Complete Guide to Working Holiday in Melbourne (2025)

"Should I go to Sydney or Melbourne?" We get this question a lot.

The answer is simple. If you love cafe culture and want a relaxed lifestyle, Melbourne is your city. Melbourne is known as Australia's 'cultural capital' and one of the world's best coffee cities.

This guide was created by the WHRESUME team (3 years living in Melbourne) based on working holiday community feedback. From your first day in Melbourne to full settlement, we've included only practical, immediately useful information.

1. Why Choose Melbourne for Your Working Holiday?

1.1. World's Best Coffee City

Melbourne has the world's highest density of cafes per square meter. Specialty cafes hide in every narrow laneway.

Melbourne Cafe Culture:

• Thousands of cafes in Melbourne CBD and surrounding areas
• Barista positions constantly hiring (especially Spring-Summer season)
• Average hourly rate: $25-30 (experienced $30-35)
• Tip culture: Some cafes $50-100/week

💡 Note: Exact cafe numbers and job statistics vary by season and economic conditions.

1.2. City of Culture and Arts

A city overflowing with free events:

• NGV (National Gallery of Victoria): Free exhibitions
• Street Art: Hosier Lane, AC/DC Lane
• Live Music: 100+ gigs daily
• Festivals: 50+ annual events

1.3. Public Transport Paradise

Melbourne's icon, the Free Tram Zone:

• All trams within CBD are free
• Commute savings: $100-150/month
• Myki card for trams, trains, and buses

1.4. Multicultural City

A city where over 200 nationalities blend:

• Korean community: Approximately 10,000-15,000 Korea-born residents in Victoria (2021 Census)
• Korean grocers and restaurants: Concentrated in CBD and Box Hill
• Language exchange meetups: 3-4 times weekly

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2. First Week in Melbourne Checklist

Day 1-2: Essential Registration

✅ 3 Things to Do Immediately:

1. Get SIM Card

   • Purchase at airport or Woolworths
   • Recommended: Optus Prepaid $30/month (50GB)
   • Can open bank account after SIM activation

2. Open Bank Account

   • Recommended banks: Commonwealth Bank, ANZ, Westpac
   • Required documents: Passport, address (backpacker hostel acceptable)
   • Apply online then visit branch
   • ⚠️ Important: Opening within 6 weeks of arrival requires only 1 ID

3. Apply for TFN (Tax File Number)

   • Apply online: ATO Website
   • Processing time: Arrives by mail within 28 days
   • Free, takes 10 minutes
   • See TFN Application Guide

Day 3-5: Accommodation Stabilization

First Week Accommodation Strategy:

1. Backpacker Hostel (First 1-2 weeks)

   • Location: CBD or St Kilda
   • Price: $30-45/night
   • Recommended: Space Hotel, United Backpackers
   • Great networking opportunities

2. Finding Sharehouses

   • Main platforms: Flatmates.com.au, Gumtree, Australian Working Holiday Cafe
   • Must visit in person (photos often misleading)
   • Pre-contract checklist:
     • Bond (deposit): Usually 2-4 weeks rent
     • Minimum contract period
     • Bills included? (Electricity, gas, internet)
     • House rules

Day 6-7: Resume Preparation and Job Search

Melbourne Job Search Characteristics:

• Online applications < In-person visits (CV drop-offs)
• Best visit times: 10-11am or 2-3pm
• Average: 20-30 visits per day

Resume Preparation:

• Need Melbourne-specific resume
• Download Melbourne Resume Template
• Create with Free Resume Builder in 5 minutes

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3. Melbourne Suburbs: Characteristics and Recommendations

Melbourne is divided into CBD, Inner Suburbs, and Outer Suburbs.

