Knowing the average living cost will help you prepare and organise a suitable budget for day-to-day life in Melbourne.
In addition to tuition and study fees, you will need to pay for living costs including rent, food, textbooks and transport.
These expenses vary according to your circumstances, such as the type of accommodation you choose, its location, the number of people you live with and your lifestyle.
Organising your costs as a student can seem complicated, but RMIT is here to help. Discover everything you need to know about the everyday costs in Melbourne and how we can help you reduce your living expenses.
The following is a guide to the average weekly rental prices per property type in Metropolitan Melbourne, where RMIT campuses are located.
| Property Type | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| 1 Bed Flat | AU$380 |
| 2 Bed Flat | AU$460 |
3 Bed Flat |
AU$525 |
2 Bed House |
AU$500 |
3 Bed House |
AU$450 |
4 Bed House |
AU$500 |
Our student accommodation is conveniently located nearby our Brunswick, Bundoora and the City campuses. Rates are all inclusive, which means the cost of utilities, internet and other services are covered by the rent.
From private rentals and share houses to homestay and student hostels, find out all the information about housing options in Melbourne and the accommodation support you can access at RMIT.
Besides renting costs, we’ve also developed a sample weekly budget to help you understand what other typical costs to expect (per March 2023).
| Item | Cost per person per week |
|---|---|
| Food | AU$150-250 |
| Phone and Internet | AU$15-30 |
Public Transport |
Up to AU$50 |
Entertainment |
AU$30-150 |
Source: Study Australia
In addition to living costs, you need to pay for study-related expenses, including tuition fees, Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), and other fees associated with your course.
You should allow AU$3,000 - $5,000 to cover establishment expenses, such as bond payment, advance rent, furniture, and other household items. Some student apartments come fully furnished, but private rental accommodation are rarely furnished.
If you intend to bring your family, you should also account for their living expenses. You can use the list of prices in Melbourne as a guide to figure it out the estimated costs for you and your family.
If you have young children, you may be able to take advantage of the RMIT City Campus Childcare Centre.
RMIT offers scholarships and bursaries to help commencing international students with all kinds of costs such as textbook, fees, accommodation and living expenses.
International students are usually allowed to work to supplement their income while studying in Australia. RMIT provides a range of career and job support services to help students find job opportunities.
If your children are between 5 and 18 years old, and they will be in Australia for three months or more, they are required to be enrolled in a primary or secondary school.
If you are a postgraduate research student, you are exempt from paying primary and secondary school fees at public schools.
For more information see the Victorian Public Schools International Students Program website.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.
