From Eh to Oz
The University of Melbourne is arguably Australia’s most reputable university with a tradition of excellence in research and teaching. Canadians choose Melbourne because of its high ranking among the best universities in the world.
Located right on the doorstep of Melbourne’s CBD, the University of Melbourne is a great place to learn. It’s close to public transport, fantastic cafes, shopping, arts and sports venues and accommodation.
On the Melbourne Boarding Pass, you’ll find everything you need to know about getting ready to go to the University of Melbourne, including how to accept your offer and accommodation tips.
Accepting Your Offer
Congratulations on receiving your offer!
Here are some important tips to ensure your acceptance process is as easy and smooth as possible.
Important Information
Congratulations once again on receiving your offer!
Please take time to read your offer email and letter of offer carefully and make sure all the information is correct.
Acceptance deadline/offer lapse date: Make sure to complete your acceptance process prior to this date. If a lapse date is not indicated on your letter of offer, we have provided a lapse date for you in your offer email.
This date will give you enough time to submit your acceptance documents, receive your Confirmation of Enrolment, apply for and obtain your student visa, kiss your family and friends goodbye at the airport, and hop on a plane bound for Australia!
Check your name: (As on your passport), birth date, and student (applicant) ID number, campus location
Commencement and completion dates: Plan to arrive in Australia at least two weeks prior to your class start date.
Acceptance deposit amount: Your offer letter gives you the deposit amount required to hold your place.
Tuition fees: Your offer letter will list the total tuition fees.
University’s tuition fee policy: Please note that the University of Melbourne reviews all fees annually and these fees are subject to change without notice. It is important to factor this into your financial plan.
Understand Melbourne’s refund policy.
Australian Release Policy: It is important to be aware of the Australian Release Policy. If you are considering transferring to another Australian institution, you must be aware that if you apply for a visa, you will be unable to change institutions. You should not apply for a visa unless you are certain you want to attend that university. Please read the Australian Government’s Release Policy for more information. Let us know if you have any questions!
Specific admissions requirements/conditions (if applicable), including vaccination info and certificate requirements.
Declining Your Offer?
In case you choose to decline your offer, please let us know as soon as possible. Let us know by emailing your OzTREKK admissions officer outlining your decision and reason for declining your offer. We will then advise the university on your behalf. This is important because it can potentially open a spot for another student!
How to Accept
Step 1 – Read Your Entire Offer Letter
Ensure that you have read and understood your Offer Letter and all terms and conditions.
Step 2 – Set up your student account at Get Started at Melbourne
This will guide you through accepting your offer to your first class.
Step 2 – Respond to Offer
- Once in the portal, select Complete Agreement.
- Select the Offers tab to view offer.
- Select Respond to Offer and follow the prompts to accept your offer.
Step 3 – Pay Acceptance Deposit
Pay the acceptance deposit amount indicated on your offer letter.
When making your payment, quote your student ID and upload your receipt in the Melbourne Student Portal.
Payments can be made online through CIBC Foreign Exchange, Visa, or MasterCard or, for additional details and the telegraphic transfer option visit Payment Methods. Do not pay by BPay, money order, or bank draft.
Step 4 – Confirm Acceptance with OzTREKK
Once you have accepted your offer and completed your payment, please email us to let us know, so we can keep an eye out for your CoE.
Step 5 – Receive Your CoE
When your acceptance and payment are processed, the university will create your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). OzTREKK will email your CoE and instructions on how to apply for your Australian student visa.
Payment Methods
Payments can be made online through CIBC Foreign Exchange (similar to Convera) or Visa or MasterCard. For additional details and the wire transfer option, visit Payment Methods.
#OzTREKKTip: Do not pay by BPAY, bank draft, or cheque.
If you plan to pay your acceptance deposit via credit card, contact the credit card company and advise them that a large payment will soon be processed in Australia, in Australian dollars, as it may be deemed a possible fraud attempt.
