As Australia’s cultural capital, Melbourne is overflowing with great food, coffee and art, and, of course, lots of students. Thanks to its cosmopolitan lifestyle and the 10 universities that call Melbourne home, it’s no wonder the city is a hotspot for young professionals.
Here are some of the top reasons why choosing to live in Melbourne is a smart move for your studies and career.
Enjoy Australia’s most liveable city
Melbourne was ranked the #1 most liveable city in Australia and #10 in the world in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Global Liveability Index for 2022. This list assesses 173 cities across the globe in the categories of stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure.
Network with a diverse student community
Melbourne is one of Australia’s most multicultural cities, and its educational institutions are similarly globally focussed. For example, La Trobe’s international students call 110 different countries home, while the University of Melbourne hosts students from 130 countries. There are also plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the local workforce, with huge corporations like ANZ and NAB banks and one of Australia’s largest companies, BHP Billiton, headquartered in the city.
Get creative
If you believe the stereotypes, Melbourne is exclusively populated by artists, musicians, writers and graphic designers. In reality, there is a diverse range of career options in the city, but it is definitely a hub for the arts in Australia and offers plenty of opportunities for out-of-the-box thinkers.
“Melbourne is a vibrant city that provides lots of opportunities for an Arts student like me to get involved in theatre and creative work,” says Cheryl, who lives at Journal Student Living is studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the University of Melbourne. Whether it’s a side hustle or the main game, your creative spirit will be nurtured in Melbourne.
Get around with ease
Melbourne is home to an extensive, well-connected public transport network. Thanks to the city’s trams, buses and trains, you’ll have no trouble getting around, whether you’re heading to a lecture or going to work.
The best part? As an international student, you may be eligible for 50 per cent off public transport with an International Student Travel Pass, making it both easy and affordable to explore the city.
Do your research
Research and development are two of Melbourne’s big strengths, with the Australian Synchrotron, a world-class science research facility, and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre located here. This passion for research extends to the educational institutions of the city, with the University of Melbourne hosting the most highly-cited researchers in Australia in 2017. At La Trobe University, researchers also have access to world-class equipment, including the La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science and the Centre for AgriBioscience.
Australia’s own Silicon Valley
Melbourne is often seen as Australia’s tech capital. The city’s technology industry currently employs 85,000 people across around 8,000 companies and generates $35 billion each year. It’s expected that by 2020, this will increase by 45% to $50.8 billion; in other words, it’s a great time to enter Melbourne’s tech job market.
Melbourne’s startup scene is also thriving, with over 2,000 startups currently based in the city. The Victorian Government has put a lot of investment into growing and improving Melbourne’s startup infrastructure, making it a fantastic time to either join an existing startup or launch your own.
Take advantage of gaps in the job market
Melbourne and the rest of the state of Victoria have added more jobs in the previous five years than any other state in Australia, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The government is also forecasting skill shortages in accounting, engineering, health and education professions in Melbourne, so jobs in those sectors will be comparatively easy to come by over the next decade.
Header image courtesy of Visit Victoria.
