A coastal city encircling Port Philip Bay, Melbourne is the picturesque capital of the Australian state of Victoria. It is known for its natural beauty, which is complemented by the angular and avant-garde designs of its iconic skyscrapers.

Living in Melbourne as an expat

For expats, moving to Melbourne means immersing themselves in one of Australia’s most multicultural and cosmopolitan centres. Waves of immigration have led to the establishment of enclaves for British, Italian, Greek, Chinese and Indian communities, each with its own unique character, distinctive customs, festivities, food, and art.

Wherever you’re from, you’re sure to feel at home in friendly Australia, where locals are renowned for being welcoming and open. Melbourne is a diverse city with much to explore. Many expats live a happy, fulfilling life in Victoria’s capital and often stay much longer than anticipated.

Working in Melbourne

The job market in Melbourne is broad, and there are plenty of opportunities to be found. Particularly strong industries include healthcare, IT, science, engineering, education and construction.

Expats from countries that favour hierarchical work structures may find that Australia’s work culture takes some getting used to. Here, the office atmosphere tends towards a relaxed, informal and egalitarian feel. While hard work is valued, so is personal time, and employers place a great deal of emphasis on maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Finding a Job in Melbourne 
Business Culture in Australia

Finding accommodation in Melbourne

Accommodation in Melbourne is generally quite expensive, especially high-rise apartments in the city centre. Expats with children usually prefer the more spacious and affordable housing in the suburbs of Melbourne. The property market moves fast in Melbourne, and it may take a little time to find, apply for, and be approved for the perfect home.

Not sure where to start? Get some tips on Finding Accommodation in Melbourne, and learn about the ins and outs of Renting in Australia.

Getting around in Melbourne

Public transport in Melbourne is efficient and well-maintained, making it easy to get around. The city offers transport in the form of trams, trains, buses and taxis. It’s not really necessary to have your own car, although you may find it useful if you live far from the city centre or have a family.

Learn more: 
Driving and Public Transport in Melbourne

Cost of living in Melbourne

Life in Melbourne is expensive, and the cost of living might deter some expats. You’ll need to keep these costs in mind when looking for work and negotiating your salary. Accommodation is especially expensive, and you should choose your neighbourhood carefully. Luckily, the public transport system makes moving about easy and relatively cost-efficient.

View a chart of common costs and find out more about Budgeting in Melbourne.

Lifestyle in Melbourne

Like any urban hub, Melbourne thrives on the luxuries of the good life, such as a vibrant café culture and trendy nightlife, a huge selection of shopping malls and eateries, as well as art galleries and speciality shops. Melbourne is also an immensely attractive city with beautiful historical buildings, cobbled European-style lanes and equally eye-catching public parks and gardens.

Three main pastimes excite and unite Melbournians regardless of background: sport, food and wine. The city presents a fantastic lifestyle – it has repeatedly been voted one of the world’s most ‘liveable’ cities, and with good reason. There are also countless opportunities for nearby family getaways and weekend breaks in Melbourne.

Top Shopping, Sports, Attractions, and Events in Melbourne 
Best Weekend Breaks from Melbourne

Expat families and children

Melbourne is an incredibly family-friendly city. The suburbs, in particular, are a wonderful place to raise children, filled with greenery, great schools, and warm communities. There’s also plenty to keep kids entertained in Melbourne, thanks to the city’s pleasant weather and seaside location.

Kids and family in Melbourne

Finding a school in Melbourne

Parents will have a wide range of options when it comes to schools in Melbourne. Government schools, non-government (Catholic) schools and private schools are all available.

Government schools in Melbourne are free for residents and citizens, and education is generally of excellent quality throughout Australia. That being said, temporary residents must pay school fees for their children to attend. Another option is Catholic schools, which can be cost-effective but do tend to prioritise Catholic families for admittance.

Lastly, private schools are also available, although they do tend to be expensive. Included in this category of schools are the city’s international schools. These teach the International Baccalaureate (IB), a globally respected curriculum that can be found in schools all over the world. The IB is favoured among expats for its global-mindedness and easy transferability when moving.

Find out more about the Types of Schools in Melbourne and the School System in Australia.

