Melbourne is the capital of the state of Victoria and Australia’s second largest city with a population of 4.8 million people. The Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) has ranked Melbourne as the World’s most liveable city. Melbourne takes top spot for the seventh year, receiving a perfect score for healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
International students have consistently voted Melbourne as one of the world’s best study destinations — and we’re sure you’re going to LOVE living in this vibrant city! Melbourne is Australia’s most multicultural and ethnically diverse city. People from over 140 countries call Melbourne home, and locals are welcoming and respectful of all cultures and traditions.
ICV is proud to offer a purpose-built practical training campus in Lalor for our Carpentry students and a theory campus in the Heart of CBD (Collins Street). The practical facility is fully equipped with all the tools, materials, and resources students need to gain real-world, hands-on experience throughout the course.
Melbourne’s diversity is reflected in its thousands of restaurants, cafés and bars. It is known for its strong café culture and has earned the title of Australia’s food and wine capital. The city celebrates this passion with numerous food and wine festivals held year-round.
Notable for its mix of historic Victorian-era buildings and modern architecture, Melbourne also offers beautiful beaches, lush parks, and open spaces — all contributing to a clean, safe, and friendly environment. Melbourne’s central city area is famous for its laneways which feature ‘hidden gems’ in the way of food outlets and shopping. It is a city where a sense of adventure and curiosity will always be rewarded.
Australia is often said to be “sport mad” and nowhere more so than in Melbourne. The city is home to some of Australia’s most significant cultural and sporting institutions. From soccer to cricket and golf to rugby and tennis events – the world’s sporting stage is at our doorstep. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is the ‘spiritual’ home of Aussie Rules (AFL) football. Culturally, there is always a wide variety of Broadway musicals, concerts, plays, live music, comedy and theatre. Live bands frequently do ‘gigs’ at local pubs, so there’s never a dull night with the city’s live entertainment offerings.
Melbourne’s trains, trams and buses are an easy way to see all of the city’s best attractions, access sporting venues, tourist and shopping precincts and, of course, get to and from class. All public transported services are accessible by a single prepaid ‘smart’ card called myki. Train, bus and tram services run from early morning to very late at night – making it easy to get there and back on time! Melbourne has the largest tram network in the world. Its trams are recognised as iconic cultural assets and are a unique transport experience for any visitor to the city.
Melbourne’s (Tullamarine) international airport is located approximately 20 km from the city centre. A Skybus service operates between the airport and downtown Melbourne with departures in each direction every 10 – 15 minutes.
Knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation. To get a better idea, check out the handy Cost of Living Calculator by Study Australia
For further details about this refer to the Student Handbook (International Students)
Orientation and Student Support at ICV
At the International College of Victoria (ICV), we are committed to supporting our international students as they transition into life and study in Australia. To ensure a smooth start, all new students are required to attend a compulsory orientation program at the commencement of their course.
Our orientation is thoughtfully designed to be culturally and linguistically appropriate, providing students with vital information about academic expectations, student life, and available support services.
As part of the program, students receive a comprehensive Orientation Kit, which includes:
- Melbourne train network maps
- ICV Student Key Contact Card
- Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) brochure
- Information from Fair Work Australia
- The official ICV Student Handbook
During orientation, our support team assists students in setting up their Unique Student Identifier (USI) and provides guidance on navigating life in Melbourne. A guided tour of the ICV campus is also included, helping students become familiar with classrooms, student common areas, administration, library, computer lab, fire exits, emergency evacuation points, and other key facilities.
Additionally, students have the option to participate in a city familiarisation tour, where they are shown important nearby services such as public transport hubs, banks, the post office, supermarkets, local libraries, and eateries conveniently located near the ICV campus.
The ICV Student Key Contact Card includes important contact numbers for student support staff and emergency services. Our dedicated support team also assists students with:
- Setting up bank accounts
- Applying for Tax File Numbers (TFN)
- Registering for USI
- Getting a myki card for Melbourne’s public transport system
To support students financially, ICV offers flexible payment plans and direct debit options to help manage tuition fees in manageable installments, minimising financial stress.
In the event of medical emergencies, ICV staff are available to accompany students to hospitals or clinics. If an emergency arises on campus, ICV’s emergency response procedure is activated immediately to ensure student safety.
ICV also provides access to free counselling services for students experiencing personal or academic difficulties. Appointments can be made with our qualified on-campus counsellor via the student support team. Where necessary, we also assist students in connecting with external, no-cost counselling providers such as:
- Melbourne Counselling Services – (03) 9653 3250
- Salvation Army – 13 13 258
- Beyond Blue (Lifeline) – 13 11 14
- For students who require legal assistance, ICV staff will help direct them to appropriate free legal aid services.
At ICV, our student support services are designed to ensure that all students feel welcomed, safe, and supported throughout their educational journey.
Below are some of the useful links that you may need access to: