PERTH
Perth, the capital of Western Australia has also been ranked amongst the 10 most liveable cities in the world. This city is an excellent destination for international students looking for a relaxed lifestyle, warm climate, beautiful beaches and top-notch education.
STUDENT LIVING
Regarded as Australia’s education city for its increasing inflow of overseas students and top-notch education, Perth is a welcoming city that unlike Melbourne and Sydney still has the infrastructure to receive thousands more students, as it is considerably smaller in population size.
Perth has 5 outstanding universities, one of those (The University of Western Australia) is ranked 93 in the QS World University Rankings. What’s more, there are also several vocational education and training institutions and plenty of prestigious English colleges offering hands-on training and language courses for international students.
WEATHER
Perth has warm and dry weather for most of the year along with a cool and crisp breeze. During summer temperatures range from 18 to 30°C, which is the perfect weather to visit any of Perth’s beautiful beaches.
At autumn Perth has sunny days but the temperature drops significantly at night ranging from around 13 to 26 °C. Winter is generally cold, but not extreme with temperatures dropping to as low as 8 °C, rainfall is also common during these months.
Lastly, in spring the temperatures rise again, providing mostly sunny and warm days. Average temperatures range from 12 to 23 °C. This is a great time to travel around Western Australia, which has some of the most beautiful and unique landscapes Australia has to offer.
COST OF LIVING
Perth is one of the most affordable large cities in Australia to live in. It is a great option for overseas students looking to reduce their living expenses while being abroad. According to the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Worldwide Cost of Living, Perth is ranked at 49th, well below Sydney (#14), Melbourne (#15) and Brisbane (#31).
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Accommodation
Perth is the cheapest capital in Australia to rent a place. The average rental price for a house is around $350 and $300 for an apartment. Sharing an apartment with friends it is still a very cost-effective option that will save you hundreds of dollars a month.
For about $150 dollars you can rent your own room in a shared apartment, which is what would usually cost to rent a shared-room in Sydney or Melbourne.
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Transport
The city has a large and expanding network of trains and buses travelling inbound and outbound the CBD. International students enrolled in an institution in WA receive a 40 per cent discount on all public transport across the state and in some areas buses and trains are even free.
For more information on fares, maps and timetables visit Transperth
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Entertainment
The cost of entertainment is also lower in Perth. There are activities here to suit all different types of budgets, ranging from cheap BBQs at the beach to fine dining in the CBD. Students also get discounts on major retail shops, gym memberships, restaurants and travel.
For more info on student discounts check out this guide.
Keep in mind that Perth is the gateway to beautiful touristy places unique to Western Australia. This city attracts thousands of backpackers and luxury travellers alike. Some of the amazing places you can visit while being in Perth are Rottnest Island, home of the famous smiling quokkas, the Pinnacles, Margaret River and Karijini National Park. As a student, you can receive discounts on tours and transport so you can enjoy travelling while studying abroad.
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN:
One of the advantages of being an international student in Australia is that your student visa automatically gives you permission to work up to 40 hours every two weeks during the academic year or full time during the holidays. That means that you can enjoy all the city has to offer and earn some money while you study.
QUALITY OF LIFE
The lifestyle and quality of living in Australia are amongst the best in the world. Some of the reasons are the low crime rate, work-life balance, career opportunities and low unemployment rate. Aussies are friendly and love to stop for a chat with strangers or to lend a helping hand to those in need.
LOTS OF ACTIVITIES TO DO:
Snorkelling and diving? Hiking? Surfing? Music Festivals? Formula One? Australian Tennis Open? Asia trip?
Australia also hosts a number of World Heritage sites, such as Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in the Northern Territory. You’ll enjoy the lifestyle as a student, which means you’ll have plenty of time to explore your new home.