Lifestyle

When you want to study and also have a great time, you need the right place to live. Victoria, Australia offers you a lifestyle that will encourage you to be confident, successful and will prepare you to take the next steps in your life.

Don’t just take our word for it. Find out what your fellow international students have to say about living in Victoria by viewing their success stories.

A liveable city

Melbourne is Australia's Top Student City, and is among the Top Five Cities in the World for students in the QS Best Student Cities Index.

Between 2011 and 2017​, Melbourne was rated the Most Liveable City in the Economist Intelligence Unit Global Liveability Index. Melbourne boasts outstanding scores for education, healthcare, culture and environment and infrastructure. Cities are scored on political and social stability, crime rates and access to quality health care. The survey also measures the diversity and standard of cultural events, the natural environment, education (school and university) and the standard of infrastructure, including public transport.

Melbourne has consistently ranked in the top ten cities in the Global Liveability Index list, a testament to the quality of life offered to locals and visitors alike. Our city is a hub of activity, offering something for everyone. Whether you’re walking through the skyscrapers in the central business district, enjoying a picnic in one of our many parks and gardens or devouring yumcha in Chinatown, Melbourne is undoubtedly an amazing place to live, study, work or play in!

The World Health Organisation also rates Melbourne as one of the healthiest cities of its size in the world.

Melbourne offers:

• stability and peace
• clean living
• affordability
• a comfortable climate
• a world class education system
• lots of recreational opportunities
• warm, welcoming and friendly people
• high quality public services, housing and transport.

A popular choice

Over 250,000 international students from all over the world were studying in Victoria in 2017 (AEI Enrolment data). Almost all international students choose to stay in Victoria for their further education. Find out more about living in Victoria.

International students choose Melbourne because of the academic reputation of our educational institutions and the vibrant lifestyle and culture. Find out more about living in Melbourne.

A home away from home

With so many cultures embedded into our way of life in Melbourne and Victoria, it’s easy to settle into life in our beautiful state. You’ll find some form of your own culture making it feel like a ‘home away from home’.

A mild climate

Victoria’s warm, temperate climate is ideal for healthy study habits. It’s also perfect for getting out and exploring new places. Relax and have fun.

A well-connected hub

From Melbourne, it’s easy to get to other parts of Australia or the rest of the world. Our international airport is a bustling hub of activity.

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The pace of living in Melbourne is ideal for both study and relaxation. More peaceful than a typical big city, Melbourne is also lively and diverse. It’s the perfect city for a young and curious mind. If you’re active and like to explore new places, you’ll love life in Melbourne.

A top performer by global standards

Live in Melbourne and you’ll live somewhere that continues to rate as one of the world’s top cities. In its annual survey, the Economist ranked Melbourne as the World's Most Liveable City​​ each year from 2011 to 2017. Melbourne also achieves excellent ratings for education, healthcare, culture, environment, infrastructure and overall stability.

Melbourne is Australia's Top Student City, and is among the Top Five Cities in the World for students in the QS Best Student Cities Index. Whether walking among the CBD skyscrapers, enjoying ​a relaxing picnic in the park or savouring Chinatown yum cha, Melbourne is a wonderful place to live, study and play.

Energy from creativity

Central Melbourne is carefully planned and it’s easy to get around the regular street grid. But a creative culture flourishes in the orderly streets. It’s everywhere you look. The buzz and the energy impresses visitors from all over the world.

​Diverse and welcoming

You’re sure to find your own little piece of home with things that you recognise somewhere in Melbourne. Nearly half of our population have strong ties abroad.

Fun by the water

Melbourne takes full advantage of an enviable bayside location with many lively precincts in suburbs on the water’s edge. The Yarra River runs through the heart of the city from east to west. Bridges, boats, bikes and paths criss-cross the river. It’s a popular site for social, sporting and cultural activities.

A city for young people​

In 2017, young people aged 15 to 24 years made up ​30 percent of the population in the City of Melbourne, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The City of Melbourne has even developed special support services for international students because they’re such an important group.

Peace of mind

Police assistance is available 24 hours a day and is easy to access. There’s also a special Study Melbourne Student Centre that provides friendly advice about all sorts of issues and support in emergency situations.

