To all our new DVM first years, congratulations on reaching this incredible milestone and welcome to the University of Melbourne's DVM community!
My name is Joel Wong and I am the International Student Representative for the Veterinary Student Society of Victoria (VSSV), the student body representing the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at the University of Melbourne.
This page contains important information about life in Melbourne and the DVM program. While some details might not seem immediately relevant, they will become valuable as you settle into your studies and life here. At the bottom of the page, you’ll also find academic-related information which we’ll explore in more detail during Orientation Week.
If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to me directly at: joel.wong1@student.unimelb.edu.au.
I can’t wait to meet you during Orientation Week—whether in person or online. Wishing you the best of luck as you embark on this exciting journey!
*This advice is provided by international DVM students and the Veterinary Students Society of Victoria (VSSV).
Housing
Where to live
- Students live anywhere from the surrounding suburbs of the Parkville campus, to those up to an hour away by public transport.
- Both scenarios have their positives and negatives. The closer to the city a property, the more expensive it will be, but it is more convenient for getting to class and Werribee, as well as offering the typical social benefits of city life. Living further away means cheaper rent, but longer commute times to campus and social events.
- The suburbs to consider if you desire a closer location to campus are (in no particular order) the CBD, Parkville, Carlton, South Melbourne, Richmond, Brunswick, South Yarra, Southbank, Flemington, Travancore, Prahran, West Melbourne, North Melbourne, Fitzroy, St. Kilda, and Kensington. Each suburb listed has its own unique culture (the suburbs here are like mini towns), and most have trams that directly lead to the vet school.
- Prahran, Brunswick, South Yarra, Fitzroy, St Kilda, and Richmond have trams and/or trains that lead to the city centre and connect to trams that go directly to the vet school.
- Further away from campus encompasses many suburbs, however, if you live near a train station in a suburb that is <30 minutes by train, you can easily commute into the city centre (Melbourne Central Station or Flagstaff Station) and connect to a tram that goes directly to the vet school.
Research your commute
To check train commute times, go to the Public Transport Victoria website and type in the name of the train station with Melbourne Central or Flagstaff listed as the destination.
Visit Public Transport Victoria
Get suburb guidance
Finding housing
Find houses, apartments or rooms to rent
Good websites for finding houses, apartments or rooms for rent.
Find housemates
Good websites for finding housemates (and also rooms for rent).
Housing noticeboard
The University of Melbourne also has an online housing noticeboard.
Residential colleges
An alternative to renting from an agency or private landlord is to secure a place in one of the colleges (dorms/residence halls). This is essentially dorm-style living (individual rooms with a desk, bed, shared bathroom facilities, etc.) close to/on campus. Many colleges also offer academic tutorials, intercollegiate sports, library access, 3 meals a day, plus additional amenities depending on the college. Some colleges will also provide scholarships for graduate students.
Setting up your lease
If you plan on setting up your lease either by yourself or with some friends/future classmates, I suggest arriving a couple of weeks early to get the situation sorted. It is very difficult to sign up for a new lease (especially through a real estate agent) when you are not in the country unless you organise it through a specified student housing complex or service. It can also be very competitive so be sure to give yourself enough time and options.
The University of Melbourne also has an online housing noticeboard.
Tenancy
- A rental accommodation can be obtained through property owners, a rental agency, the University of Melbourne, or current tenants looking for additional flatmates in a shared accommodation, known as a “share house”.
- Rental agencies require the aforementioned documents including rental history, employment status, proof of ability to pay the rent, and a bond deposit.
- There are official rules to follow when renting a private accommodation. Every lease must have a contract, the bond must be lodged with the RTBA (Royal Tenancies Bond Authority), and a condition report must be completed when signing the lease.
- Private landlords in some instances have been known to convince prospective tenants to pay a bond directly instead of lodging it with the RTBA. If a bond is not lodged with the RTBA, it is harder to trace the money and the landlord can keep your bond upon moving out. This is illegal and should be a red flag for prospective tenants.
Do not sign any contract without officially having your bond lodged with the RTBA and completing a condition report.
