Melbourne and country Victoria are home to many vibrant, multicultural, and inclusive groups and, as an international student, you’re an important part of that story. At Study Melbourne, we’re committed to creating an inclusive and supportive space where every student feels safe, valued, and celebrated.

Whether you're looking to connect with your culture, build skills to complement your studies, express your identity, or find new communities, this page is your starting point to help you find your people.

Study Melbourne groups and initiatives

The Study Melbourne Hub hosts a variety of activities and events for international students, making it a great place to connect with your community. From resume-writing workshops to trivia nights to pizza parties, there are events suited to every interest. Best of all, they are free to attend.

Bookmark our events listing page to see all the events and activities coming up and subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates on what’s on.

Student societies at your institution

Your education provider will likely house a vast range of student societies, teams and clubs. These might include cultural or language societies, sports teams and/or subject-specific groups. Other clubs and societies unite people based on hobbies and interests, such as chess, art or even rock climbing.

Joining a club is one of the easiest ways to meet people, build skills, and get involved in campus life. If you can’t find a club you’re looking for, you can start your own — most student unions offer support to help you launch one.

Fitness and sports

Joining a fitness club or sports team is an excellent way to immerse yourself in Melbourne’s sport-loving culture, stay active throughout your studies and meet some new friends.

Whether you’re into rock climbing, soccer, cricket, running, basketball or Victoria’s favourite sport, AFL and AFLW, you’ll have no trouble finding local clubs and teams near you to join. Learn more about the sporting facilities and communities in Melbourne.

It’s also worth downloading the Active Melbourne app. When you join the Active Melbourne community, you’ll gain access to hundreds of on-demand fitness classes and workouts. Plus, you can use the app to track your fitness and book visits to the city’s many great pools and fitness classes.

Arts and creativity

Melbourne is renowned across the world for its arts and culture scene, which makes this city the perfect place to explore your artistic side.

If you’re aged 14 to 25, you can’t miss a visit to Signal. This city-based creative studio provides opportunities for young people to collaborate with established artists in a wide variety of creative fields, from writing and visual art to sculpture, film and dance.

The NGV is another excellent resource for the art-loving community. While you can visit the gallery and explore it whenever you’d like, you can go one step further by becoming an NGV member. By joining the gallery’s largest community, you’ll gain access to member-only events and make friends with similar interests.

Culture and religion

Melbourne is home to more than 140 cultural communities. Whether you’re seeking people who share your heritage or want to explore others, there are many communities ready to welcome you.

• Explore the City of Melbourne’s multicultural services, including language support, events, and cultural community hubs.

• Use My Community Directory to find local places of worship, religious groups, and interfaith services.

Many universities also have multifaith chaplaincy or prayer rooms available on campus.

• Browse Multicultural Arts Victoria for cultural festivals, exhibitions, and opportunities to engage in Melbourne’s creative and cultural sector.

• Stay updated with What's On Melbourne for multicultural festivals, markets, performances, and city-wide celebrations like Lunar New Year, Diwali, Eid, and NAIDOC Week.

LGBTQIA+

Melbourne and Victoria  — like the rest of Australia — are very accepting of people of all sexualities and gender identities. Whether you're looking for support, social connections, or spaces to celebrate who you are, the city offers a wide range of inclusive programs, communities and events.

These organisations and directories are a great starting point if you’re looking to connect with the queer community or access support:

• Rainbow Network – directory of LGBTQIA+ meetups, workshops and services across Victoria

• Victorian Pride Centre – Australia’s first purpose-built centre for LGBTQIA+ communities, located in St Kilda. The centre offers a range of multi-use spaces, including meeting rooms, a rooftop terrace and a coworking space.

• Switchboard Victoria – peer-based support, phone services and resources for LGBTQIA+ people

• Thorne Harbour Health – inclusive health, wellbeing and community support

• Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC) – for queer people from multicultural and multi-faith backgrounds

• Rainbow Door – free support service for LGBTQIA+ people, families and allies

• Queerspace – mental health, counselling, and peer support

LGBTQIA+ Events and Celebrations

• Midsumma Festival – Victoria’s premier queer arts and culture festival

• Melbourne Queer Film Festival – one of the largest queer film festivals in the Southern Hemisphere

• ChillOut Festival – Australia’s biggest regional LGBTQIA+ festival in Daylesford

• IDAHOBIT – International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia

Looking to stay active in an inclusive environment? Use the Pride in Sport Club Directory to find LGBTQIA+ friendly sports clubs across Australia

Disability

Victoria is committed to accessibility, inclusion, and removing barriers that prevent people with disabilities from leading their best, most fulfilling lives. This means you’ll find plenty of help and resources on hand to make the most of your experience.

Support Services and Programs

• Youth Disability Advocacy Service (YDAS) – offers a free advocacy service for young people aged 12–25 and runs the Young Leaders Program, which builds confidence, leadership skills, and access to job and volunteering opportunities.

• Brotherhood of St. Laurence – their Local Area Coordinators can connect you with community support, local services, and the NDIS.

• Arts Access Victoria – get involved in creative projects that prioritise access, inclusion, and self-expression.

Accessibility in The City

• Looking for accessible facilities while you're out? The Accessible Australia map helps you easily locate accessible toilets, cafes, venues, and public spaces across Melbourne.

• Getting around on public transport? Public Transport Victoria (PTV) provides detailed accessibility information for trains, trams, buses, and stations.

💡 Study Melbourne events and programs are designed to be inclusive and accessible. Let us know if you need support or adjustments — we’re here to help.

Discover more groups and communities

The Couch Melbourne

Located in the heart of the city, The Couch is the City of Melbourne’s dedicated centre for international students.

Here, you can make new friends, grab a free meal, learn something new or get involved with the community through volunteering opportunities.

My Melbourne

Run by the City of Melbourne, the My Melbourne program is a suite of outings to attractions, events, behind-the-scenes tours, ticket giveaways and more. It’s a fantastic resource for connecting with the international student community in Melbourne.

Discover more about the My Melbourne program and stay up to date on upcoming events for international students.

Neighbourhood houses

Across the city of Melbourne, neighbourhood houses bring people together from all ages, backgrounds and abilities to offer free and affordable events, classes and activities.

Finding your nearest neighbourhood house is a great way to access a supportive community, build your skills and make new friends.

The Lounge Geelong

The city of Geelong also boasts a lively community space dedicated to fostering cultural exchange and connection: the Lounge Geelong

Students can join events, workshops, and initiatives that celebrate diversity, and explore different traditions in a welcoming environment that encourages dialogue.