Geography
Australia is both an island and a continent. It is the largest island but the smallest continent in the world. It is about thirty seven hundred kilometres from north to south and four thousand kilometres from east to west. It has an area of nearly 7.7 million square kilometres and is the sixth largest nation on earth. It is the lowest of all the continents with the highest point at only 2228 metres. The variety of landscapes more than compensate for the lack of height. Climatic zones range from tropical rainforests, to deserts and cool temperate forests to snow covered mountains.
Language
Melbourne hosts a number of international cultural events and festivals each year. The Melbourne International Arts Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival are favourites. Federation Square, in the heart of Melbourne, often holds free special events that celebrate the multicultural nature of the city.
Appliances
Appliances in Australia use 200 volts and 60 Hz. You can buy adapters to fit the Australian power points for your existing electronic items. (find a picture of the Australian power plug).
Currency
Be sure to have cash for essential items when you arrive in Australia, it is recommended to bring about A$500 cash. Australian currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD)
Australian coins are available in the following denominations:
$0.05 = 5 cents
$0.10 = 10 cents
$0.20 = 20 cents
$0.50 = 50 cents
$1.00 = 1 dollar
$2.00 = 2 dollars
Australian bank notes are available in the following denominations:
$5.00 = 5 dollars
$10.00 = 10 dollars
$20.00 = 20 dollars
$50.00 = 50 dollars
$100.00 = 100 dollars
Debit and credit cards are widely accepted. Check with your bank at home to see if you will be charged a fee to use your debit and/or credit card in Australia. Please refrain from carrying large sums of cash on your person for safety reasons.
Cost of living in Australia
Costs vary by city and lifestyle. Below are approximate weekly expenses for a moderate lifestyle (2025 figures, AUD).
City
Sydney
Melbourne
Brisbane
Perth
Adelaide
Weekly Cost
$450 – $550
$400 – $520
$350 – $480
$320 – $450
$300 – $420
National average:
Typical monthly breakdown (capital city, shared housing):
Rent: $800 – $1,400
Food: $400 – $600
Transport: $150 – $200
Utilities/phone: $150 – $250
Entertainment: $200 – $400 Total: $1,700 – $2,850
Money-saving tips
- Share accommodation
- Live outside the city centre
- Cook at home and shop at discount supermarkets
- Use student transport concessions
- Work part-time (up to 48 hours per fortnight on a student visa)
For visa purposes, the Australian government usually requires proof of at least $29,710+ per year (excluding tuition).
Costs are estimates and may change.
Melbourne
Melbourne is Australia's second largest capital city and home to some of Australia's best cafes and restaurants. Melbourne has great events and has a passion for food and wine. Melbourne is located on Port Phillip Bay in Australia's south east and has a population of 3,995,500. There are some 3500 restaurant and cafes in Melbourne.
Central Business District (CBD)
Melbourne Central Business District (CBD) One glance at a map and it is obvious that Melbourne is a planned city: a tidy, balanced grid of neatly angled streets. But beneath this sense of everything in its place restraint lies a restless and creative energy pushing back at the city’s seeming conservatism. The CBD is made up of precincts distinct enclaves, each with its own flavour and charm. Some are just a lane or two, while others cover the banks of the Yarra River or a busy CBD street.
Getting Around
Public Transport
Melbourne's public transport is the easiest and best way to get around the city. Its network extends from the city centre in all directions, with trains, trams and buses offering comprehensive public transport services. Information on destinations and schedules can be obtained from the information desks within the airport or from ptv.vic.gov.au
Buy a Myki
Myki is a durable, plastic smart card that stores value and can be used over and over again. Simply keep your myki topped up and carry it with you, and you'll always be ready to travel. Just touch on and off when you travel and myki will automatically calculate the lowest myki fare on all public transportation for you.
You can buy a myki:
- Online at myki.com.au
- By calling 13 6954 (13 myki)
- At the myki discovery centre at Southern Cross Station
- At the myki ticket window at Flinders Street Station
- At the MetShop (Melbourne Town Hall, corner of Swanston and Little Collins streets)
- Online at myki.com.au (allow at least 24 hours for processing)
- By calling 13 6954 (13 myki) (allow at least 24 hours for processing)
- At myki machines at metropolitan train stations and selected tram platforms stops and bus interchanges
- For more information on all public transport ticketing practices across Victoria (including how to buy a Metcard) visit: metlinkmelbourne.com.au
Shuttle Buses
- Skybus offers a shuttle bus service from the airport to Melbourne CBD and city hotels.
- Return transport to the airport departs from Southern Cross Station. This service operates 24 hours, 7 days a week. Buses run every 10 -15 minutes throughout the day and every 30 - 60 minutes overnight. Skybus Hotel Shuttle operates from the city 06:00-22:30 Monday to Friday and 07:30 -17:30 Saturday and Sunday.
- Purchase and print your ticket online
- MYKI cards cannot be used on this service
- For more information Skybus can be contacted on (613) 9335 2811 or by visiting: http://www.melbourneairport.com.au/To-From-the-Airport/Skybus/Overview.html
Taxis
Taxis are available from the ground floor level of Melbourne Airport, outside the International Terminal and both domestic Terminals. Expect a taxi fare of around A$45 to A$55 for a trip between the CBD and Melbourne Airport.
Taxi Fares and Surcharges
Taxi meters are usually clearly visible so you can keep check of your fare. Late night taxi trips must be paid for in advance. Between 10pm and 5am in Victoria, the driver will ask you for an up-front deposit, based on a table of point to point estimates. You can use the fare estimator to work out what your up-front costs are likely to be. Melbourne cabs attract additional charges like a late night surcharge from midnight to 5am, a fee for phone bookings, a fee for using the Citylink freeway and even a fee for taxis waiting at the airport rank. Melbourne’s major taxi companies include:• 13 CABS (13 22 27)• Arrow (13 22 11)• Embassy Taxis (13 17 55)