Western Australia is incredibly vast and diverse; the state lies in the southern hemisphere, covering an area of more than 2.5 million square kilometres (nearly one-third of the country) – that is about the size of Western Europe and one-third of Australia’s total landmass.

From baffling rock formations and ancient Aboriginal sites to sweeping green vineyards of world-class wineries and unbelievably clear ocean waters, Western Australia is the land of endless exploration.

Perth

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia (WA).

It is a modern and vibrant city, with desirable lifestyle, great geographic location and attractive investment opportunities.

Perth is regularly ranked in the top 10 most liveable, friendly and attractive cities in the world. As the capital city of one of the world’s most significant mining regions, Perth is rapidly growing in lifestyle, population and economic prosperity.

For more information about Perth visist https://www.perth.wa.gov.au

Population

The current metro area population of Perth in 2020 is 2,042,000, a 1.29% increase from 2019. The metro area population of Perth in 2019 was 2,016,000, a 1.26% increase from 2018.

Weather

Perth Australia has a sunny Mediterranean style climate with an average of eight hours of sunshine per day. Summers are hot and dry although not devoid of rain with occasional short-lived thunderstorms throughout the season. The average maximum summer temperature is 29°C, and February is generally the hottest month. Temperatures hover around 12°C in winter (June to August).

Education and living costs

In Perth you can enjoy the beach lifestyle, relax in natural bushland, sample world-class local wines and watch an ocean sunset within just 30 minutes of the city.

Situated beside the Swan River, Perth is a living postcard, with the best views of all from Kings Park and Botanic Garden – one of the biggest inner-city parks in the world. Larger than New York’s Central Park, there are so many ways to enjoy its 400-plus hectares of sculpted gardens and natural bushland. Stroll the treetop walk, take an Indigenous cultural tour, picnic among the gum trees and in Spring, see the wildflowers in bloom.

There is also plenty of retail therapy on offer. The high-end fashion boutiques of King Street make it the place to be seen. The Murray and Hay Street malls are where you will find big brands, or for some eclectic vibes, head to Northbridge, Mount Lawley, Leederville, Subiaco or Victoria Park.

For more information about Perth’s lifestyle we invite you to visit https://www.westernaustralia.com/au

There are many reasons why Perth has been rated one of the top ten most liveable cities in the world for the past 13 years.

Student Accomodation

The cost of housing depends on the kind of accommodation you would like. Before you arrive in Perth, we recommend researching which area of Perth you would like to live in, the type of accommodation you would prefer, and the various costs.

Renting a one bedroom in Perth, outside the city centre, will cost about AUD $1,000 a month on average. In Sydney, you can except to pay up AUD $1,900 a month for an identical apartment, and AUD $1,500 a month in Melbourne where rent prices are on average 40% higher than Perth (Source: Budget Direct).

A great way to save costs is to live in a share house with other students or friends you meet in Perth. Depending on where you live and how many people you rent with, costs can be as low as $350 a month.

Public Transport

There are many different transport options available to get you around Perth, including private car, bicycle, taxis, rideshares like Uber and Ola, and of course, public transport.

Perth has an extensive public transport network, provided through the state-owned Transperth. As an international student, you will receive 40% off all public transport across the state!

To give you an estimate, you could be spending between AUD $15 to $55 per week on transport costs.

Food

Like anywhere, the cost of food and entertainment greatly varies depending on your preferences. But as a student in Australia, you are entitled to student discounts on things like movie tickets, and purchases in various restaurants and stores.

There are four main supermarket chains operating in Perth: Aldi, Coles, IGA and Woolworths. With all suppliers having multiple stores across the metro region, you are never far from a supermarket.

If you are eating out in Perth, you can expect to pay around $15 for breakfast, $16 for lunch and $20 for dinner.

The City of Perth is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to provide employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.

There are many jobs available in Perth for international students while you study and after you graduate.

Working while you study is a great way to earn some extra money and give you the chance to be part of the community and experience Perth’s way of life. In addition, it is also a great way to practice your English if you are not a native speaker.

There are a wide variety of full and part-time jobs in Perth for international students. Check out some of the information below on how to find a job in Perth.

Employment types

There are many casual and part-time jobs available throughout Perth in the areas of administration, hospitality, retail, aged care and housekeeping or cleaning.