General tenancy advice
- Never sign a lease without first seeing the house or apartment. If you can't view the property yourself, ask a trusted friend to look at it for you.
- Make sure you have a copy of the lease and a receipt for the bond. If no damages occur during your tenancy, your full bond deposit should be returned.
- If moving into an established sharehouse, make sure all agreements are in writing.
- Do a thorough check of the property when conducting the condition move-in report. Report any damages, scratches, paint marks, etc. or else you will be considered responsible for the damages upon moving out.
More information
Student accommodation
Consumer Affairs Victoria - Renting
Consumer Affairs Victoria - Minimum standards for rental properties
Rent
- Rent is usually listed on a per-week basis, but is paid monthly.
- The bond is usually equivalent to one month’s rent, and rent for the first month is paid upfront.
- Rent doesn't always include utilities (water, electricity, wifi, etc.), or have heating/air conditioning, you should ask about this before you sign a lease.
Average weekly rent
The average weekly rent in the city and immediate suburbs for the respectively sized apartments/houses.
$300-550
per week
$225-450
per room/week
$210-350
per room/week
$200-250
per room/week
These prices are average estimates (valid as of 2025) and are only applicable for living in the city and the immediately surrounding suburbs; not those which are further away from the CBD.
Utilities
| Utility | Averagy monthly cost | Average quarterly cost |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | $97 | $290 |
| Gas | $62 | $186 |
| Internet | $72 | $216 |
| Water | $64 | $194 |
Source: Canstar Blue research 2025.
Compare utility and internet plans
Victorian Energy Compare
Finder
Cost breakdown of utilities blog
- Utilities such as water, electricity, and gas are typically billed quarterly, though the cost may be included in your rent depending on the type of accommodation. In some cases, utilities may already be set up for you, but you might need to organize them yourself and register the accounts in your name.
- Internet is usually the tenant’s responsibility. You’ll need to select a monthly plan and purchase a compatible router, which can be bought new or second-hand. Most internet plans are measured in gigabytes (GB) of data. For example, 200GB is sufficient for a household of four, provided there isn’t frequent downloading of large files like movies or TV shows. Many plans also offer unlimited data options.
- Internet contracts typically run for 12 or 24 months and are billed monthly.
- Utility costs can vary widely based on the size and type of your accommodation, your usage habits, the heating system, and your location. Below, you'll find average monthly and quarterly cost estimates to help with budgeting.
Furnishings
Important note about furnishings in Australia: Most new rentals do not come with a refrigerator, washing machine or furniture, unless explicitly stated in the rental advertisement.
Used furniture
Used furniture can be purchased on:
- Facebook Marketplace (my personal favourite - online)
- Gumtree (online)
- Craig’s List (online)
- Ebay (online)
- Savers (thrift store/op shop)
- Salvos (thrift store/op shop)
New furniture and appliances
Good stores for new cheap furniture and home appliances are:
Public transport
- Public transport within the city and suburbs is accomplished through the use of trams, metro trains, or buses. As of December 2024, all of these use a ticketing system called Myki. Myki is a reloadable card that can be purchased at 7-Eleven stores or several areas across Melbourne.
- Route 19 is the only tram that will get you directly to WEBS (Parkville DVM building), but any of the Swanston Street trams will get you to the other side of the Parkville campus.
- The Werribee Line is the metro train line that will get you within short walking distance to the Werribee campus. You will exit off the Hoppers Crossing station when heading to the Werribee campus from the city.
- Post-graduate degree students (including DVM students) are currently NOT eligible for discounted public transport pricing, unfortunately.
- Starting in 2025, there is a new Parkville metro train station opening just 7 minutes walking from WEBS (Parkville DVM building).
- If you need to travel outside of Melbourne for placement, it is recommended that you look into cheap VLine regional services here.
- Major train stations are reachable within 30 minutes of most surrounding suburbs. If living in the suburbs, it is easy to catch a train from one of these stations, and then take the tram to campus.
