Studying abroad is all about planning – and one of the most important things to plan is your budget.
When you’re about to move to a different country, it can be hard to know how much you’ll be spending on things like rent, transport and food. While the cost of living in Perth can vary based on many factors, there are ways to prepare.
In this guide, we list some of the average costs of day-to-day expenses in Perth.* With this knowledge, you should have no trouble managing your expenses, paying your bills on time, and – hopefully – have a bit of money left over for fun.
Accommodation
You have a few accommodation options when studying in Perth, each with unique costs and features.
On-campus accommodation
When you stay on campus, you might have your own apartment, your own room in a shared apartment, or a shared room in a shared apartment. Living and kitchen areas are communal, and your building may also have a games room, movie room or laundromat. Your rent covers furniture, utilities and wifi – so there are no surprise bills.
The price of your room will include additional benefits that can reduce your total cost of living. You might enjoy complementary meals, a Curtin gym membership, tutoring, clubs, music rooms, podcast studios and organised group adventures.
Cost: Because Curtin offers a variety of on-campus accommodation options, the costs vary widely. Generally, on-campus accommodation prices start from $250 per week. The price of your room often includes a range of additional benefits that can reduce your total cost of living and help you succeed at Curtin.
Private rental
If you choose a private rental, you will be renting your own apartment or a room in a share house. If you are living with others, communal areas like your kitchen, lounge room and bathroom will be shared. But if you rent your own apartment, you will have the whole place to yourself.
Cost: One-bedroom units in Perth cost an average of $650 per week, not including bills or utilities. Renting a room may cost you $250–$400 per week, depending on how many people you share with. Rent prices vary between suburbs. If you live further outside the city centre, you’ll likely pay less in rent.
Homestay
A homestay is living with locals, where you rent a room in their house and share communal areas. You could be staying with a family, a couple or just one other person. This is a great way to integrate yourself into the Australian way of life and learn about the culture from a local.
Cost: Homestay costs vary depending on whether or not you are sharing a room and how often your hosts will cook for you. According to the Australian Homestay Network, a homestay in Perth may cost around $280–$440 per week.
Utilities
Utilities include water, electricity and heating expenses. The cost of these may be included in your rent or you may have to pay for them separately. Utilities can cost around $216 per month for a two-bedroom apartment, and this would typically be split among the number of people living in the accommodation.
You will also need to pay for your internet usage ($84 per month on average) and phone bills ($25 per month on average).
Transport
Public transport in Perth includes buses, trains and the ferry. As a student, you’re eligible for the Tertiary SmartRider card, which costs $10 upfront and must be loaded with credit each time you take public transport. The new Go Anywhere Fare gives you unlimited network-wide travel for up to 3 hours for $2.80 with a SmartRider with Autoload or $3.50 with cash or contactless payments.
Groceries
The cost of groceries can vary depending on where you shop and how much food you’re buying. While the average household in Perth spends $179 per week on food, the national average for single-person households is closer to $111 per week.
Here are the prices of some common everyday items in Perth.
- 1 L of milk – $2.40
- 500 g of white bread – $3.58
- 1 kg of white rice – $3.07
- 1 kg of tomatoes – $5.91
- 1 kg of potatoes – $3.44
- 1 kg of bananas – $3.98
Entertainment and hobbies
When we talk about living expenses in Perth for international students, we can’t just include rent and bills. You’ll definitely be spending some money on going out and having fun with friends.
Going to the cinema will cost around $25 for one ticket. However, most cinemas give student discounts, so be sure to carry your student ID!
The cost of a gym membership depends on where the gym is and what facilities it offers. You could be paying $10–$20 per week for a standard gym, or up to $60–$70 per week for a gym that offers personalised training programs and classes.
As a Curtin student, you’ll be eligible for discounted rates on Curtin Stadium gym memberships. If you live on campus, you’ll enjoy an all-access membership at no extra cost.
In addition to its convenient on-campus location, the Curtin Stadium gym boasts 900sqm of space, modern equipment, and a free 60-minute appraisal with a qualified fitness instructor.
The price of dining out also varies. A fast food meal might cost you $15-$25, while dinner and a drink for two people at a nice restaurant could cost $100 or more.
For more information on living expenses in Perth and help with budgeting, check our budget planning page, which dives into more detail about Perth’s cost of living.
You can also visit our Why study in Perth page, to explore what life in Perth is really like for students.
*All prices in AUD.
Disclaimer
This post is correct as of May 2026, but is subject to change by Curtin University (in its sole discretion). Curtin University may change the content, and its location or blog, post, and web address. This post contains general information only. Users should consider how it applies to their personal circumstances and seek specific advice. This blog, post, and our website are not intended as, and shall not be construed as legal, financial, tax, medical, health, or any other professional advice.
© Curtin University 2026.