3.1. CBD (Central Business District)

Characteristics:

• Heart of Melbourne
• Convenient commuting (Free Tram Zone)
• Higher rent costs

Rent:

• Share room: $200-280/week
• Own room: $350-500/week

Recommended For:

• Cafe/restaurant job seekers
• Short-term stay (3 months or less)
• Those wanting to save on transport

Jobs:

• Cafes: Degraves St, Centre Place, Hardware Lane
• Restaurants: Southbank, Chinatown
• Retail: Bourke St Mall, Emporium

3.2. Fitzroy & Collingwood (North)

Characteristics:

• Melbourne's hippest area
• Specialty cafe concentration
• Street art and vintage shops

Rent:

• Share room: $180-250/week
• Own room: $300-400/week

Recommended For:

• Those wanting barista experience
• Arts and culture enthusiasts
• Trendy atmosphere lovers

Jobs:

• Specialty cafes: Smith St, Brunswick St, Gertrude St
• Bars/Pubs: Johnston St
• Retail: Vintage shops, boutiques

Famous Cafes:

• Industry Beans
• Seven Seeds
• Proud Mary

3.3. St Kilda (South Beach)

Characteristics:

• Beachfront tourist area
• Many backpackers
• Weekend market (Esplanade Market)

Rent:

• Share room: $160-220/week
• Own room: $280-380/week

Recommended For:

• Beach lovers
• Server/bar job seekers
• Networking seekers

Jobs:

• Restaurants/Bars: Acland St, Fitzroy St
• Hotels: Novotel, Prince Hotel
• Tourism: Tour guides, rental shops

3.4. South Yarra & Prahran (Southeast)

Characteristics:

• Affluent residential area
• Upscale restaurants and cafes
• Chapel St shopping district

Rent:

• Share room: $190-260/week
• Own room: $320-450/week

Recommended For:

• Fine dining experience seekers
• Higher wage seekers
• Quiet residential environment preference

Jobs:

• Upscale restaurants: Toorak Rd
• Cafes: Greville St
• Retail: Chapel St

3.5. Box Hill (East, Korean Town)

Characteristics:

• Korean community center
• Many Korean grocers and restaurants
• 30 minutes from CBD by tram

Rent:

• Share room: $150-200/week
• Own room: $250-350/week

Recommended For:

• English beginners
• Those missing Korean food
• Affordable rent seekers

Jobs:

• Korean restaurants: Around Box Hill Central
• Korean grocers: KS Mart, Palsaik
• Construction/Cleaning: Korean community job boards

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4. How to Find Jobs in Melbourne

4.1. Job Search Strategy by Industry

Cafes & Barista:

Step-by-Step Job Search:

1. Select Target Area

   • Beginners: CBD, South Yarra (large chain stores)
   • Experienced: Fitzroy, Collingwood (specialty)

2. CV Drop-off Timing

   • Optimal time: Weekdays 10-11am
   • Avoid: Rush hours (7-9am, 12-2pm)

3. In-Person Visit Script

   "Hi, I'm looking for a barista position.
   I have 2 years of experience in specialty coffee.
   Here's my resume. Is the manager available?"
   

4. Trial Preparation

   • Prepare black clothing (black shirt, pants, shoes)
   • Prepare apron (provided if you don't have one)
   • 2-3 hour unpaid trial is typical
   • Results given same day or next day

Success Rates:

• Beginners: 1-2 trials per 50 visits
• Experienced: 2-3 trials per 20-30 visits

Restaurants & Serving:

Recommended Job Search Methods:

1. Search "Waitstaff Melbourne" on Gumtree, Seek, Indeed
2. In-person visits: Weekends right after lunch (2-3pm)
3. RSA certificate required (Complete RSA Certificate Guide)

Interview Questions:

• "Have you worked in a busy restaurant before?"
• "Are you available on weekends?"
• "Can you handle multiple tables?"

Farm Jobs:

Melbourne regional farm areas:

• Mildura (Northwest, 5 hours): Vineyards
• Shepparton (North, 2 hours): Fruit picking
• Warragul (East, 1.5 hours): Strawberry farms

Job Sites:

• Harvest Trail (government site)
• WorkStay Australia
• Korean farm community (Australian Working Holiday Cafe)

4.2. Wages and Pay Information

2025-2026 Australian Minimum Wage (as of July 1, 2025):

• Casual: $31.19/hour (includes 25% loading)
• Part-time/Full-time: $24.95/hour

💡 Latest Info: Check Fair Work Ombudsman official website 👉 https://www.fairwork.gov.au/pay-and-wages/minimum-wages

⚠️ Note: Minimum wage changes every July 1st.