Bike riding
- Riding a bike is also a convenient way to travel around the city. There are many bike paths and designated bike lanes on the road, which make riding quite safe.
- Be sure to use your own bike lock when parking your bike on campus.
- Bike helmets are compulsory in Australia and you can be fined if caught riding without one.
- Bike lights are compulsory at night.
- The Bike Shed is a great place to find cheap used bikes. The best selection each week is right when they open. Many of the places listed under the used furniture section are also great places to look for used bikes.
- There is a bike repair shop called Prince Cycles on campus.
Banking
General
The most popular banks among students are Commonwealth Bank and NAB. Both have user-friendly websites with instructions on how to set up an account from overseas and guidance on the best account type for your needs:
- Commonwealth Bank
- NAB
These banks, along with others like ANZ, Westpac, Bank of Melbourne, ING Direct, and MeBank, have ATMs located throughout the city.
You can set up a transaction account with an Australian bank before arriving in the country. This will allow you to receive an EFTPOS card, which is widely accepted for in-person transactions. However, EFTPOS cards don’t have a 3-digit security code on the back and cannot be used for online purchases.
Once you arrive in Australia, you may also want to open a savings account. These accounts often offer interest rates (currently around 2%).
Signing up with a local bank is also necessary if you plan to get a phone contract. Further details on this are provided below.
Credit cards
A great way to avoid exchange fees is by using a credit card from your home country that doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees. This option is especially helpful if you prefer to access funds directly from your home account.
Many of these credit cards offer additional perks, such as 0.5–3% cashback on purchases or signup bonuses like airline points. The availability of specific cards will depend on your home country. For example:
- USA: Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card
- Canada: EQ Bank Card
International money transfers
If you’ll be receiving money from back home (e.g., from a parent’s account or a joint account), it’s a good idea to consult an accountant about tax laws related to international money transfers. Tax-free transfer limits vary by country, and exceeding them could result in additional taxes.
For transferring funds, third-party services like TransferWise (now Wise) are an option. Be sure to compare exchange rates and fees between your bank and these services to find the most cost-effective method.
If your family banks with HSBC in your home country (e.g., Canada or Hong Kong), opening a joint account in Australia could help reduce international transfer costs. Check if your home bank is partnered with any Australian banks—this could help avoid unnecessary fees when using ATMs.
Mobile phones
- Upon arrival, one of the best option for a mobile phone is a physical pre-paid SIM card. Another quick option (if your phone supports it) is to sign up for an e-sim. An e-slim allows you to sign up for a monthly plan without having to wait for the physical sim to arrive. You can compare phone plans online at whistleOut. You can get quite good deals for unlimited text and call in Australia + lots of data.
- If you are bringing a phone from overseas, make sure the phone is unlocked!
- The main companies here include Telstra, Optus, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile. You can peruse their websites and decide which plan is best for you.
- Some providers (eg. Telstra) have student offers and/or combined deals with Spotify or Apple Music with their 12-month contract. These offers are subject to change.
- Telstra has the best service, and in many remote areas (where you may be doing placement), it is often the only provider with service. Telstra can be expensive, but there are cheaper phone companies that also use the Telstra network, so shop around.
- Virgin Mobile Australia have pre-paid and post-paid options, and run on the Optus network.
- Pre-paid plans are a good idea if you are pressed for time when you arrive, but a monthly plan may be cheaper long term.
- You may be able to pay for a monthly plan online and ask them to send the SIM card to your new address before arriving in Australia.
- All service providers have at least one store in the CBD, you can walk in and talk with a customer service representative if you have any questions.
Social life
This section will be short since I think discovering the social scene and the many bars around Melbourne is half the fun.
- Ask your fellow second year vet students for some suggestions whether you are looking for anything from a hole-in-the-wall pub with trivia nights to a dance club that will be open until 7am.
- FYI: Most bars are quite strict about letting intoxicated people in after about 10:30pm, and a driver’s license or passport is required for ID (although this must be in English). There are also dress codes for most bars after this time, including no thongs (flip-flop sandals), and no gym shoes.
