Cost of Living - Summary Table
The information in this section outlines the estimated cost of living for a student at the Parkville campus of the University of Melbourne, according to the type of accommodation chosen.
The costs for students studying at other campuses of the University will be similar, though rental or residential college costs are likely to be lower. However, annual transport costs will generally be higher.
Please note: if you are paying your Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) charge on an upfront basis, or you are a course fee paying student (International or Australian), you will need to add the appropriate annual fee amount to the our Cost of Living Estimates. For further information about CSP and Course Fees go to the Admissions website.
| Type of Accommodation | No. of Weeks | Weekly Rent / Board Range ($) | Estimated Total ($) Rent or Board and other expenses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Sharing Rented Premises (with 2 others) |
Close to Parkville campus |
52 |
170 - 205 |
20 100 - 26 900 |
Within 6 kilometres of Uni |
52 |
155 -185 |
19 500 - 25 800 |
|
Rural area |
52 |
70 - 100 |
14 700 - 20 100 |
|
Student Apartments |
Two bedroom, shared |
52 |
220 - 270 |
23 200 - 30 500 |
One bedroom not shared |
52 |
300 - 350 |
27 700 - 35 000 |
|
Hostel |
One bedroom - shared bathroom/kitchen |
52 |
165 - 205 |
20 200 - 26 900 |
Residential Colleges (near or on campus) |
32 week stay |
32 |
450 - 547* |
18 300 - 23 700 |
40 week stay |
40 |
450 - 547* |
23 200 - 29 500 |
|
Homestay |
Living with a local family |
40 |
240 - 275* |
14 800 - 19 200 |
top of pageThe above total annual living cost estimates include the following expenses:
| Items | Amount |
|---|---|
Weekly Cost (other than Rent) |
|
| Food and Groceries Contribution | $80-100 |
| Bills (Electricity, Gas etc)** | $25-35 |
| Telephone (not Mobile) | $10-15 |
| Public Transport fares *** | $30 |
| Spending Money | $40-80 |
Annual Cost |
|
| General Course Costs | $500-750 **** |
Establishment Costs |
|
| Bond (usually 1 month’s rent) |
4.333 x weekly rent |
| Telephone / utilities connection | $150-200 |
| General furniture items (Not including whitegoods) | $450-800 |
* Usually includes most meals. Some colleges also charge additional fees.
**Households using electricity for hot water, cooking and heating will ofter have much higher bills than households using gas facilities
*** Public transport estimates assume residence in Zone 1 of the transport system. Please note that the transport concession card makes public transport considerably cheaper. International students are not eligible for the public transport concession card.
**** Course costs vary dramatically between courses. In some courses, such as dentistry, equipment can cost over $3000. We strongly advise students to contact their prospective faculties for full details of potential course costs.
Important Notes:
Please note that the above estimates are a general guide only.
The following cost estimates should be added to weekly expenses, if necessary –
- Computer Costs ($5-10)
- Takeaway meals ($6-10 per meal)
- Car Expenses – fuel / insurance / registration ($40-50)
- Mobile telephone ($10-15)
Rental property prices vary from suburb to suburb. Check realestate.com.au or The Age newspaper for the current cost of renting in Melbourne.
Tuition fees and upfronts HECS payments are not included in estimates.
Estimates for College Costs and Homestay assume that the student returns home during vacations.
Postgraduate students and some students in courses (such as Film & Television at VCA, or Optometry) may incur higher costs for course work materials, projects or equipment. Students are advised to contact their faculties for advice regarding associated costs during semester.
Childcare costs We encourage students with children to investigate the cost of childcare early. The University Childcare centre is a good starting point. Please remember that places are limited, and costs are often higher elsewhere. Book early.
Online Budget Calculators There are a number of excellent online budget calculators to help students estimate their yearly expenses. We recommend the FIDO budget planner although there are many others available on the internet.
Further information for international students:
- The above estimates are in Australian dollars (AUD$). To convert the cost estimates into another currency you may wish to use the OANDA currency converter. International students who are unsure about the cost of common expenses in Melbourne should consult the Victorian government's Goods and Services Price List on the 'Living in Victoria' web site. We suggest that international students compare a current or expected weekly grocery shopping list with products available via online supermarkets such as Safeway to get a better idea of everyday costs.
- The annual inflation rate in Australia is 4.5%. We recommend that students add this to the above estimates when budgeting for future years. Please note also that the housing market in Melbourne has surged in recent years.
- International students need to include the cost of health insurance to their budget.
For further information about cost of living issues:
Course Costs
Families & Dependents
Transport Costs
Computer Costs
Calculating your Budget (PDF | 135KB)