Melbourne Average Hourly Rates (By Industry):

Industry	Beginner	Experienced	Weekend/Night
Barista	$25-28	$30-35	$35-42
Server	$25-28	$28-32	$32-40
Kitchen Hand	$25-27	$27-30	$30-36
Housekeeping	$26-29	$29-32	$32-38
Retail	$25-28	$28-30	$30-35
Construction (White Card)	$30-35	$35-45	$45-60

⚠️ Watch Out for Illegal Underpayment:

• Below $20/hour is illegal
• Cash payment = tax evasion (no tax refund later)
• Can report to Fair Work if paid below minimum wage

4.3. Complete Job Site Guide

Online Job Sites:

1. Online Job Platform 1 (Australia's largest)

   • Filter: Location (Melbourne), Job type (Casual)
   • Search "Hospitality", "Barista", "Waitstaff"

2. Online Job Platform 2

   • Recommend email alerts
   • Check new postings every morning

3. Gumtree

   • Many community postings
   • Many Korean business listings

4. Hospitality Jobs Melbourne (Facebook Group)

   • Real-time job posts
   • Quick application via comments

5. Korean Community

   • Australian Working Holiday Cafe (Naver)
   • Melbourne Korean Jobs (Facebook)

Offline Job Search:

• Print at least 50 CVs
• A4 size, quality paper
• Create visit tracking spreadsheet

  | Date | Cafe Name | Address | Contact Person | Result | Notes |
  

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5. Complete Melbourne Cost of Living Analysis

5.1. Monthly Living Costs (Per Person)

Minimum Living (Budget):

• Rent (share room): $720-960 ($180-240/week × 4 weeks)
• Food: $200-300
• Transport: $100-150 (Myki Full Fare)
• Phone: $30-40
• Other: $100
• Total: $1,150-1,550/month

Average Living (Standard):

• Rent (share room): $800-1,000
• Food: $400-500
• Transport: $150
• Phone: $40
• Leisure/Entertainment: $200-300
• Other: $100-150
• Total: $1,690-2,140/month

Comfortable Living (Generous):

• Rent (own room): $1,200-1,600
• Food: $600-800
• Transport: $150
• Phone: $50
• Leisure/Entertainment: $400-600
• Other: $200
• Total: $2,600-3,400/month

5.2. Money-Saving Tips by Category

Rent Savings (Up to 30% savings):

1. Area Selection

   • Inner Suburb (Fitzroy, Collingwood) instead of CBD
   • Recommend within 10-minute walk of tram/train

2. Contract Tips

   • Long-term contract (6+ months) → $20-30/week discount possible
   • Choose bills included option (electricity, gas, internet)
   • Bond protection: RentBond (Victorian government program)

3. Hidden Costs Check

   • Internet speed (if working from home)
   • Heating/cooling costs (bills spike in winter/summer)
   • Furniture included? (Furnished vs Unfurnished)

Food Savings (Up to 40% savings):

1. Supermarket Strategy

   • Aldi: Cheapest (30% cheaper than Coles/Woolworths)
   • Coles/Woolworths: Wednesday specials (Half Price Specials)
   • Asian Grocery: Rice and seasonings here (CBD, Box Hill)

2. Shopping Schedule

   • Wednesday: Check Coles/Woolworths catalog
   • Saturday: Weekend sales (meat, seafood)
   • Evening 7-8pm: Same-day discount stickers (50% off)

3. Cooking vs Eating Out

   • Cooking: $3-5 per meal possible
   • Eating out: $15-25 per meal
   • Savings Tip: Eat out for lunch only, cook breakfast and dinner

Transport Savings (Up to 50% savings):

1. Myki Card Usage

   • Full Fare: $9/day (weekend $6.70)
   • Myki Pass: $174/month (unlimited)
   • Calculate: Pass is better if using 5+ days/week

2. Free Transport

   • Free Tram Zone (CBD): Free
   • Bicycle: Second-hand $50-150 on Facebook Marketplace

3. Commute Tips

   • Work near tram/train station
   • CBD work → Walk to work (exercise + savings)

Phone Savings:

• Prepaid plans recommended (no contract)
• Optus $30/month (50GB)
• Amaysim $20/month (35GB, Optus network)
• Catch Connect $15/month (20GB, Optus network)

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6. Essential Melbourne Living Information

6.1. Weather and What to Bring

Melbourne weather is notoriously "four seasons in one day".

