·¬ÇÑÉçÇø

Skip to main content

Cost of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø in Perth

When you study in Perth, you can enjoy a lower living cost than some other major Australian cities. Knowing ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøaverage living costs is an important part of your decision to study in Perth and your preparation.

Live and study in one of Australia’s most affordable capital cities

A vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a high quality of life, Perth is a popular destination for international students. Ìý

With lower accommodation, lower transportation and lower overall living expenses than some of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøother major cities in Australia (and worldwide), your money will go further, so you can truly enjoy ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøarray of activities, dining, and entertainment on offer in this amazing city.Ìý

And, with an expansive public transport network featuring capped pricing and free buses in major areas, getting around is both affordable and easy. Ìý

Calculate your Cost of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø

With a variety of different living expenses to consider, working out how much you need to budget for can be difficult.Ìý

To make it easier for you to understand exactly how much money you’ll need to live comfortably in Perth, we’ve created a helpful Cost of ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø calculator.

What are ·¬ÇÑÉçÇømain expenses international students should consider?

Perth offers a variety of options for students looking for long-term accommodation. Ìý

With multiple purpose-built student accommodation buildings created for international students, you can live with or near other international students, providing you with ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøopportunity to make friends in your new city. You can also rent a room in a shared house or find your rental. There is also ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøoption of homestay, where you will stay with an Australian family, providing you with an immersive experience of Australian culture.Ìý

Prices vary depending on ·¬ÇÑÉçÇølocation, availability and accommodation type, but here are some average prices for student accommodation in Perth:Ìý

  • Renting a room - $200 to $450 AUD per weekÌý
  • On campus - $170 to $400 AUD per weekÌý
  • Student accommodation - $200 to $700 per weekÌý
  • Homestay - $235 to 325 AUD per weekÌý
  • Boarding schools - $11,000 to $22,000 AUD per yearÌý

Accommodation options in Perth

Getting around Perth is both affordable and easy, with an expansive network, capped pricing and free buses in major entertainment and business districts.ÌýÌý

It is highly recommended you get a SmartRider card. As an international student, you are eligible for a , on which you will be charged ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøconcession fare – more than 50% off ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøstandard fare! You can obtain this through your institution.Ìý

Buses that operate in ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøCentral Area Transit (CAT) zones are FREE for everyone, and every Sunday, public transport is FREE for all SmartRider holders.ÌýÌý

There are nine zones within ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøPerth public transport system, however when purchasing a ticket or using your SmartRider, every journey’s cost is capped at ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøcost of two zones.ÌýÌýÌý

  • Weekly cost: $5 - $35 AUDÌý

  • Annual cost: $240 - $1,680 AUDÌý

In addition to rent, you’ll also need to budget for utility bills. This includes things like electricity, water, gas, and internet.ÌýÌý

In some cases, utility bills are included in ·¬ÇÑÉçÇørent cost. However, this is not common, so be sure to check your accommodation contract. If you’re sharing, these bills are generally split between tenants. Ìý

If not included in ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøaccommodation cost, you will need to set up things like electricity and internet yourself. In ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøPerth region, Synergy is ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøonly residential power provider, so you will need to set up an account with them. For ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøinternet, there are a few providers to choose from, so make sure to do your research and compare costs.ÌýÌýÌý

Average utilities in Perth cost:ÌýÌý

  • Electricity: $100 per monthÌý

  • Water: $90 per monthÌý

  • Gas: $50 per monthÌý

  • Internet: $60-80 per monthÌý

There are so many fun things to do in Perth and ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøsurrounding suburbs, so to ensure you make ·¬ÇÑÉçÇømost of your Perth experience, factoring in entertainment costs is a must.ÌýÌý

Whether it’s going to ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøgym, watching a movie, or going out for dinner, it all adds up.ÌýÌý

Here are some average costs to factor into your budget:Ìý

  • Movies (student night): $11 – 13Ìý
  • Fitness: $15 – 30Ìý
  • Shows (music gigs, comedy, etc): $50Ìý

Weekly Cost: $80 – 100Ìý
Annual Cost: $4,160 - $5,200Ìý

When coming to Australia on a student visa, you are required to have overseas student health insurance.

It covers any doctor’s appointments, hospital costs, ambulances, or prescription medications you may require during your time in Perth.

You can check ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøprice of overseas health cover and book it online using ·¬ÇÑÉçÇø tool.

·¬ÇÑÉçÇø in Perth

Hear what our students think of living and studying in Perth.

Jan Andre Aquino (Andre)
"I really enjoy ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøcommunity in Perth. Everyone is so interesting, and I love exploring ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøcity."
Rutvi Timbadia
"Perth is a great place to pursue a mining career."
Sheldon Ying
"I love ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøwork-life balance and ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøcultural diversity here."

FAQs

The main expenses for international students in Perth include rent, utility bills, groceries, phone and internet, public transport, and entertainment. Use ourÌý to get an idea of what your weekly costs could be.Ìý

To help you understand ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøcost of living in Perth, we’ve put together what your average weekly budget could look like:Ìý

  • Rent – City (Shared): AUD$225 per weekÌý

  • Utility Bill (Shared): AUD$40 per weekÌý

  • Grocery: AUD$60 per weekÌý

  • Phone and internet: AUD$25 per weekÌý

  • Public Transport: AUD$15 per weekÌý

  • Entertainment: AUD$80 per weekÌý

Total weekly budget: AUD$445Ìý

Every student budget is different, so make sure to use our to get an idea of what your weekly costs could be.Ìý

Here are some of our top tips for reducing your living expenses in Perth:Ìý

  1. Create a budget and track your spending. You can use this provided on ·¬ÇÑÉçÇøAustralian Government’s MoneySmart website.Ìý
  2. ÌýFind student discounts and student nights. Check out our Perth Student Discount Guide to help you! Ìý
  3. Instead of paying for an expensive gym, find free or discounted ways to exercise, such as going for walks and runs or signing up for your University’s student gym. Ìý
  4. Instead of spending on lunches and snacks at your institution, pack your lunch at home and bring it with you.Ìý
  5. When buying new clothes or homewares, shop second-hand, or even better, attend our free second-hand markets! Keep an eye on our Events page for ·¬ÇÑÉçÇønext one.Ìý
  6. Use our FREE support services whenever you’re in need, such as free mental health support, free legal advice, and free career resources.Ìý

Connect with our student community

Make new connections and form lifelong friendships by attending our range of events designed to help international students get ·¬ÇÑÉçÇømost out of their Perth experience.