Climate in Melbourne

The weather in Melbourne is ideal for those who enjoy the outdoors, as there’s plenty of sunshine throughout the year. Even winters are mild rather than chilly. The summer sun can be scorching, so it’s vital to wear a high-SPF sunscreen, stay hydrated and avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day.

Weather in Melbourne

Melbourne has a temperate oceanic climate and is known for its rapidly changing weather conditions. As a result, residents often describe Melbourne’s typical weather as ‘four seasons in one day’.

In the hottest summer months, January and February, temperatures tend to hover around 78°F (25°C), although it can get substantially hotter. In the spring and summer months, cold fronts can cause severe weather, including thunderstorms, hail, heavy rain, floods and gales.

Winter is between June and August, with temperatures averaging between 43°F (6°C) and 59°F (15°C). Melbourne experiences cooler temperatures in autumn and some frost and fog in winter, but snow is rare.

Melbourne’s high quality of life and vibrant culture attract expats from all over the world. In the gold rush era of the 1850s, Melbourne was one of the British Empire’s wealthiest mining cities.

While these mineral riches are no longer the key driver for its present-day economy, Melbourne still glitters, and it embraces a history of welcoming migrant workers from around the globe.

These days, Melbourne has an exceptionally multicultural workplace, where expat employees are likely to work in a team with colleagues from a variety of cultural backgrounds.

Job market in Melbourne

In recent years, there has been a rise in the demand for workers in several of Melbourne’s industries. At the top of this list are the healthcare and ICT industries. Science and technology workers are also in demand, as are those in the industries of engineering, education and construction.

Many opportunities are also available in regional Victoria for expats willing to live in the smaller towns and cities with a more urgent demand for skilled employees than in Melbourne itself.

Finding a job in Melbourne

Most foreigners planning to work in Melbourne arrive in the city with a job already in hand. You’ll need a work permit to take up employment in Australia, and this is something most employers will happily assist with.

If you’re on the lookout for a job in Melbourne, a good starting point is online job portals and job-seeking communities on social media, particularly LinkedIn.

It is also worthwhile to visit the websites of individual companies to check if there are any vacancies listed. Recruitment agencies, particularly those specialising in your industry, are another helpful resource when finding work in Melbourne.

When searching for a new job, tailor your CV. By highlighting particularly relevant skills and experience, you’re more likely to pique the interest of the person going through the applications.

Useful links

• SEEK
• Indeed
• Jora

Work culture in Melbourne

Energy, capability and a positive attitude are the key personal qualities that will endear an expat to their new work colleagues in Melbourne, far more so than impressive qualifications.

Australian workplace culture reflects the relaxed informality of everyday Australian life. There is no standing on ceremony, and relations between management and staff are informal, though still businesslike. Humour and slang are used in everyday communication, and it’s a good idea to engage in office banter when it comes up.

While Australians’ fun-loving and friendly attitude can be seen both within and outside the workplace, they do value hard work. Bragging and egotism should be avoided, though. Australians tend to be humble, as seen in the commonly held idea that everyone deserves a ‘fair go’. This phrase essentially means believing that everyone, given an equal opportunity, can succeed, and that no one person is inherently better than another.

Accommodation in Melbourne varies in size and quality, with something to suit every taste and budget. Competition for accommodation is fierce, and the market moves at a rapid pace, so you’ll need to act quickly if you find something you like.

Most expats moving to the metropolis opt to rent accommodation – a practical decision due to the high costs attached to buying property in Australia.

Although rental prices vary greatly, you can inevitably expect a hefty price tag on high-rise apartments in the city centre or properties in sought-after beachside suburbs. Other areas further outside the city centre with lower demand should have more budget-friendly options.

Areas and suburbs in Melbourne

Before choosing accommodation, you’ll need to select a suburb to live in. There are plenty of appealing areas in Melbourne. Consider logical aspects first and foremost, including proximity to Melbourne’s city centre, public transport options and the accessibility of services and amenities.

City-centre areas like Docklands and Port Melbourne have expensive and highly sought-after accommodation, mostly in the form of apartments. If you can afford it, living here will give you easy access to the best of Melbourne’s amenities, including top-notch shopping, restaurants and public transport links. Seaside suburbs like Black Rock and Williamstown have less frenetic energy than inner-city areas, but they are just as pricey.

