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 options for accommodation when you study in Perth, each of which has unique costs and features.
On-campus accommodation (residential colleges)
Self-contained housing that may involve having 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.
Cost: Generally $200–$460 per week, depending on the building and how many people you are sharing with. Bills and utilities (electricity, water and heating) are typically included in this cost.
Student accommodation
Privately owned facilities dedicated to housing students, often known as purpose-built student accommodation. Student accommodation in Perth is available through multiple providers, including Campus Perth, The Switch, UniLodge and Yugo. In this style of housing, you may have a private or shared room. There are often also shared communal areas, such as kitchens, games rooms or gyms.
Cost: Because student accommodation room options vary quite widely, so do the costs. Depending on the style of room you choose, you can expect to spend between $196 and $693 per week. Bills – such as internet, water and electricity – are all included in the cost of rent.
Private rental
Renting your own apartment or a room in a share house. If you are living with others, communal areas 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 $472 per week, not including bills or utilities. Renting a room may cost you $250–$300 per week, depending on how many people you are sharing with. Keep in mind that rent prices vary between suburbs. If you live further outside the city centre, you’ll likely pay less in rent.
Homestay
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 (AHN), it may cost you around $255–$365 weekly for a homestay in Perth.
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 ($74 per month on average) and phone bills ($30-$42 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 needs to be loaded with credit to use each time you take public transport. Fares currently range from $0.80 to $5.10, depending on how long you are riding for and where you are going.
You may also want to use e-scooters to get around, which require an app to use. These can be picked up in certain locations around the city. They cost $1 to unlock and $0.45 per minute to ride.
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 $153 per week on food, the national average for single-person households is closer to $100 per week.
Here are the prices of some common everyday items in Perth.
- 1 L of milk – $1.69
- 500 g of white bread – $2.51
- 1 kg of white rice – $2.66
- 1 kg of tomatoes – $4.82
- 1 kg of potatoes – $2.89
- 1 kg of bananas – $3.71
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 $15–$20 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 $18–$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. 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 $10-$20, while dinner and a drink for two people at a nice restaurant could cost up to $100.
For more information on living expenses in Perth and help with budgeting, check our Why study in Perth page, which dives into more detail about Perth’s affordable cost of living.
You can also watch our video on the cost of living in Perth and visit our budget planning page.
*All prices in AUD.
Disclaimer
This post is correct as of 1 December 2023, 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 2023.
