New in Melbourne

Getting around

Melbourne moves on its trams, the largest tram network in the world, together with trains and buses. You pay with a myki card. Buy one at a station, a 7-Eleven or online, add money (called myki Money), and tap on when you board. On many phones you can also use a mobile myki.

How fares work, in short:

• One fare covers two hours. You can change between trains, trams and buses within that time without paying again.
• There is a daily cap. Once you reach it, the rest of the day is free. Weekends and public holidays have a lower daily cap.
• The Free Tram Zone is free. Short trips by tram around the city centre cost nothing, and you do not need to tap on. Leave the zone and you must tap on.
• Regular commuters can save. A myki Pass for 7 days or more can work out cheaper than paying day by day.

Fares change each year, so check ptv.vic.gov.au for current prices and payment options. Trains carry you out to the suburbs, trams handle the inner city, and cycling is popular and well supported. You can live comfortably here without a car if you stay close to a train or tram line.

Cost of living in Melbourne

Rent in Melbourne is real, but it is often gentler than Sydney. The figures below are approximate ranges as of 2026. They vary a lot by suburb and change quickly, so use them for planning only.

• Room in a sharehouse: roughly $250 to $400 a week. Inner suburbs and rooms with their own bathroom cost more.
• One-bedroom apartment: roughly $420 to $650 a week. The west, north and south east are usually cheaper than the inner south and bayside.
• Groceries for one person: often $80 to $150 a week, depending on where you shop and how much you cook.
• Transport: the daily cap and the Free Tram Zone keep travel costs under control.

Rent is quoted per week in Australia. Your bond, usually up to four weeks' rent, must be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority, not kept by the agent. Our guide on renting your first home explains applications, bonds and inspections.

Suburbs and who they suit

Melbourne is a city of villages, and each suburb has its own feel:

• Inner north (around Fitzroy, Collingwood and Brunswick): creative and lively, full of cafes, bars and music. Suits young workers and students who want to be close to the action.
• Inner west (around Footscray, Yarraville and Sunshine): diverse and more affordable, with some of the best food in the city and fast trains to the centre. Suits people watching their budget.
• Carlton and Parkville: next to the universities and the city centre. Suits students who want to walk to class.
• Eastern suburbs (around Box Hill and Glen Waverley): established migrant communities, big shopping centres and good schools. Suits families.
• South east (around Dandenong and Springvale): affordable and very multicultural, with busy markets and many community groups. Suits families and people who want more space.
• Bayside (around St Kilda and Elwood): the beach, the sea air and a relaxed weekend feel, with higher rent to match.

Before you sign a lease, visit at different times of day and check your commute.

Weather through the year

Melbourne's weather is a running joke here, and it is fair. A single day can bring sun, wind and rain.

• Summer (December to February): usually warm, with some very hot days above 40 degrees, often followed by a sudden cool change. Bushfire smoke can affect air quality on bad days.
• Autumn (March to May): often the most settled time of year, with mild, sunny days.
• Winter (June to August): cool, grey and damp rather than freezing. Days are usually around 13 to 15 degrees. A good coat and a heater make a big difference.
• Spring (September to November): changeable, windy and bright, with gardens in full bloom.

The trick is simply to dress in layers and carry a light jacket. The reward is a city that celebrates every season with festivals and events.

Healthcare

For most health needs, start with a general practitioner (GP) at a local clinic. Search for clinics near your home and ask if they bulk bill. If you have Medicare and the clinic bulk bills, the visit costs you nothing.

Check whether you can get a Medicare card. Eligibility depends on your visa. Many temporary visa holders need private health insurance, and student visa holders need Overseas Student Health Cover.

Numbers to save:

• 000 for emergencies (ambulance, police, fire).
• NURSE-ON-CALL on 1300 60 60 24 for free health advice from a registered nurse in Victoria, any time.
• Medicare Urgent Care Clinics treat urgent problems that are not life-threatening, without an appointment. Search "urgent care" on healthdirect to find one.

Work and study

Health care is Melbourne's biggest employer. Other major industries include education, professional services, finance, construction, manufacturing, transport and logistics, retail and hospitality. The city also has a large creative and events industry. Hospitality, retail, warehouse and care work are common first jobs and help you build local experience.

Everyone working in Australia has the same rights to minimum pay and safe conditions, whatever their visa. Our guide on finding your first job in Australia covers resumes, job sites and your rights at work. Melbourne has several large universities and many TAFE campuses if you want to study or retrain.

Community life

Melbourne rewards the curious. Good places to start:

• Festivals: Moomba in March, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in autumn, Melbourne Fringe in spring, and Cultural Diversity Week events in March. Many councils run free cultural festivals through the year.
• Sport: Australian rules football (the AFL) is close to a religion here, and going to a game is a classic way to join in. The Australian Open tennis arrives every January.
• Libraries: council libraries are free to join. Many run English conversation groups, job help and family activities.
• Sports clubs: soccer, cricket, basketball, running and cycling clubs welcome new members, often with social teams for beginners.
• Language exchange: relaxed meetups where you practise English and help others with your language.
• Places of worship: Melbourne has churches, mosques, temples, synagogues, gurdwaras and other places of worship, many with their own community groups.
• Volunteering: community gardens, food relief groups and festivals always need helpers.

Our guide to making friends after moving to Australia has more ideas. On Nyvo, you can find community events and local businesses run by people from the immigrant community across Melbourne.

First-week checklist

• Apply for your Tax File Number.
• Open an Australian bank account.
• Get an Australian phone number.
• Check if you can get a Medicare card and find a local GP.
• Buy a myki card and add some money to it.
• Start your search for your first home.
• Join one weekly activity to start making friends.

Official sources

• Public Transport Victoria: myki fares, the Free Tram Zone and journey planning.
• Victorian Government: state services, including support for multicultural communities.
• City of Melbourne: council services, libraries and events.
• Consumer Affairs Victoria: renting rights and bonds.
• healthdirect: free health information and a service finder.
• Fair Work Ombudsman: pay rates and workplace rights.