Finding the right place to live is so important and will mean you can take full advantage of your education adventure.
Victoria, Australia offers you a lifestyle that encourages you to be confident and helps you to be successful. Whilst living here you can prepare yourself and get the support to take your next steps in life.
A liveable city
Melbourne consistently ranks in the top ten cities in the
Global Liveability Index list. Which means you can experience a high quality of life. Melbourne is a hub of activity, and offers something for everyone, no matter what your goals might be.
Melbourne offers:
- a world-class education system
- warm, welcoming, and friendly people
- a comfortable climate
- diverse recreational opportunities
- affordability
- stability and peace
- clean living
- high-quality public services, housing, and transport.
A popular choice
Each year, thousands of international school students from all over the world choose Victoria as a place to study.
Almost all our international school students then decide to stay in Victoria for their further education. Find out more about living in Victoria.
Victoria is the number one choice for international school students because it offers:
- strong academic performance
- vibrant lifestyle and culture
- Melbourne and our student cities are inspiring where you can discover theatre, live music, comedy clubs and much more.
- Melbourne is well known for its international culture, art, literature and music scenes.
- something for everyone
- there are so many cultures embedded into the way of life in Melbourne and Victoria.
- you’ll easily find an aspect of your own culture to make you feel you’re living in a ‘home away from home’.
- a mild climate
- Victoria has a warm, temperate climate ideal for you to keep healthy whilst studying.
- good connections to other cities in Australia and the world
- from Melbourne, it’s easy to get to other parts of Australia or the rest of the world.
- Melbourne international airport is the second busiest airport in Australia.
Start your education journey in Victoria -
Apply now.
CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education, 00861K.
CRICOS Course Names and Codes: Primary (Prep to Year 6), 019047G; Secondary (7-12), 019048F; Victorian College of the Arts Secondary Course (7-12), 028651A.
Are you looking to study in a city where you can study and be yourself?
Melbourne offers an ideal pace of living. It's more peaceful than many big cities around the world, but still so cosmopolitan and exciting.
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
Melbourne is Australia's Top Student City - and is among the Top Ten Cities in the World for students in the QS Best Student Cities Index for 2022.
Can you picture yourself walking through Melbourne's laneways, drinking coffee at a café, enjoying a picnic in one of our many parks and gardens, watching sport at our world-famous MCG, or devouring yum cha in Chinatown? All of this and much more is on offer in Melbourne making it an amazing city to live and study in!
Diverse and welcoming
Nearly half of our multicultural population have family and friends who live abroad. So, you can expect to find your own little piece of home - with familiar food and things that you recognise and can find somewhere in Melbourne.
A city full of creative secrets and iconic buildings
Central Melbourne is carefully planned and it is easy to get around the regular street grid. But you'll also find creative cultures and artwork everywhere you look. The buzz and the energy impresses visitors from all over the world.
Locals and visitors meet at gathering places like Federation Square and Southbank along the Yarra River 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 you can always find something new to discover. Melbourne also has striking modern architecture, with a mix of contemporary structures and prominent 19th and 21st century buildings and spaces.
Melbourne's heritage buildings include:
Some of our more recent urban developments include:
Fun by the water
Melbourne's bayside location means there are many fun and exciting areas located on the water's edge with beaches perfect for relaxing, swimming and snorkelling.
The Yarra River runs through the heart of the city from east to west. Bridges, boats, bikes and paths cross the river at different points. The river is popular for social, sporting and cultural activities.
Cafe culture, how to get around, climate and staying safe
Amazing food – If you love food, then Melbourne's the place for you.
- Melbourne is undoubtedly the food capital of Australia
- you'll have plenty of choice with cuisines from nearly every country on earth.
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
- 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
- one of these suburban communities may become home if you choose to study here – with plenty of shops, cafes and restaurants, entertainment, medical and other facilities close by
- assistance from your school and homestay is available 24 hours a day and is easy to access – helping you feel safe and secure
- there are also police and protective officers located throughout major city centres and at train stations for added security, even at night.
Melbourne's pleasant climate 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 increasingly love Melbourne, the longer you're here.
CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education, 00861K.
CRICOS Course Names and Codes: Primary (Prep to Year 6), 019047G; Secondary (7-12), 019048F; Victorian College of the Arts Secondary Course (7-12), 028651A.
