About Melbourne

With an eclectic combination of sophisticated chic and urban grittiness Melbourne is a creative, exciting and dynamic city. Expect to be enthralled and surprised by what Melbourne has on offer.

Located on the south coast of Australia, Melbourne experiences a variable climate of four distinct seasons with warm, dry summers and cool, crisp winters.

Key attractions

• Head to the MCG in footy season to experience all the fun and fervor of an AFL game
• Check out the amazing street art and good eats in Hosier Lane
• Hang out in the buzzing cafes and bars on Brunswick Street
• Hop on the tram to historic St Kilda – Melbourne’s colourful and eclectic beachside playground
• Take a weekend drive along the famously panoramic Great Ocean Road

Events

January-April

• Australian Open Tennis
• Chinese New Year
• Tropfest
• Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix
• Melbourne International Comedy Festival

May-August

• Good Food and Wine Festival
• Melbourne International Animation Festival
• Australian International Motor Show
• Melbourne International Film Festival
• Melbourne Writers Festival

September-December

• Royal Melbourne Show
• AFL Grand Final
• Melbourne Fringe Festival
• Melbourne Festival
• Melbourne Cup
• Boxing Day Test

Additional links and resources

• Living in Melbourne - liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au
• Melbourne Tourism - melbournetourism.com
• Visit Victoria - visitvictoria.com
• Urban Walkabout Melbourne - urbanwalkabout.com/melbourne

Local Services in Melbourne

Emergency Services

In an emergency call: 000 (Ambulance, Fire, Police)
Poisons advice: 131126

If it’s not an emergency but it could be serious, call 13 HEALTH – qualified staff will give you advice on who to talk to and how quickly you should do it: 13 43 25 84

Legal Services

For legal advice and information, or to find a Solicitor, visit Victoria Legal Aid.

Please note that serious matters should be directed to your country’s consulate.

The Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has a 24 hour Consular Emergency Centre. For more information visit dfat.gov.au or call the emergency consular helpline on 1300 555 135. 

Accessing Money

There are a numerous banks and Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) in South Melbourne. Banks are open from Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm (except on public holidays). ATMs are accessible 24 hours a day.

• Commonwealth Bank of Australia
• ANZ
• Westpac
• National Australia Bank (NAB)
• St George

Internet Access

The Internet is readily available on campus during opening hours.

You can purchase portable broadband Wi-Fi and plug and play devices (pre-paid or on a contract/plan) from the service providers below. It is worth doing your research to make sure you get a deal that suits your needs and budget.

• Telstra mobile broadband
• Vodafone mobile broadband
• Optus prepaid mobile broadband

Medical Centres

The Royal Melbourne Hospital

rmh.mh.org.au

South Melbourne Family Practice

southmelbournefamilypractice.com.au

Southgate Medical Centre

yourhealth.net.au

Era Health

erahealth.com.au

Places of Worship

Melbourne is an accepting and multicultural community welcoming people of all religious beliefs. Below is a list of the closest places of worship to the SAE campus for several faiths.

Anglican

Buddhist

Catholic

Jewish

Islam

Uniting

Melbourne Transport

Getting around Melbourne on public transport is easy. Buses, trains and trams operate throughout the city, suburbs and beyond.

Visit Public Transport Victoria (PTV) for ticketing and timetable information, or to plan your journey.

Getting to SAE Melbourne

Bus and tram services operate near the Melbourne campus.

The closest bus stop:

• Montague St & Normanby Rd (2-minute walk to campus)

The closest tram stop:

• Stop 126 (Montague St) on the 109 route (4-minute walk to campus)

Car Parking

Free parking is available on Normanby Road and behind the campus on Woodgate Street. Students are advised that parking is limited during peak times.

Taxis

• 13Cabs
• Silver Top Taxi
• City Hire Cars

Accommodation in Melbourne

There are a number of off-campus accommodation options if you choose to study in Melbourne.

Students who are moving to Melbourne often stay in a hotel, hostel/guesthouse, or nearby student accommodation when they first arrive. Many students then move into shared rental accommodation when they are more familiar with the city and surrounding areas.

Hostels and Guesthouses

Hostels are usually run by organisations such as Youth Hostels Australia (YHA) and the YMCA. Students share kitchen and bathroom facilities. This is an economical, short-term option.

Student Accommodation

Designed specifically for students, you will have the privacy of your own bedroom and bathroom in a shared apartment, with access to larger communal living areas and facilities. We recommend:

• iglu
• UniLodge
• urbanest
• Metro Student
• Punthill

Homestay

Homestay accommodation gives students an opportunity to live with an Australian family. This is a great way for younger international students to immerse themselves in Australian life and culture while maintaining the familiarity and safety of a family environment. Homestay accommodation costs range from AU$240 to AU$300 per week. To find out more, visit globalexperience.com.au.

Shared Rental Accommodation

Sharing a rental property is a popular and economic option for both international and local students. If you choose this option you will share the cost of renting a house or apartment with your ‘housemates’. The cost of shared rental accommodation varies depending on the location, size, and condition of the premises; you should expect to pay between AU$165-$350 per week. Some things to remember about shared rental accommodation:

• Landlords require rent to be paid in advance
• A security bond, equal to one month's rent, is required at the beginning of your lease
• Be prepared to supply your own furniture
• Cost of utilities such as electricity, water, telephone, and Internet is usually in addition to rent

To search for rental properties check out the notice boards on campus, look for advertisements in the local newspapers or go online: realestate.com.au/rent, domain.com.au/rent, and LJ Hooker Real Estate

To find more shared accommodation options, visit:
flatmatefinders.com.au or easyroommate.com.au.

Living in Australia

Read about living in Australia here.