Costs of studying & living
Before you move to Melbourne or start life at Victoria University (VU), think about your study and living costs for the year.
We can help you with budgeting and general financial advice. We can also advise on loans, scholarships, and any government assistance you may be entitled to.
Study costs
Course fees
You will need to pay a deposit for your tuition fees after you are accepted into a VU course.
If you are an Australian student, your fees will be outlined in your invoice (statement of account).
If you are coming from overseas, your fees will be detailed in your international student offer and acceptance form.
Course tuition fees may vary for different courses and may change each year. We can provide fee assistance and advice if you need help paying your fees.
Course resources, textbooks & materials
You may need to buy equipment, textbooks or clothing to participate in some courses. These resource and material fees will vary depending on the needs of the course.
Cost of textbooks varies depending on your course. To find out which textbooks you need, find your course units and check if there is required reading. If you need a book for a short time, borrow it from a VU library.
Annual costs for books and stationery is AUD$650Â (approximately).
You can buy new or secondhand textbooks from the VU bookshop.
Other study costs
Depending on your circumstances, these are some other costs to consider:
- graduation ceremony costs
- library expenses:
- printing/scanning/copying
- book fines for overdue library books
- studying abroad and students on exchange in Melbourne have additional semester fees and fees for compulsory health insurance, visas, travel and living costs.
Travelling around Melbourne
Our campuses are easily accessible from Melbourne's public transport network.
You will need to buy myki card (a reusable travel card) to travel by train, tram and bus in Melbourne and regional Victorian centres. You can buy a myki card at some train stations, all 7/11 stores and many newsagencies.
Visit the Public Transport Victoria (PTV) website for timetables, routes, maps, journey planners and fares.
Concession fares
Undergraduate students studying full time on campus can apply for a PTV Tertiary Student ID.
Some international students can buy an iUSEpasswhich provides a 50 per cent discount on a yearly myki. Check eligibility on iUSEpass page.
Postgraduate students or part-time students are not eligible for concession fares.
Melbourne free tram zone
There is a free tram zone in the Melbourne CBD. Make sure you know exactly where the free zone boundaries are.
Driving & cycling
If you own your own car, make sure you consider the ongoing costs. Costs include servicing, fuel, insurance, driver’s licence fees and vehicle registration fees. If you only need to use a car sometimes, renting a car may be a cheaper option.
Cycling around Melbourne is another option. Cycling is a great option for short trips around the city and inner suburbs. Road rules apply to cyclists in Melbourne.
Transport & parking options
There are plenty of transport options for making your way to campus.
Accommodation & housing costs
If you are moving to Melbourne you will need to pay initial set-up costs for your new accommodation.
Costs could include:
- 'bond' or security deposit for your accommodation
- rent in advance
- furniture and other household items.
Housing costs vary widely, depending on whether you choose student housing services, a private rental and whether your property is furnished.
Find out rental costs for the university's student accommodation at UniLodge Victoria Universityand other housing and accommodation options.
We provide rental advice and a summary of median rental prices for various parts of Melbourne.
Other expenses
Financial information & support
We offer hundreds of scholarships across all levels and fields of study, including scholarships exclusively for secondary school students in Melbourne's west.
We offer also free financial information, who can advise you on strategies for budgeting study-related and living costs.
Government support
If you are a full-time student or Australian apprentice you may be eligible for student income support payments administered by the Department of Human Services (previously known as Centrelink).
Student payments include Youth Allowance, Austudy and ABSTUDY.