Directorate
Life in Perth
Perth is the capital city of Western Australia (WA), which is the biggest state in Australia. The city of Perth is located on the south-west coast lapped by the Indian Ocean. There is one major International and Domestic Airport which is approximately 15 km (30 minutes) drive from the city centre. For more information you can read on or visit the UWA 'About Perth' web page. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Perth has a Mediterranean climate with more hours of sunshine than any other Australian capital city. Our seasons are: Summer – December to February, Autumn – March to May, Winter – June to August, Spring – September to November So that you have an idea of what clothing you will need to bring for your stay in Perth, below is an indication of the climate:
Non-Australian students can drive on an overseas driving licence for up to 12 months from arrival or until the licence expires (whichever comes first). For students who will stay for longer than 12 months, it is recommended to obtain a WA driving licence. If you will drive a vehicle during your stay, you must have adequate insurance. No matter what type of licence you hold, whether overseas or international, you should always check with your insurer that your type of driving licence is valid for that type of insurance and that you are covered in the event of an accident. Buses, trains and ferries in Perth are operated by Transperth. Journey costs are relatively inexpensive, but fares vary depending on the number of zones travelled. Full-time students are eligible for concessions on bus and train fares. Some journeys in and around Perth are free when using the CAT (Central Area Transit) service which runs in and around the Perth, Fremantle and Joondalup CBD (Central Business District). More information about CAT services is available on the Transperth website. For more information visit the Transperth website at www.transperth.wa.gov.au In Perth you can catch a taxi by hailing one on the street, by waiting at a designated cab spot or taxi rank or booked by calling a taxi company. More information, including company telephone numbers, is available from the Taxi Council of WA. Their website is: (www.tcwa.com.au/servcatchcab.html). Getting to Perth from the Airport Perth Airport has three terminals - Terminal 1 (International), Terminals 2 & 3 (Domestic). There are a number of options for getting to and from the airport. International students can make arrangements through the International Centre. Taxis from the airport to Perth city centre start from approximately $30. Shuttle buses are also available starting at $12. For more information about getting to and from the airport you should visit the Perth Airport website. Perth has one of the highest standards of living in the world. In recent years Western Australia has experienced an economic growth, which has affected the overall cost of living in Perth, making it comparable to some other capital cities. The economic growth has however provided a wealth of graduate employment opportunities. For details about the cost of living while studying at UWA you should visit the UWA 'Cost of Living' web page. The cost of renting accommodation in the suburbs surrounding Perth city centre has risen sharply over recent years. The average weekly cost of renting a property is now $400. If you share with others, the weekly cost for rent for a full-time student is between $150 and $300. The cost will differ depending on the type of accommodation you choose. Please see the information on our website for more information. The cost of provisions in Western Australia is comparable to other states and cheaper than in some other international cities. Budget around $100 per week for a single student. Costs vary depending on where you do your shopping. Below is an estimated cost of daily grocery items.
Western Australia has strict quarantine laws which restrict the import of certain items, including certain food stuffs and organic matter. Heavy penalties apply to people not declaring items identified as a risk. If you are arriving from overseas, before you arrive in Perth you will be asked to complete a customs declaration form. If you are bringing any food items with you or if you have any items that are listed on the form, you must declare them or you may be fined and face delays at customs. It is important for you to know that restrictions are also in place for items that your family may wish to send you through the mail. Please read the information for International Students published on the AQIS website. For information about what you can’t bring into Australia, visit the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website. Their homepage is: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis. See also the following pages: Information for International Students: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/about/public-awareness/int-students Prohibited items: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/travel/entering-australia/cant-take | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
For more information on Perth, visit: http://studyat.uwa.edu.au/perth http://www.pertheducationcity.com.au http://www.westernaustralia.com | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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