Some cheaper options can be found in outlying suburbs such as Hawthorn, which has a lovely community of its own. Homes here are still good quality but are friendlier on the budget.

For more recommended neighbourhoods, see Areas and Suburbs in Melbourne.

Types of accommodation in Melbourne

Many expats who move to Melbourne live in apartments (also called ‘flats’) since these are the most common rentals. Upmarket flats in the city centre tend to be more expensive than flats in outlying areas.

Houses are more suitable for families, but these tend to be located in the suburbs. Rental houses in Melbourne are often built in an older style and are less equipped for extreme temperatures. More modern accommodation may have air-conditioning units.

Finding accommodation in Melbourne

There are a number of ways to search for accommodation in Melbourne. Real estate agents manage most properties, and there are many advantages to working directly with them. For example, they have good knowledge of the city and often have access to properties before they are publicly advertised.

For those who decide to go it alone, real estate websites and online property portals are good places to start. Word of mouth and connecting with other expats, both online and offline, can also be a good way to find leads that are off the beaten track.

Bear in mind that rental advertisements usually list a weekly rather than monthly price, so be sure to double-check the period for which the cost of rent is quoted before celebrating a good deal.

Useful links

• RealEstate.com.au
• Rent.com.au
• Flatmates.com.au

Renting accommodation in Melbourne

Making an application

To rent accommodation, applicants will need to provide references as well as numerous documents proving their identity. This is done according to a national standard known as the 100-point check, where various types of ID documents are each assigned a particular amount of points based on importance. Applicants must submit documents with a total value of at least 100 points to be considered.

Leases and deposits

Leases for rental properties in Melbourne usually are for one year and require a month’s rent as a deposit. The deposit is refundable and should be returned in full at the end of the tenancy, provided no damage was done to the property. Otherwise, repair costs will be taken out of the deposit before the balance is refunded.

Paying rent

Rent for accommodation in Melbourne is typically payable at the end of each month, or in some cases fortnightly, either to the estate agent or the landlord.

Useful links

• Victoria government – Renting in Victoria
• 100-point checklist

Utilities in Melbourne

Utility bills are usually not included in the rental price and are the tenant’s responsibility. When searching for accommodation, you should be sure to consider the added cost of utilities in Melbourne.

Utilities that you may need to pay for include:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Internet
• Telephone

Australian housing, including that in Victoria, is generally quite energy inefficient, and electricity, gas and water bills can accumulate quickly. It’s therefore important to budget carefully and manage your energy usage as best you can.

Read on to learn more about the various utility providers available in Melbourne and how to get set up for the services you’ll require.

Electricity, gas and water

Electricity and gas charges may either be paid directly to the company supplying the service or to the property manager. If you pay directly, the service will be in your name, while if you pay through the property manager, it will stay in their name. Note that the property manager cannot ask you to pay more than the service provider has charged them for your usage.

Distributors are the companies that own, manage and maintain the physical equipment needed to distribute electricity, gas and water. Victoria is divided into sections, with certain areas serviced by particular distributors. There are five electricity distributors and three gas distributors in Victoria. Melbourne is served by three water distributors.

While your home’s location determines your distributors, you can still choose your own service provider. The Victorian government has a comparison website where you can see whether you’re getting the best deal on your electricity. If you find a better deal, it may be possible to switch providers.

It’s worth noting that in the scorching summer months, houses with air conditioning will usually experience a spike in electricity costs.

Internet

When you move into a new place, the internet may not be automatically connected. In this case, you must either contact a service provider to put in a connection line or – if there is already a connection line – have the service connected. If you wish to have a new line put in, you’ll need permission from the property owner.

Popular ISPs in Melbourne include Aussie Broadband, Superloop and NBN.

Useful links

• Victorian Energy Compare
• Find Your Energy Distributor
• Victoria Water Corporations

The best places to live in Melbourne

Finding the right area or suburb to live in is an important step for all new arrivals in Melbourne. An expat’s neighbourhood becomes their immediate community and will shape day-to-day experiences such as commuting, shopping, entertainment and, for those with children, schooling.

