Ultimate Guide to Melbourne as International Students

For first-time international students arriving in Melbourne, understanding the entry process is essential. Below are the typical steps you may go through before opening a new world.

Step 1: Visa Preparation

Before entering, ensure you have obtained your student visa. Carry important documents such as your visa confirmation letter, passport, and admission information (paper COE and Offer) in your carry-on luggage for inspection.

Step 2: Completing the Arrival Card

Upon approaching Melbourne Airport, flight attendants will distribute an arrival card. This card includes personal information, items to declare, contact details, and purpose of visit. Fill out the card in English, both the Chinese and English versions, and sign it.

Step 3: Immigration Procedures

Follow signs to find the ePassport self-service area to print your self-service clearance card for quick immigration clearance. The process is as follows: Insert your passport photo page facing down into the machine, answer the questions displayed on the screen, and then receive your self-clearance card. Proceed to the Smart Gate and insert your clearance card. Remove glasses and hats, face the camera for matching, collect your ticket upon successful matching, and the gate will open automatically. Note that self-clearance requires an electronic passport; if you have an old passport, you’ll need to use the manual lane.

Step 4: Collecting Luggage

After completing immigration procedures, proceed to the Luggage Claim area according to signs and wait patiently for your luggage.

Step 5: Customs Inspection

Customs inspection is the final step before entry. Queue up for customs inspection after collecting your luggage. Show your arrival card to customs officers. If you have nothing to declare, proceed through the green channel (nothing to declare). If you have items to declare, go through the red channel (declare).

Note that customs officers and airport security personnel may randomly inspect your luggage and phone at any time. Therefore, it’s advisable to confirm in advance what you can and cannot bring and what needs to be declared to avoid unnecessary trouble.

After clearing customs, you can choose suitable transportation to your next destination.

2. Melbourne’s Climate & Clothing Tips

Melbourne, located in the southern hemisphere, experiences spring from September to November, summer from December to February, autumn from March to May, and winter from June to August.

The coldest month in winter is July, with temperatures ranging from 3 to 15°C, while the hottest month in summer is January, with an average temperature of around 25°C. Occasionally, temperatures above 40°C may occur. Overall, Melbourne’s climate is relatively mild and comfortable, with low rainfall and relatively dry conditions.

Considering Melbourne’s climate, international students don’t need overly heavy clothing or bedding. Typically, a coat is sufficient to stay warm during winter.

Local attire in Melbourne is primarily casual, given the temperature fluctuations between morning and evening. Also, you can consider the “dumpling” style.

3. Guide for Applying Melbourne SIM & Bank Cards

SIM Card

In Melbourne, there are three telecommunications companies: Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. Each company offers different phone plans with varying costs, contract terms, data allowances, long-distance charges, and recharge methods. You can choose a plan based on your own needs.

Here are the characteristics of the three telecommunications companies:

Telstra: Australia’s largest telecommunications company; highly favored by international students; boasts the widest 4G network coverage and fastest data transfer speeds; offers a variety of plans but with higher costs (especially for international roaming fees).

Optus: Australia’s second-largest telecommunications company; offers flexible plans (phone-only, data-only, or both); cheaper international roaming fees compared to Telstra; 4G network coverage not as extensive as Telstra’s and may not be suitable for remote areas of Australia.

Vodafone: Australia’s third-largest telecommunications company; offers relatively cheaper phone and data plans, with many student discounts available; 4G network coverage and signal stability not as strong as Telstra and Optus.

Types of SIM cards available

1. • Prepaid: These are rechargeable phone cards where you pay in advance before using. They are like temporary cards and can be purchased online or at a store, then activated by recharging. They can be easily deactivated or replaced, making them suitable for short-term use or travel without needing to undergo formal termination procedures upon departure.

1. • SIM only: There are options with and without contracts. With a contract, you typically commit to a plan for 12 or 24 months, paying a fixed monthly fee. Changes to the plan are usually not allowed during the contract period. Without a contract, costs may be higher but you have more flexibility to change plans at any time. Formal termination procedures are required when leaving Australia.

1. • Phone plan: This involves signing a contract with a telecommunications company to purchase a phone. The contract duration is typically 12 or 24 months, with monthly deductions for the plan (similar to SIM only) and the cost of the phone. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and the application process involves providing documents such as passport, student ID, and bank statements. After application, you can suspend or terminate the contract at any time.