Accommodation
About Accommodation
Before you get into the nitty gritty about your university-specific accommodation options, it’s important to review the basics of securing long-term accommodation in Australia, which is often the number one predeparture priority of OzTREKK students. If you aren’t living on campus or pre-arranging accommodation before you leave Canada, we highly recommend that you understand how renting a property in Oz works, so you’ll be prepared to hunt for a place to live when you arrive. There are many benefits in arranging housing after you arrive. You can
- physically inspect the property before accepting the terms and conditions of the lease;
- decide whether you will be comfortable in your new neighbourhood;
- assess the noise levels, both by day and night. Remember, you need to be able to sleep and study in your new home;
- check whether it is well-lit at night.
This process still requires preparation. Consider the following:
- Ensure you have temporary accommodation arranged.
- Be prepared financially for the time you may need to spend in temporary accommodation.
- Make housing your first priority.
- Avoid rushing your house hunting. Feeling rushed can hinder your ability to make wise choices.
- Be informed. Before you arrive, read as much as you can about the various housing options and how to arrange them. Then you can get straight into house hunting after you arrive, rather than trying to figure out where to go and what to do.
Things to consider when comparing options
- Location – Take a look at Google Maps when comparing accommodation options!
- Amenities – Kitchen, meal plan, gym, A/C, etc.
- Cost/price range – This will be dependent on the location and amenities, typically the closer to campus and the most amenities offered the higher the price.
Short-term Accommodation
OzTREKK recommends that you book temporary accommodation prior to leaving Canada if you plan to secure long-term housing once you arrive in Australia. Please note the city of Melbourne can be very busy in January and February!
Visit University of Melbourne’s Temporary Accommodation Guide for more info.
If you are interested in exploring other options for temporary accommodation, you can visit the following websites for hotel and backpacker information:
On Campus
Offered at most universities in Australia, on-campus accommodations can be individual bedrooms or shared bedrooms with shared facilities. Australians often call these on-campus residences “colleges,” which Canadians should not confuse with the reference of “college” meaning a post-secondary institution. Residential colleges sometimes provide a meal plan, while others have a shared kitchen available.
Please also pay attention to application deadlines for on-campus residences as these tend to fill up fast in Australia, just as they do at Canadian universities. You normally have to receive an offer from your Australian university before you are eligible to apply for on-campus housing.
Where are they?
All residential colleges are located within 15 minutes’ walking distance from the University of Melbourne’s Parkville campus. The colleges are a tram-ride from Melbourne’s CBD and a short walk from the Lygon Street precinct.
Learn more about the residential halls and colleges.
Student Village
The Student Village is located on Leicester Street right in the heart of Melbourne.
Off Campus, Managed
The University of Melbourne now offers its own dedicated student apartments via the Melbourne Accommodation Program. While the university takes into consideration your accommodation preferences, your preferred choice is not guaranteed.
Residential Colleges
There are eleven Residential Colleges at the University of Melbourne. They provide an enriching and supportive environment for approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students.
Located in Parkville and Carlton, the colleges offer first-class academic support, cultural activities and sporting programs. Each college has a vibrant and diverse social atmosphere.
Get more info about off-campus student-specific managed apartments near the University of Melbourne.
Apartment-style
Lisa Bellear House, 303 Royal Parade offer accommodations with kitchens in each unit, and no meals plans are included
Little Hall is located between the heart of Melbourne and the Parkville campus, Little Hall is a residential community, offering a modern take on a college experience with premium apartment-style accommodation.
The Lofts offers apartment-style graduate accommodation located in Melbourne Connect (just metres from the Parkville campus), a collaboration precinct, bringing together highest calibre industry, researchers, entrepreneurs, and thinkers.
Dorm Style
UniLodge at Lincoln House dormitory style options with meal plans (no kitchen in the unit)
International House offers graduate student accommodations with communal kitchens or the option to purchase meal vouchers
Other Managed Accommodation Options (not affiliated with UniMelb)
There are a number of managed accommodation options that are close to campus. Although these options are not directly associated with the university, they offer the same type of amenities and feel. This is not an exhaustive list, rather just a few options to get you started.
Scape Berkeley II offers studio apartments and shared student accommodation located on Berkeley Street in Carlton, Melbourne.
