The advice from someone experienced in Melbourne is, if you can afford a studio, avoid shared accommodations.

Living in a shared apartment always comes with the risk of roommates having conflicts. Even if you're sharing with good friends, you're bound to encounter some minor squabbles, let alone with strangers you don't know. So, for new students coming to Melbourne, if your budget allows, it's better to rent a studio apartment. It's easier when you live alone, plus you'll probably spend most of your time in the library anyway. Moreover, this student apartment has study rooms on many floors, especially the ones on the top floor have amazing views. You can walk to both Melbourne University, RMIT, and Queen Victoria Market. The residents here are mostly Chinese students, and the management team is Chinese too. The bus stop is just a few steps away from the building, making it very convenient to go anywhere.