- Some bars and liquor stores do not accept international driver’s licenses as valid ID. To avoid carrying around your passport, you can either obtain a Victorian driver’s licence (which can be relatively easy depending on where you are from, but can be expensive) or you can obtain an over-18 ID card (cheaper option).
- Public transport runs between 5am and midnight, Monday to Thursday. On the weekends trains, trams, and buses run all night on specific routes. For more information check out https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/getting-around/night-network
- If you are not into the bar scene, there are lots of amazing restaurants, cafés and chocolate shops to suit everyone’s needs.
- The Queen Victoria Market in the city has a special event on Wednesday nights during the summer that includes dozens of different hawker-style food vendors, along with live music.
- There are many festivals throughout the year, more information at the official website of Melbourne.
- We have quite a few social events organised (in person and online) through the VSSV, so expect those to pop up throughout the year.
Things to do
In Melbourne
- Extensive lists and reviews of restaurants, cafes and bars can be found on The Urban List and Broadsheet.
- Federation Square
- Luna Park
- Museum Victoria (free for students/concession)
- National Gallery of Victoria
- Queen Victoria Market
- Royal Botanic Gardens (free)
- Sea Life Aquarium
- Shrine of Remembrance
- State Library of Victoria
- Yarra Bend Park
- Zoos in Victoria - Melbourne Zoo, Healesville and Werribee are highly recommended by many students
Outside Melbourne
- Grampians National Park
- Great Ocean Road (12 Apostles, Loch Ard Gorge, London Arch, Bay of Islands Coastal Park, Erskine Falls)
- Great Otway National Park
- Mornington Peninsula and the Peninsula Hot Springs
- Phillip Island
- Puffing Billy Railway
- Yarra Valley wine region
- Wilson's Promontory National Park
Shopping
- Bourke St Mall
- Chadstone
- DFO South Wharf (outlet)
- Emporium
- Highpoint
- Melbourne Central
- Spencer Outlet Center
Food and coffee around the University of Melbourne (Parkville campus)
- Axil Coffee Roasters
- Brew Sisters
- Dr Dax Kitchen
- House of Cards
- Prince Alfred
- Queensberry Pour House – unlimited drip coffee
- Standing Room
- Seven Seeds
- Farmers Market
Employment
The student visa limits employment hours during the teaching period to <20 hours per week. Many students work one or two shifts per week (<15 hours per week) at businesses ranging from restaurants to vet clinics.
Finding a job
If employment is desired, there are a few good websites for job seekers. These include:
Seek
University of Melbourne careers website
Kookaburra veterinary employment for vet-related jobs
Of note: many businesses will require a trial shift before offering employment. The law requires this shift to be paid at the normal hourly rate; however, some (not all) businesses will do unpaid trial shifts. Prior to commencing a trial shift, ask the manager if the shift is paid (it should be) to avoid any awkward confrontations after the matter.
Tax File Number
A tax file number or TFN, is a unique, personal number that allows the government to manage your taxes and other government services.
A TFN is essential if you are going to work or have a bank account here with a substantial amount of money.
Learn more and apply for a tax file number
Further reading
Tax and super information for individuals
The University careers website
Counselling
Counselling and psychological services (CAPS)
If you ever find yourself stressed, depressed, anxious and need someone to talk to, the University of Melbourne offers free counselling and psychological services (CAPS) to students.
On Wednesdays, Tamara Coupe is based on the Werribee campus and provides services specific to veterinary students. CAPS is also available at 757 Swanston St, Level 5 on the Parkville Campus. Phone +61 (03) 8344 6927
Find a psychologist
If you need a psychologist, the following link provides a database of practitioners.
Mental health care plan
Both Medicare (the nationalised healthcare scheme) and Overseas Student Health Cover provide 10 free psychology sessions annually with a ‘mental health care plan’, which can be obtained easily from any general practitioner.
Mental health resources for vets
The Veterinary Board of Victoria has compiled a list of mental health resources for veterinary practitioners.
If you have questions and concerns our professors are happy to assist you. All you have to do is either go and see them in person or send an email.
