Perth is a city of just over two million people, known for its relaxed culture and stunning beaches. It sits near the coast in Western Australia – the largest state in the country – and is a beautiful and unique place to live, study and explore.
Whether you’re already planning to live or study in Perth, or you’re just thinking about your future study options, we’ve collected some up-to-date information about travel, where to live and work, what to do for fun and where to find support.
Arriving in Perth
The border to Western Australia will be open from 3 March 2022. The border opening will allow for safe travel into WA from interstate and overseas with vaccination and testing requirements on arrival. As an international arrival, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Meet Commonwealth Government requirements to enter Australia
- Be fully vaccinated under the Commonwealth Government requirements, if eligible
- Have a registered G2G Pass
- Undertake a Rapid Antigen Test upon arrival within 12 hours and report any positive result
- Unvaccinated returning Australians will be required to complete hotel quarantine.
For general information about the COVID-19 situation in Australia, see here.
For useful information about how to keep yourself and others safe, see here.
Studying in Perth
Perth’s world-renowned educational institutions can give your career a serious boost. Thanks to a rapidly evolving economy and vibrant culture, the city is fast becoming a favourite for local and international students alike. With a wide range of courses and specialisations to choose from, there’s something for every international student in Perth.
Living in Perth
There are plenty of options when it comes to accommodation in Perth, and it’s much cheaper than in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. You might want to live in the inner city (Northbridge and Mount Lawley), near your education institution or somewhere right by the beach (Fremantle and Cottesloe). To help you pick the perfect place to live, we’ve put together a list of the coolest suburbs to live in.
Getting a job in Perth
Perth is a great place to work as an international student. Despite the pandemic, the economy has been absolutely booming – it’s one of the strongest in the world right now! Last year, Western Australia recorded its strongest annual growth in a decade, and the unemployment rate fell to only 4.6 per cent. This means it’s a great time to find a job or internship or try volunteering.
Due to the pandemic and associated labour shortages, the Australian government has introduced some new initiatives to help international students find work. In mid-January, it was announced that international student visa fees have been waived for 8 weeks. Most importantly, for the next few months (until at least April 2022), the working hours for student visa holders have been relaxed – now, you can work before your course starts and work up to 40 hours a week. It’s never been easier to work as an international student!
For more information and any updates on international student visas and initiatives, keep an eye on the Department of Home Affairs website.
Fun things to see and do in Perth
Perth has so many exciting things to see and do both in and outside the city. You won’t have a dull moment in Perth – from wine and cider tasting in Swan Valley and exploring caves and lighthouses around Margaret River to dolphin spotting in Busselton and city centre attractions like the Perth Zoo, the beautiful Kings Park and the Art Gallery of Western Australia. You can also catch a movie under the stars at the Telethon Community Cinemas outdoor cinema on Murdoch University’s Perth campus, or head to the port city of Fremantle for a day by the water.
For more ideas, check out our lists of must-do activities for every budget, the best cafes to study in, the best outdoor activities and the best summer activities.
Support in Perth
StudyPerth has plenty of great resources to help you settle in and navigate your new life in Perth. They can assist and guide you with visa issues, language services, medical services, working, accommodation and more. Your education provider will also be able to provide support – check out their website or ring the international student centre to find out how they can help. For example, Murdoch University have a dedicated international student support page, which includes information about everything from health cover to scholarships.
Murdoch University looks forward to welcoming international students back to Perth! Join a global community of independent thinkers who are working towards building a better, more sustainable future.