Student Housing Australia has a 3 different options in the Carleton neighbourhood.
Student Village offers anywhere from studies -4 person apartments and is located on Leicester Street right in the heart of Melbourne.
Semester in Australia
Semester in Australia offers furnished 2- , 3-, and 4-bedroom houses in the inner-city suburbs of North Melbourne and West Melbourne, with rates starting at AUD$12,950 for a single room with private bathroom (in a 6-bedroom/6-person student apartment) per semester (February to end of June; July to end of November).
Private Rentals
This is the most popular option for students from Canada studying at Australian universities.
Allow several weeks before orientation to find a suitable property. Demand is high right before the beginning of semester. Don’t settle on an unsatisfactory place out of desperation—it can be difficult to break your lease if you decide you want to vacate.
Be prepared to inspect at least 7 to 10 places. The more properties you see, the better able you will be to assess whether a property meets your needs and is reasonably priced.
Most popular suburbs for students are Carlton, Parkville, North/West Melbourne, and Fitzroy.
Many students also live in the CBD or Southbank where rents are higher, depending on the type of accommodation. St. Kilda’s (the beach) is approximately 20 minutes by car or 50 minutes by bus.
Visit Melbourne’s private rental accommodation website for more information and tips.
To find off-campus accommodation providers, rental tips, property advice, etc., visit
Look for a Place and a Roommate
- Student Sharehousing Australia
- Have a look at student.com and type in your city!
- Roomgo
- Flatmates
- Gumtree
The Burbs
OK, so now you have an idea of where you need to live, and where you’d like to live. What about transportation?
Melbourne is well-serviced by public transport. Trams, trains and buses are available. See Public Transport Victoria for information regarding timetables, maps, tram stops, train stations, bus route, fares and concessions.
Riding a bicycle is a great way to save money and keep fit. Cyclists find the Bicycle Network website useful for information on rules and regulations, purchasing bikes and accessories, safety and path maps.
Carlton and Parkville – These suburbs are located within a short walking distance to the university, and many of the staff and students reside here. There are a variety of cafes, grocery stores, and restaurants located in this area.
North Melbourne – This suburb is located within walking distance to the university, which is approximately 3 km away. It is close to Melbourne’s city centre, as well as many beautiful parks, shopping opportunities, restaurants, and hospitals.
Fitzroy – This suburb is located close to the university campus, and has a somewhat bohemian feel. It is an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants, and people. Fitzroy is also close to Melbourne’s city centre.
Brunswick – This suburb is somewhat farther from the Parkville campus than the other three listed above. Brunswick is approximately 5 km from the Parkville campus, and is easily accessible by both the Sydney Road and Lygon Street trams.
What Students Say
2023 Intake Reviews
Psychology student
Student accommodation in Parkville, $439/week. Arranged before arrival. Close to campus great amenities. Close to public transport, parks and restaurants.
Dental student
Melbourne, Carlton, Journal student living accommodation. $500/week. Arranged before arrival. The one I live in is a building constructed last year so clean and my room was never used by someone else, but the cost is quite high so it is not a top choice I would recommend. Likes: proximity to campus (this is very nice!), proximity to grocery stores such as Aldi and Woolworths, proximity to CBD with lots of amenities and meal options; Dislikes: expensive area to live. If you can be in Australia several weeks before school starts then arrange inspections (required for private apartment rentals) but if that is difficult, try to be in one of student accommodations (Unilodge, Scape, etc.) or school residence (International house, Graduate hose) and try to move out, if you wish to do so, in second year.
Medical student
Private rental, Focus Apartments Southbank. It’s amazing, point blank. Southbank is the best suburb to live close to the city. It’s a 10 minute tram to the university, extremely central with respect to the hospitals we are placed at, and is just the nicest area in my opinion. Several of my Canadian classmates lived in other places for the first half of the year and all have moved to Southbank now and love their decision. It had everything: food, entertainment, proximity, you name it. It’s also not as busy as the city itself which is literally a 3 minute walk across the bridge anyways. Took 1 – 2 weeks to find. Way cheaper with roommates.