From broad plazas to narrow laneways

Locals and visitors flock to spirited gathering spots like Federation Square, the Docklands and Southbank to socialise, celebrate or simply share a mutual love for the city.

Zigzag through the city by exploring our laneways and arcades. Jump on a tram to find little suburban ‘villages’. The city is full of secrets and there’s always something new to discover.

Iconic buildings

Melbourne blends European style with modern urban flair. Gracious nineteenth century buildings sit comfortably alongside clever, contemporary structures and public spaces. Some of our heritage buildings include:

• Flinders Street train station
• Melbourne Town Hall
• the former General Post Office (the GPO)
• Shrine of Remembrance
• Royal Exhibition Buildings.

Some of our more recent urban developments include:

• Federation Square
• Southern Cross train station
• Melbourne Museum
• the Docklands precinct.

Amazing food

If you love food, then Melbourne’s the place for you. This city is undoubtedly the food capital of Australia. Choose from over 75 cuisines and more restaurants and cafes per capita than anywhere in the world.

Flexible transport

Melbourne is so easy to navigate. Travel by tram, train, bus, car, bike or on foot. You’ll get a different feel for the city depending on your choice.

All of our schools have good public transport links and are within easy travelling distance of the city. Universities have campuses in the city centre and suburbs, if you’re exploring your tertiary study options.

Secure, liveable communities

Leafy suburbs can be found in all directions and each has their own unique character. If you choose to study here, one of these suburban communities will probably become home – with a lively city centre never too far away.

A mild, pleasant climate

Melbourne’s weather brings out the best in the city. Temperatures average 14 degrees in winter and 30 degrees in summer and rainfall averages 55mm per month. Each of the four seasons shows the city in a different light. This subtle beauty and variety will make you love Melbourne more and more, the longer you’re here.

Life in Victoria, Australia’s country regions is a great alternative to Melbourne. You’ll get a strong sense of community and direct experience of a very special sort of life.

Living in Victoria’s unique locations

When you go to one of our regional schools, you’ll live in Victoria’s most beautiful locations and communities, including:

• Gippsland
• Mildura
• Mornington Peninsula
• the Grampians (Stawell)
• the Yarra Valley
• the Dandenong Ranges
• the Great Ocean Road (Warrnambool, Geelong).

Each region has a unique local culture, landscape, history and community. It’s this changing mix of features, people and places that makes living in Victoria truly amazing.

Space to think

Relax in the wide, open spaces and clean air. It will lift your spirits, increase your confidence and help you get a clear focus on your studies. The high qu​ality of life in Victoria means your time will be active but also peaceful.

Access to the city

When you leave the hustle and bustle of city life you won’t miss out on the city action. Melbourne is only a few hours by car, bus or train. Victoria is one of Australia’s smallest states so nothing is too far away. You’ll have plenty of things to do when you live in Victoria.

Beach living

Live the real Australian beach lifestyle in one of our coastal communities:

• organise barbecues with friends
• play beach cricket
• run along the sand for exercise
• settle into a peaceful routine with a daily walk.

Become a true ‘local’

Regional Victoria is a great place to study for international s​tudents. The quiet change from inner city living will help you relax into your new home.

In regional Victoria, you’ll be one of only a handful of international students. You will notice that everyone you meet will be friendly and want to get to know who you are.

Local students will involve you in activities in and outside of school. These new friends will help you adjust and become part of the group.

Community links

When you’re active and getting out and about, you’ll quickly get drawn into the community. Usually the easiest way to get involved is to join a local club or sign up for a popular activity.

Challenges that inspire

You might feel nervous when you first start in a regional school. Everyone seems to know each other. But the rewards can also be far greater than in a big city school.

When you become part of a close knit group your English will improve dramatically. This will directly benefit your studies as well as your general confidence and happiness.

When you know you can communicate with almost anyone, in any situation, you’ll feel great. This is much easier to achieve in a small regional community because you’re in personal contact with more people.

The homestay experience

In regional communities the sense of family is very strong. That’s what makes a homestay experience in regional Victoria so special. Find out more about homestay life in Victoria.