Discover what you can expect when you choose to study in Australia’s fourth largest city.
Welcome to lively, sunny Perth — known as Boorloo by the Whadjuk Nyungar people — Perth is a safe, prosperous, and multicultural city set against the stunning backdrop of the Swan River, which flows into the Indian Ocean. As Australia’s fourth largest city, you can expect great entertainment options and authentic international food while living here.
If you choose to study at Curtin University, located here in Perth, here are some of the benefits you can look forward to:
1. Affordable living
Perth ranks among the more affordable major cities in Australia, with lower living costs than Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.
| Item | Perth | Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rent for a 480 sqft furnished studio in a normal area — per week | $578 | $595 | $663 | $544 |
| Basic lunchtime meal (including a drink) | $21 | $25 | $23 | $23 |
| Monthly ticket on public transport | $216 | $152 | $169 | $111 |
| Two tickets to the movies | $41 | $50 | $42 | $45 |
| Gym membership — per month | $81 | $89 | $88 | $88 |
2. Magnificent weather
Perth is Australia’s sunniest state capital city, averaging more than 3,000 hours of sunshine per year. To make the most of the beautiful weather, many locals head to our beautiful beaches during summer. Others travel to the Swan Valley, the home of world-class wineries, cheese shops, chocolate factories, and breweries.
Summers in Perth are hot and dry, with average temperatures of 31°C in the hottest month of February. In winter, the weather is cool, and can be wet at times between May and September. However, it’s not unusual to see sunny days and clear blue skies during the winter months.
Perth’s sunny climate and coastal location has led to an outdoor lifestyle and thriving beach culture, where you can enjoy plenty of outdoor spaces in parks, beaches, and riversides. Popular outdoor activities include outdoor cinemas, surfing, sailing, water skiing, windsurfing, cycling, and hiking.
You could take your laptop to a scenic beachside café and enjoy the sea air while you study, or sit outside in the beautiful, lush green Perth Campus grounds in between classes.
3. Beautiful nature and wildlife
There are many magnificent parks and gardens in and around Perth. Kings Park, which is larger than New York’s Central Park, showcases more than 3,000 species of WA’s unique flora. Caversham Wildlife Park has many Australian animals, including kangaroos you can handfeed. Rottnest Island, just 20 kilometres offshore, is one of the world’s last homes of the cute and friendly quokka.
Did you know Western Australia is known as the “road trip state?” There’s more to see in Western Australia (WA) than just Perth. You’ll be able to experience a range of climates and unique activities in our large state. In the southwest is Margaret River, a world-class winemaking and surf region. In the north is Ningaloo Reef, famous for its snorkelling and whale shark tours. Further north, the Kimberley Region has a stunning array of gorges and parks.
4. Exciting developments
Optus Stadium, a new multipurpose venue, won the Prix Versailles 2019 Sports Award and was awarded the title of the most beautiful sporting facility in the world. Yagan Square, named after a 19th century Nyungar leader, is a meeting point for many, offering easy access to both new and established restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs, and a variety of global cuisine. Along the riverside, Elizabeth Quay offers many exciting seasonal events.
5. Popular time zone
A quarter of the world’s population lives in the same time zone as Perth (GMT+8), which includes cities such as Beijing, Hong Kong, Manila, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur.
If you’re interested in an adventure and want to study in a beautiful city, then consider Curtin University for your studies!