Bank Card

Below are the two most commonly used banks by international students in Melbourne, recommended for everyone:

Commonwealth Bank (CBA):

• Offers free student accounts.
• Provides student-exclusive credit card services.
• Has numerous branches and ATMs for convenient deposits and withdrawals.
• Supports Apple Pay.
• Offers a highly functional mobile app, which is popular among students.

• Offers annual fee-free student accounts for international students (need student cards).
• Supports Apple Pay.
• Has branches in other countries, like China, convenient for you to apply for a bank card before you leave for Melbourne.

The process of opening a bank account for international students in Melbourne is relatively straightforward. Here are the steps to apply for a bank card at a bank branch:

 

Step 1: Prepare Documents

Required documents include your passport, student card, Confirmation of Enrolment (COE), and Offer letter.

 

Step 2: Visit the Bank Branch

• Bank branch operating hours are usually from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. Some branches may also operate from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM on Saturdays, while remaining closed on public holidays.
• Arrive at the bank during operating hours and inform the staff that you are an international student needing to “open an account.”
• Fill out an account opening form under the guidance of the staff to complete the bank account opening process.
• Typically, you’ll need to open two accounts: a transaction account for daily transactions and a savings account for storing money temporarily.
• During the account opening process, the staff will guide you through downloading the bank’s app and instruct you on its usage.

 

Step 3: Receive Your Card

Unlike in some countries, you won’t receive your bank card immediately after opening the account. Instead, it will be mailed to you within approximately 7 working days.

Once you receive the card, activate it to access Netbank and link it with Apple Pay.

 

4. Tranportation Guide in Melbourne

• Getting from Melbourne Airport to the city centre by airport bus or train is the most economical option. If you prefer convenience, you can choose a taxi or pre-book a shuttle service.
• For traveling around Melbourne, most international students rely on public transportation or walking, with fewer opting for driving.
• Public transportation in Melbourne is highly convenient, including buses, trams, trains, and regional trains (V/Line).
• The Myki card is Melbourne’s public transportation card and is essential for all modes of public transport. Remember to tap on and off when using trams, buses, or regional trains.
• Additionally, for train and tram information, you can download the PTV App.

 

Trains:

Trains traverse major transport routes and residential areas in Melbourne, with 16 train lines in total. Operating hours are generally from 5 am to 12 am on weekdays (extended to 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays) and from 7 am to 11 pm on Sundays. Trains run every 10-20 minutes during the day and less frequently at night. 

 

Each train station has a screen on the platform displaying the platform number, departure time and stop, and you need to swipe your card to get on and off the train.

 

Regional Trains (V/Line):

There are five lines for Regional Trains: Bendigo, Seymour, Gippsland, Geelong and Ballarat. V/Line offers services to and from Melbourne and various regions in Victoria, providing convenient transportation options.

 

Tickets are available for single journeys, return journeys and monthly passes, and the Myki Card can be used to travel with discounted off-peak fares. You must use your Myki card to get on and off the intercity train.

 

Trams:

Trams radiate from the city centre to surrounding areas, offering frequent services. Trams are essential for students living in the city centre and can be accessed using the Myki card. Some tram rides are free within the Free Tram Zone in CBD, but remember to tap on and off with your Myki card when leaving the zone. As if you belong to the Free tram zone (including Chinatown, Royal Exhibition Building, Southbank, Flinders Street Station, etc.), you can ride for free, but once you are out of the zone, you must swipe your card, and you will be fined if you are caught.

 

Buses:

Melbourne has over 300 bus routes, reaching areas where trains may not be available.  Bus routes can be complex, and some do not announce stops, so passengers need to watch for displays and signal the driver when they want to disembark. You need to swipe your card to get on and off the bus.

 

The frequency of buses is minor, and the waiting time is extended, usually 15~30min.   The buses typically run until 11 pm, with overnight buses running on some significant roads after 11 pm on weekends.

 

Other Transport Options:

For other transportation options, international students can choose taxis or ride-hailing services like Uber, DiDi, or Ola. While taxis are generally more expensive, ride-hailing services are preferred by students, but safety precautions should always be taken into account.