Cost of Living in Perth

When you study in Perth, you can enjoy a lower living cost than some other major Australian cities. Knowing the average living costs is an important part of your decision to study in Perth and your preparation.

Live and study in one of Australia’s most affordable capital cities

A vibrant and cosmopolitan city with a high quality of life, Perth is a popular destination for international students.

With lower accommodation, lower transportation and lower overall living expenses than some of the other major cities in Australia (and worldwide), your money will go further, so you can truly enjoy the array of activities, dining, and entertainment on offer in this amazing city.

And, with an expansive public transport network featuring capped pricing and free buses in major areas, getting around is both affordable and easy.

Calculate your Cost of Living

With a variety of different living expenses to consider, working out how much you need to budget for can be difficult.

To make it easier for you to understand exactly how much money you’ll need to live comfortably in Perth, we’ve created a helpful Cost of Living calculator.

Use our Cost of Living Calculator

What are the main expenses international students should consider?

Perth offers a variety of options for students looking for long-term accommodation.

With multiple purpose-built student accommodation buildings created for international students, you can live with or near other international students, providing you with the opportunity to make friends in your new city. You can also rent a room in a shared house or find your rental. There is also the option of homestay, where you will stay with an Australian family, providing you with an immersive experience of Australian culture.

Prices vary depending on the location, availability and accommodation type, but here are some average prices for student accommodation in Perth:

Renting a room - $200 to $450 AUD per week
On campus - $170 to $400 AUD per week
Student accommodation - $200 to $700 per week
Homestay - $235 to 325 AUD per week
Boarding schools - $11,000 to $22,000 AUD per year

Accommodation options in Perth

Getting around Perth is both affordable and easy, with an expansive network, capped pricing and free buses in major entertainment and business districts.

It is highly recommended you get a SmartRider card. As an international student, you are eligible for a Tertiary SmartRider, on which you will be charged the concession fare – more than 50% off the standard fare! You can obtain this through your institution.

Buses that operate in the Central Area Transit (CAT) zones are FREE for everyone, and every Sunday, public transport is FREE for all SmartRider holders.

There are nine zones within the Perth public transport system, however when purchasing a ticket or using your SmartRider, every journey’s cost is capped at the cost of two zones.

Weekly cost: $5 - $35 AUD

Annual cost: $240 - $1,680 AUD

Check out our Perth Public Transport Guide to find out more.

In addition to rent, you’ll also need to budget for utility bills. This includes things like electricity, water, gas, and internet.

In some cases, utility bills are included in the rent cost. However, this is not common, so be sure to check your accommodation contract. If you’re sharing, these bills are generally split between tenants.

If not included in the accommodation cost, you will need to set up things like electricity and internet yourself. In the Perth region, Synergy is the only residential power provider, so you will need to set up an account with them. For the internet, there are a few providers to choose from, so make sure to do your research and compare costs.

Average utilities in Perth cost:

Electricity: $100 per month

Water: $90 per month

Gas: $50 per month

Internet: $60-80 per month

There are so many fun things to do in Perth and the surrounding suburbs, so to ensure you make the most of your Perth experience, factoring in entertainment costs is a must.

Whether it’s going to the gym, watching a movie, or going out for dinner, it all adds up.

Here are some average costs to factor into your budget:

Movies (student night): $11 – 13

Fitness: $15 – 30

Shows (music gigs, comedy, etc): $50

Weekly Cost: $80 – 100
Annual Cost: $4,160 - $5,200

When coming to Australia on a student visa, you are required to have overseas student health insurance.

It covers any doctor’s appointments, hospital costs, ambulances, or prescription medications you may require during your time in Perth.

You can check the price of overseas health cover and book it online using the Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) tool.

The average student budget in Perth

To help you understand the cost of living in Perth, we’ve put together what your average weekly budget could look like.

Every student budget is different, so make sure to use our Cost of Living calculator to get an idea of what yours could look like.

Rent - City (Shared): AUD$225 per week
Utility Bill (Shared): AUD$40 per week
Grocery: AUD$60 per week
Phone and internet: AUD$25 per week
Public Transport: AUD$15 per week
Entertainment: AUD$80 per week

Total weekly budget: AUD$445

Check out Abby's story

Budgeting tips

On top of your living expenses, you’ll spend money on activities, eating out, and exercising. Here are some of our top tips for reducing your extra expenses.

Create a budget and track your spending. You can use this free budget planner tool provided on the Australian Government’s MoneySmart website.
Find student discounts and student nights. Check out our Perth Student Discount Guide to help you!
Instead of paying for an expensive gym, find free or discounted ways to exercise. Get outdoors for a walk, run, or hike, or take advantage of the free exercise equipment available in various parks around Perth. If you’re attending University, most University gyms offer discounts for their students. In addition to this, some student accommodation buildings have a gym that is free for residents.
Instead of spending on lunches and snacks at your institution, pack your lunch at home and bring it with you.
When buying new clothes or homewares, shop second-hand, or even better, attend our free second-hand markets! Keep an eye on our Events page for the next one.
Use our FREE support services whenever you’re in need, such as free mental health support, free legal advice, and free career resources.

Living in Perth

Hear what our students think of living and studying in Perth.

Jan Andre Aquino (Andre)

"I really enjoy the community in Perth. Everyone is so interesting, and I love exploring the city."

Rutvi Timbadia

"Perth is a great place to pursue a mining career."

Sheldon Ying

"I love the work-life balance and the cultural diversity here."

FAQs

The main expenses for international students in Perth include rent, utility bills, groceries, phone and internet, public transport, and entertainment. Use our Cost of Living calculator to get an idea of what your weekly costs could be.

To help you understand the cost of living in Perth, we’ve put together what your average weekly budget could look like:

Rent – City (Shared): AUD$225 per week

Utility Bill (Shared): AUD$40 per week

Grocery: AUD$60 per week

Phone and internet: AUD$25 per week

Public Transport: AUD$15 per week

Entertainment: AUD$80 per week

Total weekly budget: AUD$445

Every student budget is different, so make sure to use our Cost of Living calculator to get an idea of what your weekly costs could be.

Here are some of our top tips for reducing your living expenses in Perth:

Create a budget and track your spending. You can use this free budget planner tool provided on the Australian Government’s MoneySmart website.
Find student discounts and student nights. Check out our Perth Student Discount Guide to help you!
Instead of paying for an expensive gym, find free or discounted ways to exercise, such as going for walks and runs or signing up for your University’s student gym.
Instead of spending on lunches and snacks at your institution, pack your lunch at home and bring it with you.
When buying new clothes or homewares, shop second-hand, or even better, attend our free second-hand markets! Keep an eye on our Events page for the next one.
Use our FREE support services whenever you’re in need, such as free mental health support, free legal advice, and free career resources.

Connect with our student community

Make new connections and form lifelong friendships by attending our range of events designed to help international students get the most out of their Perth experience.

See all upcoming events