Seasonal Weather:

• Summer (Dec-Feb): 20-30°C (heatwaves 40°C+)
• Autumn (Mar-May): 12-22°C
• Winter (Jun-Aug): 6-15°C (nights 0-5°C)
• Spring (Sep-Nov): 10-20°C

Essential Items:

• ☔ Folding umbrella (frequent showers)
• 🧥 Light windbreaker (cool mornings/evenings)
• 🧴 Sunscreen SPF50+ (strong UV)
• 😎 Sunglasses (essential)

Clothing Tips:

• Bring from Korea: Underwear, socks (expensive in Australia)
• Buy in Australia: Winter jacket, sneakers (Kmart, Target cheap)
• Uniqlo, H&M, Zara available in Melbourne

6.2. Healthcare and Insurance

Medicare (National Health Insurance):

• Not available for working holidaymakers (citizens/permanent residents only)
• General doctor visit: $70-150

OSHC (Student Insurance) vs Travel Insurance:

• OSHC: Student-only (not for working holiday)
• Travel Insurance: Recommend purchasing in Korea
  • Samsung Fire, Hyundai Marine working holiday insurance
  • About 300,000-500,000 KRW per year

Free/Affordable Medical:

• GP (General Practitioner): $70-90
• Bulk Billing GP: Free (some clinics, for low-income)
• Chemist Warehouse: Pharmacy (cold medicine $5-15)

Emergencies:

• Emergency: 000 (free)
• Non-emergency: 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84)

6.3. Korean Community and Meetups

Online Communities:

1. Australian Working Holiday Cafe (Naver Cafe)

   • Jobs, accommodation, second-hand trading
   • 100,000+ members

2. Melbourne Korean Community (Facebook)

   • Real-time information sharing
   • Event and meetup announcements

3. Hojutalk (App)

   • Jobs, second-hand trading
   • Regional bulletin boards

Offline Meetups:

• Language Exchange: Melbourne Korean Association (every Thursday)
• Sports: Soccer, badminton (Box Hill, CBD)
• Church: 10+ Melbourne Korean churches

Korean Grocers & Restaurants:

• Box Hill: KS Mart, Palsaik (Korean BBQ)
• CBD: Midam Korean BBQ, Hwaro
• Southbank: Gami Chicken, Wonderbao

6.4. Complete Transport Guide

Myki Card Usage:

1. Purchase: 7-Eleven, station ticket office ($6)
2. Top up: Station machines, online, 7-Eleven
3. Use: Touch On (boarding), Touch Off (alighting)

⚠️ Warnings:

• Not touching off charges maximum fare
• Insufficient balance = $80 fine
• Fare evasion caught = $254 fine

Recommended Apps:

• PTV (Public Transport Victoria): Real-time timetables
• Google Maps: Route planning

Bicycles:

• Helmet mandatory (not wearing = $207 fine)
• Melbourne Bike Share: Public bikes (rarely used)
• Second-hand bikes: Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace

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7. Recommended Melbourne Working Holiday Schedule (First 3 Months)

Week 1-2: Settlement and Adaptation

Checklist:

• ✅ Open bank account
• ✅ Apply for TFN
• ✅ Get SIM card
• ✅ Sign sharehouse contract
• ✅ Purchase Myki card
• ✅ Explore supermarkets and Korean grocers
• ✅ Create resume (Use free builder)

Leisure:

• Walk in Fitzroy Gardens
• Visit Queen Victoria Market
• See NGV free exhibitions

Week 3-4: Job Search Focus

Goal: Get first job

Daily Routine:

• 10am-12pm: CV drop-offs (20-30 places)
• 2-4pm: Online applications (Seek, Indeed)
• Evening: Networking (Korean meetups)

Realistic Goals:

• 2-3 trials within 2 weeks
• Start first job within 4 weeks

Month 2-3: Building Experience and Saving

Goal: Save $2,000-3,000/month

Strategy:

1. Work 25-30 hours/week
2. Choose weekend work for higher rates (penalty rates)
3. Side hustles (cleaning, Uber Eats)

Financial Management:

• Fixed costs (rent, food): $1,200-1,500
• Variable costs (leisure, entertainment): $300-500
• Savings: $1,500-2,000+

