- International students in Melbourne buy most groceries at Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, typically spending about AUD 80 to 120 per week when cooking at home
- Aldi is generally the cheapest for staples
- Queen Victoria Market, trading since 1878, sells fresh produce five days a week, and op-shops like Salvos and Savers offer cheap second-hand goods, with Salvos giving a 20 percent student discount.
Where Can Students Buy Groceries in Melbourne?
International students in Melbourne buy groceries mainly at three big supermarket chains: Coles, Woolworths and Aldi, plus smaller IGA stores. These are found across the CBD and suburbs, often near train stations and campuses. Most students spend roughly AUD 80 to 120 per week on home-cooked food and household basics.
Coles and Woolworths are the two dominant national supermarkets, with large stores in shopping centres and compact Coles Local and Woolworths Metro outlets in the city. Aldi is a German discount chain that keeps prices low by stocking mostly own-brand goods. IGA stores are smaller and handy for top-up shopping, while specialty grocers cover ingredients the big chains do not stock.
- Coles and Woolworths: full-range supermarkets with weekly half-price specials
- Aldi: lowest everyday prices on staples like pasta, rice, milk and tinned goods
- IGA and Foodworks: smaller neighbourhood stores for convenient top-ups
- Costco (Docklands): bulk buying for students who share a flat
Which Supermarket Is Cheapest for Students?
Aldi is generally the cheapest supermarket for everyday staples like pasta, rice, milk and vegetables, because it stocks mostly own-brand products. Coles and Woolworths cost a little more but run weekly half-price specials and free loyalty programs (Flybuys and Everyday Rewards) that help students cut their grocery bills further.
A smart budget strategy is to buy pantry staples and cleaning products at Aldi, then top up fresh items at Coles or Woolworths when they are on special. Loyalty programs are free to join and let you collect points or unlock member prices. Shopping with a list, buying store brands and avoiding pre-packaged meals keeps weekly costs near the lower end of the AUD 80 to 120 range.
Average cost of food in AustraliaRead →What Can You Find at Queen Victoria Market?
Queen Victoria Market, open since 1878 and spread over two city blocks, hosts more than 600 traders selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, seafood, deli foods, clothing and household goods. It trades Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and is a popular spot for students hunting cheap, fresh produce in bulk.
The fruit and vegetable sheds are the cheapest place in the city centre to buy fresh produce, especially late in the trading day when many stallholders discount remaining stock. Beyond food, the market has clothing, kitchenware and souvenir stalls, so students can pick up basics in one trip. Prahran Market and South Melbourne Market are good alternatives closer to the southern suburbs.
| Store Type (2026) | Examples | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Supermarkets | Coles, Woolworths, Aldi, IGA | Weekly groceries and staples |
| Fresh markets | Queen Victoria, Prahran, South Melbourne | Cheap fruit, veg, meat in bulk |
| Discount department | Kmart, Big W, Target | Homewares, kitchenware, basics |
| Op-shops / second-hand | Savers, Salvos, Vinnies | Cheap clothing and furniture |
| Asian / Indian grocers | Footscray, Box Hill, Clayton stores | Spices, rice, specialty foods |
Where Do Students Buy Cheap Furniture and Homewares?
For furniture, kitchenware and homewares, students rely on discount department stores such as Kmart, Big W and Target, which sell low-cost basics nationwide. IKEA covers flat-pack furniture, while Daiso offers cheap fixed-price household items. These chains have stores across Melbourne and are ideal for setting up a first apartment affordably.
Kmart is the go-to store for affordable bedding, cookware, storage and small electricals, with large outlets in most shopping centres. Big W and Target carry similar ranges plus stationery and clothing. IKEA has stores at Springvale and Richmond for flat-pack desks, chairs and shelving. Daiso sells thousands of household items at low fixed prices, which is handy for cups, containers and cleaning gear.
- Kmart: cheapest for bedding, cookware and storage
- Big W and Target: homewares, stationery and clothing basics
- IKEA (Springvale, Richmond): flat-pack desks, chairs and shelves
- Daiso: fixed low-price cups, containers and cleaning supplies
How Can Students Find Second-Hand and Budget Items?
Op-shops are the cheapest way to furnish a student life. Charity chains like Savers, Salvos Stores and Vinnies sell pre-loved clothing, books, furniture and homewares at very low prices, and Salvos even offers a 20 percent student discount. Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree are also popular for free or cheap second-hand goods.
Savers is a large second-hand chain stocking thousands of donated clothes and homewares, while Salvos Stores and Vinnies are run by charities and discount further on regular sale days. Carrying a student or concession card unlocks extra savings at Salvos. For furniture, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree often list desks, beds and sofas for free or a fraction of retail, especially around end-of-semester moving periods.
Eating places that provide student discountsRead →Where Can International Students Find Asian and Indian Groceries?
Indian and Asian international students find spices, rice, lentils and specialty ingredients in multicultural suburbs such as Footscray, Box Hill and Clayton, which have many Asian and South Asian grocery stores. Daiso and Asian supermarkets in the CBD also stock affordable imported goods, helping students cook familiar meals far from home.
Footscray is well known for its African and Vietnamese grocers and fresh-produce shops, while Box Hill and Clayton have large Chinese and South Asian supermarkets. These stores stock bulk rice, dals, masalas and frozen items at lower prices than the major chains. Many sit near universities and train lines, so students can combine a campus day with a grocery run.