Healthcare
Overseas student health cover
Overseas Health Insurance is compulsory but you are not required to sign up with the University provider- compare plans online.
Health Service University of Melbourne
Melbourne Uni has its own health service where many students seek medical advice and treatment. They are extremely approachable and knowledgeable about all medical issues you may have.
Pharmacy
The closest pharmacy is HealthSmart Pharmacy, inside the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre on the corner of Grattan St and Royal Pde. Chemist Warehouse is the preferred pharmacy for students because it offers the cheapest prices.
To-do list: when you arrive in Melbourne
- Pick up and activate sim card for cellphone
- Set up Australian bank account
- Purchase and load money onto MYKI card for public transport
- Figure out best transportation route from your house to Western Edge Biosciences Building (where most Parkville campus classes are)
- Figure out best transportation route from your house to UniMelb Werribee Campus (where Werribee campus classes are held)
- Attend VSSV orientation week
- For those renting privately:
- Arrange WIFI router and utilities
- Arrange pickup of necessary furnishings (fridge, washing machine, etc.)
Groceries and liquor
- Woolworths and Coles are the two main supermarkets in Australia. Both have reward point programs so if you shop there frequently it may be worth signing up for some free points and goodies.
- Aldi is located in the CBD, Brunswick and various other locations and is quite cheap.
- Markets such as Queen Victoria Market and South Melbourne Market are fantastic places for fresh food, flowers, meat, honey, organic foods, etc. Some real bargains can be gained from shopping at markets – particularly if you go at the end of the day when they discount the food to sell it quickly.
- There are also many smaller food stores, such as IGA, and Foodworks, but these tend to be more expensive and best for impromptu purchases.
- There is a Costco in the Docklands (bulk food store). An annual membership is $60 for up to two members, though each member can bring a guest with each visit. Membership cards from North America are honoured here, and many products are imported from the US.
- For those looking for ethnic groceries or a little taste of home, there is a wide selection in Melbourne.
- USA Foods offers American (and some Canadian) imported products, though it is a bit far away in the suburb of Moorabbin.
- Health food and special dietary requirement shops such as gluten-free bakeries are plentiful since the food culture in Melbourne is booming, with virtually every need catered for.
- There is a China Town and a few Asian supermarkets (ie. Hometown, Korea Town Mart, KFL Supermarket) in Melbourne CBD, where you can find lots of imported food and groceries.
- Dan Murphy’s, Coles Liquorland, Woolworth’s Liquor, and any bottle shop on the street.
- Dan Murphy’s is the largest alcohol retailer and has the best deals on a range of alcoholic delights.
- Wine is the best value in Australia; the price of everything else is heavily inflated.
- Craft beers from microbreweries are a bit more expensive per drink than wine, though the quality is superb.
Gym
University gym
Many students choose to use the University gym facilities located on Parkville's main campus (very close to WEBS in Parkville), although there is an additional fee to use these facilities in addition to tuition.
The Werribee campus also has a very small free-with-tuition gym that DVM students can use. A compulsory safety induction session is typically available in the beginning of the semester before you can use the Werribee gym. Please reach out if you would like more information on the next session.
Private gyms
There are many other private gyms available including ones that are close to the centre of the city, such as:
Melbourne City Baths (Swanston Street)
SNAP Fitness - Brunswick
Fitness First (Melbourne Central)
Brunswick Baths
Club Lime - Brunswick
Anytime Fitness
Student testimonials
I arrived with my brother, who had already done 1 year of Law School at Melb Uni. With his previous experience, he knew the way he preferred to find housing. Starting 2-3 days before our departure, and also during layovers he would get online and set up apartment viewings. As soon as we got off the plane we had many places to go check out. We both didn't want to sign something before being able to see it first. I liked this method. Be prepared for a lot of walking, and it will be hot out! Also, we booked into a hotel (had this booked before arrival), left our stuff there, and then went out to the viewings.
The apartment we ended up finding was via walking by and seeing a sign out!
