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Studying in Melbourne as an Indian Student: Universities, A$595 Median Rent, the 50% Travel Pass and Tarneit

Melbourne grew faster than any other Australian city in 2024–25, by about 105,000 people, and has the largest Indian community in the country. Victoria is also the only state that gives international students a dedicated 50% public transport discount. Like Sydney and Brisbane, it is Category 1 for the 485.

Leonid Kurza, co-founder of EdumappleBy Leonid Kurza · co-founder of Edumapple · checked

Melbourne (AU), Southbank
Melbourne (AU), Southbank. Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • 241,697India-born residents, 2021
  • 4.9%of Greater Melbourne born in India
  • A$595median new rent, June quarter 2026
  • 50%International Student Travel Pass

Universities

University of Melbourne (Parkville), Monash (Clayton, Caulfield, Parkville), RMIT (the city centre) and Swinburne (Hawthorn). Federation in Ballarat offers Category 3 regional status within reach of the city.

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Rent and transport

The median rent for new lettings across metropolitan Melbourne was ₹39,800 (A$595) a week in the June quarter of 2026, up 4.8% over the year by the rent index. Most students share. Eligible international students halve their fares with the International Student Travel Pass: A$556 for 365 days state-wide, or A$351 for zone 2 only. Postgraduates are not eligible for the pass.

The Indian community

Melbourne had 241,697 India-born residents at the 2021 census, 96,992 Punjabi speakers and 84,674 Sikhs, the largest Punjabi community in Australia. The outer west (Tarneit, Truganina, Wyndham Vale, Point Cook) is where many families and students settle; Clayton, near Monash, had 3,122 India-born residents.

Regional status

Category 1. Geelong, an hour away, is Category 2, and Ballarat Category 3.

Around the city

Southbank, Victoria, Melbourne
Southbank, Victoria, Melbourne. Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
Eureka Tower and Yarra River - Melbourne
Eureka Tower and Yarra River - Melbourne. Photo: Donaldytong, CC BY-SA 3.0

Questions from Indian students: Australia

Which universities are in Melbourne?
On this site: the University of Melbourne, Monash, RMIT and Swinburne. Deakin and La Trobe also have Melbourne campuses, and Federation University is in Ballarat, about 75 minutes away by train.
How much is rent in Melbourne?
Homes Victoria's median rent for new lettings in metropolitan Melbourne was A$595 a week in the June quarter of 2026, for a whole dwelling. Students sharing a house pay a fraction of that per room.
What is the International Student Travel Pass?
A 50% discount on Victorian public transport for eligible full-time international students in bachelor's, associate degree, diploma and advanced diploma courses. A 365-day state-wide pass costs A$556.
Where do Indians live in Melbourne?
In the west: Wyndham, which includes Tarneit, Truganina and Point Cook, had 50,435 India-born residents in 2021, 17.3% of its population. Tarneit alone had 16,231. Dandenong and Clayton in the south-east are other centres.
Where is the Indian consulate in Melbourne?
At 432 St Kilda Road. It serves Victoria and Tasmania and holds an open house on consular issues every Wednesday.

Sources we checked