When choosing housing in Melbourne, a good starting point for expats is to consider the kind of lifestyle they’re after: convenient city living, beachside sun and sand, family-oriented comfort, or a more lively bohemian area.

City-dweller areas in Melbourne

Docklands

Docklands is a bustling riverside suburb comprising trendy apartment buildings and impressive architecture. The area is popular with young professionals, particularly high-flying business types who work in the adjacent Melbourne Central Business District. Apartments in Docklands are typically pricey but make up for it with facilities such as gyms and other mod cons on site – not to mention the unrivalled views of the Yarra River.

Port Melbourne

Port Melbourne combines inner-city bayside living with sleek convenience. Despite being one of the more expensive suburbs in the city, Port Melbourne attracts young couples and singles who don’t mind forking out for the lifestyle the area offers. Residents also have easy access to public transport to almost anywhere in Melbourne.

Beachside living in Melbourne

Black Rock

The community of Black Rock is known to be friendly and welcoming, and expats are sure to feel at home in no time. This family-friendly suburb is a great place to raise children, thanks to the excellent schools and the active community.

Black Rock has countless options for healthy outdoor activities, be it a walk on the beach, running in the local parks, making use of the various sports facilities or taking on a local walking or cycling trail. There’s also an abundance of trendy cafés and restaurants in the area.

Williamstown

On any given sunny summer evening in Williamstown, it feels like everyone’s on holiday. The beachside park fills with locals and nearby residents, all out to make the most of the long, warm days. This seaside suburb is just a short train ride away from the inner city, but it feels like the urban sprawl has been left far behind.

Historic buildings and impressive old homes add to the ‘country town’ feel of Williamstown, although they also add to the high prices of local housing. The suburb has a great family atmosphere, but the cute cafés and eateries also make it popular with young professionals who want to live somewhere a bit removed from the city hubbub.

Young and trendy areas in Melbourne

Brunswick

Well suited to singles and couples, Brunswick is a laid-back suburb with plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars. Situated just a few miles from the city centre, Brunswick residents tend to shun cars and opt for the convenience of tram travel. Brunswick is a hive of creativity and unconventionality, packed with culture and diversity.

Richmond

For the convenience of city living with the friendliness of suburbia, Richmond is hard to beat. Parts of Richmond are within walking distance to the CBD, and the whole suburb is well-connected by public transport.

Richmond is a large suburb filled with fantastic eateries and shopping, and it attracts a variety of residents, from young professionals and small families to students. The area is rapidly gaining popularity, and there’s frequent construction work, which can be inconvenient. Still, for those who want to be in the beating multicultural heart of Melbourne, there’s no better place.

Family-friendly areas in Melbourne

Hawthorn

Although it lies close to the city centre, Hawthorn has a distinctly suburban feel to it. It’s a stunning, leafy suburb with plenty of large freestanding homes as well as cheaper apartment options. The proximity to the main Deakin University campus gives it the status of a university suburb and means housing is more affordable, although property prices have been on the rise recently.

Sandringham

A leafy bayside town only a few miles from the city, Sandringham has a relaxed, family-friendly feeling tempered by a touch of prestige. The houses here are often gorgeous examples of fine old architecture with lavish layouts. Expats don’t have to leave the suburb for great food, and the suburb’s handy little shopping village looks like it’s been lifted from a country town. There are plenty of fine schools nearby, so it’s a good place to settle for those with children.

With its impressive architecture and beachside properties, this suburb is one of the more expensive areas in Melbourne.

Healthcare in Melbourne is governed by the same hybrid public-private sector service provision as in the rest of Australia. The national universal healthcare insurance scheme known as Medicare can be used by permanent visa holders and allows access to public health services.

Those with temporary visas aren’t eligible for Medicare. We advise that expats in this position invest in comprehensive private health insurance.

Still, even expats who are eligible to take advantage of the public system will find that certain aspects of healthcare aren’t covered, with the private system filling in the gaps. These extras can be incredibly expensive without coverage, which is why even permanent residents who are eligible for Medicare may wish to take out additional private health insurance.

To learn more about the ins and outs of Medicare, see Healthcare in Australia.