Dental student
City $577/week. Arranged before arrival. 5 min walk to unimelb dental school. Social events held every month. Close to school and public transport and quiet street. For first year, I suggest a student accommodation and for second year can move out to private rental. Location is very important. Pick one that is near school.
Medical student
Carlton, Student Housing Australia, 300$/week. Arranged before arrival. its good enough, not the biggest or best but it’s the cheapest and closest to campus. I would recommend it, you spend more time out than in so it doesn’t matter that it’s small. Find it early, and find something as close to campus as possible.
Dental student
Scape Queensberry, Carlton, $330/week. Took 2 – 3 weeks to find. It’s very residence style. The suburb is nice as it’s close to campus. Just arrange it a few months in advance before peak season.
Medical student
Southbank, FOCUS Building, $520/week. Took 2 – 3 weeks to find. I love my building. It’s a great location, right across from Flinders Station, 20 minute tram from campus. There’s an IGA right downstairs and I can see the river from my window. Quiet, but also other med students live in the building so it’s nice to know you’re never alone. Nothing I dislike about Southbank. Ideally it would be cheaper or closer to campus, but I think a lot of the the things I gain from the area are worth it. Be open to looking at places outside of the CBD because the trams are really good throughout the city. University of Melbourne is a commuter school and everyone lives at least an hour away from the school. Plus, you may have to move again in MD2 depending on your clinical school.
Law student
Private rental, Brunswick (love it!) $300/week. Took 2 – 3 weeks to find. If you can live somewhere that is on a direct tram line to school (they come more often than trains) that would be great. I think getting out of the CBD and out of Carleton gives you more of a Melbourne feel and some mental space from school. like: public transit (20 mins to school), walking distance to grocery store/chemist/bars/parks/cafes. dislike: paying for the tram to get to school. Make an account on realestate.com before you come and get it verified. Rentals go quick (listed this week, inspection this week, available next week). You need to be here to look because it’s mandatory to do an inspection. It’s so competitive that you need to chat up the real estate agent so that they remember you and write a tailored cover letter. Come early if you want to live off campus and find a place to rent. Most students are commuter students.
Dental student
Private rental, $350 per week. Arranged before arrival. Super close to campus and in the city. Good transport but very loud. Call agents and try to land one asap. Uni melb students have a agent that’s particularly helpful for international students. An upper year passed her info down to us and we did the inspection via WhatsApp.
Vet student
Private rental in Werribee, $172/week. Arranged before arrival. Recommend for other DVM students. Far from city but cheap rent. [Check] Facebook groups.
Law student
Homestay with an Australian family in Southbank. I share the bill and rent with two other people. Southbank is so beautiful in the summer, it’s always nice to see the yara. Arranged before arrival.
Arts/psychology student
Melbourne central UniLodge, $400/week. Arranged before arrival. It’s pretty overpriced. It’s very central to the city and everything is very convenient being within walking distance. Don’t try to set everything up at all once as it can get overwhelming try to take things step by step.
Physiotherapy student
Carlton, Journal Student Living, $489/week. Arranged before arrival. Good proximity to campus, new building and lots of nice communal areas but NOT worth the price. I am a 2 minute walk away from the free tram that takes me all around the CBD and a 10 minute walk away from my classes so the location is great. Again, avoid student accoms! Some of them do month by month rentals so you can look into that for the first little while here. IF absolutely necessary do 6 months but I promise moving a little farther into a bigger, cheaper space will be worth it.
Physiotherapy student
Private rental, CBD, $370/week. Took 2 – 3 weeks to find. My building is very close to campus, roughly 10-20 minute walk depending on where my class is. Near trams and buses as well as the market. In the apartment building there is a pool, patio and and gym. I like that it is central to all things, and easy to get around. I don’t like that it is more expensive and so my budgeting would not allow for as much disposable income. The market is very competitive, getting to Australia early is important and going to as many showings as you can. Further out of the city the cheaper it will be, biking is also a good mode of transportation.
