International Guide to Moving to Melbourne

Moving to Melbourne from overseas is a different experience from relocating interstate. You are navigating a new country’s systems — visas, banking, healthcare, rental norms — while simultaneously trying to choose a suburb in a city you may never have visited. This guide covers the practical reality of arriving in Melbourne as an international migrant, worker, or student.

Before You Arrive

Visa Considerations

Your visa type determines your work rights, access to Medicare, and length of stay. The most common visa categories for Melbourne arrivals:

Skilled Worker Visas (Subclass 482, 494, 186) Employer-sponsored visas that allow full work rights. Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) is the most common. Your employer manages the sponsorship process, but you should understand the conditions — particularly that Subclass 482 ties you to your sponsoring employer. Changing jobs may require a new visa application.

Skilled Independent Visa (Subclass 189) Points-tested permanent residency. If you hold this visa, you have full work rights and Medicare access from day one. This is the smoothest path to settling in Melbourne.

Student Visa (Subclass 500) Allows up to 48 hours of work per fortnight during semester and unlimited hours during breaks (as of recent policy changes — verify current conditions on the Home Affairs website). Melbourne’s major universities include the University of Melbourne (Parkville), Monash University (Clayton, Caulfield), RMIT (CBD), Deakin University (Burwood), La Trobe University (Bundoora), and Swinburne University (Hawthorn).

Working Holiday Visa (Subclass 417, 462) Available to citizens of eligible countries aged 18-35. Allows you to work for any employer for up to 6 months. Melbourne is one of the most popular bases for working holiday visa holders.

Partner Visa (Subclass 820/801) If your partner is an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Processing times are long (12-24 months for the temporary stage), but you receive work rights and Medicare access once lodged.

Important: Always verify current visa conditions on the Department of Home Affairs website (homeaffairs.gov.au). Immigration policy changes frequently.

What to Organise Before Departure

1. Certified copies of documents: Birth certificate, degree certificates, professional qualifications, marriage certificate (if applicable). Have these certified in your home country — it is easier than doing it in Australia.
2. International driving licence: If you plan to drive. Your home country licence is valid in Victoria for the first 6 months (or longer for some nationalities). After that, you need a Victorian licence.
3. Travel insurance: For the period before your Australian health cover begins.
4. Enough money for the first month: Budget $4,000-$6,000 AUD for bond, rent in advance, myki card, phone plan, groceries, and incidentals. The first month is expensive.
5. Accommodation for the first 2 weeks: Book a short-term rental (Airbnb, hostel, or serviced apartment) while you search for permanent accommodation. Do not sign a lease from overseas without inspecting the property.

Your First Week in Melbourne

Day 1-2: Banking

Open an Australian bank account as soon as possible. You need this to receive wages and pay rent.

The Big Four: Commonwealth Bank (CommBank), Westpac, NAB, ANZ. All have extensive branch and ATM networks.

Process:

• Visit a branch with your passport and visa documentation.
• If you apply within 6 weeks of arrival, you typically only need your passport (100 points of ID requirements are relaxed for recent arrivals).
• Most banks can open an account same-day and issue a temporary card.
• Set up internet banking and mobile banking immediately.

Digital Banks: ING Australia and Up Bank are popular for higher savings rates and lower fees. They can be opened online but may require a Big Four account for initial funding.

Fees: Most transaction accounts are free. Avoid accounts with monthly fees unless you are getting a specific benefit (e.g., mortgage offset).

Day 1-2: Phone Plan

You need an Australian phone number for rental applications, job communication, and two-factor authentication.

Options:

• Prepaid SIM (recommended to start): Boost Mobile, Belong, and amaysim offer plans from $20-$40/month with decent data. Buy a SIM at any supermarket, 7-Eleven, or phone shop.
• Postpaid: Requires a credit check, which you may not pass as a new arrival. Switch to postpaid after a few months.
• eSIM: If your phone supports it, Circles.Life and Felix offer eSIM plans that activate digitally.

Day 2-3: Myki Card

Buy a myki card from any 7-Eleven, train station, or PTV Hub (Southern Cross Station). Cost: $6 for the card, plus whatever you load.

How it works:

• Touch on at the reader when you board a train, tram (outside the Free Tram Zone), or bus.
• Touch off when you exit a train or bus. Trams do not require touch-off.
• The system charges you based on zones and caps at a daily maximum (approximately $10.60 in 2026 for full fare).
• Register your myki online at myki.com.au to protect your balance if the card is lost and to set up auto top-up.

Free Tram Zone: All trams within the CBD grid (roughly Flinders Street to Victoria Street, Spring Street to Docklands) are free. No myki needed. Outside this zone, you must touch on.

