Monash University

Monash University

Wellington Road
Clayton
Victoria 3800
Web address: www.monash.edu.au
ADS contact phone: +61 (3) 9905 1451
ADS contact fax: +61 (3) 9905 5064
Relevant campuses: Clayton, Caulfield, Berwick, Gippsland, Parkville, Peninsula.

Community and surrounds

Most Monash University campuses are in and around the city of Melbourne. Melbourne is the capital city of Victoria and has a population of 3.5 million. It is the second largest city in Australia, and has a strong European influence. Built on the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay, the city is a major commercial and industrial centre. It is a multicultural city with more than 140 ethnic groups and more than 170 languages spoken. Melbourne is renowned for its culinary variety, cultural events and festivals, famous sporting events, architecture and shopping.

There are numerous large parks throughout the city. The outer suburbs are spread over 1,500 square kilometres from the central business district, and the public transport system is reliable and convenient. Melbourne is a short distance from many beaches as well as the Victorian mountain ranges. The city is close to ski fields, wineries, the Great Ocean Road, and abundant wildlife.

Climate

In summer (December to February), the temperature ranges from 14 to 35 degrees Celsius. In winter (June to August), the temperature ranges from 7 to 14 degrees.

Cost of living and accommodation

The average cost for a single student living in rented accommodation in surrounding suburbs of Melbourne (sharing a house with two others), including food, household costs and travel expenses is $1,190 a month. Costs are generally higher for accommodation close to the central business district.

On-campus accommodation is available only on Berwick, Clayton, Peninsula and Gippsland campuses. On-campus accommodation at Clayton, including food, meals at residence, and miscellaneous expenses, is around $640 a month. The Gippsland campus provides fully furnished on-campus house/unit accommodation from $390 a month, excluding meals. There are six self-contained units at Berwick, ranging from $390 a month excluding bond and electricity. On-campus accommodation at Peninsula campus costs about $96 a week.

Campus descriptions

The university has six campuses. Clayton campus is the biggest with 21,253 students. It covers 100 hectares and it is 20 kilometres southeast of the central business district. Facilities include many clubs and organisations, as well as banks, movie cinemas, live theatres, cafeterias, restaurants and shops. There is also a large sports swimming centre.

Caulfield campus has 12,061 students. It is nine kilometres southeast from the city centre. It covers two hectares and is located within easy reach of major shopping centres and leisure facilities. Most of the facilities available to Clayton students are also available to Caulfield students.

Berwick campus is in Melbourne’s outer south eastern suburbs, about 40 kilometres from the city centre. The campus extends over 55 hectares and has 1,660 students. Facilities include lecture theatres, a cafe, student lounges and a bar, a library, a bookshop, and multimedia laboratories.

Peninsula campus is located 40 kilometres south of Melbourne and has 2,865 students. The 12-hectare campus is only 1.5 kilometres from Frankston’s business centre, railway station and beach. The campus is located at the gateway to the Mornington Peninsula with its beaches, and national parks.

The Gippsland rural campus is located in Churchill, about two hours’ drive from Melbourne and has 7,744 students. Nearby are a wide range of facilities such as cinemas, shopping centres and restaurants.

Parkville campus is set in parkland close to the centre of Melbourne. There are plenty of shops and restaurants in the nearby suburbs. The campus is close to Melbourne’s central business district. It has 836 students.

International student population

At Monash University in 2003, there were about 13,827 international students. Of these, most were from North East Asia, the South Asia and Indian Ocean region and Africa. Most of the remaining overseas students were from areas that do not receive ADS awards such as the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas.

Family and community services

Various campuses offer students and visitors a range of facilities including advocacy and welfare services, and health services. Melbourne has several hospitals, both private and public, including the Monash Medical Centre and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. It also has specific hospitals for women.

Close to all of Monash’s campuses are many public and private schools. Melbourne’s multicultural community is comprehensive and most cultures would be represented in local clubs, societies and ethnic communities. Spouses of students are welcome to participate in local low cost English learning groups and professional development courses.

Melbourne has strong multi-lingual capabilities with around 30 per cent of the city’s population speaking a language other than English. There are several multi-lingual radio stations in Melbourne, as well as multi-lingual newspapers and magazines. Ethnic organisations from many different cultures support the ethnic communities. As Melbourne is a large city, there are many working options for spouses.

Childcare facilities

Childcare centres (for 0-5 years) are located on Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula, Gippsland and Berwick campuses. Childcare costs about $150 per week. Centre opening hours are normally from 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday to Friday. Clayton campus has a Vacation Care Program for 5-12 year olds.

Facilities for special needs

The Disability Liaison Unit at Monash University provides a range of services and facilities to assist students who have a disability or a long-term medical condition. These include notetakers, library assistance, provision of material in alternative formats, and alternative arrangements for assessment. For further information visit the website at www.adm.monash.edu.au/sss/pc/equity/dlu/.

Foods for different cultures

Halal food is available on the Caulfield, Clayton and Gippsland campuses. In multicultural Melbourne, it is easy to find places that cater for tastes from around the world, including Asian, European, Middle Eastern, Japanese and Vietnamese. This includes places to eat out and those from which to buy groceries and spices. Major supermarkets carry an Asian line. There are many specialist grocery stores and butchers in Melbourne for those students requiring halal, kosher or strictly vegetarian food. Monash International publishes an Islamic student guide called the Salaam Monash, which lists all halal accredited retail outlets in Melbourne.

Religious facilities

The university's Chaplaincy offers spiritual and religious guidance to students of all denominations for the whole Clayton campus. Clayton campus has a Religious Centre which functions as a multi-faith centre. Monash University also supplies a house close to Clayton campus for use as a Mosque for the Muslim community. There are several religious organisations in metropolitan Melbourne, including the Melbourne Thai Buddhist Temple, Buddhist Society of Victoria, and Muslim Women of Australia.

Public transport

From the airport: Melbourne airport is located about 20 kilometres northeast of Melbourne city. An airport bus runs around the clock to and from the city and costs about $25 for a return trip. Students on initial arrival can arrange to use the university’s airport arrival service for free.

Getting around: Melbourne has a well developed and extensive public transport system via trains, buses and trams. Clayton, Caulfield, Berwick and the Peninsula campuses are close to railway stations.

All campuses are accessible by public transport. There is a train station in the rear of the Clayton campus. A bus terminus is also located on the Clayton campus and a bus service runs past Huntingdate station. The Parkville campus is serviced by trams.

The Melbourne transport system uses a three-zone ticket system. Costs vary from $2.60 to $6.00 for a two-hour ticket depending on how many zones a student travels through.

The university runs a free shuttle bus between the Peninsula, Clayton and Caulfield campuses.