Medical student
Private rental – North Melbourne, $1400. Arranged before arrival. Expensive, but convenient. Don’t go with budget student accom.
Dental student
Unilodge Park Avenue, Parkville. $419/week. Arranged before arrival. It’s close to Princes park which is very nice as it has lots of greenery. All utilities are included but have to pay for laundry. Sometimes they have free food parties and other fun events. It is quite far from school and grocery stores as you will have to get on the Line 19 tram/streetcar to get anywhere or walk 20 minutes. The rent is increasing to $475 in 2024 and the secluded area is nice but makes it hard to enjoy the downtown and sometimes its hard to keep in touch with friends when you’re far. I would recommend it if you can find other Canadian roommates but if not then I would say just be ready to always come home late after hanging out with friends. Suburb has Princes park and the zoo is close by so lots of nature and fun activities to do like playing soccer. The suburb is relatively far as it can take about 15-20 minutes to get downtown if there’s traffic like on Friday nights. Make sure your location is close to grocery stores and a tram/streetcar line.
Dental student
Private rental, Melbourne CBD, $375/week. Arranged before arrival. Any apartment within the city is amazing with everything you need right downstairs. It’s very close to campus and allows you to come home for lunch break and easily if you forgot something you needed for clinic! Like – close to campus and city nightlife. Dislike – noisy! Trams, cars, people, emergency vehicle sirens. I’d recommend finding accommodation through the university or student housing agencies before arrival to be set once you get to Australia. These places have everything ready to go (electricity, water, internet etc.) for when you arrive. Then once your set and have explored the area, you can start looking for a private rental that will typically be cheaper and give you a bigger space for the money.
Dental student
Private rental, North Melbourne $385 per week. Took 2 – 3 weeks to find. I definitely prefer the private rental space. I’ve heard some horror stories about student housing. I like that it’s relatively quiet but still has all the amenities I need nearby. It’s also just a 20-minute walk to the city. If you can, find something in North Melbourne, Carlton, or Fitzroy. They’re more affordable suburbs than CBD and only a tram ride away from the university. CBD is a good option if you plan on having a roommate. You will likely have to pay more than the asking price and a couple of months of rent up front to get a chance as a private rental, so be prepared to pay a lot more money. Make sure you fill out the condition report when you sign a lease!
Veterinary student
Homestay with an Australian family in Mount Evelyn – A suburb about 45 mins outside Melbourne. (my family) Arranged before arrival. Try to find somewhere relatively close to school but public transport is pretty good so the commute isn’t bad.
Marketing communications student
The Switch, $495/week. Arranged before arrival. Yes, would recommend. All inclusive accommodation with opportunities to meet new students. I love the easy access to the city. Look for an accommodation as soon as you can before flying. Would recommend a student accommodation if you’re moving for the first time.
Medical student
Southbank, Australia 108 – beautiful building, $400/week. Arranged before arrival. Amazing amenities and the tallest residence building in the southern hemisphere apparently. very clean, safe, and access to any shops etc. you’d need, close to the university and close to the train and tram lines to take you anywhere in the city ex. any hospital. Convenient to live in student accommodation when you arrive but wont want to stay there longer than 6 months because its super expensive and not that clean/homey especially if you’re a mature student.
Veterinary student
Private rental in Carlton, $1700. Arranged before arrival. Great building close to the uni and city. Pet friendly. Has gym. Very secure. Walkable to main campus, close to public transit, most things are walkable (grocery, chemist, restaurants, mall, library, etc.). Try to find accomm with other people from OzTREKK. Use contact list to reach out.
Dental student
Docklands $700/week. Took 2 – 3 weeks to find. Quiet, friendly neighbours, helpful concierge. Easily accessible to trams, in free tram zone, close proximity to grocery store, quiet. Book viewings before travelling to Australia.
Veterinary student
Private rental, Maribyrnong (Melbourne) in a rental building. $500 a week. 3+ weeks to arrange. Do a thorough inspection, because we were misled on a few details. Love the access to the river/walking trails and tram line and Highpoint Shopping Centre (all walkable). Dislike the noise level from the Showgrounds sometimes. Get an AirBnb for the first month and consider apartment inspections a full-time job.
