To move to Melbourne on a working holiday, book a hostel for your first 1 to 2 weeks, get your Tax File Number, bank account and phone sorted, then look for a room in a share house while you job hunt. St Kilda, the CBD, Fitzroy, Brunswick, Richmond and Footscray are popular with backpackers. Melbourne rent is lower than Sydney’s, the city centre trams are free, and you can now tap on trams and trains with your bank card.
Last checked: 7 November 2026
Your first week in Melbourne
- Get from the airport. The SkyBus runs from Melbourne Airport to Southern Cross Station in the city, then take a tram to your hostel.
- Check into a hostel. Book at least your first few nights. Our pick is Nomads St Kilda; see all our Melbourne hostel picks.
- Get a SIM or eSIM. See our eSIM guide.
- Apply for your Tax File Number. It is free and online. See how to get a TFN.
- Open a bank account. See our bank account guide.
- Get a mailing address. A TAW Mailbox gives you a real Australian address for your bank card and letters before you have a lease.
- Build your CV and start applying. Use the TAW CV builder and apply on TAW jobs.
Let us sort your first 4 days
Hello Melbourne gives you 3 nights at Nomads St Kilda, a laneways and street art tour, a Grampians day trip, and help setting up your bank, TFN, phone and CV, with a group of other working holiday makers.
Best areas to live in Melbourne for backpackers
| Area | Why people like it | To the CBD |
|---|---|---|
| St Kilda | Beach, cafes, a big backpacker community | Tram, about 25 to 30 minutes |
| CBD | Close to work, free trams, everything nearby | You are already there |
| Fitzroy and Collingwood | Bars, live music, vintage shops, street art | Tram, 10 to 15 minutes |
| Brunswick | Cheaper share houses, a creative local feel | Tram or train, about 20 minutes |
| Richmond | Pubs, Vietnamese food on Victoria Street, near the MCG | Train or tram, about 10 minutes |
| Footscray | Some of the cheapest rent close to the city, great food | Train, about 10 minutes |
How much is rent in Melbourne?
Melbourne’s median asking rent for a whole unit was about $600 a week in the March quarter of 2026, against about $750 in Sydney (Domain). Most working holiday makers rent a single room in a share house, which costs much less and often includes bills. Expect to pay more for a room near the beach or the CBD, and less further out.
See our living costs guide for a full weekly budget.
Finding a share house
- Use flatmate websites and local Facebook groups for share houses and rooms.
- Always see the room in person or on a live video call before you pay anything.
- Ask whether bills, wifi and furniture are included.
- If you pay a bond, it should be lodged with the Residential Tenancies Bond Authority (RTBA), and you should get a receipt.
- Never send money to someone who says they are overseas and will post you the keys. That is a common scam.
Getting around Melbourne
Trams are free inside the Free Tram Zone in the CBD and Docklands. Outside it, you can tap on trams and trains with a bank card, phone or smartwatch, or use a myki card. There is a daily fare cap, so heavy travel days do not blow your budget. Melbourne is also flat and good for cycling.
Jobs in Melbourne
Melbourne has lots of work for working holiday makers in hospitality, cafes, bars, events, retail, construction labour and warehousing. Its big events, like the Australian Open in January, the Grand Prix and the Melbourne Cup, bring waves of short term work. Have an RSA certificate for bar work and a White Card for construction sites.
Browse TAW jobs, read our interview tips, and see hiring in Melbourne.
Melbourne weather
Melbourne can have hot days in summer, but winters from June to August are cold, wet and grey, and the weather can change fast on any day. Bring a warm jacket and layers. See our working holiday packing list.
Things to do on your days off
Melbourne is great on a budget. Start with our list of free things to do in Melbourne. Further out, the Great Ocean Road, Phillip Island, the Grampians and the Yarra Valley are all easy day trips. Still deciding? Read Sydney or Melbourne.
Frequently asked questions
Is Melbourne good for a working holiday?
Yes. Rent is lower than Sydney, there is lots of hospitality and events work, the city centre trams are free, and it is a great base for the Great Ocean Road and the Grampians.
Where should backpackers live in Melbourne?
St Kilda if you want the beach and a backpacker crowd, the CBD for convenience, and Fitzroy, Brunswick, Richmond or Footscray for a more local feel and often cheaper rooms.
How much money do I need to move to Melbourne?
Enough for a couple of weeks in a hostel, a bond and 2 weeks rent for a share room, plus food and transport while you find work. Our living costs guide has a weekly budget.
How long does it take to find a job in Melbourne?
Many working holiday makers find work in 1 to 3 weeks, faster with a good CV, local references and certificates like an RSA or White Card.
Can I use my bank card on Melbourne trams?
Yes. Since June 2026 you can tap on Melbourne trams with a bank card, phone or smartwatch, as well as on trains. Inside the Free Tram Zone you do not need to tap on at all.
Do I need a car in Melbourne?
No. Trams, trains and buses cover most of the city. A car only helps for regional work or road trips.
What address do I use before I find a share house?
Use a TAW Mailbox. You get a real Australian address for your bank card and letters, and we scan your mail so you can read it anywhere.
Sources: Public Transport Victoria, Domain rental report, March quarter 2026, Consumer Affairs Victoria: renting.