Leisure Recommendations:

• St Kilda Beach
• Brighton Beach (colorful beach huts)
• Dandenong Ranges (day trip forest)
• Phillip Island (penguin parade)

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8. Common Melbourne Working Holiday Career Paths

Frequently reported career progression patterns in the Melbourne working holiday community:

Pattern #1: Building Barista Experience

Common Path:

• First 1-2 months: Start at CBD large chains ($25-27/hr)
• 3-6 months: Move to specialty cafe ($27-30/hr)
• 6+ months: Can move to better cafes with improved conditions

Actual Income Range (Community Reports):

• Hourly rate: $25-32/hr (depending on experience)
• Weekly hours: 20-30 hours (part-time typical)

Important Tip: Focus on gaining experience initially; prioritizing learning environment over pay is more beneficial long-term.

Pattern #2: Server to Fine Dining

Common Path:

• Early: Start at casual restaurant ($25-27/hr)
• Middle: Move to fine dining restaurant ($28-35/hr + tips)
• Tip Income: Fine dining adds $50-150/week

Key Factor: English communication ability is key to entering fine dining.

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9. Melbourne vs Sydney Comparison

Aspect	Melbourne	Sydney
Population	5.1 million	5.4 million
Weather	Variable (4 seasons)	Mild (sunny)
Rent	$180-250/week	$220-300/week
Cafe Culture	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jobs (Cafes)	Many	Moderate
Jobs (Construction)	Moderate	Many
Public Transport	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Korean Community	Medium	Large
Culture/Arts	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Beaches	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Conclusion:

• Cafe/Barista → Melbourne
• Construction → Sydney (Sydney Working Holiday Complete Guide)
• Beach Life → Sydney
• Culture/Arts → Melbourne
• Affordable Living → Melbourne

For more detailed city comparisons, see Complete Guide to Choosing Your Australian Working Holiday City.

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10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. When is the best time to arrive in Melbourne?

A. Spring (September-November) or Autumn (March-May) is optimal. Weather is pleasant and job hunting is easier than in summer or winter. Avoid the Christmas season (November-December) when hiring is minimal.

Q2. Can I find work without strong English skills?

A. Yes, but your options will be limited. Kitchen hand, cleaning, and farm work are possible with basic English. Serving and barista roles require intermediate level or higher.

Q3. Can I qualify for a Second Year Visa in Melbourne?

A. Not in Melbourne CBD. You need to complete 88 days at regional farms (Mildura, Shepparton).

Q4. Is it hard to find Korean food?

A. Not at all! Box Hill has many Korean grocery stores and restaurants, and even Coles/Woolworths stock kimchi and ramen.

Q5. Is Melbourne dangerous?

A. Overall, it's a safe city. Just avoid CBD back alleys late at night and keep an eye on your belongings.

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Conclusion

Melbourne is a city of coffee, culture, and leisure. It may seem unfamiliar at first, but after 2-3 months, you'll be captivated by Melbourne's charm.

Next Steps:

1. ✅ Prepare resume (Download free template or use builder)
2. ✅ Book accommodation (first 2 weeks at backpacker hostel)
3. ✅ Book flight (Spring/Autumn season)
4. ✅ Purchase travel insurance
5. ✅ Join Korean communities (information gathering)

Related Articles:

• Complete Guide to Australian Working Holiday Resume
• Free Australian Resume Templates Download
• Complete Guide to Barista Jobs in Australia
• Complete RSA Certificate Guide
• Sydney Working Holiday Complete Guide
• Australian Working Holiday City Selection Guide

Best of luck with your Melbourne working holiday! ☕🇦🇺✨

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Related Articles

• Australian Working Holiday Resume Writing Guide
• Australian Barista Jobs Guide
• Australian Accommodation Guide
• Australian Bank Account Opening Guide

About the Author The WHRESUME team is in their 3rd year living in Melbourne and genuinely supports Australian working holiday makers. This guide is based on feedback from the working holiday community and analysis of official Australian sources.

💬 Feedback Welcome: If you find outdated or inaccurate information, please let us know via Contact Us!

📌 Latest Information:

• Fair Work Ombudsman - Minimum wages and working conditions
• Visit Victoria - Melbourne tourism information
• PTV - Victoria public transport