Living in Perth

State: Western Australia (WA)
Population: Approx. 2.1 million
Average maximum temperature: 30.5°C 
Street vibe: Relaxed

Located on the West Coast, Perth is the capital city of Western Australia and has been ranked as one of the top 10 most liveable, affordable, and friendly cities in the world. The beautiful Swan River runs through the whole city, giving Perth more of a homely suburban feel to it than other big cities. The vibe of the city is refreshingly laid-back, but vibrant and active at the same time, with more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in Australia!

CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE

Perth is well known for sandy beaches, nature reserves, and a thriving city life. This city has everything you want from relaxed sunny days outside, to multicultural dining and exciting city entertainment. Although the city is surrounded by water and nature, Perth is a modern capital city, boasting a desirable balanced lifestyle.
Perth is home to the Whadjuk Noongar people who have occupied Southwest WA for at least 45,000 years. Aside from Australians, Perth city residents and workers come from 196 different ethnic backgrounds, with top nationalities being English, Chinese, Irish, Scottish, Italian, Indian, German, Filipino and Japanese. 18 percent of Perth’s population are students and 55 per cent of residents are aged 20 to 39 years.

LANGUAGE

In the city of Perth, English is the official language, however it was recorded that 37.7% of people spoke a language other than English at home in 2021. The most common languages (other than English) spoken in Perth are Mandarin, Spanish, Cantonese, Indonesian, Arabic, Japanese, Hindi, Vietnamese, Korean, Portuguese and Filipino Tagalog.

WEATHER

Australian seasons are the reverse of the seasons experienced in China, Europe, and North America. The summer months in Australia are from December to February, autumn is from March to May, winter is from June to August and spring is September to November.

Perth experiences four distinct seasons, each with its own beauty and charm. Plus, it’s officially the sunniest capital city in the world, with an average of eight hours of sun per day, year-round.

For more information please visit: https://www.australia.com/en/facts-and-planning/weather-in-australia/perth-weather.html

CLOTHING

The Australian sun can be very fierce, so if you plan on arriving in the summertime, wear plenty of high factor sunscreen and a hat. Lightweight clothing such as t-shirts, shorts, light cotton pants and dresses are recommended. There’s less to consider if arriving during winter as the temperature is often in the low 'teens’. Warm woollen sweaters and jackets will be needed to keep you reasonably comfortable.

TRANSPORT

Perth has a wide range of easily accessible and affordable public transport options. Trains, buses, and ferries are run by Transperth. Visit the Transperth website for information on ticketing, timetables, and routes: https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/

Getting to and from the Airport
Public buses such as Bus Route 380 and Bus Route 40 run daily between the city and the four airport terminals. Information about these services can also be found on the Transperth website. 

Alternatively, you can book a taxi or ridesharing service (Uber, DiDi, Ola) from the dedicated pick-up bays located within easy walking distance of each terminal. The city is only a 20 minute drive from the airport.

ACCOMMODATION

Students can obtain information about accommodation options by contacting IMC student support staff; however, no accommodation is pre-arranged or personally provided for individual students by IMC.

There are several options for accommodation, including renting a house or an apartment, renting a room, sharing with other students and homestay. You can find this information through social media, your friends’ or classmates’ recommendations, newspaper advertisements or on public notice areas around Perth.

You can browse and apply for available property listings on the Domain or Real Estate websites:
https://www.domain.com.au/?mode=rent
https://www.realestate.com.au/

You can also find listings for share houses and flatmate requests here: https://flatmates.com.au
Some helpful tips:

• Try not to rush your decision
• Do plenty of research & shop around
• Book an Airbnb or stay with a friend for your first days
• Visit the property before you move in
• Budget and plan your spending  

IMC staff can assist students to find accommodation. Although accommodation is usually readily available, the beginning of each semester is a very busy time and accommodation may take a little longer to find during these periods. Homestay with an Australian family who provide accommodation and meals is a good option for international students. Students need to make a request for this service at least two weeks in advance and conditions and charges apply. For further information contact IMC at info@imc.edu.au

LIVING COSTS IN PERTH

Australia is a sophisticated, friendly, and affordable country which enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. Although Perth is known to be very affordable, knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation. To help you stay organised visit https://insiderguides.com.au/cost-of-living-calculator/  to estimate how much you need to live in Perth based on your lifestyle choices. The cost-of-living calculator produces approximate costs for Perth, excluding tuition fees. You may spend more or less depending on the course you choose, where you choose to live and how often you’ll eat out etc. 

For more information on living in Perth, visit https://www.studyaustralia.gov.au/english/live/locations-in-australia/western-australia/western-australia

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

The West Coast of Australia has a beautiful variety of natural wonders to explore, in the city and surrounding. 

Perth city boasts many entertainment hubs, street art, waterfront restaurants and bars, museums and art galleries. King’s Park and Botanic Garden in the heart of Perth is one of the biggest city parks in the world (larger than New York's Central Park and London's Hyde Park) and is open at all times to visit for free. There’s always something to do in the city centre, day or night. 

You won’t run out of beautiful beaches to visit, with 19 beaches close to the city of Perth and even more along the coast. The world-famous Cottesloe Beach is a quick 20 minute drive from the city, as is Leighton Beach with its bright white powdery sand. 

Outside of the city, there’s lots to explore within a short drive or ferry ride. If you love coffee and delicious food, visit the “Cappuccino Strip” and enjoy fresh seafood in the laid-back city of Fremantle. Go underground on the fascinating Fremantle Prison Tunnel tour. Take a scenic ferry ride from Perth to Rottnest Island to explore the land and sea. Rottnest Island is ideal for snorkelling and taking fun selfies with friendly Australian wildlife. 

For all the latest events, attractions, and places to visit, head to https://www.westernaustralia.com/au/places-to-visit/perth-and-surrounds