The 7 best things about living in Melbourne

Melbourne is Australia's premier destination for international students - and it's easy to see why! With a thriving music and sports scene, plenty of shopping options, laneways covered in vibrant art, world-famous events year-round, and the best coffee you’ll ever try, just to name a few, there are countless amazing things about living in Melbourne. Here, we outline the top seven reasons to choose Melbourne, the Victorian capital, as your study destination.

Melbourne is Australia's most liveable city

Melbourne is Australia’s most liveable city and the #3 most liveable city in the world! The Economist Intelligence Unit's Global Liveability Index 2023 named Melbourne Australia's most liveable city based on five broad categories: infrastructure, healthcare, stability, culture and environment, and education.

In terms of its infrastructure, Melbourne boasts a well-connected public transport network. Its education system is also renowned around Australia and globally for its world-class universities and research facilities, landing it the title of best student city in Australia. In fact, Victoria is known as the Education State due to its commitment to improving outcomes for children, young people and adult learners throughout the state.

World-class education providers and research facilities

Given Victoria’s status as the Education State, it should come as no surprise that Melbourne houses some of the best education providers and research facilities in Australia and the world.

According to the QS World University Rankings 2024, the University of Melbourne ranks as Australia’s #1 university and #14 in the world. Monash University ranks within the top 50 universities worldwide, claiming spot #42.

Melbourne is home to some of Australia's best and most innovative research facilities. These include the Synchrotron, at which researchers produce light sources a million times brighter than the sun, and CSIRO, Australia's multi-disciplinary science organisation focusing on Australians’ quality of life as well as economic and social wellbeing.

A great place to start your career

From Mitsubishi and Eventbrite, to DHL and Asahi, there are so many international companies that call Melbourne home.

As an international student in Melbourne, one of the biggest benefits is the job opportunities available during and once you complete your studies, and the professional networks you can build within some of the biggest global businesses. Melbourne is home to a range of popular graduate programs and entry-level jobs, allowing you to kickstart your career in almost any industry.

Two of the ‘Big Four’ accounting firms, Deloitte and Ernst & Young, have their Australian headquarters based in Melbourne. BHP is another large Melbourne-based company with great career opportunities for international graduates. For those interested in the tech, business or finance industries, Afterpay and MYOB are both innovative companies with their international headquarters in Melbourne. These are just some of the many large multinational companies that all provide graduate programs and pathways to your dream career in Melbourne!

Melbourne is packed with culture, arts and sporting events

From the Formula One Grand Prix to music festivals, exhibitions and cultural experiences, there's an unforgettable time to be had in Melbourne, no matter your interests.

Some of Melbourne's biggest music festivals include St Jerome's Laneway (set to return in 2023), Meredith, For the Love and Falls Festival, which takes place on New Year's Eve. If you're more of a film buff, don't miss Australia’s biggest film festival, the Melbourne International Film Festival.

There are also plenty of budget-friendly events and activities on offer. Visit the National Gallery of Victoria or the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art to see art from around the world. For a more leisurely arts experience, take a walk through Melbourne's world-famous laneways and enjoy the street art and unique vibe. Hosier Lane is the best place to see Melbourne's street art, so don't miss it when you take a stroll through the city.

Easy access to incredible nature

From Melbourne, you can easily access many stunning natural landscapes. Take a scenic road trip along the Great Ocean Road and see the 12 Apostles, two of Australia’s most treasured landmarks. Alternatively, visit Grampians National Park or one of Victoria's beautiful regional areas like Warrnambool, Geelong, Ballarat or Bendigo.

For a nature experience closer to the city, check out Birrarung Marr, Melbourne's Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria or Edinburgh Gardens. Whether you gather some friends for a picnic or lounge in the grass with a good book, these spaces are perfect for a tranquil day in the great outdoors.

A welcoming city with plenty of support services

Every year, Melbourne welcomes 180,000 international students from around the globe. To ease their transition of moving and settling overseas, there are plenty of support services available across the city. With these resources, you can get help in navigating your studies, the Australian workforce and accommodation. You can even access support resources for coping with feelings of homesickness, learning how to make friends and budgeting.

For customised guidance, get in touch with the Study Melbourne  Hub, which provides support for international students living in Melbourne. You can contact the Centre via email or on 1800 056 449.

Diversity from around the world

Melbourne thrives on its diversity, with cultures from around the world represented in its population. As a result, the city hosts a wide selection of cultural festivals and celebrations abound in Melbourne. Celebrate Italian culture at Melbourne Italian Festa, Vietnamese New Year at Tet Lunar New Year Festival, Chinese culture at the Melbourne Chinese New Year Festival and Greek culture at the Antipodes Greek Festival.

Melbourne's diversity means you'll also find cuisines from around the world throughout the city, from dumplings to moussaka to chicken tikka masala and so much more.

Offering a welcoming community and incredible amenities, Melbourne is a vibrant city to call home. Learn more about how to make the most of life in Melbourne here.