Living Information – Perth
Perth
Before Europeans inhabited the beautiful city of Perth, the whole of Western Australia was occupied by Indigenous Australians, who lived off the land for tens of thousands of years. Perth is steeped in heritage and is known as a city built on gold. Fun Fact: Western Australia produced more than two million ounces of gold in the year of 1903 alone which is around 56,699kg.
Perth boasts long warm summers, filled with 8 hours of sunshine and little rainfall. However come winter temperatures can drop to around 12 degrees with rainy season between July and August.
Welcome to Perth.
Getting around
Travelling around Perth is made easier with various free bus and train routes in certain areas of the city and Freemantle. More information regarding these routes can be found online. You can also access ferries and paid bus and train routes with a SmartRider card. Ticket conductors are often on public transport and can issue you with a large fine if you have not paid your fare, therefore make sure your card is always topped up and you always tap on.
Accommodation
Perth offers a wide variety of accommodation to suit students in either share houses or private residences that can hold an entire family. Choose from apartment living in the cosmopolitan inner city, or a spacious house or unit with a garden in the picturesque suburbs.
For more information about student accommodation and some handy hints and tips, you can access the WA government website for more information.
https://www.gsdc.wa.gov.au/our-activities/our-projects/student-accommodation/
Some useful websites for searching accommodation are listed below:
http://www.realestate.com.au/share
http://flatmates.com.au/
http://www.domain.com.au
Work
Living in Australia on a visa can mean you face certain restrictions. If you are a student visa holder, you and your dependent family members have permission to work included with your visa, but there are certain conditions you may need to adhere to, such as the number of hours you are able to work. It’s important to ensure you don’t breach the work conditions that apply to your visa.
To keep up-to-date with the regulations, please visit the website
Tourist Information
You are on the West Coast, the most famous place in Australia for stunning sunsets, beautiful starry nights and beaches that stretch longer than the day is long, so make the most of you time here.
If you are looking for a weekend adventure head to the home of the quokka, Rottnest island for an unforgettable experience. Boasting white sandy beaches and secluded coves, you will find yourself wishing you never had to leave.
Head to the port city of Fremantle if you want to soak up some of WA’s history. Here you can book a tour to visit Fremantle prison, a 12 sided Round House, where you can walk the footsteps of the inmates that were imprisoned up until 1991.
Find out more about what you can see and do here.
