Choosing where to study for your degree is a major decision. You want to enjoy your university years in a place that is welcoming, offers unique experiences, and will give you a globally recognised degree.
Here are the top reasons why international students come to Western Australia (WA) to gain their degree.
1. Perth ranks as a highly liveable city
“Australia is known for being a country of opportunities, especially for international students, offering a great lifestyle and some of the most prestigious universities in the world,” notes the higher education resource, Erudera.1 And we couldn’t agree more.
Among the many choices in Australia, Western Australia’s capital city, Perth, stands out-ranking in the world’s top 15 most liveable cities.2 For international students, Perth is not just a place where you feel safe, but also a place where you can confidently explore, connect, and make the most of an opportunity of a lifetime!
Helen Alua left her home in Papua New Guinea to study Engineering Management. “Perth was my preferred city to live and study in, so here I am!” she said.
Akshath Nair, whose home country is India, also decided on Perth as the right place to study for his degree. “Perth is the perfect blend of peaceful and lively,” he explained. “It’s not crowded, has beautiful nature spots, and is known for being safe and welcoming.”
Akshath also liked that Perth is more affordable than the larger Australian capital cities – a smart consideration for students on a budget!
2. A vibrant, multicultural environment
Feeling welcomed and supported is another reason that many international students choose to come to Perth. With many culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Perth is a very multicultural city. There are a range of annual cultural celebrations and festivals that showcase food, art, music and performance, to celebrate Western Australia’s vibrant culture and global connections – including Harmony Week and the Fringe World Festival.
Calvin Lim, who came to Perth for his degree in Supply Chain Management, was impressed with how Perth’s inclusive community made him feel welcome. He also found his university to have an inclusive and vibrant environment. “Perth is great destination for international students. I always looked forward to orientation week, to join different clubs and make new friends,” he said.
International student Mehek Sanghavi, who is studying Medicine, also appreciates the cultural diversity at her university in Perth: “The different religious clubs make me feel like I belong, even though I’m from a different faith.”
3. Western Australia is prosperous and offers diverse job opportunities
Western Australia is a world-renowned hub for resources industries, and its booming economy creates a diverse range of job opportunities, not only in resources but also in technology and construction, healthcare and hospitality industries. In fact, finance, business investment and retail trade has WA as the strongest economic performer of all Australian states!3
Mo Zhou is here in Western Australia because of its global reputation in mining engineering. It was a great decision, because he’s now advancing his career as a production engineer in Western Australia’s gold industry!
“My course included industry site visits, research collaborations and field trips – which gave me valuable exposure not only to global mining practices but also to the industry’s cultural diversity,” Mo said. “The vacation work I undertook with several mining companies allowed me to apply my classroom knowledge in real operations – which really boosted my employability.”
4. A degree from a world-ranked Australian university
Australia is known for the quality of tertiary education system, and many universities in Western Australia rank in the top 1% of universities worldwide, based on the Academic Ranking of World Universities.4 The education offered by WA universities is not only academically excellent but also provides students with a global perspective and practical industry experience. In addition to tech-savvy teaching methods and advanced facilities, our universities emphasise the benefits of project-based teamwork and industry placements – which means that you’ll leave Perth with a world-ranked degree plus the industry experience to give you a head start in your global career.
Massimiliano Apolloni, who came to WA from Italy to study a double degree in Tourism and Hospitality, and Marketing, explained that she chose a university in Perth because of its global reputation: “The courses offer academic excellence and real-world relevance,” she said. “Whether I build my career in Australia or Europe, this degree will be highly respected and open doors internationally.”
5. Perth offers proximity to many countries
Western Australia is in the same time zone as many South and Southeast Asian countries and offers direct flights to major hubs – including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong and Malaysia. This convenience makes Perth an excellent base for international students, and enables you to stay connected with family and friends back home while enjoying a unique global study experience.
Phu Le, who came from Vietnam to study a Bachelor of Pharmacy at Curtin University, offers great feedback about Perth. “Perth is one of the top cities to live in the world,” he said. “It is an easy and affordable study environment for international students, with pleasant weather and diverse nature. The time zone is not much different to Vietnam, so I could easily keep in touch with my family.”
6. An exceptional student experience
In the end, choosing your university is about more than earning a qualification – it’s about investing in your future. You want to choose a university that offers a unique experience and lifelong benefits.
Curtin University in Perth fits this vision. Curtin ranks in the top 1% of universities in the world (based on our ARWU ranking)4 and is one of only 20 universities in the world to achieve the QS Stars’ top rating of 5 Stars Plus! 5 At Curtin, you’ll find a welcoming and safe campus, and enjoy a world-class education, practical experience and tailored support at every step of your journey!
Lizbeth Yana, who is from Peru, completed an English language course at Curtin before embarking on her master and doctorate studies.
“My advice to students moving to Perth is to embrace the experience. Try new things, attend events, join in activities and make your environment feel like home. Take the time to explore Perth – it’s a beautiful city with a lot to offer.”
To learn more about studying at Curtin Perth as an international student, visit our International student webpage.
We look forward to welcoming you to Western Australia!
- Erudera
- Economist Intelligent Unit report cited in The Migration
- Comm Bank
- Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2025
- QS Stars
