Your life in Western Australia

Perth is the sunniest capital city in Australia! With an average of eight hours sunshine a day, there's more time to enjoy the fresh air and outdoor activities like picnics or exercise.

Western Australia is a big place with a varying climate. It can be sticky and humid, baking hot or cool and snuggly all at the same time — it just depends on where you are! Perth’s hot, dry summers are ideal for lounging on the beach. Our mild winters are a great time to check out some cosy shops or get outdoors for a bushwalk. 

The Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology provides a detailed weather service for WA(opens in a new tab).

Indigenous weather knowledge

The six Noongar seasons(opens in a new tab) — Birak, Bunuru, Djeran, Makuru, Djilba and Kambarang — represent the seasonal changes we see across Perth and the South West of WA annually.

Get a job for valuable experience and earn while you learn! Working while you study helps you become part of the friendly WA community. View our Work while you study page.

Volunteer 

Volunteer with one of WA’s many charitable organisations or community programs. You’ll meet new friends and make a real difference in the lives of others. Volunteering is also great for your curriculum vitae (CV)! 

Post-study work

As a designated regional centre, Perth provides you with more opportunities to work and live in WA after you graduate. Learn more on the WA Migration Services website(opens in a new tab).

Perth is a globally connected city. There are direct flights from Perth to major cities in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Did you know WA is in the same time zone as many countries in Asia? This includes Brunei, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the Philippines, so you won’t have to wake friends and family in the middle of the night to chat!

For most of the world’s population, Perth is the closest Australian city. 

Australia is a huge country, with three time zones.

Perth has a booming scene of small bars, cafés, and restaurants for you to try. You might attend many barbecues (BBQs) during your time in WA. Friends and family come together to enjoy a BBQ meal in a relaxed informal setting, often at a park or at the beach.

If vegetarian food is your thing there’s a great range of fresh fruit and vegetables to try. Halal meat and food is also available throughout WA. Explore Perth’s bar, restaurant and café scene(opens in a new tab) and get ready to enjoy the tastes of WA. 

Sightseeing and nature

In Perth and regional WA you can have a real adventure – there are so many wonderful places to explore.(opens in a new tab)  WA is the largest state in Australia so you can discover incredible coastlines and experience road trips of a lifetime(opens in a new tab).

Drive from Lancelin to Preston Beach for 250kms of beautiful coast(opens in a new tab). Drive south through national forests and wine regions. Other highlights include the Pinnacles(opens in a new tab), Pink Lake(opens in a new tab), dolphins at Monkey Mia and diving with whale sharks at Ningaloo.

Perth

Perth's central business district (CBD) is about 10 km from the nearest beach, and about 16 km north up the Swan River from Fremantle. The stunning Elizabeth Quay connects the city centre with the tranquil Swan River. Wi-Fi and public transport are both free in the CBD. Watch some sport or a concert at the world class Perth Stadium. 

Fremantle 

The Swan River winds its way down from the Perth hills, past Perth’s central district, into the Indian Ocean at the Port of Fremantle(opens in a new tab). In Fremantle’s historic town centre, you will find cool street cafés, bustling markets(opens in a new tab) and unique entertainment. 

Joondalup  

The City of Joondalup(opens in a new tab) is a modern, clean city built on the edge of Lake Joondalup. Located 25 minutes north of Perth, Joondalup offers an excellent selection of restaurants, cafés, and shopping experiences. Many students choose to live in Joondalup to take advantage of the Joondalup Learning Precinct(opens in a new tab) of North Metropolitan TAFE(opens in a new tab) and Edith Cowan University (ECU)(opens in a new tab). 

Explore Perth!

1. Visit one of our 19 beautiful metropolitan beaches(opens in a new tab), including the famous Cottesloe Beach.
2. Visit Kings Park, the southern hemisphere's largest inner city park and do the Indigenous Heritage Tour of Kings Park(opens in a new tab) to learn of WA's fascinating history.
3. Take a ferry to Rottnest Island(opens in a new tab) and meet the cute quokkas.
4. Explore the colour and diversity of the port city of Fremantle(opens in a new tab).
5. Swim with the dolphins at Rockingham(opens in a new tab), just a 45 minute drive from Perth.

Studying in a location away from a big city gives you a unique opportunity. Experience the amazing natural beauty or regional WA; from long stretches of perfect coastline along the Mid West, forests and mountains of the South West, and tropical deserts and sandy beaches of the north. You have unlimited opportunities for fun and adventure!

South West

The South West region offers a pleasant climate, breathtaking forests, pristine beaches, and spectacular coastline scenery. WA's South West provides some of the most varied travel experiences in the state. Find out more about the South West region of Western Australia.(opens in a new tab)

Coral Coast

The Coral Coast of Western Australia is north of Perth in the Mid West region. This region has a stunning coastline to the west, rolling hills and breakaway ranges to the east and Chapman and Greenough Rivers to the north and south. Geraldton is a vibrant port city. Find out more about the Coral Coast region of Western Australia(opens in a new tab).

Australians (Aussies) are relaxed and informal, with a love of nature and the outdoor life. Aussies pride themselves on being good friends and neighbours. 

Australian values include respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual; equal opportunity for individuals, regardless of their gender, race, religion or ethnic background. These values apply to temporary residents such as students as well.

At the beach you'll see people surfing, fishing, kayaking, picnicking, sharing a game of beach cricket, or soaking up sunshine. A respectful connection with nature is central to Aboriginal culture(opens in a new tab), and has been for more than 50,000 years.

Australia is a sport loving nation, as most people enjoy watching and playing sports. Popular sports include Australian Rules Football (AFL)(opens in a new tab), cricket, tennis, rugby, netball, swimming and soccer (football).

The Perth nightlife scene(opens in a new tab) is always changing, especially with the opening of many popular new micro bars. The city has a thriving nightclub scene, award winning bars, karaoke and cocktail bars. Many people in Perth celebrate the 'Sunday session'. For a few hours on a Sunday afternoon they enjoy a drink, some music and the sunshine with friends. This is especially popular during the summer along the coast.

Summertime is popular for music festivals(opens in a new tab), with a wide range of international and local acts. Perth Festival(opens in a new tab) brings world class performance, music, film, and visual arts to the city each year. Fringe World(opens in a new tab) is a popular annual arts festival. It offers an incredible array of entertainment - comedy, music and musicals, circus and much more.

• Westernaustralia.com(opens in a new tab) is the official home of WA travel and tourism, to help research and plan your extraordinary trip to Western Australia.
• Visit Perth(opens in a new tab) has current information about activities in the city including festivals and music concerts, and useful information about living and travelling around Perth.
• Western Australia – it's like no other(opens in a new tab) highlights opportunities for travel, study, trade and work in WA.