Dental student
Yugo, Berkeley street, $520/week. Arranged before arrival. I would recommend it. It is convenient, accessible for everything. Take your time to compare, but student housing is always a good choice for first time coming here.
Dental student
Scape Queensberry, Carlton 3053. $529/week. Arranged before arrival. Horrible, would HIGHLY not recommend Scape to anyone. They take advantage of the fact we are students and don’t provide the minimum standards needed even after tons and tons of complaints. I went for 3 months with no heat in the winter and they didn’t do anything about it. The suburb is awesome! Close to school, CBD, transit etc. Reach out to upper year students to see about private rentals they may know about or arrive a little earlier because the housing market is crazy.
2022 Intake Reviews
Physiotherapy student
Kensington for $320 per week. Yes, rent is relatively inexpensive compared to places in Canada. However we trade of cost of rent with distance from uni and cbd.
Dental student
I live in the CBD. $350 per week. Love it. Close to campus, and other important amenities like groceries, entertainment, night life.
Dental student
The Peak in the CBD, $450 / week. Yes, the manager is nice, no because the city can be loud at first, getting used to not having a car is hard ie for getting what you need to furnish, cost is ok now but going up so it is expensive to be in the city. Perfect location though for proximity to restaurants, UNI, my partners work and grocery shops.
Dental student
Concept Blue Apartments I really do like living here. My place has a decent gym and swimming pool; it came fully furnished too. In terms of location, it’s close to the grocery store, it’s close to Melbourne Central, which is the mall here, I live a min walk away from the State Library and I can also take the tram and/or train from Melbourne Central as well. Weekly rent is around $650 including utilities.
Law student
Carlton, Yugo – university square $1376 per month. It’s okay, very small and very expensive.
Law student
Collingwood. $1650 per month.
Medical student
Carlton at Vision. Convenient location, great view. $300 per week.
Medical student
Upper West Side – Manhattan. It includes all major facilities in my apartment (I.e. appliances) and in the building (gym, pool, lounge room etc.). However it is quite costly $375 per week.
Medical student
Student Housing Australia at $220 per week. It’s close to campus.
Medical student
In Parkville in privately managed student accommodation $300 per week. It’s got a nice climate and my classmates and other friends have all been so kind.
Vet student
I live in a private rental in North Melbourne. It is very close to campus and the city but enough out of the city that it is not always insanely busy. $300 per week.
Vet student
On campus in University Apartments. $390 per week. I like living here as I didn’t have to stress about finding a place to live when I arrived. All the utilities costs are included in the rent and I have my own laundry machine and mini kitchen. I also prefer living by myself so it has been ideal. While it is more costly compared to renting privately, it is very close to the school (5 min walk to my classes) and took some stress off when I arrived. The staff are also very approachable.
Vet student
I live in North Melbourne (private rental) in North Apartments. Very close to campus, easy access to tram lines, small metro near by for groceries. $315 per week.
Airport Pick-ups
About Airport Pick-ups
You’ve arrived at the airport! What happens now?
The University of Melbourne offers a free Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine) airport pickup service to international students who are commencing their first semester of study. This service will take you from the airport to the CBD (Central Business District), Parkville, and surrounding areas.
When you have booked your flights, apply for your pickup service at least three days before you fly.
Hughes-Australia’s Chauffeur Service is the shuttle-bus service used. They allow a maximum of 46 kg of luggage or two pieces of standard luggage, and one carry-on.
Fees will apply if
- you are travelling to areas farther than those listed above;
- there are additional passengers (your family members or anyone who is not a University of Melbourne student); or
- you requested airport pickup, but do not use it on arrival.
You will be informed of any additional costs by email once the university has received your application.
Advice from OzTREKK Students
Each year we send a survey to the students in their first year of studying in Australia. We ask about their university, program, adjustment to living in Australia, accommodation, and work outside the classroom.
Read our University of Melbourne Students’ Advice to get all the insider tips (copy and pasted directly from the survey!) for a smooth transition to studying at Melbourne!
