Known as the cultural capital of Australia, Melbourne brings together differentiated gastronomy, a respectable art scene, events for all tastes and is a benchmark when it comes to education and exchange in Australia.

Want to know more about the city that has been voted the best in the world to live in seven times? Check out our complete guide to Melbourne!

Demographics

Melbourne is Australia's second largest city, behind Sydney. With a population of 4,870,388, the capital is home to 75% of the people living in the state of Victoria. According to the last Census, 33% of Melbourne's inhabitants were born outside Australia, with the British community being the largest in the city, after the Australian. Other representative communities are Chinese, Greek, Indian, Italian, New Zealand and Vietnamese.

Experts believe that if Melbourne continues to grow at the same rate, it will overtake Sydney to become Australia's largest city within 25 years.

Weather

Melbourne is located on the coast of the State of Victoria, has a temperate oceanic climate and is well known for its variable weather conditions. This temperature differential is more frequent in the spring and summer seasons and can cause strong cold fronts. However, the seasons are well defined. Melbourne's winter is harsher than Sydney's, reaching freezing temperatures at dawn and even recording snow in more severe winters.

Time zone

Melbourne is 13 hours ahead of Brasilia time.

Minimum wage

The current minimum wage in Australia is AUD $19.49 (information updated in July/2019).

Job market

Melbourne's gastronomy is very diverse and drives the city, and this is directly reflected in the job opportunities in the hospitality industry, one of the fields that most attracts students. Waiter, barista, kitchen helper and general service vacancies are constant and usually increase during the summer, but that's not all. Similar in style to São Paulo, Melbourne also has opportunities in a variety of areas in stores and businesses in general, small offices, large companies, etc. It's important to remember that exchange students shouldn't limit themselves to more operational roles, to experiment and try activities in the area in which he worked in Brazil or in a new profession.

Cost of living

The cost of living in Melbourne is considered intermediate compared to Sydney and Brisbane. The rent for a shared room, for example, ranges from AUD $140 to AUD $185 per week, and for a private room from AUD $220 to AUD $400 per week. On the other hand, the average weekly spend in the market, considering someone who cooks and makes meals at home, is AUD $70 per week.

Public transportation

Melbourne's downtown streetcars are famous not only for their retro style, but also for offering free transportation in the city center. To check out the Free Tram Zone, click here.

Students can buy a Myki card to use on buses, metro and streetcars, and fares are calculated according to the zones traveled. The fares are AUD $4.40 to travel in zones 1 and 2 within a two-hour period and AUD $3 to travel only in zone 2, also within a two-hour period. There is also the option of buying tickets for monthly or annual use, which includes a discount on the total. To calculate what's best for you, visit the official Melbourne public transport website.

Bachelor, associate degree, diploma and advanced diploma students are eligible for the Myki award, getting a 50% discount on the annual plan.

Federation Square

It is in this "square" that around 2,000 events take place every year. Federation Square is a cultural area that brings together museums, galleries, restaurants, bars and general attractions such as festivals, markets and celebrations. From there, you can still get an incredible view of the city, Southbank and the Yarra River. Every morning, a one-hour guided tour departs from the Tourist Information Center. Plan ahead!

Facts about Melbourne

• Melbourne's streetcar system is the largest outside Europe and the fourth largest in the world, stretching over 244 km of track and boasting 450 streetcars;
• A person who comes from or lives in Melbourne is called a "Melbournian";
• Melbourne has the highest number of cafés and restaurants per head of population than any other city in the world;
• The Melbourne Cup, the country's horse race, was run for the first time in 1861. Seventeen horses competed and Archer was the first winner of the competition and also the second, when he won again the following year. Now the highlight of the annual Spring Racing Carnival, the Melbourne Cup is run on the first Tuesday in November.
• Australia's first pizzeria, Toto's, opened on Lygon Street in 1961, where it still operates today. In addition to the original restaurant at 101 Lygon Street, Carlton, Toto's Pizza also has restaurants in South Melbourne, Richmond and Essendon;
• The Great Hall of the National Gallery of Victoria is home to the largest stained glass ceiling in the world. Designed by Leonard French, it stands 13.72 meters above the ground and measures 60.9 x 15.24 meters. The National Gallery of Victoria is located at 180 St. Kilda Road in Melbourne;
• Melbourne invests a lot of resources in education, health, research and development, infrastructure, tourism and sports. That's why it has been voted the world's most liveable city seven times in a row!

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Have you decided on your departure date for Melbourne? And to find out more about studying in Australia, talk to us!