Climate, clothing & time zones

Victoria, and in particular Melbourne, is known for its rapidly changing weather and variations of temperature.

Climate

Victoria is located in the south-east corner of Australia and enjoys four distinct seasons: spring (September to November), summer (December to February), autumn (March to May) and winter (June to August).
  • Spring is mild and sunny with temperatures ranging from 10-20°C and frequent showers.
  • Summer tends to be warm and dry with day-time temperatures averaging 28°C, but reaching over 35°C during hot spells.
  • Autumn is generally mild with temperatures from 11-20°C.
  • Winter is the coolest period with the highest rainfall and temperatures averaging 8°C.
Please note: Victoria is currently experiencing a drought with lower than average rainfall for 10 years and as a result you are required to use water thoughtfully. This can be achieved by having shorter showers, turning off the tap when brushing your teeth and only do a load of washing when you have enough for a ‘full load’. For more information and ideas please visit Our Water, Our Future.

Clothing

We recommend wearing layers of clothing and pack or purchase very light clothes for summer and warm and waterproof clothing for winter. As the temperature in winter can approach zero (or sometimes below in some regions of Victoria), you will need warm clothing, such as thick woollen jumpers, and a coat, scarf, hat and gloves.

Most students in Australia dress casually, but you may need more formal clothing to attend a job interview or special event. There is a large range of clothing available to buy in Victoria. In Melbourne, try Smith Street in Fitzroy and Bridge Road in Richmond for bargains on clothing and footwear.

Time Zones

Melbourne is in the Eastern Standard Time (EST) Zone, the equivalent to UTC (GMT) +10 hours. In October each year, daylight saving commences, and clocks are moved forward one hour at 2.00am EST. The end of daylight saving occurs the following March, and clocks are turned back one hour at 2.00am EST.

Voltages

Domestic electricity in Australia is 240/250 volts/50 Hz. The Australian three pin outlet is different from most other countries, so you may need to purchase an adapter plug for any electrical appliances you bring with you. Transformers and adapters are easy to find in electrical appliance or travel goods stores.