Australia's many student cities and towns, located across Victoria, provide great alternatives to studying and living in Melbourne.
You'll get the space to be yourself, a supportive community and first-hand experience of living a unique Australian lifestyle.
Living in Victoria's unique locations
You'll experience some of our most beautiful locations and communities when you live in one of our Victorian student cities and towns, including:
Each area has a unique local culture, landscape, history and community.
It's this changing mix of features, people and places that makes living in Victoria amazing.
Space to think
Relax in the wide, open spaces and clean air. It will lift your spirits, increase your confidence and help you focus on your studies. The excellent quality of life in Victoria means your time will be active but also peaceful.
Access to city features and services
You won't miss out on the city features and services when you live in Victoria's student cities and towns as each has its own entertainment, dining, medical, education areas and conveniences.
Victoria is one of Australia's smallest states, so nothing is too far away. And Melbourne is only a few hours by car, bus or train. So you'll always have plenty of things to see and do when you live in Victoria.
Beach living
Live the real Australian beach lifestyle in one of our coastal communities. There are so many ways to enjoy the beach. You can:
- organise a barbecue with friends
- play beach cricket
- run along the sand for exercise
- settle into a peaceful routine with a daily walk.
Homestay experiance
The sense of family and community is very strong in our student cities and towns outside of Melbourne. And that's what makes a homestay experience in Victoria so special. Our families are part of the school community and often have children at the same school, so you'll probably know someone at the school from day one. Find out more about homestay life in Victoria.
Become a true ‘local’, get involved in the community and enjoy the challenge
Form new friendships
The quiet change from inner-city living will help you relax in your new home.
In our Victorian student cities and towns, you'll be one of only a handful of international students. So, you'll 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
- usually, the easiest way to get involved is to join a local club or sign up for a popular activity.
An inspiring experience
You might feel nervous when you first start in school. Everyone can know each other. But the rewards can also be far greater than in a big Melbourne school:
- you can become part of a close-knit group so your English will improve quickly. This will 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 confident about getting around on your own when you want to.
CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education, 00861K.
CRICOS Course Names and Codes: Primary (Prep to Year 6), 019047G; Secondary (7-12), 019048F; Victorian College of the Arts Secondary Course (7-12), 028651A.
CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education and Training, 00861K.
CRICOS Course Names and Codes: Primary (Prep to Year 6), 019047G; Secondary (7-12), 019048F; Victorian College of the Arts Secondary Course (7-12), 028651A.
Victoria, Australia offers a thriving modern culture and many activities to choose from outside of school. You will truly be a valuable part of our diverse society.
People who care about culture
People who live in Victoria are friendly and informal. We're relaxed about life but enthusiastic about our passions. We love cultural activities, both indoors and outdoors like performing and visual arts, entertainment, sports and good food.
Festivals all year round
It can seem like there's a festival every week when you live in Victoria, and we love to celebrate our diverse cultures. For example, each year Melbourne celebrates:
Strong overseas ties
Victoria continues a long history of welcoming and embracing cultures from all over the world. Almost one-quarter of Victoria's population was born overseas or have a parent who was born overseas with over 180 languages and dialects spoken in Victoria.
What Victorians are passionate about
- Victorians won't make a big fuss about their city or state, but we're quietly proud
- We love to share the charms of our state but we're happy to let the attractions show you their own magic
- We love our fashion, arts, gardens and sport
- But most of all we love celebrating the cultures of the world
- In the city and surrounding suburbs, you'll find plenty of restaurants, shops and entire precincts of Chinese, Vietnamese, Greek, Italian, Indian, Japanese, African and Middle Eastern origin.
Celebrating diversity
Melbourne's diversity, like its education system, prepares you to study, work and live anywhere. Students from all over the world study together.
Diverse cultures become part of your daily life. You'll get the skills and knowledge to take you wherever you want to go.
Benefits of Victoria's student cities
- Victoria has many student cities and towns which offer big city benefits combined with peaceful, friendly and progressive communities
- People often know you by your first name as you walk down the main street
- Find out more about the diverse range of regional options when you live in Victoria.
CRICOS Provider Name and Code: Department of Education, 00861K.
CRICOS Course Names and Codes: Primary (Prep to Year 6), 019047G; Secondary (7-12), 019048F; Victorian College of the Arts Secondary Course (7-12), 028651A.
