[Inspiring music, visual of speaker talking to camera]

[On-screen text: Neha, International student]

Neha: As an international student, you'll want to know how much it'll cost to live and study in your new city. And we know that affordability is important.

[Visual of speaker talking to camera, in front of Melbourne GPO, followed by scenes of speaker shopping with friends, and sightseeing in Melbourne CBD]

It's a good idea to have a budget for daily expenses, but it's also good to set money aside for enjoying the best of life here. Festivals, eating out at incredible restaurants and travelling the state.

So what's the cost of living like in Melbourne?

Ranked as Australia's best student city, affordability is an important factor in Melbourne's appeal, but your cost of living will ultimately depend on your lifestyle.

One of the easiest ways to estimate how much it might cost to live in Melbourne is to use our Cost of Living calculator. With this quick and easy tool, you can select how much you'd like to spend on your desired accommodation type, ideal location, preferred modes of transport, and even how much you'd like to spend on entertainment and activities. Then the tool will calculate your approximate weekly spend in Melbourne.

If you desire to study in beautiful regional Victoria, you can enjoy even more affordable living.

As an international student, you'll be able to access a range of exclusive discounts and deals.

For example, eligible international students can save up to 50% on public transport costs by purchasing the International Student Travel Pass for 90 days, 180 days, or 365 days.

Also, keep an eye out for student and concession discounts at cinemas, gyms, retail stores, events, and attractions. You'll just need to show your student ID to access these.

Setting a budget and sticking to it is going to be the most effective way to manage your spending.

[Visual of speaker talking to camera, followed by footage of the Australian Government's Money Smart Budget Planner on a laptop, and scenes of speaker talking with friends]

The Australian Government's Money Smart Budget Planner can be an effective way to start working out where your money is going.

Some easy ways to save money include, cooking at home, turning off electrical appliances when not in use, keeping an eye on special deals and offers at the supermarket, and living in a share house with others where you can divide up expenses like utilities and rent.

As an international student, you can also work part-time while you study to cover some of your expenses. Visit the Study Melbourne website or the friendly team at the Hub to get more information about your work rights and employability tips.

[On-screen logo]

Study Melbourne

[End transcript]