Public holiday hours Some listed businesses are closed on Monday. Check individual listings before you travel. See listings
Melbourne Sphere
Stories from around the city
Local guides, food discoveries, and stories from Melbourne’s neighbourhoods.
Written and edited by our team, with paid guest posts clearly labelled.
Loading articles
Around the city
Find your way around the city and its neighbourhoods.
Melbourne Sphere160 stories
Local guides, food discoveries, and stories from Melbourne’s neighbourhoods.
Written and edited by our team, with paid guest posts clearly labelled.
Getting around
Melbourne has many useful study spots outside university libraries. Public libraries are ideal for quiet and budget-friendly study, cafés offer a change of atmosphere, the Study Melbourne Hub provides additional support for international students, and outdoor spaces are perfect for reading breaks.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Food and drink
Melbourne has a wide choice of halal grocery stores and butchers, from neighbourhood meat shops to supermarkets with extensive international food ranges. St Albans, Fawkner, Preston, Springvale, Oakleigh and Tarneit are useful areas to explore.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
City guides
Finding Indian groceries in Melbourne is relatively straightforward once you know which suburbs to explore. Truganina and Hoppers Crossing are useful options in the west, Dandenong and Glen Huntly in the south-east, and Epping in the north.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
City guides
Understanding Melbourne's rubbish and recycling system helps keep neighbourhoods clean and makes it easier to recycle valuable materials. Learn the meaning of each bin colour, check your address-specific collection calendar and use authorised services for hard rubbish, batteries and electronic waste.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Getting around
Knowing the difference between 000 and 112 can help you respond confidently during an emergency in Australia. Call 000 for urgent police, fire or ambulance assistance. Remember 112 as an alternative mobile emergency number, and save other useful helplines for non-emergency situations.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Getting around
Finding a rental property in Melbourne becomes easier when you plan your budget, compare suburbs, prepare your documents and understand your rights. Start with established property websites, attend inspections, submit complete applications and read the rental agreement carefully before signing.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Getting around
Medicare and OSHC both help people manage healthcare expenses in Australia, but they are designed for different groups. Medicare is intended for eligible residents and certain visitors, while OSHC helps international students access eligible medical and hospital services during their studies.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
City guides
Applying for an Australian TFN is straightforward when you use the correct process for your visa and location. Eligible international students and temporary visa holders can generally apply online through the ATO's IAR system, free of charge. Prepare your passport and visa details, enter an accurate Australian postal address, and allow up to 28 days for delivery.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
City guides
Opening an Australian bank account can make settling into student life much easier. Compare banks such as CommBank, NAB and ANZ, prepare your passport and enrolment documents, confirm the identity-verification process, and check account fees before applying. Once your account is active, set up secure mobile banking and look into a TFN if you plan to work or earn taxable income in Australia.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
City guides
Getting an Australian SIM card is straightforward once you know what to compare. Telstra is worth considering for broader coverage, Optus for a balanced range of prepaid options, and Vodafone for competitive deals in areas where its network suits your needs.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Getting around
For free short stays, use the City of Melbourne's eligible 15-minute EasyPark offer. For longer visits, compare Queen Victoria Market, CBDpark, First Parking, QV Melbourne, and Wilson Parking before setting off. If you're visiting on a weekend or in the evening, check the city's off-peak street rates too.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Getting around
Cycling in Melbourne is a practical way to get around and discover the city's parks, waterfronts, and neighbourhoods. By choosing appropriate bike lanes and paths, wearing a helmet, following road rules, and taking care around trams and turning vehicles, you can make your rides safer and more enjoyable.
By Melbourne Sphere editors · Editorial team
Showing 12 articles