Below are some of Melbourne’s most prominent hospitals.

Hospitals in Melbourne

The Alfred

Website: www.alfredhealth.org.au 
Address: 55 Commercial Rd, Melbourne, VIC 3004

Mulgrave Private Hospital

Website: www.mulgraveprivate.com.au 
Address: 48 Blanton Dr, Mulgrave, VIC 3170

Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne

Website: www.rch.org.au 
Address: 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC 305

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne

Website: www.svhm.org.au 
Address: 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC 3065

One of the foremost concerns for expat parents will be ensuring that their children have access to high-quality education and schools in Melbourne. The city has a number of good government schools and also a few highly rated private and independent schools.

With few schools in Melbourne offering the curriculum of a foreign country, only some nationalities have the option of continuing with their home country’s schooling. A good alternative for expats is the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme, which is recognised worldwide and offered by several schools in Melbourne.

Government schools in Melbourne

Public schools in Melbourne are open to any child regardless of their parents’ visa status. Education is free for citizens and residents, but non-residents may be required to pay tuition fees. It is best for expat parents to consult with government websites to find out whether they will need to pay fees and how much.

Certain residential zones belong to specific catchment areas in Australia. The division of these areas is strict, and an expat’s inclusion in an area may come down to which side of the road they live on. It is possible to attend a school outside an assigned area, but only if that school has space available. For this reason, it is often best to base accommodation on desired school zones. Information on catchment zones is available online.

Useful links

• Victoria Department of Education
• Melbourne Public School Zone Map

Non-government schools in Melbourne

Most of Melbourne’s non-government schools are Catholic schools. These schools are managed by Melbourne Archdiocese Catholic Schools (MACS). Although Catholic students from the area around the school are given preference, non-Catholic students may be admitted if there is space.

Non-Catholic private schools are commonly called ‘independent schools’ and are represented by an organisation known as Independent Schools Victoria (ISV). Independent schools follow a particular religious or educational philosophy or curriculum.

Useful links

• MACS
• ISV

International schools in Melbourne

With just a handful of international schools available in Melbourne, many parents who want their children to continue studying their home curriculum may be out of luck.

Most of the city’s international schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) – a standard international programme – which means these schools are an ideal solution for expat parents who move around a lot. Among the international schools are Japanese, German and French schools.

Melbourne’s international schools offer high-quality education at high prices, but in some cases, parents may be able to negotiate an education allowance with their employers. This kind of financial support can be very helpful, although parents should keep in mind that there may be additional expenses above and beyond school fees, such as for uniforms and textbooks.

Special-needs education in Melbourne

Melbourne has a comprehensive programme for students with special educational needs. Working with schools and health specialists, parents can draw up an ‘individual education plan’ for their child. This plan is tailored to the individual’s needs, focusing on developing strengths and identifying weaknesses, and is reviewed at least once per school term.

While special education services in Melbourne aim for inclusion, there are also separate facilities available for children whose needs can’t be accommodated in mainstream schools.

Useful links

• Victoria Government – Inclusive Education

Tutors in Melbourne

There are a number of reputable tutor companies in and around Melbourne offering a range of services. Tutors can be useful to expat children struggling with a particular subject or who just require a bit of help getting into the swing of a new schooling system.

Children who don’t speak English as their first language can also benefit from private tutoring, whether to strengthen their English skills or with a native speaker of their home language, to ensure that fluency is retained.

Useful links

• Superprof
• Alchemy Tuition

Melbourne is popular with expats from around the world and brims with interesting attractions and activities. Fabulous shopping opportunities, an active nightlife scene and an eclectic mix of eateries are complemented by a variety of entertainment venues, world-class sports facilities, highly anticipated annual events and luxurious spas.

Melbourne’s nightlife is fairly evenly spread across the city, with cocktail lounges, underground dance clubs, pumping bars, and live music venues found all over town.

Shopping in Melbourne

Melbourne has a reputation as a shopper’s city. Whether expats are looking for elegant arcades, bustling markets, quirky laneways or shiny megamalls, Melbourne has something for every occasion.

