The Ultimate Guide to Living and Working in Melbourne

By April 16, 2019For Talent

Melbourne is frequently voted as the world’s most liveable city but what makes this Australian metropolis stand out from its peers?

Is it the amazing beaches, the thriving entertainment scene or the wealth of culture that hides around every corner? The truth is that Melbourne is made up of a variety of different moving parts that make this city a great place to call home. In this article, we will explore just a few of them.

So, without further adieu, here’s our ultimate guide to living and working in Melbourne.

Average commute

According to transport website Moovit, The average amount of time people spend commuting to and from work is 80 minutes. This is two minutes less than Sydney (82 minutes) and four minutes less than London (84 minutes).

The average distance people ride in a single journey, e.g. to or from work, with public transport is 9.8km. 28% of people ride public transport for more than 2 hours every day. This includes tram, train and bus.

Public transport

If you’re moving to Melbourne you will need to get a myki card. This is a plastic travelcard with a stored value that can be topped up and reused again. You can buy your card online or at premium stations and outlets. Just remember to tap your card before and after each journey.

Tram

Melbourne’s tram network is the longest urban tramway in the world, with 250 kilometres of track and 25 routes. Keep in mind that the historical City Circle Tram is free, so if you’re not in a rush, by all means, hop on.

Trains

Melbourne trains run from the outer edges of the city right through to the inner suburbs and CBD. Depending on where you are and where you’re going, trains are sometimes a quicker option over trams or buses. However, they are usually very crowded during rush hour.

Bus

Melbourne’s buses run frequently to major hubs, including shopping centres, schools, hospitals, leisure and sports venues. For people travelling further afield, Victoria’s V/Line service gives access to regional towns and scenic attractions across the state.

Tech

Melbourne is currently ranked as the best tech city in Australia and the 14th best tech city in the world. The tech sector in Melbourne employs 85,000 people in around 8,000 companies and generates approximately A$35 billion annually. With around 1,100 tech startups, Melbourne has about twice the average number of startups compared to other ecosystems at a similar developmental stage.

Retail and Hospitality

Melbourne is Australia’s second most visited destination, and one of the fastest growing in the nation. The CBD is home to more than 19,000 businesses and caters for 854,000 people on a typical weekday. Retail and hospitality contributes $5.5 billion to the city’s economy and employs more than 63,000 people.

Finance

Financial services play a crucial role in the Victorian state economy, accounting for around 11% of the Gross State Product. The finance industry employs more than 115,000 people. Melbourne is home to two of Australia’s Big Four banks, Australia’s largest regional bank, six of the top eight largest superannuation funds and Australia’s largest health insurers.

Creative

Melbourne’s creative industries include a diverse range of fields such as arts and culture, design, games and screen. In 2017, 1,734 businesses (and organisations) in the creative sector provided 36,544 jobs. The sector has a total output worth $8.38 Billion and contributes $4 Billion in Gross Local Product to the City of Melbourne economy.

Visa

If you want to move to Oz you will need to make sure that you have the right visa and there a lot of options to choose from. From skilled visas to working holiday visas it’s hard to know which one to choose.

You can read a full list of the different types here. If in doubt it might be worth contacting your local Australian embassy to make sure you are on the right track. Once you have your visa sorted you will be free to enter the country.

Tax

When you arrive in Australia you will need to apply for a TFN (Tax File Number) with the ATO (Australian Tax Office).

The Australian tax year runs from July 1st- June 30th the following year. Taxes in Australia are deducted from your pay according to your salary.

At the end of the fiscal year (near 30th June) you have to fill out a tax return. Any excess tax will be paid to you by the ATO. You can find out how much tax you will have to pay here

Rent

According to Domain, the median rental price for houses in Melbourne is $430 per week, while units come in at about $410 per week. However, houses within the city boundaries are closer to $600 a week.

Most expats use websites such as Flatmates and Flatmate Finders to find shared rented accommodation.

It’s important to remember that your costs don’t stop at rent. Most apartments will require a deposit or rental bond (usually four weeks’ rent upfront, plus two weeks’ rent in advance). You may also need to pay to install internet or furniture.

Finding the right area

Melbourne has lots of quirky and affordable neighbourhoods. Here are just some of the most popular destinations for young professionals.

