What To Consider When Relocating To Melbourne For Work

Melbourne is a culturally rich city known for its thriving arts scene and culinary options reflecting a diverse population. Thousands of professionals worldwide flock to the Victorian capital seeking better career and educational options and a higher quality of life. 

If you’re also considering the move, or you’ve already been offered a job relocating to the city of Melbourne, continue reading for information to help you make informed decisions before beginning your journey.

Cost of Living

The housing market is competitive, and like many cities, prices tend to vary significantly based on your targeted neighbourhood and property type. You'll find the usual options, including townhomes, standalone houses, condos, and apartments, but the location will greatly affect the price too.

Well before looking at houses, assess your financial standing and use an online mortgage calculator to determine your budget, then get pre-approval to signal to sellers that you're a serious investor.

Inner-city suburbs such as Carlton, Collingwood, Richmond, and Fitzroy are close to the central business district (CBD), with trendy cafes and restaurants adding to the mix.

Established professionals seeking more space and contemporary styling might appreciate the eastern suburbs of Camberwell, Kew, Balwyn, or Hawthorne, all still within reach of the CBD.

If a seaside lifestyle is your ultimate dream, look towards the bayside suburbs - Brighton, Elwood, Sandringham, and St. Kilda all have an upscale, relaxed coastal atmosphere with access to amenities and a good mix of housing styles, including apartments, period homes, and luxury waterfront properties.

Melbourne Public Transport

Public Transit Victoria (PTV) operates an extensive train, tram, and bus network throughout Melbourne. The trams, in particular, give riders convenient options for accessing many common points of interest within the business district and outer suburbs, with city centre travel free for all.

Rapid transit trains service locations in the suburbs and beyond, allowing users to leave their cars closer to home, avoiding parking stress and reducing air pollution. A convenient, single-ticket format known as Myki lets riders purchase digital tokens online and in retail outlets, which they can use on every system within the network.

Melbourne Climate

The weather in Victoria's capital can, at times, be unpredictable. As the locals say, it's common to experience "four seasons in one day" due to the temperate oceanic climate. Melbourne often experiences extreme weather events such as storms, flooding, heat waves, and the occasional bushfire.

If you visit or relocate, it's vital not to go about your life in a bubble; stay abreast of forecasts and warnings and have a family emergency plan in place should things become unstable.

As a visitor, pack clothing according to the four traditional seasons. For summer, you'll need lightweight and breathable attire suitable for the 25℃ to 40℃ temperature range, along with sunglasses and sunscreen. You'll want layered clothing, gloves, scarves, and waterproof coats or jackets in winter.

Melbourne Culture

There’s more to life than work, and Melbourne offers newcomers considerable options for occupying free time. The capital boasts theatres, galleries, music venues, and world-class museums.

Sports and outdoor lovers aren't left out either. You have Australian Rules Football, soccer, and tennis - including the famous Grand Slam tournament, The Australian Open, every January. You can go for a jog along the Yarra River and bicycle through Melbourne's numerous trails and parks. And of course, there’s ‘the race that stops the nation’, with the Melbourne Cup hosted every late October or early November.

The culinary scene offers something for everyone, including an active street food culture, outdoor markets, pop-up stalls, and the Queen Victoria Night Market and Food Truck Park. If celebrity chefs and fine dining is your preference, there are award-winning restaurants offering innovative dining concepts for every cuisine.

Education and Healthcare

Research schools in your target neighbourhoods and select from ample public, private, and religious institution choices for your children. Tertiary educational options include Monash University, University of Melbourne, RMIT, and Deakin - all offering research and academic programs spanning numerous disciplines.

In healthcare, Melbourne has numerous medical centres and hospital facilities conveniently located throughout the city's suburbs and business districts. Comprehensive facilities include Royal Melbourne Hospital, St. Vincent's Melbourne, The Alfred Hospital, and Royal Children's.

Immigration to Melbourne

Arriving in Australia from another country to live in Melbourne means you’ll need to understand and navigate the visa process for legal entry and work eligibility. Several visa options exist based on different circumstances.

Skilled Visas 

Designed to fill roles requiring in-demand skill sets and qualifications. Two subclass visas are points-tested and have basic criteria for applicants to meet, including English proficiency, minimum age, and occupational eligibility. These are the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189) and the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190).

Employer-Sponsored

This visa category lets local companies fill positions with skilled workers who otherwise cannot be satisfied using Australian citizens, referred to as the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).

A New Future In Melbourne

Here's to a successful, stress-free job relocation process. In Melbourne, you'll be welcomed with open arms and endless opportunities for employment and recreational activities. Contact your financial advisor for more information about current mortgage market conditions as your moving plans finalise.