There are lots of ways you can get help to pay for your education at uni.
The Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP loans) is a loan scheme offered by the Government. You pay for your course once you are earning a certain amount of money (set annually by the Government).
See http://www.goingtouni.gov.au for more information.
A variety of scholarships is also available, with a range of benefits including tuition payments and living expenses. Most universities have specific scholarships for students who come from rural or other backgrounds which may have affected their education. Scholarships are often connected to access programs.
See http://www.unimelb.edu.au/student/fees.html for more information about what the University of Melbourne offers.
Elena
I have been supporting myself financially since moving to Melbourne from Perth as a 17 year old. I rent a small inner-city townhouse with two friends I made at uni, and can very comfortably support myself by working part-time at a market research company. I also get a small amount of Government benefits. Juggling work, school and a social life can be hectic to say the least, but it’s also a lot of fun. I’ve made friends from attending lectures and tutorials, but I’ve made even more friends at my workplace (which largely consists of university students like myself). I’ve also gained a lot of work experience. In this way, supporting myself financially while studying has been a perk, not a hindrance!