Shopping centres

Shopping enthusiasts will be spoilt for choice in Melbourne. A great place to start is Melbourne Central Shopping Centre – this five-storey mall is one of the city’s premium shopping venues, with more than 300 shops to explore. Other must-see malls include Chadstone, which brands itself as ‘the shopping capital’, and Bourke Street Mall, located in the heart of the CBD.

Markets

Melbourne loves a market and is proudly home to the largest open-air market in the Southern Hemisphere.

Queen Victoria Market has been serving up fresh produce and hawking clothes, shoes and various trinkets since the late 1800s. Shoppers will find plenty to taste, try and buy in hundreds of on-site stalls. Many locals travel to the markets to buy fresh fish, but it is also possible to find almost any ingredient imaginable here, from fragrant herbs and vegetables to delicious cheeses and spices.

There are plenty of markets in the Melbourne suburbs as well, ranging from fresh produce or farmers’ markets to arts and crafts or trash and treasure markets.

Arcades and laneways

This is where the true heart of Melbourne lies – in the twisting laneways and hidden arcades that host unique boutiques and oddity merchants. It is possible to live in Melbourne for years and still stumble across a great new shopping find in a laneway, and it can be fun to devote a day of aimless wandering around the city centre discovering hidden gems. Degraves Street, Royal Arcade and Block Arcade are some of the most highly recommended spots.

Sports in Melbourne

Melbourne is well known as the sporting capital of Australia. The Australian Football League (AFL), or Aussie Rules football as the locals call it, is by far the most popular sport played in the city. Expats can join a team or spend a weekend attending one of many AFL games held from March to September at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Docklands Stadium.

The 100,000-seater MCG has an electric atmosphere. Watching a cricket game here is an essential experience, and expats should certainly not pass up the opportunity, particularly if a touring international team is in town.

The tennis at the Australian Open in January is another sporting highlight, attracting hardened tennis fans and new supporters alike.

Nightlife in Melbourne

The hidden ‘laneways’ – narrow pedestrian pathways – are a distinctive part of Melbourne, and many drinking establishments catering to countless different crowds can be found here. Once the workweek is over, those who have put in hard hours tend to head straight to happy hour at their favourite bar or pub. There’s everything from upmarket bars and cool lounges playing funky tunes to backpacker pubs and edgy watering holes.

See and do in Melbourne

National Gallery of Victoria

The National Gallery of Victoria, or the NGV, is a must-see for art lovers. It is Australia’s largest, oldest and most visited art museum. With more than 75,000 pieces in its collection, the NGV boasts a wide selection of art for visitors to explore.

Federation Square

Federation Square is a public open-air area popular with locals. There is always a hive of activity here with various events, cultural showcases, art displays and public broadcasts on the go.

Old Melbourne Gaol

This three-storey museum once functioned as a prison between 1842 and 1929. During this time, more than a hundred criminals were hanged, including serial killer Frederick Bailey Deeming and bushranger Ned Kelly.

What’s on in Melbourne

Australian Open Tennis Championships (January)

The Australian Open is one of the biggest sporting events, not only in Australia but the world. Sports lovers will be enthralled as some of the biggest names in tennis come to Australia to compete in this renowned competition.

Moomba Festival (March)

The Moomba Festival has been around for decades, attracting millions of attendees annually. Featuring activities such as parades, watersports, fireworks and carnivals, Moomba is one of Melbourne’s biggest and brightest festivals. Best of all, attendance is completely free.

Melbourne Cup (November)

One of the most popular events on Melbourne’s social calendar, the Melbourne Cup has been going since 1861 and is a prime opportunity to get dressed up and enjoy a day at the races.

Carols by Candlelight (December)

The Sidney Myer Music Bowl is the setting of Carols by Candlelight, a festive Christmas Eve event attracting large crowds. The melodies range from contemporary to traditional, and the proceeds go to Vision Australia.

While Melbourne has a lot to offer, the grind of urban life can sometimes leave expats in need of a break from the city. Luckily, the region around Melbourne provides plenty of opportunities for a weekend escape.

For weekend breaks close to home, it’s a choice between the coast or countryside, but expats will also find that in a country the size of Australia, locals think nothing of flying or driving long distances.

