When you think about studying in Australia, you might first think of Sydney (Warrane) or Melbourne (Narrm) – two of Australia’s most famous cities. But what about Perth (Boorloo)? Perth has the fourth highest rate of international student enrolment in Australia, with over 38,000 international students living here as of 1 May 2023.
While Sydney and Melbourne may get a lot of attention, Perth is cheaper, sunnier and more beautiful. Okay, we might be a bit biased on that last point, but trust us: when you see Perth’s landscapes, you’ll understand why!
Let’s take a look at the benefits of living in Perth vs Sydney vs Melbourne.
Location
Perth is Australia’s western gateway to the world. It is close to many Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Singapore.
Perth’s time zone (UTC +8) is the same as many of these Southeast Asian countries, which might suit you well as an international student. If you’re from the Philippines, central Indonesia or China, you can call home during the day without waking up your family!
Cost of living
The cost of living in Perth is lower compared to Sydney and Melbourne, meaning you will generally spend less on rent, groceries and entertainment. This financial freedom means you can plan your budget more easily and enjoy student life to the fullest.
Perth’s public transport systems also offer a discount for full-time international students. While Melbourne does the same, Sydney does not. Sydney also has the highest cost of living in Australia, with comparatively high rental costs and expensive utilities like electricity, heating and water.
Want to get an even clearer picture of how much you can expect to spend in Perth vs Melbourne vs Sydney? Check out our city-by-city comparison, which contrasts the living costs of Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Weather
Perth is Australia’s sunniest capital city, and the average temperature in summer is around 33 ºC. Even winter isn’t that cold, with daily temperature highs of up to 18–20 ºC from June to August 2022.
Although Melbourne and Sydney both experience similar temperatures during the summer, winters in these cities tend to be colder than those in Perth.
Lifestyle
Perth is a laid-back city with a relaxed lifestyle and welcoming, friendly locals. With nearby national parks and forests, as well as a vibrant arts and culture scene in and around the city, you’ll have plenty to see and do indoors and out.
The hustle and bustle of Melbourne and Sydney isn’t for everyone. If you’d rather be walking along the stunning beachfront of Cottesloe, reading in tranquil Kings Park or paddleboarding on the beautiful Swan River, Perth might be the perfect place for you.
Migration opportunities
Thinking about working in Australia after graduation? There are special visa opportunities for people who study and live in regional areas of Australia, including the Western Australian capital.
That’s right – Perth is actually considered a regional area for migration purposes. That means, if you get a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa after finishing your degree, you may be eligible to apply for a second Temporary Graduate visa. This will give you extra time to live and work in Australia – if that’s not a perfect reason to study in Perth, we don’t know what is!
After building up your experience by living and working in Perth, you may also be eligible for other regional migration incentives and regional visas.
Sector-specific opportunities
When you study in Perth, you’ll open the door to a wide range of job prospects in booming industries – many of which you wouldn’t find elsewhere in Australia.
Take mining as an example. Western Australia is the nation’s mining hub, with approximately one-third of the country’s mines located here. From 2021–22, the state produced an incredible $231 billion in mining sales. This is a huge jump in value from the mining sectors of NSW and Victoria, which are valued at $25 billion and $1 billion, respectively.
So, depending on the sector you hope to work in, Perth – and Western Australia more broadly – could open up a world of opportunity for you.
Learn more about living and studying in Perth
As Melbourne and Sydney become busier and more expensive, why not consider studying in Australia’s western paradise? Perth isn’t just a sunny city with beautiful beaches, but an international gateway with a world of opportunities.
To learn more about student life in Perth, visit the Campus Life section of our website.
