Why Move to Perth?
Perth is Australia's sunniest capital city with over 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. It offers a relaxed lifestyle, world-class beaches, a strong economy driven by mining and resources, and a multicultural population of over 2 million. The city strikes a balance between urban convenience and outdoor living, with Kings Park, the Swan River, and beautiful coastline all within easy reach.
Visa Pathways
Most migrants arrive on one of these visas:
- Skilled Migration (Subclass 189 / 190 / 491): For professionals in occupations on the skilled occupation list. WA has its own state nomination program (SNMP) with priority for health, engineering, IT, and trades.
- Employer-Sponsored (Subclass 482 / 186): If you have a job offer from a WA employer.
- Student Visa (Subclass 500): For those studying at Curtin, UWA, Murdoch, or ECU.
- Partner Visa (Subclass 820 / 801): For partners of Australian citizens or permanent residents.
- Working Holiday (Subclass 417 / 462): For young adults aged 18 — 35 from eligible countries.
Check the Department of Home Affairs for current requirements.
Before You Arrive
- TFN (Tax File Number): Apply online at the Australian Taxation Office. You'll need this to work and pay tax.
- Medicare: If you're from a reciprocal health care country (UK, NZ, Ireland, Finland, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Sweden, Belgium, Norway, Slovenia), you can enrol in Medicare immediately. Others need private health insurance until their visa provides access.
- Bank Account: Open an account online before arrival with Commonwealth Bank, Westpac, NAB, ANZ, or Bankwest (a popular Perth bank).
- Shipping Belongings: Allow 8 — 12 weeks for sea freight from Europe or the Americas. Quarantine regulations are strict; check the Department of Agriculture for prohibited items.
- Driving Licence: If your licence is in English, you can drive on it for 3 months. After that, you'll need to pass the WA Driver Knowledge Test and practical driving test to get a WA licence.
Finding Accommodation
The Perth rental market is competitive: see our Perth Rental Guide for detailed advice. Short-term options include Airbnb, Stayz, or serviced apartments in the CBD while you search for a long-term rental.
Cost of Living Snapshot
- Rental (1-bed apartment in city): ~$450 — $650/week
- Utilities (electricity/gas/internet): ~$200 — $350/month
- Groceries (single person): ~$80 — $120/week
- Public transport daily cap: $10.80 (SmartRider)
- Petrol: ~$1.70 — $2.20/L
Settlement Services
Organisations such as Migrant Resource Centre WA, Multicultural Services Centre of WA, and Settlement Services International offer free advice, language classes, and community connection programs.
Getting Started
Join local Facebook groups like "Expats in Perth" and "Perth Buy Nothing Project" to connect with the community. Register with a GP (general practitioner) as soon as you have Medicare, and consider joining a sports club or community group to build your social network quickly.
What It Costs to Get Settled (2026)
Perth's cost of living is lower than Sydney or Melbourne, but the up-front cost of arriving has climbed with rents. Plan on roughly $5,000–$8,000 per person for the first month: a rental bond (four weeks' rent, so $2,800–$3,200 on a $700-per-week home), two weeks' rent in advance, short-term accommodation while you search ($150–$250 per night for a serviced apartment), furniture, and groceries. Add visa costs, flights and shipping on top — sea freight from Europe typically runs $3,000–$6,000 for a partial container and takes 8–12 weeks, so ship only what you cannot replace.
One mechanism newcomers under-use: rent in advance on a longer lease. In Perth's tight market, offering 6–12 months' rent up front (or a higher offer) is a legal and common way to beat competing applicants — but only do it through a licensed agent, never direct to a private landlord, and get the tenancy agreement before transferring anything.
Common Mistakes New Arrivals Make
- Waiting for a rental before arriving: most Perth agents will not accept applications from people who have not inspected the property. Budget for 2–4 weeks of short-term accommodation and start inspections the day you land.
- Ignoring the 3-month licence rule: you can drive on an English-language overseas licence for just 3 months in WA, then you need to pass the WA Driver Knowledge Test and practical test. Book your theory test early — the backlog can stretch for weeks.
- Delaying Medicare: if you are from a reciprocal health care country, enrol on day one; without Medicare, a GP visit costs $80–$100 and private hospital cover is expensive.
- Choosing a suburb before a commute: Perth's sprawl means a 'nice' suburb can add 90 minutes a day. Check the Transperth network and the new Metronet stations before you commit to a lease.