Get to know the cost of living in Melbourne as an RMIT student so you can start planning your budget.
Organising your costs as a student can seem complicated, but RMIT is here to help.
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.
Discover everything you need to know about the everyday living costs in Melbourne below!
The following is a guide to the average weekly rental prices per property type in Metropolitan Melbourne, where the RMIT City campus is located.
| Property Type | Median Rent |
|---|---|
| 1 Bed Flat | AU$450 |
| 2 Bed Flat | AU$550 |
3 Bed Flat |
AU$620 |
2 Bed House |
AU$540 |
3 Bed House |
AU$520 |
4 Bed House |
AU$560 |
You should also prepare for your home set-up costs and 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.
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.
Source: Department of Families, Fairness and Housing rental report as of December 2023.
In addition to rental expenses, renting costs, we’ve prepared a sample weekly budget to help you understand what other typical costs to expect.
Study Australia’s Cost of Living Calculator is designed to give you a broad estimate of your potential costs living in Melbourne.
| 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
Thinking about studying in Melbourne, Australia as an international student? It's essential to grasp the cost of living to ensure a stress-free financial journey and maximize your study experience. Explore this breakdown of estimated costs to strategically plan your budget and make informed lifestyle choices while pursuing your education in Australia.
If you have a family or dependants, you may be able to bring them with you to Australia. In this case, you should also account for their living expenses as well as other costs associated with your student visa.
Your family members must have health insurance as one of the conditions of their visa. If you’re on a single Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) membership, you’ll need to pay extra to add your dependants to your cover.
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. International students should stay updated on the Victorian Public Schools International Students Program to learn more about current cost estimates.
If you are a postgraduate research student, you are exempt from paying primary and secondary school fees at public schools.
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.
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.
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.
Discover everything you need to study in Melbourne, the third most liveable city in the world.
Looking for comfortable and convenient student accommodation in Melbourne? We’ve got you covered with all the options you could want.
If you’re planning to work while you study, take advantage of our job resources and get job-ready before you even start your course.
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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
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.
