One-line direct answer
Melbourne’s Myki smartcard costs AUD 10 to buy, with weekly concession fares capping at AUD 15.50 for international students at eligible universities, or adult fares at AUD 27.30 per week (2025).
How the Myki system works
Myki is a reloadable smartcard for public transport in Melbourne (buses, trains, trams, regional trains). You touch on and off to register your journey, and fares are deducted automatically.
You can:
- Buy a Myki card at 7-Eleven, train stations, and Costco for AUD 10 (non-refundable).
- Load credit onto the card online, via the Myki app, or at machines. There is no minimum balance.
- Fares are automatic: touch on at entry, touch off at exit. The system calculates the cheapest daily or weekly fare option for you.
Fares operate on a daily cap and weekly cap system:
- After 9 journeys in a week, further travel is free.
- After 2 journeys in a day, further travel is free (unless you’ve hit the weekly cap).
Student concession fares (2025)
International students at most Group of Eight universities and many other Australian universities qualify for Concession Myki fares, which are roughly 50% of adult fares.
Concession fares (2025):
- Weekly cap: AUD 15.50 (after which travel is free for the rest of the week).
- Daily cap: AUD 5.80.
- Single journey (Zone 1–2): AUD 1.80 (off-peak) to AUD 2.70 (peak).
Adult fares (if you don’t qualify for concession):
- Weekly cap: AUD 27.30.
- Daily cap: AUD 10.40.
- Single journey: AUD 3.10 to AUD 4.80.
Eligibility for student concession
International students qualify for concession Myki if they:
- Are enrolled full-time in a recognised Australian education provider.
- Attend a university or institution on Victoria’s list of eligible schools.
- Hold a valid student ID or concession verification card.
Eligible universities include Melbourne, RMIT, Monash, Swinburne, La Trobe, and Deakin. Victoria does not automatically approve international students from all institutions — some are restricted to local students only.
To apply for concession Myki:
- Check if your university is on the eligible list (plv.vic.gov.au/concessions).
- Obtain a concession verification card from your university’s student services (usually free, issued within a few days).
- Register your Myki online or at a station with your concession card details. The system will apply concession fares from your next touch.
If your university is not on the list, you must pay adult fares.
iUSEpass (online top-up verification)
Some universities participate in the iUSEpass scheme, which allows concession verification directly via your student account. Ask your student services whether your university uses this; if so, you can link your Myki to your student record online and skip carrying a physical concession card.
As of 2025, iUSEpass is available at most Go8 universities and many others, but verification can be slow (1–2 weeks). Register early in your first semester.
Zones and geographic coverage
Melbourne Myki covers zones:
- Zone 1: Central Melbourne and inner suburbs (within 20 km of CBD).
- Zone 2: Outer suburbs (up to 40 km from CBD).
- Regional zones: extend beyond Melbourne (e.g. Geelong, Ballarat).
Most students study and live in Zone 1–2. A single Zone 1–2 journey costs AUD 2.70 (peak, concession) or AUD 4.80 (peak, adult).
Practical tips
- Load credit regularly: Use the Myki app to check your balance; reload every 2 weeks.
- Keep your card: Loss or damage costs AUD 10 to replace; the card itself doesn’t expire, but credit balances are forfeited after 12 months of inactivity.
- Tap correctly: Ensure you touch on and off at every stop. Failure to touch off results in a maximum (highest) fare charge.
- Check peak times: Off-peak travel (weekends, after 8 pm on weekdays) is 20% cheaper. Plan long journeys off-peak when possible.
- Use regional trains wisely: Concession fares apply to regional trains (V/Line) as well, so travelling to Ballarat or Geelong on weekends is affordable.
Comparison with other Australian cities
Unlike Sydney (Opal card, no concession for international students) and Brisbane (Go card, limited concession), Melbourne’s Myki concession is reasonably accessible. Students at eligible universities save significantly.
However, some international students at newer universities or private institutions do not qualify, and must use adult fares, making transport more expensive than in Sydney or Brisbane (where adult capping is stricter).
Malaysian pathway
First-year international students should ask your orientation coordinator to confirm whether your university is on the Myki concession list. If yes, get a concession verification card immediately (it’s slow to process). If no, budget AUD 27.30 per week for transport.
Pathway program students (e.g. at University of Melbourne Pathways Colleges) often have separate arrangements with the university; ask your provider whether you are eligible for concession Myki or if a different pass is available.
Students living in outer suburbs (Zone 2) should check whether living further out saves on rent without hugely increasing transport costs. The weekly cap means travel is capped regardless of distance, so moving from Footscray (Zone 1) to Werribee (Zone 2) doesn’t significantly increase your weekly pass cost if you’re already capped.
Common questions
What if I’m studying at an ineligible university? You must use adult fares. Some private education providers and newer institutions are not on Victoria’s list. Confirm with your university before arrival.
Can I use Myki on regional trains to other cities? Yes. Myki covers V/Line regional trains (e.g. to Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong). Concession fares apply if you have a verified concession card. A return trip from Melbourne to Ballarat (approx 1 hour) costs AUD 7–8 concession.
What’s the difference between Myki and older systems? Myki replaced Metcard in 2012. It’s faster, more reliable, and has automatic capping. There is no paper ticket alternative.
Can I get a refund if I leave Melbourne early? No. Myki credit is non-refundable. You can transfer remaining credit to another card or person, but only at Myki customer service points (not online).
Do I need to touch off on trams? Technically yes, but tram drivers rarely enforce it. Touch on at least (to avoid being charged the maximum daily fare).
Is there a daily travel pass for tourists or short-term visitors? Yes. Daily Visitor Passes (AUD 7.80 concession, AUD 15.50 adult) are available at machines and shops, but they’re not cost-effective for students — the weekly cap is cheaper.
Sources
- Public Transport Victoria (PTV) — ptv.vic.gov.au
- Myki official site — myki.com.au
- PTV Concession Eligibility — plv.vic.gov.au/concessions
- University of Melbourne Student Services — services.unimelb.edu.au/concessions
- RMIT Student Services — rmit.edu.au/myki