Living in Melbourne while studying requires honest financial planning. We help international students understand real costs, track spending patterns, and build budgets that actually work—without empty promises about perfect money management.
International students face unique financial challenges. Here's what we actually help with—practical tools and clear guidance based on what students living in Melbourne really need.
Most students underestimate how quickly small purchases add up. We teach simple tracking methods that take about 10 minutes per week—nothing fancy, just honest accounting.
Rent takes up the biggest chunk of student budgets. We help you understand real costs in different suburbs and make informed choices about where to live based on your actual budget.
Many international students work part-time within visa limits. We help you calculate realistic earnings, understand tax obligations, and balance work hours with study commitments.
Our program runs from September 2025 through February 2026. Here's what each phase involves—no shortcuts, just steady progress in understanding your finances better.
We start by looking at where your money actually goes right now. Track everything for two months—coffee, train rides, groceries, all of it. Most students discover spending patterns they didn't know existed. This phase feels tedious but it's the foundation.
Now we create a budget based on your real spending data, not theoretical numbers. You'll learn to categorize expenses, identify areas where you can adjust, and set realistic targets. We also cover Melbourne-specific costs like heating in winter or summer activities.
The final phase focuses on refining what's working and fixing what isn't. You'll also start thinking about the next academic year—whether that means planning for a trip home during breaks or preparing for increased tuition costs.
Priya finished our program in February 2024. She was struggling with her budget during first year, often running out of money before her next transfer from home arrived. The tracking process helped her realize she was spending about 0 monthly on food delivery—way more than she thought.
By mid-2024, she'd adjusted her spending habits and started cooking more with roommates. Not perfect, but better. She also picked up weekend shifts at a campus café that fit around her engineering coursework.
These come up constantly. We've organized them by when students typically ask them—before enrolling, during the program, and after finishing.
No. We work with students across the spectrum—some have never managed their own finances before, others just want better systems. The program adapts to where you're starting from.
You'll work with your own numbers, but nothing gets shared publicly. Some group sessions discuss concepts, but specific amounts stay private unless you choose to share.
The time commitment is flexible—about 2-3 hours weekly for tracking and reviewing. Most sessions are recorded if you can't attend live. That said, if you're completely maxed out, waiting until next intake might make more sense.
This happens often—visa work hours increase during breaks, unexpected medical costs pop up, exchange rates shift. We adjust your budget plan as circumstances change. That's actually part of the learning process.
We can point you toward resources like Consumer Affairs Victoria, but we're not legal advisors. The program focuses on budget planning and financial tracking, not resolving disputes.
Yes, there's a group chat for each cohort. Some students find it helpful to share tips about cheap groceries or part-time job leads. Others prefer working independently. Both approaches are fine.
Alumni can access our resource library and attend quarterly check-in sessions for the following year. Direct support ends with the program, but the materials and tracking tools are yours to keep using.
Maybe. It depends on your income, expenses, and goals. The program helps you understand what's realistic for your situation—some students do save for travel, others focus on building emergency funds or reducing reliance on family support.
You can rejoin future cohorts at a reduced rate if you want to go through it again. Some students do this when circumstances change significantly—like moving from student housing to renting independently.
Program runs September through February. Limited spots available to maintain quality support. Reach out if you have specific questions about whether this fits your situation.
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