It’s student accommodation at Urbanest Carlton. Great double share rooms, single rooms, or single rooms with balconies. All utilities included as well as internet (included is 10 GB and you pay extra for more data if needed). Each room has a microwave, large fridge, stovetop, oven, dishwasher (having all of these is something I have now learnt is a luxury!!) and its own bathroom. They have events with the other students in the building but by no means do you have to attend anything. I knew how busy I was going to be at vet school, and was worried that not going to these things would be an issue, but it has not been at all! You are not forced to partake in anything.
There are a variety of undergrads and grads, all from different backgrounds. Urbanest Carlton has been great. Quiet, safe, and fantastic rooms. I am renewing my lease and continuing to live here.
─ Julie D
I decided to live at the International House (IH) College for the safety and security of housing before coming to Melbourne.
I didn’t want to come to the City and not know where I was going to live. It was one less stressful thing I had to think about when coming to school. My experience at IH has been very easy and smooth. We do have high table dinners (4 throughout the year), but they are all optional to attend along with many other events they offer. Everything is optional for the graduates because they understand how busy we are with study compared to the undergrads. Living at IH is like living on your own in a fully furnished room, but having people around just in case something goes wrong which is really nice to have. It is a little more expensive than living off campus, but IH makes it really easy to budget money throughout the year. There are two down payments that cover the first half of the year and then the second half of the year that include all utilities and rent. With the new graduate building going up, we are pretty much guaranteed to have quiet living to ensure we can focus on our studies. I enjoyed living at IH so much that I came back and stayed in the brand new graduate building for 2015 school year.
─ Anna D
I'm living with my family in South Kensington.
It is a nice place with big grass fields, 20min away from school by bike and bus number 402 goes directly there. The Werribee train also passes by South Kensington train station. I like this place! It is also close to Footscray suburb with nice Vietnamese food and markets with cheap fruits and green veggies ;)
─ JH J
Financial FAQs
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Being from Canada there are limited amounts of loans that are available and they are not all funded by the government. Some classmates do have OSAP loans or have had to outsource elsewhere (or a combination of both). Classmates from the USA have been able to receive funding from their government. Some students have part-time jobs for additional income.
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I haven’t applied for any grants. The scholarships given by the University of Melbourne can be found online. However, scholarships for international students are quite limited, those available are suggested to be used for international extramural placements in upper years.
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I know a few international students who have successfully received grants through their country’s government. Grants can help pay for housing accommodation, tuition fees, and cost of living so it is good to research and apply if possible. There are also scholarships and grants available through the University of Melbourne. More information can be found online.
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I opted to open a bank account with Commonwealth Bank, there is no real reason behind that choice other than that is the bank that the University of Melbourne uses. Some Canadians use Westpac as it is connected with Scotiabank.
For those from the USA, they have partnerships with the Australian banks (Westpac and the Bank of America). It is a good idea to open a bank account with an Australian bank not only for convenience but to help with signing up for a phone contract as well as avoiding any international fees (other than ATM withdrawals).
With that being said most of my purchases here are on my VISA credit card from my bank back home, however, do be careful as some companies (grocery stores included) do charge a surcharge.
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I brought my iPhone from home and swapped out the SIM card for one I bought here. Do make sure you get your phone unlocked prior moving. Most students use communication apps such as Facebook messenger, What’sApp, Snapchat, Skype, iMessage etc. to communicate with family and friends. Cellphone plans are considerably cheaper in Australia compared to Canada.
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As soon as I received my acceptance letter I was going down all the requirements and checking them off my list including applying for my student visa. Applying for the visa has specific requirements such as health examinations. Use this website for more information.
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Stop 1 is the University of Melbourne’s home for student services online, over the phone, and in person. They are very helpful with any questions you might have including but not limited to admissions, enrolment, administration, and financial services. For more information check out the website.
Travel and living FAQs
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I arrived in Melbourne the Friday before orientation week. I had already applied for student accommodation so I did not have to worry about searching for an apartment and attend inspections. I did find this was enough time to get myself situated and open bank accounts and obtain a cell phone plan. However, I do advise that if you want to arrive earlier to do some travel with family or friends that would be beneficial as well!
