Cost of Living in Perth as a Student

It’s really all about the money when studying abroad, and that’s why we made you this detailed guide to the cost of living in Perth. A significant part of making the best of your time in Perth is organizing your budget and finances. Overall, living in Perth as an international student can be a great experience as it has great academic opportunities, diverse culture and a laid-back lifestyle. 

About Perth

Perth is the fourth largest Australian capital city and the state capital of Western Australia. Perth has a population of 2 million people and is one of the best cities in the world to live in. Every year, more than 35,000 international students travel to Perth to study as one of the top study abroad destinations. Along with other great cities worldwide, it regularly scores well in terms of economy, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. Perth provides an exceptional standard of living. When considering relocating to Australia, it is the first city that comes to mind. Because of the abundance of job opportunities and low cost of living, it is a perfect alternative to the bustling cities of Melbourne and Sydney.

What are the factors affecting cost of living in Perth

Perth, the vibrant capital city of Western Australia, is renowned for its stunning beaches, thriving economy, and high standard of living. However, like any other city, the cost of living in Perth is influenced by various factors. From housing expenses to transportation costs, education, healthcare, and even leisure activities, a multitude of elements contribute to the overall cost of life in this beautiful city. Understanding these factors and their impact on the cost of living is essential for residents and newcomers alike, enabling them to make informed decisions and effectively manage their finances in this dynamic Australian metropolis.

Cost of living in Perth: Student accommodation costs 

Your choice of student accommodation in the best areas in Perth will also significantly impact your overall cost of living in Perth. There are numerous possibilities for student accommodation from which you can select. You have the option of living either on-campus or off-campus. Private rentals and purpose-built student accommodations are also options (PBSA). PBSAs are residential complexes designed with the requirements of students in mind. PBSAs include all utilities and are completely furnished. PBSAs are your best choice if you seek practical and comfortable student accommodation in Perth.

Room Type

Cost

Non-En suite

AU$150-500

En suite

AU$250-320

Studio

AU$150-500

How can you save on student accommodation costs?

You can find affordable accommodation a little further than the city centre; sharing accommodation with friends and finding a double occupancy room can help you cut the cost of living in Perth. You can look for student accommodation in Perth’s residential area and commute to your university.

Cost of living in Perth: Travel Costs

Taking your travel expenses into account when calculating your cost of living is crucial. Since Perth is a large city, getting around purely on foot might not be viable. The city's well-connected central networks are easily accessible by foot from Perth's universities. Students in Perth have several transportation choices, and they can travel using the Transperth website. 

A SmartRider card costs AU$10, and you must add a minimum of AU$10 credit. For students, the SmartRider card costs AU$ 5.

Bus

In the Free Transit Zone, you can also use bus services without paying a fare with your SmartRider card. Most Transperth bus stops in and out of the city terminate at either the Wellington Street or Esplanade Bus Stations. Both are within a short walk from the city's main commercial, shopping, and tourism districts.

Train

The rail network in Perth is an excellent way to go about the city and to the neighbouring suburbs. There is a Free Transit Zone in the city centre for trains travelling between City West, Elizabeth Quay, and Claisebrook stations. To use the free fares, you must touch on and off with your SmartRider card.

How can you save on travel costs?

Wanna live a healthy and save money? You gotta walk it like you talk it! Literally. Set up a walking routine to get where you need to go to get fit and save money! You might also consider purchasing combination passes or particular term passes if you plan to travel somewhat frequently. University students can receive huge travel discounts from several public transportation providers. Check with your university if there are any discounts you may take advantage of to lower your cost of living in Perth.

Cost of living in Perth: Food and Groceries

When discussing the cost of living in Perth, we cannot forget food and groceries. These expenses are more difficult to estimate because they differ from individual to person. However, a student will probably spend AU$ 60-100 monthly on food. The costs of some of the most typical food and shopping bills for students are listed below:

Food 

Cost

A Litre of Milk

AU$3.00

Half a Dozen Eggs

AU$3.15

Loaf of Bread

AU$3.07

Fruits

AU$4-6

Veggies

AU$2.5-6

How can you save on your food expenses?

