Edit Guide 
Transportation 
Banking Services 
Post Office 
Medical Services 
Telecom 
Survival Guide Transportation:
Melbourne has a world class public transportation system. Other than an extensive network of buses and trains, it also has tram services in the CBD and surrounding suburbs. To get the best fares, students should apply for the Victorian public transport student card. This costs S$18.75 for an entire year, and can be done at Monash during the Orientation Week. Once you have the Victorian student card, you can use a MYKI card used to travel around via public transport.
Currently, the maximum daily student rate for both zones 1 and 2 in Melbourne is S$4. This allows for travel on all forms of public transport for an entire day. A 2-hour rate is also available at S$2.
Flying Chalks’ tips:
- It is not possible to pay for a public transport ticket with cash in Melbourne. The MYKI card must be loaded with sufficient funds before any journey. This can be done by direct debit, or be topped up at many retailers, including 7/11.
- Make sure to tap on and off when entering and exiting public transport, so that you can get a reduced two-hour rate.
Melbourne trains
Trains are the fastest and simplest way to travel, and will take you right to the outskirts of the city. Zone 1 encompasses the CBD area and inner city suburbs. Zone 2 includes the outer suburbs of Melbourne. You must tap on and off when entering a train station and exiting.
To get to Victoria, you can hop on trains from train stations in the CBD. Different fares apply on these journeys.
Flying Chalks’ tip: Some lines to the CBD include the city loop circuit. This means that it will stop at every station in the CBD once it reaches the city. This is handy as you can choose where to get off in the city, instead of being limited to Flinders street station.
Trams
Trams make travel through Melbourne very easy! Delays happen regularly though, so be sure to leave early enough to avoid being late for class. Hefty fines of $70 + are in place if an inspector catches you for not tapping your card. The tram network connects most of zone 1, and some areas of zone 2. Trams are convenient, quick and environmentally friendly. They can hold double the number of passengers compared to buses, and are clean and modern.
Buses
Regular bus services operate throughout the city and in suburban areas. Bus travel is often the most convenient way of transport, as they get you directly to your destination. Bus services generally run a few times every hour.
A night bus service runs on Fridays and Saturdays, and is perfect for those who party late on these days. There are ten routes which will take you into the city centre, and they operate every 30mins.
Flying Chalks’ tip: Limited bus services run on Sundays (e.g. only one bus every hour), so be sure to plan your journeys properly!
Taxis
You can hail for Taxis on the streets. If the dome light is on, the taxi is vacant. A taxi ride would cost you a base fare of S$4.20, and an additional S$1.6 for every kilometre travelled. There are many different taxi companies operating in Melbourne. 13CABS is a popular taxi-booking service.
Uber also has a big presence in Melbourne, and you can book for transport via its app.
Banking Services:
You will need your passport and proof of enrolment to open an account. The good thing about a student account in Australia is that they cost nothing to open and don’t have an account keeping fee.
A Student smart access account with the Commonwealth Bank is probably the best option for international students. You can open this account in advance, up to three months in arrival. Just apply for it online! Once you arrive, go to any branch with your identification, and you can apply for a complimentary Debit MasterCard. You should observe the daily exchange rate and decide the best time to transfer funds so that you get the best rates.
ATM machines can be found at all campuses. At Clayton, most major banks have a machine in the main food hall. A Commonwealth Bank branch also exists onsite, so you can go in to deposit cash, withdraw money or bank a cheque. At the Caulfield campus, ATMs are situated on the 2nd level of the campus. Other than these options, you can also withdraw cash at the 7/11 and the shopping centre next to Caulfield campus. There is also a Commonwealth Bank branch in the shopping centre.
Flying Chalks’ tip: If you have a Visa card linked to the account, be sure not to spend over your limit as some banks can charge up to $40 if an account is overdrawn.