South Yarra/ Prahran

If you like to be in the middle of the action then South Yarra might be for you. It’s a cosmopolitan area with good nightlife, cinemas, gyms and public transport. There are also some great cafes and eateries all along Chapel street.

Richmond

Richmond is a multicultural suburb which houses Melbourne’s entertainment precinct. It’s a great area for young professionals looking for a trendy place to live. In Richmond or nearby Cremorne, you’ve got easy access to the Botanic Gardens, the sports precinct and music venues like the Corner Hotel.

Brunswick

Brunswick is an up and coming area with a nice suburban feel (without being too far from the city). There’s a big community atmosphere in this neighbourhood. The area has various different events and festivals throughout the year as well as community vegetable gardens. If you’re an environmentalist, this is the place for you.

Melbourne

Coburg

Only eight kilometres from Melbourne, Coburg is close to the city but has the peace and quiet of the northern suburbs. The area used to be an industrial neighbourhood full of European immigrants, today it is a very quirky place for professionals to put down roots.

Carlton

Known as ‘Little Italy’, Carlton is a suburb popular with university students and young professionals thanks to its great restaurants and bars. The suburb is home to many of Melbourne’s most popular attractions, such as Carlton Gardens, the Royal Exhibition Building and Melbourne Museum.

Average cost of living

Mercer’s 2018 Cost of Living Survey ranked Melbourne number 58 in the world in their list of most expensive cities. So the city is a more affordable destination than many other global cities but it can still be pricey.

The average price for a pint is $9 according to the same website. While two tickets to the local cinema will set you back $39.

Expatistan estimates that dinner in your local Italian restaurant will cost $96 while a one-month gym membership will probably set you back $74.

Living in Melbourne will be expensive but If you’re savvy with your wages you can make your money go further.

Always avoid tourist areas when eating out. Find local, small cafes and get to know your barista. When doing your grocery shopping it pays to explore some of the markets. Queen Victoria and South Melbourne markets have lots of great finds.

Daiso is a store in the city where everything costs just $2.80. There’s also a Reject Shop, where you will find toiletries, stationery, garden items, toys, and snacks at heavily discounted prices.

If you’re looking for some culture the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) is located on St Kilda Road and has a vast collection of art from around the world. The Australian Centre for Contemporary Art is also free as is the Australian Centre for the Moving Image.

Top tips from expats

Anna Devlin, Customer Service

“Look for accommodation and a job straight away as it can take a while to get set up. Do a walking tour when you get there. You can discover a lot of things by just wandering about.

“The public transport is great. Don’t stick to one area every weekend, there are so many bars and cafes in the suburbs.

“Download the Happiest Hour app because it shows all the different happy hours for food and drink. It’s a great money-saver because eating out can be expensive.”

Joe Harrington, Content Creator

“The Great Ocean Road is 90 minutes away, we go down twice a month for camping and surfing. It’s beautiful. The 12 Apostles is the most popular tourist attraction, but Loch Ard Gorge and Wye River are two of my favourite spots.

“There’s great hiking 45 minutes from Melbourne at the Dandenong Rangers and if you drive 3 hours, the Grampians is full of great hikes. The Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula are full of amazing wineries. Both are really close to the city. Healesville and Daylesford are lovely picturesque little towns with a very chilled vibe.”

Mark O Brien, Performance Media Executive

“The 6-month restriction on working holiday visas poses a significant barrier to getting work in skilled office roles. Always be clear what visa you’re on as people get annoyed if they find out about any visa restrictions in the interview.”

Adam McCusker, Restaurant Manager

“Make the most of Facebook Marketplace if you’re looking for furniture for your new apartment. If you want to work in hospitality do the RSA (Responsible Service of Alcohol) course straight away. You’ll need it to serve any kind of alcohol.”

Nora Bradbury, Marketing Specialist

“Visas are hard to get and even harder to pay for. Start your first job in an approved sponsored business and let them know early on your thinking long term! Don’t settle for the first job you get.”

 

Find your next role on Jobbio today. 

Author Alice Murray

Alice Murray is a Content Creator at Jobbio with a passion for Employer Branding and Graduate Culture. She's a keen traveller and a self-proclaimed lazy runner.

More posts by Alice Murray

Leave a Reply