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Travelling to Australia is a long process so this is completely up to you. I always go with the cheapest option. The earlier you look for the flight normally means the cheaper they will be.
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Three suitcases and one carry-on, basically clothes and toiletries to last me the first month and certain things I couldn’t live without. If there are certain products that you use and are not willing to give up/switch search them in grocery store websites or chemist websites (Pharmacies). Don’t over-pack! Bring summer and winter clothes. A good raincoat with a hood is a must, and at least a softshell jacket, many internationals do bring a puffer jacket. Other advice would be to have an umbrella! You can buy rubber boots for walking around the city here. You can get 4 seasons in 1 day, if there is a cloud in the sky it may rain on you, even if the sun is shining. Always carry sunscreen, sunglasses, something warm, and something for rain if you are going to be out for more than an hour or two.
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When I arrived, I lived at a student housing company that was situated about a 15-minute walk from campus. However, it is quite expensive and I ended up moving to a cheaper apartment with some classmates. There are basically 3 options: student housing (as listed above), there are multiple sights, they are small and expensive but close to school, apply early for these; colleges (http://www.ormond.unimelb.edu.au) these are expensive but all-inclusive (meals, bills etc) and are a good option if you just want to live somewhere fully furnished and not worry about cooking or bills; private housing will vary in cost depending on where you live and who you live with. North Melbourne, Carlton, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Parkville and a couple of other suburbs are close to uni (https://study.unimelb.edu.au/accommodation).
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- The uni offers to pay for your first transport from the airport. To get to and from the airport by public transport use the Skybus which will take you to Southern Cross station, a main hub for trams, trains, and buses. I opted to take an Uber for the convenience from the airport to my apartment, it cost around $40-60.
- Weirdly enough the airport is one of the few places where you can’t catch public transport to the city.
- Discover UniMelb: events designed to enhance your university experience, connect you with others and help you feel at home on campus throughout the semester.
School related FAQs
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It’s hard, and gets more difficult each year. There is a serious volume of information as well as technical terms and names. Their expectations are high and they grade harshly. It is important to remember that the grading system is a little different here (they are happy to have class averages in the 60’s). If you stay on top of the material and don’t let it start piling up then it will be very manageable. Professors are also very helpful and understand the difficulty of the course. You will hear them repeat the common theme that it is better to know a little about a lot rather than a lot about a little.
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Try the study techniques you're familiar with but be flexible as the content varies between classes and teaching styles vary between the lecturers. Talk with classmates, professors and other cohorts on what works best for them if you are in need of a new approach. Use the mid semester exams as reference on how you're processing the information but don’t beat yourself up if you don’t do well as they are a low percentage of your final hurdle grade. Recommended techniques include 1-page lecture summaries (typed or hand written), answering Intended Learning Objectives, flash cards, studying with a buddy, using white boards, referencing recommended textbooks. I have recently been using a form of study method called “Active Recall” and interval spaced learning (check it out on Youtube!). I use a combination of Anki flash cards for terms and information I need to memorize. Where for larger concepts I write questions based on lecture slides/notes and write answers to them. I find this is a good way to study as you are actively testing yourself. Find out what works for you!
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The Brownless Biomedical Library has most of the books you will need, but the popular ones only go out overnight so that can be inconvenient at times. The lecturers are good at providing recommended texts but nothing is required for purchase as the notes for most professors are really comprehensive. If you are looking to buy books, ask higher year levels first as many students are looking to sell their books. I have personally not purchased any textbooks thus far, but have taken two textbooks out for the entire semester as supplementary material if I need it.
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Many students have part-time/casual jobs but I chose not to work during the first year. I used my semester breaks to complete the required extramural placements but it’s all up to you and what works with your schedule.