You should make as many meals home as possible to lower Perth living costs. You'll find that eating out will quickly drain your bank account. At first, it could be challenging to fit cooking into your daily schedule, but after some time, it'll be much simpler, and you might even enjoy it. Take your pick from the easy recipes for college students on our blog if you're seeking ideas in that area.

Cost of living in Perth: Utilities

When estimating the cost of living in Perth, you must account for the cost of essential utilities. Utilities are needed to keep your home running smoothly on a fundamental level. The monthly cost of hot water, electricity, heating and cooling can range from $250-300 depending on where you stay and how often you use these commodities. WiFi costs between AU$ 80-85 a month on average.

How can you save on utilities?

Sharing a flat with friends will allow you to save money on utilities because they are charged per household rather than per individual. To reduce your cost of living in Perth, you can also choose student accommodation that includes all your utilities in the rent. All utilities are added to the rent at Murdoch University Village, Australia, with a starting rate of AU$ 139 per week.

Cost of living in Perth: Miscellaneous Expenses

Your spending for recreation will significantly impact your cost of living in Perth while you are a student. Your budget for a gym membership, shopping, outings, visiting museums, and sporting events will be included. Depending on your preferences, these prices may vary, but saving AU$ 30-80 a month should be sufficient to cover them.

How can you cut down on these expenses?

If you feel like you need to lower your cost of living in Perth, these should be the first expenses to be reduced since most of them are unnecessary. You can also plan to replace some of these costs with less expensive options. For instance, research other reasonably priced gyms in the region if you wish to cut back on your gym membership. Inquire at your university, which is likely to have its own open exercise centre that you can utilise at a much lesser cost.

Cost of living in Perth: Tuition

Let's start with what will most likely be your major financial expense: tuition. Tuition rates vary depending on the college and course you've applied for. Tuition costs vary for each university in Perth. Tuition costs are in addition to the cost of your university education and cover registration, tuition, supervision, exams, and graduation.

Curtin University

Curtin University is the first of Perth's universities to offer a Technology degree. It is a globally recognised and noteworthy institution known for its high-quality research and development that involves the active engagement of students and faculty members in academic and research concepts and initiatives. It has 50,000 students, including 15,000 international students, and is ranked 193 worldwide by QS.

Course 

Tuition/year

Undergraduate International Student Fees

AU$ 35,000-40,000 

Undergraduate Home Student Fees

AU$ 20,000-24,000

Postgraduate International Student Fees

AU$ 35,000-40,000

Postgraduate Home Student Fees

AU$ 20,000-22,000

Edith Cowan University

Edith Cowan University is a university in Perth, Australia, located in the northern suburbs that offer over 400 programmes in fields such as law and communication arts. It is one of the top 175 institutions in the world, with 31,000 students, including 7,000 overseas students. It has various on-campus research centres that help students advance in their chosen fields.

Course 

Tuition/year

Undergraduate International Student Fees

AU$ 30,000-35,000

Undergraduate Home Student Fees

AU$ 12,000-20,000

Postgraduate International Student Fees

AU$ 30,000-35,000

Postgraduate Home Student Fees

AU$ 15,000-20,000

Murdoch University

Murdoch University is a prominent choice for international students in Perth. It is widely acknowledged to generate the most employable graduates of any Australian institution, whether working in the city or abroad. It is a research-focused university that offers 250 undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programmes in law, creative arts, business, and education. It has 25,000 students, 10,000 of whom are overseas students and is one of the world's top 1000 universities.

Course 

Tuition/year

Undergraduate International Student Fees

28,000-35,000 AU$

Undergraduate Home Student Fees

10,000-15,000 AU$

Postgraduate International Student Fees

30,000-35,000 AU$

Postgraduate Home Student Fees

15,000-20,000 AU$

How can you save on tuition fees?

Various scholarships are available for students provided by the universities and the government. Scholarships are a great way to cut down your cost of living in Perth. All you have to do is check with your university to see whether they provide students with any scholarship opportunities, and there are many government-funded scholarships available.

To make planning your stay in Perth easier, we've attempted to break down your living expenses while there. Managing your finances isn't always straightforward, and we genuinely hope you can use this information as guidance while creating your budget. Any student who can study in Perth would be fortunate, as it is a city with a lot to experience and learn.