Recommended weekend breaks in Melbourne

Daylesford

Daylesford is known for its luxurious spas and quaint bed and breakfasts. The Lake House at Daylesford is one of Victoria’s premier fine-dining destinations, with a menu featuring locally sourced seasonal produce. Wine enthusiasts are also sure to enjoy a trip to Daylesford, as it is considered one of Australia’s top regions for Pinot Noir.

The Great Alpine Road

Running between Wangaratta in the north and Bairnsdale in the east, the Great Alpine Road is perfect for a road trip. Travellers can take in a variety of landscapes along the way, from stunning mountainous scenery to breathtaking views of valleys, forests and rivers. With various national parks and alpine resorts on the route, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities such as mountain climbing, canoeing, hang gliding and, in the winter, skiing.

The Great Ocean Road

Many tourists make day trips to this stunning stretch of coastline along Australia’s southwestern edge. Expats should check out the Great Ocean Road’s famous rock formations, the Twelve Apostles. Another must-see on this drive is the relics of seafaring tragedies that are still visible along the aptly named Shipwreck Coast. Many of the ships that sank here date back to the gold rush era of the 1800s.

Mornington Peninsula

A weekend away is a great opportunity for a Mornington Peninsula adventure. Situated to the south of Melbourne, the peninsula is one of Melbourne residents’ favourite summer getaways. The roaring waves and secluded beaches are perfect for surfing, diving or just a stroll along the shore, while the hot springs are just the ticket after a stressful week.

Expat children moving to Melbourne will scarcely have time to miss their friends back home, since this fun-filled coastal city has tons to see and do.

The communities that make up Melbourne’s melting-pot culture place a high value on family life and are known to be child-friendly. There’s a wide variety of family-friendly suburbs in Melbourne, and most families live in standalone houses rather than apartments, affording more space and usually a garden. With at least six months a year of warm, dry weather, kids can partake in countless fun outdoor activities.

Out and about with kids in Melbourne

Melbourne caters for all types of families, from the adventurous to the artistic, and there’s always plenty to see and do in the city.

For children who love animals, there are a number of zoos in and around the city filled with weird and wonderful creatures. Collingwood Children’s Farm gives city kids a glimpse at farm life. A little further out from the city, families can head to Philip Island to see penguins.

The beach is the place to be in summer, and Melbourne’s gorgeous coastline promises hours of fun in the sun.

Arts and entertainment for kids in Melbourne

During school holidays, children of all ages can enjoy an outing to Luna Park, a carnival with something for everyone. Kids can also learn while having fun with hands-on interactive technology exhibits at Scienceworks or splash paint about at an art class.

The Australian Centre for the Moving Image and the National Gallery of Victoria both run lively kids’ holiday programmes, during which children can interact with demonstrations and artworks.

Relocating can be stressful, so it’s important to have the right service provider to assist in the relocation process. It is also essential that expats familiarise themselves with the customs regulations and restrictions on certain goods prior to shipping any household contents.

Shipping pets and household goods to Melbourne

All household goods and personal effects will be subject to customs inspection and clearance. Items that have been owned for 12 months or less will be under more intense scrutiny but will not necessarily be subject to customs fees.

Besides the actual shipping and transit times, expats must also allow time for customs clearance and delivery. Advice should be available through a shipping and removals company.

Shipping pets to Melbourne may require quarantine and necessitates careful planning. We recommend enlisting the help of a pet relocation specialist.

Find out more about Shipping and Removals in Australia.

Useful links

Australian Border Force

Most expats are a bit nervous about moving to a new country and tend to have queries about various aspects of life in their soon-to-be home.

Below are our answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about moving to Melbourne.

Where should I live in Melbourne?

This depends entirely on preference and priorities. Some favoured areas and suburbs are right in the city centre and are popular with students or young professionals. More family-oriented expats may prefer living farther out in the suburbs or on the coast.

Is there a lot to do in the city?

With a number of annual events and local attractions, expats in Melbourne should find it fairly easy to keep themselves entertained. For those looking for adventure and hoping to explore, there are a couple of great road trip destinations for weekend getaways.

Will I experience any culture shock?

