Living in Perth

Consistently ranked in the top ten most liveable cities in the world, Perth is a youthful and diverse city with a vibrant nightlife. If you’re coming to Australia for the first time you won’t feel out of place: one-third of all students in Perth come from overseas. You’ll get to explore the city with new friends from all over the world.

About Perth

Perth combines its lively urban charm of bustling shops, restaurants and bars with spectacular outdoor spaces. Go see some live Jazz at the Laneway Lounge or take a stroll in King’s Park and the Botanic Garden, one of the world’s largest inner city parks.

With more hours of sunshine per year than any other city in Australia, you will enjoy warm summers and short, mild winters. Situated on the Swan River and right next to an endless coastline of white sand beaches, Perth offers plenty of opportunities to make the most of the warm weather. If you’re looking for the ultimate Australian lifestyle, head to the beach for a swim or a surf on your study breaks.

Climate Information

If you’re looking for beautiful sunny weather, you won’t be disappointed. Perth averages eight hours of sunshine per day and 118 clear days per year. Mean monthly maximum temperatures range from 17ºC in July to 30ºC in February. Even in the coldest months, minimum temperatures rarely fall below 5ºC.

Average Temperature

  •     Summer: 24.7°C
  •     Winter: 12°C

 

Cost of Living 

Expense Cost Per Week
Rent From $165
Food From $80
Transport From $10
Phone From $10
Internet From $10
Entertainment From $80

Total: $355 ($18,460 annually)

You can find more information about living costs in Perth on our before you arrive page.

Getting Around

Public Transport

Perth has a reliable public transport infrastructure. There are free buses within the Central Business District and students receive up to 40% discount on public transport outside of this.

Getting to (and from) Perth

Being located on the West Coast of Australia makes Perth closer to some international cities than it is to Sydney or Melbourne, making it an ideal Australian location to study for those coming from these countries.

Direct Flights to Perth from the major cities:  

  • Bali (3.5 hours)
  • Melbourne (4 hours)
  •  Jakarta (4 hours)
  •  Sydney (4.5 hours)
  • Singapore (5.5 hours)
  •  Kuala Lumpur (5.5 hours)
  • Bangkok (7 hours)
  • Hong Kong SAR (8 hours)
  • Guangzhou (8 hours)
  • Dubai (13.75 hours)

Health and Safety

Perth, like most Australian cities, is considered extremely safe for residents and tourists alike. Residents are able to walk around freely at night; the city has adequate lighting in most places, 24/7 CCTV and also “push-to-talk” buttons that provide direct communication to local police.

More information about health and safety can be found on the Perth Government website.

Learn More about Perth Safety