The cost of living will vary based on your lifestyle, transport needs and everyday spending as a student.
We’ve included sample weekly budget costs from Study Australia to help you estimate common student living costs in Melbourne. You can also use Study Australia’s Cost of living calculator to estimate your costs based on your lifestyle.
| Item | Cost per person per week |
|---|---|
| Food and eating out |
AU$150-250 |
| Phone and Internet |
AU$15-30 |
|
Public Transport |
AU$30-60 |
|
Gas and/or electricity |
AU$10-20 |
|
Car (after purchase) |
AU$150-260 |
|
Entertainment |
AU$30-150 |
Source: Study Australia (November 2023).
Accommodation is usually the biggest student expense when living in Melbourne. The following guide shows average weekly rental prices for different property types in regional Victoria and Metropolitan Melbourne, where the RMIT's City campus is located.
If you are coming from regional Victoria, this comparison will help guide your budget before you move.
| Property Type | Metropolitan Melbourne Median Rent | Regional Victoria Median Rent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bed Flat |
AU$500 |
$300 |
| 2 Bed Flat |
AU$600 |
$390 |
|
3 Bed Flat |
AU$690 |
$470 |
|
2 Bed House |
AU$575 |
$400 |
|
3 Bed House |
AU$550 |
$480 |
|
4 Bed House |
AU$595 |
$550 |
Source: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing Home Victoria rental report (September 2025).
RMIT provides free services and resources to help you find student housing, homestay, or rental options that will suit your budget and preferences.
If you're moving to Melbourne for study, you should also budget for home set-up costs. We recommend allowing AU$3,000-$5,000 to cover establishment expenses, such as:
Some student apartments may come fully furnished, while private rental properties are mostly unfurnished.
A bond is a security deposit paid at the start of the tenancy. It's standard practice that protects the property owner against any damage, unpaid rent, or breach of lease conditions. Most bonds are refundable at the end of the lease, provided the property is left clean, undamaged beyond normal wear and tear, and all rent has been paid.
In addition to living costs, you need to pay for study-related expenses, including:
If you plan to bring your partner or dependants to Australia while studying, you should also budget for additional living expenses such as:
Explore this breakdown of estimated costs to strategically plan your budget and make informed lifestyle choices while pursuing your education in Australia.
RMIT offers scholarships and bursaries to help commencing students with all kinds of costs such as textbook, fees, accommodation and living expenses.
Domestic students may be eligible for government support payments such as Youth Allowance, Austudy, and the Tertiary Access Payment. International students are generally not eligible.
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Get in touch with the friendly staff at Study@RMIT if you have any questions about the process of applying to study in Melbourne. Our staff are ready to answer any questions you have about courses, applications, pathways and important dates for local and international prospective students.
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