As a casual employee, you have no guaranteed hours of work and do not get paid leave entitlements. To compensate this, casual work will be paid at a higher hourly rate. An adult (aged 18 years or over) can expect to earn a minimum of $19.49AUD per hour.

As a part-time employee, you will work fewer than 38 hours per week and will have the same leave benefits as a full-time employee, at a rate in proportion to the amount of time you work.

To be eligible for WA nomination you must meet both the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) criteria for the nominated visa and the WA criteria for State nomination.

State nomination gives you extra points on the Department of Home Affairs points test, which is automatically incorporated into your expression of interest in the Home Affairs SkillSelect database. You can be nominated for:

  • the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and receive an extra five points; or
  • the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and receive an extra 15 points.

Please note that being nominated by the WA Government does not guarantee your visa will be approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

This permanent visa allows you to live and work in all areas of WA.

For more information visit: https://migration.wa.gov.au

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

This is a five year provisional visa for skilled workers.

This visa allows you to live in regional Australia. Currently all of Western Australia is considered regional.

For more information visit: https://migration.wa.gov.au

To discover whether you are eligible for a Skilled visa to live and work in Perth (WA), we invite you to take VisAustralia’s Migration Assessment Tool or to book a consultation with one of our expert migration lawyers.

Broome

Broome is a beach resort town in western Australia’s Kimberley region.

The town is surrounded by the tropical waters of the Indian Ocean, with the white sandy stretch of Cable Beach contrasting with the red rocks of Gantheaume Point and the dusky sands of Roebuck Bay. Compact to explore, Broome’s two main areas are Chinatown in the heart of old Broome, and Cable Beach, home to resorts and restaurants.

Population

The urban population in Broome was 14,445 in June 2018 growing to over 45,000 per month during the peak tourist season (June to August).

Weather

Broome has a tropical climate, defined by a wet and a dry season. The wet season generally lasts from November until April (with average temperatures ranging between 25 – 33.6°C) while the dry season runs from May until October (with temperatures ranging from 17 – 30.8°C)

Education and living costs

Broome is a fabulous tourist destination, with a great lifestyle, balmy weather, unique pioneering history and pearling industry.

The lifestyle in Broome is a lot more relaxed that other areas of Australia. As a thriving tourist destination, a lot of people come here to relax, giving the town a very calm feel to it. You will find that a lot of people spend their downtime swimming, soaking up the sunshine, or catching up with friends over good food and coffee.

The agreeable climate, friendly charm and casual way of life have attracted an exceptional tapestry of people and culture – from sea changers to backpackers, from families and retirees, to artists and millionaires; Broome’s community all recognise the value placed on the freedom of a great lifestyle in a pristine and colourful environment.

Livings costs are relative and can greatly depend on one’s lifestyle and preferences.

You should have access to at least A$3,300 when you arrive to settle in Broome, and budget a minimum of $475 per week (single) or $825 (family) per week to cover the cost of living.

Suggested weekly budget:

  • Rent (furnished residence): $180 single / $390 family
  • Utilities (gas, water and electricity): $35 single / $60 family
  • Food: $120 single / $200 family
  • Public transport: $20 single / $55 family
  • Clothing, toiletries and entertainment: $120 single / $145 family
  • *The costs provided are an approximate guide only

Many people move to Broome for the dry season or go to the Kimberley for seasonal work.

The tourism and hospitality industry are obviously big ones in Broome and have plenty of openings during the dry season.
The mining industry is also huge and growing.

To be eligible for WA nomination you must meet both the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) criteria for the nominated visa and the WA criteria for State nomination.

State nomination gives you extra points on the Department of Home Affairs points test, which is automatically incorporated into your expression of interest in the Home Affairs SkillSelect database. You can be nominated for:

  • the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) and receive an extra five points; or
  • the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) and receive an extra 15 points.

Please note that being nominated by the WA Government does not guarantee your visa will be approved by the Department of Home Affairs.

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

This permanent visa allows you to live and work in all areas of WA.

For more information visit: https://migration.wa.gov.au

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

This is a five year provisional visa for skilled workers.

This visa allows you to live in regional Australia. Currently all of Western Australia is considered regional.

For more information visit: https://migration.wa.gov.au

To discover whether you are eligible for a Skilled visa to live and work in Broome (WA), we invite you to take VisAustralia’s Migration Assessment Tool or to book a consultation with one of our expert migration lawyers.

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