How to get a driver's licence in Victoria

Before my scheduled flight to Melbourne, I tried to familiarize myself how to drive in Australia.  The best way we can start is Googling "Driving in Australia" or in my case "Driving in Melbourne."  Then you'll learn about enforced speed limits, how we never thought about Roundabouts in the Philippines and the Hook-Turn which is only and proudly Melbourne CBD only.

Below is the licence ID issued in Victoria and is current as of writing.

If you already drive in the Philippines and have a driver's licence, before you leave the country, get a licence certificate from the Land Transportation Office.  Among all information, it should show the date you first got your licence issued.  Vicroads needs that date with your name correctly spelled on the paper.

If you are heading to Melbourne, you can read more about the road rules at Vicroads.
If you have a drivers licence in the Philippines, to get a Victorian licence, you will undergo a process called international licence conversion.  The licence conversion will require you to take a Knowledge Test, a Hazzard Perception Test, and a Practical Driving Test.  You have to pass the first test inorder to proceed to the next.  Make sure you are familiar with the guide to solo driving if you will be driving in Melbourne, all you need to know is explained there so you can safely drive in the beautiful city of Melbourne.

As soon as you arrive in Melbourne, get a driving instructor.  Hire a local driving instructor, ask him to gauge your driving skills.  If you are serious about getting a Victorian licence, your driving style in the Philippines might just not work in Australia.  Ask friends for referrals, they can most likely give a reliable recommendation.  Once you've had your driving lessons, make sure you are comfortable with your instructor, otherwise, it is best to find another instructor.

Here's a summary of stages one will go through in converting your Philippine driver's licence to a Victorian driver's licence:

Learner's test.  Has 32 questions about how to be a safe driver in Melbourne.  To pass you need toscore at least 78%.  It took me a month to finish studying the driving handbook and it is pretty challenging to remember all those things.  Give it a shot here.

Hazzard test.  Once you pass the Learner's test, you can apply to take the Hazzard Test.  Videos will be shown to test and assess your knowledge of the road rules and your judgement.  This is a 45 video test and will need to score at least 54% to pass.  Learn more about the test here.

Practical Driving test.  Finally, what you learned in the learner's and hazzard test, plus your actual driving experience will come together to pass the practical driving test.  During the test day, a Vicroads examiner will seat with you to give you directions and assess your driving skills.  The whole test is divided in two stages.  Pass the first stage and you move on to stage two.  More about the practical driving test here.

To be very honest, I was happier when I passed the practical driving test than when I got my visa approved.  When you get to that stage, you'll no what I mean.