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I brought my laptop from home and an adaptor. However, it is relatively easy to find adaptors here. Many students use iPads/tablets to annotate slides/notes, however that is not necessary, laptops work well. Most of the class use tablets or laptops for note taking. Australia is on the expensive side when it comes to buying computers and tablets so I would suggest buying it from home as a cheaper option. You will just need to buy adaptors here (or get one at home-mine was much cheaper that way). OneNote and Notability are commonly used apps for note taking. If you use OneNote make sure you use your UniMelb student email as a log in because they offer ample storage (1TB).
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Most of the class use tablets or laptops for notetaking. Some people are old school and prefer paper notes. That is a personal choice. Australia is on the expensive side when it comes to buying computers and tablets so I would suggest buying it from home if it is a cheaper option. You will just need to buy adaptors here as the Australian wall plugs different compared to other countries. A calculator is also quite important, there is a university policy stating only Casio fx-82au plus ii are allowed during exams. However, because of COVID, all of our exams were online and open book. Thus, our year did not have any issues regarding what specific calculators we used, but that may change in the future if we move back to in person, closed book exams.
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No dress code for class. You have to buy coveralls (1st pair comes with VSSV membership), gum boots, regular boots, and a dissection kit for practical labs (specific kits will be available for purchase from VSSV during orientation).
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All of the above, accessibility just depends on where you live. Kendall hall, the dorm of the Werribee campus, also organizes sports so pay attention for announcements when you get here. Most of the contact/communication is through Facebook. Fitness centres prices are not that different compared to Canada ~$50-60 per month. The symphony here offers discount tickets to shows, there is a good music, art, and food scene here as well. I would suggest trying to make the most of first year, go out and enjoy different aspects of the city!
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Many in my year have said that they wished they took part in the orientation week/social events throughout the year. I would encourage you to participate in activities outside university, whether that be trips, dinner, coffee etc. Your peers will become your family for the next four years and strong relationships will be formed. Personally, I would be sure to stay on top of all the information given as catching up once you’re behind is much harder. Students and professors are very helpful with studying and learning so be sure to use them. You are not in this alone and that will become very clear throughout the year.
A day in the life...
Year 1 DVM students are on the Parkville campus a couple of times a week and the Werribee campus once a week (typically Fridays). In year 1, you will spend a week at the Dookie campus to gain experience with animal handling and get to know other people in your cohort.
You will also spend most of your time in Parkville for year 2. However, in years 3 and 4 most classes will be on the Werribee campus.
Most of your lectures will be asynchronous online. In year 1 semester 1, you can expect around 10-12 lectures per week.
Example of year 1 DVM student week
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Lectures to complete this week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parkville Face-to-face classes *Exams on Mondays mainly* | Parkville Face-to-face classes Online only if no F2F classes scheduled | Parkville Face-to-face classes Online only if no F2F classes scheduled | Parkville Face-to-face classes Online only if no F2F classes scheduled | Werribee Face-to-face classes Online only if no F2F classes scheduled | Online via LMS |
Workshop | Dissection | Case study | Animal handling |
| |
Dissection | Workshop/case study | Animal handling |
Melbourne’s climate
Sourced: https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Melbourne,Australia
Melbourne enjoys warm summers, rainy springs, mild autumns and crisp, windy winters. Typically the city heats up from December to February (summer), cools down from March to May (autumn), is very cold from June to August (winter), and warms up again from September to November (spring).
Melbourne's weather is notoriously unpredictable. You can experience all 4 seasons in a single day. It is recommended that you wear layers to adjust to the changing temperatures.
Sourced: https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-Rainfall-Temperature-Sunshine,Melbourne,Australia
Homes in Melbourne typically do not have double-panelled windows, central heating, or thick insulation that other countries have to stay warm during the winter. We recommend being equipped with lots of blankets, a personal heater (if there is not already one in your accommodation), and warm clothes/socks.
During winter and spring, bring a raincoat and umbrella with you as there will likely be on-and-off showers throughout the day.
The weather app on mobile phones isn’t always the most accurate. The most up-to-date, accurate weather information can be found on the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM).
Data, costs and advice on this page are valid as of 2025. They are indicative only and subject to change. We recommend researching specific costs etc according to your needs.