Major Banks in Melbourne:
Australia has numerous banks and they are open from 9am to 4.30pm daily. The four main banks in Australia are:
Australia and New Zealand Bank
It will be easier for a foreign student to open an account with one of these. However, they sometimes have high transaction fees. Do note that withdrawing money from an ATM that is not under your own bank would incur a USD $1.80 fee!
Post Office Services:
Australia Post is the country's primary postal service, responsible for mail and parcel delivery. Their reliability stems from a widespread network, timely deliveries, and a long-standing reputation for consistent service.
Post offices are in every area in Melbourne. There is an office on the Clayton campus, so you can post items between lectures. In Caulfield, there is a post office located 15 minutes’ walk from the train station, on Glenhuntly road.
Flying Chalks’ tip: Need to get something back home in a short time? Australia Post offers a courier option that gets the parcel to major international destinations in 1-2 business days. However, it costs $69, so do not use this option unless absolutely necessary!
Medical services:
Some international visitors can access healthcare free of charge if their country has a reciprocal health agreement (mainly EU nationals). Caulfield, Clayton and Peninsula campuses all have a medical office on site. Appointments need to be made in advance to see a doctor. If you have a health insurance, you can bill the cost to it. You will need to bring your Monash ID card to the medical centre.
Other than on clinics on campus, a doctor’s office is situated in every area of Melbourne, and most of them would require that you make an appointment in advance. Australia has quality healthcare services. However, waiting times in public hospitals can be lengthy.
You can find cheap medicine at discount chemist stores. You will usually be asked to produce prescription from a registered practitioner before you can get over-the-counter medicine.
Depending on your needs, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card or get a post-paid plan. You won't risk getting unexpected charges by opting for a prepaid SIM. However, post-paid plans typically offer more data, calls, and free texts, but exceeding the limits specified in your plan can result in additional charges.
The top 3 telecommunications providers are:
Telstra
Telstra offers the best coverage out of the 3 networks and is Australia's largest mobile network provider. The SIM-only plans for Telstra starts from $62/month
Vodafone
Vodafone offers phone plans at lower rates compared to Optus and Telstra. Vodafone is a cheaper option for students, with plans starting from $49/month. Vodafone offers student discounts for some plans for as low as $40/month for 100GB.
Optus
Optus offers coverage across 98.5% of Australia’s geographical area. SIM-only plans from Optus start from as low as $49/month. Optus also offers student plans at $39/month for 100GB.
IMPORTANT NUMBERS | |
General emergency hotline that can be used to call for an ambulance, fire truck or police | 000 |
Weather:
Melbourne has a temperate climate while other parts of Australia are tropical or arid. Melbourne winters are cold and extremely windy. It is also known for having four seasons in one day as the weather can change rapidly in minutes! It is always a good idea to pack a jumper and umbrella for the day due to the weather’s unpredictability.
Summer: (December – February) Mean temperatures of 14 – 25 degrees Celsius
Autumn: (March to May) Mean temperatures of 11 – 20 degrees Celsius
Winter: (June to August) Mean temperatures of 6 – 14 degrees Celsius
Spring: (September – November) Mean temperatures of 9 – 19 degrees Celsius
Wildlife:
Australia is known for its unique wildlife and its dangerous animals often make headlines internationally. There really is nothing to fear as the majority of people never encounter any problems these species! Having said that, you should be careful when you are in areas with bushland. Australia has several types of venomous snakes and spiders. If bitten, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Flying Chalks’ tip: Large huntsman spiders often make their way into households. Don’t worry – these aren’t venomous! They just look scary!
Beach:
If heading to the beach, always swim between the red and yellow flags and only on beaches patrolled by lifeguards. The current is pretty strong in Australian waters and it’s best to stay closer to shore. Shark attacks sometimes occur along the coast and there will also be jellyfishes in the water during certain seasons. Always read the daily notice board at the beach for safety information.
Heat:
Heat waves are common in Melbourne. During the summer months of December, January and February, temperatures can sometimes soar to 40 degrees Celsius. Always drink plenty of water and wear sufficient sunscreen!