Day 3-5: Tax File Number (TFN)

Apply online at the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) website. You need a TFN to work legally in Australia. Without it, your employer must withhold tax at the highest marginal rate (47%). Processing takes 10-28 days.

Day 3-5: Medicare (if eligible)

If you are on a visa that grants Medicare access (permanent residency, some partner visas, reciprocal healthcare agreements with countries like the UK, Ireland, New Zealand, Netherlands, and others), enrol at a Medicare office.

Medicare covers:

• Free treatment at public hospitals
• Subsidised GP visits (look for clinics that “bulk bill” — no out-of-pocket cost)
• Subsidised prescriptions under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS)

If you do not qualify for Medicare: You need private health insurance (Overseas Visitor Health Cover or OVHC for visa holders, or Overseas Student Health Cover / OSHC for students). This is a visa condition for many visa types. Providers include Medibank, Bupa, Allianz, and nib.

Finding a Rental

The Australian rental market operates differently from many countries. Understanding the system prevents costly mistakes.

Upfront Costs

You need to pay before moving in:

• Bond: 4 weeks’ rent (held by the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority, not the landlord)
• Rent in advance: 2 weeks minimum (some agents ask for a month)
• For a $450/week property: That is $2,700 in bond + $900 rent in advance = $3,600 upfront

This is non-negotiable and catches many international arrivals off guard. Budget for it.

The Application Process

1. Search on Domain.com.au and realestate.com.au.
2. Attend open inspections (advertised online, typically 15-minute windows).
3. Submit an application through 1Form, 2Apply, or Ignite (digital platforms the agent specifies).
4. Applications require: passport, visa, proof of income (employment contract or bank statements showing sufficient funds), and references.

Without Australian Rental History

This is the biggest challenge for international arrivals. Agents prefer applicants with local references. To compete:

• Offer to pay several months’ rent upfront if you can afford it.
• Provide a reference from your employer in Australia.
• Include a cover letter explaining your situation — agents are human.
• Consider a share house for the first 3-6 months to build rental history. Search on Flatmates.com.au and Fairy Floss Real Estate (Facebook group).

Rental Rights

Victoria has strong tenant protections:

• Landlords cannot unreasonably refuse pets (since 2020 reforms).
• Rent increases are limited to once every 12 months and must not be excessive.
• Landlords must maintain the property to minimum standards (heating, window coverings, etc.).
• The Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA) holds your bond, not the landlord.
• For disputes, contact Consumer Affairs Victoria or the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).

Health and Medical

Finding a GP

Search for bulk-billing clinics on hotdoc.com.au — you can book online and filter by bulk billing, languages spoken, and speciality. Many Melbourne GPs speak languages other than English.

Bulk billing means Medicare covers the full cost. If a GP does not bulk bill, you pay upfront ($60-$90 for a standard consultation) and claim the Medicare rebate ($41.40 back).

Dental, Optical, Physio

These are not covered by Medicare. You pay out of pocket or need private health insurance with “extras” cover. Budget $200-$350 for a dental check-up and clean.

Mental Health

Medicare covers 10 subsidised psychology sessions per year under a Mental Health Treatment Plan (your GP provides the referral). Wait times for psychologists can be 4-8 weeks. Some community health centres offer free or low-cost counselling for new migrants.

Pharmacy

Australian pharmacies dispense prescription medication. Common over-the-counter medications (paracetamol, ibuprofen, antihistamines) are available without prescription. Some medications that are over-the-counter in other countries require a prescription in Australia — check before you assume.

Suburb Recommendations by Community

Melbourne has established communities from around the world. Living near your community can provide language support, familiar food, places of worship, and social networks.

Chinese Community

Box Hill is the primary hub — Chinese supermarkets, restaurants, bakeries, and community organisations. Glen Waverley has a large Chinese-Australian population with excellent Chinese food. Clayton (near Monash University) also has a significant Chinese community. The CBD’s Chinatown (Little Bourke Street) is cultural rather than residential.

Indian Community

Glen Waverley and Mount Waverley have large Indian communities with temples, grocers, and restaurants. Werribee and Tarneit in the west have growing Indian populations. Clayton and Springvale also have significant Indian communities.

Vietnamese Community

Richmond (Victoria Street) is Melbourne’s Little Vietnam — restaurants, grocers, and community services. Footscray has a large Vietnamese community alongside other Southeast Asian groups. Springvale is the epicentre of Vietnamese-Australian community life in the south-east.

South Asian (Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi, Pakistani) Community

Dandenong and Noble Park have established South Asian communities. Clayton and Springvale are also popular.