Despite some similarities to other Western countries such as the US and UK, expats may still get homesick, compounded by the unfamiliar day-to-day idiosyncrasies of Australian life and culture.

Adapting to any new country can be difficult, but luckily, there is a big expat community in Melbourne that can help ease the culture shock.

Can I bring my pet to Australia?

Most likely, yes, but bringing a pet to Australia is a complicated process that requires a lot of documentation and planning. Ideally, expats intending to bring a furry friend with them should consult a relocation company for advice to ensure that all the right steps are followed.

Getting around in Melbourne is easy thanks to an efficient public transport system that includes rail, tram and bus services. The wealth of transport options available allows you to move about freely and get to grips with the metropolis with ease.

Along with frequent daytime stops, most modes of transport have a ‘Night Network’ service on weekends that runs every 30 to 60 minutes. That said, those living in some of the more isolated suburbs of Melbourne might find it handy to have their own wheels. Expats should research transport options thoroughly when considering where to live in Melbourne.

Public transport in Melbourne

Melbourne has an integrated public transport ticketing system, based on the use of a contactless, reusable smartcard referred to as ‘myki’. The myki smartcard can be used on all of Melbourne’s trains, trams and buses.

Commuters can buy a weekly, monthly or annual myki pass, or they can load the card with myki money, which can be used to pay for single journeys. When the myki money balance gets low or when the pass runs out, you can simply top up at a station or myki vendor.

Trams

Melbourne has the world’s largest tram network, consisting of 250km (155 miles) of tram track. The network includes more than 1,700 stops.

Trams in Melbourne are operated by Yarra Trams. They’re a frequent and reliable form of transport, with over 500 trams in operation throughout the city’s network.

Melbourne has two free tram routes: the Free Tram Zone in the CBD and the City Circle Tram, which stops at various attractions in the city.

Trains

Melbourne’s City Trains Melbourne operates the city’s rail network. The network consists of 16 railway lines and more than 220 stations. Flinders Street Station is the main hub for city trains.

Regional services are also available and are operated by V/Line, with seven passenger railway lines connecting Melbourne to various towns and cities in Victoria. The centre of this regional passenger rail network is Southern Cross Station in Melbourne’s city centre.

Bus

The bus network in Melbourne consists of buses operated by several bus companies under a franchise from the state government. There are around 300 bus routes in operation, some of which provide transport for the outer suburbs of Melbourne that aren’t reached by train and tram services.

Useful links

• myki
• Yarra Trams
• Metro Trains
• Public Transport Victoria Journey Planner

Taxis in Melbourne

Melbourne has a fleet of bright yellow taxis that operate according to a meter system. Fares are regulated by the government, so there’s no risk of being overcharged, but taxis are still the city’s most expensive mode of transport.

Taxi availability can sometimes be an issue, particularly during peak hours, so it’s best to pre-book ahead of time if possible. Different companies own taxis, and each has its own website where rides can be booked.

Ride-hailing services like Uber are also widely available throughout Melbourne and its outlying suburbs.

Useful links

Uber Melbourne

Driving in Melbourne

Expats living further away from Melbourne’s inner city will find having a car useful. The city’s highways and roads are known to become congested during peak hours, however. Driving in Melbourne is fairly straightforward, especially for those who are used to driving on the left-hand side of the road. One difference that expats might need to get used to is sharing the road with tram services.

You can drive on a foreign licence in Melbourne for up to three months before you’ll need to obtain an Australian driving licence. Certain nationalities are exempt from doing practical and theory testing for licensing purposes, meaning they can simply exchange their home licence for an Australian one.

Other countries are part of an agreement allowing their nationals to be classified as an ‘experienced driver’. In this case, individuals over the age of 25 can exchange their licence, while those below this age will need to do testing before the exchange can be made.

Note that if your licence from your home country isn’t in English, you’ll have to get it legally translated before arriving in Australia.

Useful links

• Austroads – Applying for a licence

Cycling in Melbourne

Melbourne is a cycle-friendly city with an extensive network of bicycle paths and cycle lanes. These are regularly used for commuting to and from work and for recreation.

Melbourne also has an innovative electric bicycle-sharing system known as Lime. Anyone wishing to hire a Lime bike can do so through the Uber or Lime app.