The Western Australian capital, Perth, attracts international students due to its good universities, sunny climate, its beaches and outdoor lifestyle. Perth also has lower living costs than Sydney or Melbourne and provides a high standard of living. By March 2026, the majority of international students spend between AUD 1,600 and AUD 2,500 per month to live comfortably, although the sums can go up to AUD 2,000-3,000 depending on their preferences such as where to live and what to eat.
Accommodation Costs
The largest portion of any student budget goes to housing. The alternatives include shared houses, student residential, and homestays.
Shared rooms in city / campus locations cost AUD 200-450 per week (average AUD 800-1800 monthly). Shared home private rooms cost AUD 280-380 per week. Student accommodation is also different depending on the purpose of accommodation with prices ranging between AUD 196-350 per week as the low-end to AUD 693 per week as the high-end. Housing at universities or within the campus such as Curtin and UWA can be priced between AUD 200-500 per week.
Homestays are inclusive of at least a few meals, and their cost ranges at AUD 235-325 a week. The cost would be reduced by living in outer suburbs near such universities as Murdoch or Edith Cowan and at times, the room may cost AUD 200-300 a week. The rental market is competitive and therefore, first come first served as a way of getting a better deal.
Food and Groceries
Self-catering makes food affordable. The cost of monthly grocery shopping per person is AUD 250-400 when shopping at grocery stores such as Coles or Woolworth’s shops. Such staples as rice, pasta, vegetables, meat, and dairy remain affordable.
Attentive grocery shoppers spend AUD 60-100 per week. Meals priced at AUD 15-30 and in-restaurant meals range at AUD 20-60. Those students who cook in large quantities and reduce the number of takeaway foods control their food in AUD 300-550 per month. The occasional coffee runs or social meals are also accumulated and hence this category can be controlled by tracking.
Transportation
The transport system serves buses, trains, and ferries in Perth effectively. The international students are entitled to a concession fare of 40 percent, which reduces monthly expenses to AUD 80-150 in case of frequent commutes.
AUD 15-30 with concessions is the average weekly public transport. Many students walk or ride short distances around campuses, which further cuts on costs. Rideshares or taxis on the occasional basis are extras. Petrol is only an additional cost when you are driving, whereas most people are dependent on the public options.
Utilities and Internet
In common accommodation, utility (electricity, water, gas) charges divided between residents range between AUD 40-100 per individual every month. The bills are pushed higher by summer air conditioning.
There is a combination of Internet and mobile plans with AUD 25-50 per week (AUD 100-200 per month). Student promotions make communication cheap. Many homes have Wi-Fi as part of the rent that reduces individual expenses.
Health Insurance and Other Essentials.
The Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is compulsory and will cost on average AUD 50-80 per month depending on the provider and duration of coverage.
Miscellaneous expenses include clothing, personal care, study materials and leisure and are generally AUD 100-300 per month. Gym membership, movies or events increase AUD 50-150 based on lifestyle.
Breakdown of Monthly Budget (Sample).
The real life budget of a changed student in Perth would appear as follows:
- Shared room or student housing (accommodation): AUD 900-1, 500.
- Foods and home cooking: AUD 300-500.
- Eating out occasionally: AUD 100-200
- By the bus (concession as a student): AUD 80-150.
- Social, Utilities, internet and phone: AUD 100-250.
- OSHC and health: AUD 50-80
- Leisure, entertainment and personal goods: AUD 150-400.
- Other (clothes, school supplies): AUD 100-200.
Total cost: AUD 1 7803280 per month, with the majority of students falling within AUD 2 000 2 500 into a balanced experience. Cost-effective decisions bring totals to AUD 1,600-2,000.
These figures are supported by the official sources such as the Study Perth and the Study Australia Cost of Living Calculator, which indicate that Perth is cheaper than the eastern capitals. Cost of non-accommodation only costs AUD 800-1,500 a month.
Tips to Lower Expenses
Shop in markets and buy at a lower cost, prepare meals in batches, and shop with student discounts on transport, entertainment and retail. Extra earnings are earned by working part-time in cafes, retail, or hospitality (not more than 48 hours per fortnight according to the existing regulations). Bills and suburbs that have good transport connections make the budgets even longer.
Perth is a city that has affordability and lifestyle amenities such as beaches, parks and relaxed lifestyle. Good planning helps students to concentrate on their studies without the fear of being financially strained.
To get personal advice on the needs and arrangements of students in Perth, it is worth consulting a visa agent Perth.
