Melbourne has the lowest median rent of the seven Australian cities we cover, and a big spread of universities across the city. That does not make it cheap, and getting around costs more than many students expect. This guide uses figures checked in October 2026. Visa fees, funds and work rules are in our Australia student visa guide.
Quick facts
| Main universities | University of Melbourne, Monash University, RMIT, Deakin, La Trobe, Swinburne, Victoria University |
| Median rent, whole dwellings | A$641 a week, the lowest of the seven cities in our Australia guides |
| A room in a share house | Roughly A$280 to A$380 a week, based on published listing data |
| Transport concession | International students are not eligible for the Victorian concession |
| Time difference from India | 4.5 hours ahead, or 5.5 hours during daylight saving (early October to early April) |
| Climate | Four seasons, sometimes in one day. Cool, grey winters and warm summers. |
Universities and where they sit
- University of Melbourne: Parkville, just north of the city centre. We have a separate guide to the University of Melbourne intake.
- Monash University: the main campus is at Clayton in the south-east, a bus or train ride from the city.
- RMIT: in the city centre, so most students live close or commute by tram.
- Deakin University: Burwood in the east, with other campuses including Geelong.
- La Trobe University: Bundoora in the north.
- Swinburne University of Technology: Hawthorn in the inner east.
- Victoria University: Footscray and other western campuses.
Shortlists by course are in our guide to top universities for Indian students in Australia.
Rent and the real monthly bill
The median weekly rent across all Melbourne dwellings was A$641 in the June quarter of 2026 (Cotality), up 4.9% year on year. That is for a whole home. A room in a share house is cheaper, and published listing data puts it at roughly A$280 to A$380 a week. A room at A$330 a week comes to about A$17,200 a year before food and bills, so check the numbers against the A$29,710 living-cost benchmark in the visa guide.
One warning. Advertised rents tend to sit above the median, so expect listings to look pricier than the headline figure.
Where students live
- University of Melbourne: Carlton, Parkville, North Melbourne.
- Monash Clayton: Clayton, Oakleigh, Mount Waverley, Glen Waverley.
- RMIT: the CBD, Carlton, Brunswick.
- Deakin Burwood: Burwood, Box Hill.
- La Trobe: Bundoora, Preston, Reservoir.
- Swinburne: Hawthorn, Glenferrie.
- Victoria University: Footscray, Sunshine.
Main student accommodation providers in Melbourne
Purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) comes furnished with bills and wifi included, which is why it costs more than a share-house room. Most of it sits in or just north of the city centre. This is a guide to the main providers, not a ranking, and prices are “from” prices that vary by room type and semester.
| Provider | What it offers in Melbourne | Indicative starting price |
| UniLodge and Student Living by UniLodge | The biggest spread of locations, including Melbourne Central (two blocks from RMIT), Carlton, Flagstaff, Royal Melbourne, Victoria University and La Trobe, plus Student Living at Swanston, Lygon and Lonsdale | From A$485 a week at Melbourne Central (UniLodge’s site, August 2026). Other buildings vary. |
| Scape | Melbourne Central, Carlton, Swanston, Peel Street, Franklin and Uni Square | Roughly A$320 to A$460 a week at some buildings, according to listing sites |
| Iglu | Melbourne City, Melbourne Central, Flagstaff Station and South Yarra | Around A$515 to A$525 a week at some buildings, according to listing sites |
| Student Village | Next to the University of Melbourne campus in Carlton | Check the provider’s site |
| University colleges and halls | The University of Melbourne has residential colleges around Parkville, and Monash has halls at Clayton | Varies widely. Ask each university. |
Most students pay A$280 to A$380 a week for a share-house room, so PBSA usually costs more. In return you skip setting up bills and furniture from overseas. Book through the provider’s own website, ask what happens to your deposit if your visa is refused, and check the contract length before you pay. If you study at Monash Clayton or La Trobe, look at housing near your campus instead of the city, since city PBSA means a longer commute.
Getting around
Melbourne has the largest tram network in the country, plus trains and buses, all on the myki card. The catch is that international students are not eligible for the Victorian public transport concession, as RMIT’s own student page confirms, so you pay full fares. Choosing housing near a tram line to campus is worth some extra rent.
Is Melbourne the right city for you?
Melbourne suits you if you want lower rent than Sydney with a wide choice of courses and a large international student community. It is less convenient if your campus is far out, as Monash Clayton and La Trobe both are, because commutes add up. If rent is your main concern, Adelaide is the main alternative. See the Adelaide guide, or compare with Sydney to see the gap.
Questions students ask
Is Melbourne cheaper than Sydney?
On median rent, yes. The June quarter 2026 figures were A$641 a week for Melbourne and A$841 for Sydney. Your own cost depends on the suburb and whether you live alone or share.
Do I need a car?
Most students near a tram or train line do not. Campuses further out can be awkward without a car, so check the commute before you sign a lease.
How much can I earn part-time?
You can work up to 48 hours per fortnight during term and without a limit in scheduled breaks. Treat it as help with living costs, not tuition. See the visa guide for the rules.
Need help choosing a city or a place to live?
If you are comparing cities, or want help matching student accommodation to your course and budget, send your details through our Talk to Our Expert page.
More Australian city guides
Compare Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra and Darwin, or read the Australia student visa guide for fees, funds and work rights. You can also go back to the Study in Australia from India overview.
Sources: Cotality Quarterly Rental Review, June quarter 2026 (via Canstar); RMIT public transport concession page; published listing data; Department of Home Affairs. Accommodation details from provider websites and listing sites. Last checked 8 October 2026. Confirm important details with the university or Home Affairs.
