festivals, art galleries, live performances and a wide range of restaurants and cafes. Watch a game of Australian Football League (AFL) at the world-famous Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), go shopping at the historic Queen Victoria Market or spend a day at Melbourne Zoo, the Royal Botanic Gardens or nearby beaches.

Here is what life in Melbourne is like for students:

Arts and heritage

Melbourne has a rich arts, culture and history scene. Explore iconic landmarks, world-class museums, art galleries and theatres or enjoy musicals, comedy and student-discounted shows. The city is ranked among the world’s best for cultural experiences.

Vibrant events

Melbourne hosts a year-round calendar of sporting events, music festivals, comedy shows and cultural celebrations. From the Australian Open and Formula One Grand Prix to film and comedy festivals, there is always something exciting to experience.

Cafes and restaurants

Melbourne is famous for its coffee culture and multicultural food scene. Students can enjoy cosy local cafes, multicultural restaurants and global cuisine close to campus.

Getting around

Melbourne has an extensive network of trains, trams and buses, making it easy to get around the city and suburbs. Cycling is also popular, with bike lanes and safe trails connecting major areas.

Health and safety

Melbourne is a safe, welcoming city with excellent healthcare services. Deakin provides 24/7 security, on-campus medical centres, counselling services, and gyms and sporting clubs to help you stay healthy.

Weather

Melbourne has warm summers, mild autumns, crisp winters and sunny springs. Weather can change quickly, so it is common to experience four seasons in a single day.

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Discover Cece's journey

When CeCe first arrived in Australia to study a Bachelor of Communication and Public Relations at Deakin, she faced many challenges. With the support of her teachers, student services and new friends, CeCe now enjoys everything Melbourne has to offer and feels confident and at home.

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Discover Nisarga's journey

Nisarga came to Australia to study a Master of Information Technology at Deakin. With support from her family and the friendships she made at Deakin, she has made the most of her experience studying in Melbourne. Nisarga now works as a software engineer and enjoys city life while staying connected to her support network.

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Explore life at Deakin’s Melbourne Burwood Campus

Deakin’s Melbourne Burwood Campus is in the suburb of Burwood, just a short trip from the central business district. It offers the ideal balance between city life and a relaxed suburban atmosphere.

The campus has modern buildings, green open spaces and world-class facilities to support your learning. It is next to peaceful parkland, giving you plenty of space to enjoy the outdoors between classes.

Learn more about our Melbourne Burwood Campus

Living and studying in Melbourne, Australia

Living in Melbourne puts you at the heart of a lively and exciting city. The cost of accommodation, transport and daily living can be higher than in regional cities, so planning your budget is important.

Students can choose to live on campus in Deakin’s residences, which offer a safe and social environment with classes close by. There are also many off-campus options, including shared houses and homestays, for students who prefer independent living.

Learn more about accommodation and cost of living

Learn more about studying in Melbourne

Study Melbourne is a helpful resource for discovering more about studying, living and working in Melbourne. The site features contributions from current international students and offers programs such as upskilling, career development and mentoring.

Visit Study Melbourne

#1 Victorian university for student support

Studying in Melbourne can be an exciting adventure. From orientation and welcome sessions to academic support and social activities, Deakin is here to support you every step of the way while you settle into life in this dynamic city.

Learn more about support at Deakin

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Melbourne is a lovely city; it is a paradise for food and dining that offers incredible variety of restaurants, cafes and food markets that cater for so many cuisines. The beautiful parks and gardens are also so easy to fall in love with.

Kathleen, Indonesia

Bachelor of Nutrition Science

Working in Melbourne

Melbourne has a strong and diverse economy with many opportunities for casual, part-time and full-time work for international students. Working while you study is a great way to build industry experience and grow your professional network. Any work experience will be valued by future employers.

Deakin’s career and employment service, DeakinTALENT, can help you find part-time roles, internships or graduate positions while you study.

Melbourne is a major city. Deakin graduates who study here may be eligible to stay and work in Australia under the post-study work visa.

Find out more about working in Melbourne

Connecting with others

Melbourne has clubs, groups and community activities to help you feel at home. Sports teams, hobby clubs and places of worship are just some of the ways you can meet new people.

If you want to meet like-minded students, Deakin University’s Student Association (DUSA) is a great place to start. DUSA clubs connect students with similar interests and help you make the most of your time in Melbourne.

Living in on-campus accommodation also makes it easy to meet new friends and build a supportive community.

Learn more about DUSA

Deakin references data from a range of government, higher education and reputable media sources. For more information, visit our University rankings page.

Contact us

Our friendly advisers are available to speak to you one-on-one about your study options, support services for international students and how we can help you study at Deakin in Australia.

Phone: +61 3 9918 9188

Enquire online

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