Middle Eastern and North African Community

Brunswick and Coburg have large Turkish, Lebanese, and Arabic-speaking communities with mosques, halal butchers, and restaurants. Broadmeadows and Dallas have significant Middle Eastern populations. Dandenong has a growing Afghan community.

Ethiopian and East African Community

Footscray has Melbourne’s largest Ethiopian community, with restaurants, grocers, and community spaces. Collingwood and Flemington also have East African communities.

Korean Community

The CBD has the highest concentration of Korean restaurants and businesses. Box Hill and Balwyn have Korean community presence. There is no single “Koreatown” equivalent in Melbourne.

Filipino Community

Sunshine and the western suburbs have a large Filipino community. The CBD also has Filipino restaurants and community services.

Italian Community

Carlton (Lygon Street) is the historic Italian precinct, though it is now more tourist-oriented. Coburg, Reservoir, Brunswick, and Moonee Ponds retain strong Italian-Australian communities.

Greek Community

Oakleigh is Melbourne’s Greek centre — Eaton Mall has Greek cafes, pastry shops, and restaurants that rival Athens. South Melbourne, Richmond, and Northcote also have significant Greek communities.

Cost of Living for International Arrivals

Monthly Budget (Single Person, Inner Suburb, 2026)

Where to Save

• Aldi is 15-25% cheaper than Coles and Woolworths for most items.
• Markets (Queen Victoria Market, Preston Market, Footscray Market) offer cheaper produce than supermarkets.
• Asian supermarkets in Box Hill, Springvale, and Footscray have significantly cheaper prices for rice, noodles, sauces, and vegetables.
• Cooking at home saves $600-$800/month compared to eating out regularly.
• Cycling instead of public transport saves $200/month.
• Share housing saves $400-$600/month compared to renting alone.

Cultural Adjustment

What Catches People Off Guard

The weather. Melbourne’s weather is genuinely unpredictable. Pack layers, carry an umbrella, and accept that a sunny morning can become a cold, rainy afternoon without warning.

The distance. Melbourne is far from everywhere. A flight to Singapore is 8 hours. London is 22+ hours. Even Sydney is a 1-hour flight. Homesickness hits harder when the distance home is measured in entire days of travel.

The pace. Melbourne moves at a slower pace than Hong Kong, London, or New York. Shops close earlier (many by 5pm on weekdays, 1pm on Saturdays). Restaurants often stop seating at 9pm. Sunday is quiet. This takes adjustment if you are from a 24-hour city.

Tipping. Tipping is not expected in Australia. Service workers are paid a living wage (minimum $24.10/hour as of 2025-2026). Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Do not feel pressured.

Sunburn. Australia has the highest rate of skin cancer in the world. The UV index in Melbourne summer regularly exceeds “extreme” levels. Wear sunscreen (SPF 50+), a hat, and sunglasses. This is not overcautious — it is necessary.

Wildlife. You will not encounter dangerous wildlife in suburban Melbourne. Possums live in roof spaces and are harmless. Magpies swoop during nesting season (September-October) — wear a hat and keep moving. Spiders exist but rarely cause serious harm. Snakes are virtually absent from inner suburbs.

Building a Social Life

• Meetup.com has active groups for every interest — hiking, board games, photography, language exchange.
• Sports clubs are a fast track to community. Join a local footy, cricket, soccer, or netball club, even at the social level.
• Volunteering connects you to locals. Conservation Volunteers Australia, Foodbank Victoria, and local neighbourhood houses all welcome volunteers.
• Your suburb’s cafe is your first community. Become a regular somewhere. Baristas in Melbourne notice and remember.

Essential Apps

• PTV (Public Transport Victoria): Real-time train, tram, and bus tracking.
• Google Maps: Reliable for Melbourne public transport routing.
• Domain / realestate.com.au: Rental search.
• HotDoc: GP and medical appointments.
• MyGov: Linking government services (Medicare, ATO, Centrelink).
• Myki app: Check myki balance and top up.
• BOM Weather: Bureau of Meteorology — the most accurate Australian weather forecasts.

The Honest Truth

Moving to Melbourne from overseas is hard. The first three months are the hardest — navigating bureaucracy, finding a home, building a social network, and adjusting to a new culture all at once. The rental market does not make it easy for newcomers. The distance from home is real.

But Melbourne rewards those who settle in. The food is exceptional. The suburbs have genuine character. The people, once you get past the initial reserve, are friendly and inclusive. The city’s multiculturalism is not performative — it is structural, built by decades of immigration from every corner of the world.

Give it six months. Find your cafe, your suburb, your walking route. By then, Melbourne starts to feel less like a city you moved to and more like a city you live in.