Why Do International Students Choose Perth For Study? Is Western Australia Looking For Immigrants?
- Study in Australia Group
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
When international students imagine studying in Australia, most think of Sydney’s beaches or Melbourne’s skyscrapers. Have you heard of a city with breathtaking beaches that’s also ranked as one of the world’s most liveable places? That’s Perth!
Western Australia’s capital city offers something truly unique: world-class education, stunning beaches minutes from campus, iconic festivals, incredible food scenes, affordable living, and life-changing weekend adventures, all without the crowds and stress of bigger cities.
Here’s what makes studying in Perth an unforgettable experience.
Sun, Sea & Outdoor Lifestyle
Perth enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, and is widely known as Australia’s sunniest capital city. That means around 70% of the year has clear blue skies, giving students plenty of opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities.
Beach Culture & Coastal Escape - Just Minutes from Campus
Living in Perth means you’re never far from the ocean. The city is fringed by stunning beaches that offer something for every mood or moment:
Cottesloe Beach - Known for its white sand, clear blue water, and breathtaking sunsets; a favourite for relaxed swims and sunset chill sessions.
Scarborough Beach - Bustling coastal vibe with cafés, surf culture, beachside gyms, and weekend markets. Great for students looking for a mix of social life and seaside calm.
Leighton Beach (near Fremantle) - Quieter and ideal for swimming or snorkelling when you crave a calmer coastal getaway.
Imagine finishing classes, grabbing a matcha and heading to the beach, all in the same afternoon. That kind of lifestyle isn’t a holiday, it’s student life in Perth.
Unique Weekend Adventures
Perth’s biggest advantage is what lies beyond the city.
Just 30 minutes by ferry from Perth, Rottnest Island is famous for its crystal-clear waters, relaxed cycling trails, and stunning white-sand beaches, but its most famous residents are the adorable quokkas. Known as “the happiest animals on Earth” thanks to their naturally smiley faces, quokkas are small, friendly animals found nowhere else in the world. Spotting one is a must-do Perth experience and a favourite for student selfies. Visitors can spend the day biking the island, snorkelling in turquoise bays, and unwinding on crowd-free beaches surrounded by unique local wildlife.
The Pinnacles
The lunar-like Pinnacles form one of Australia's most unique and fascinating natural landscapes. Formed over millions of years, thousands of tall limestone spires rise eerily out of the yellow desert sands of Nambung National Park, just outside the coastal town of Cervantes.
Margaret River
Perfect spot for:
Wine tastings
Coastal hikes
Beach camping
Surfing road trips
Pink Lake (Hutt Lagoon)
A surreal natural lake that turns bright pink - perfect for drone and travel photo.
Desert Stargazing Tours
Perth’s clear skies make nighttime desert tours popular with students keen on astrophotography and camping.
Iconic Events to attend:
Throughout the year, Perth hosts festivals that students can enjoy for free or on small budgets:
Fringe World Festival: comedy, circus acts, street performances everywhere.
Perth Festival: outdoor concerts, theatre and dance shows across the city.
City of Light Drone Show: massive light displays across Swan River.
Scarborough Sunset Markets: food trucks beside the ocean.
Rottnest Island Swim & Ride Days: student social activities and travel events.
These events give international students a strong cultural connection, perfect for improving English, meeting friends, and creating social content.
Job Opportunities & Long-Term Potential in Perth: Is Western Australia Looking For Immigrants?
So, is Western Australia looking for immigrants? The answer from Migration WA as stated on their website:
For continued prosperity, WA needs skilled and experienced workers to fill positions that are not able to be filled by the local workforce - this opens up a world of opportunities for skilled migrants.
Perth is not only a fantastic place to study, it also offers genuine employment opportunities for international students looking to work during their studies or build a long-term future in Australia. According to the Western Australian Government, the state’s largest and fastest-growing employing industries are Health Care & Social Assistance, Construction, and Retail Trade, with further growth forecast in Professional, Scientific & Technical Services and Education & Training.
Research shows that Perth remains one of the strongest labour markets in Australia, with consistent hiring activity across engineering, mining and construction, especially as major infrastructure, resources and defence projects ramp up across Western Australia. Western Australia actively promotes migration pathways for skilled workers in construction and related fields, demonstrating the state’s need for international graduates to fill workforce gaps.
For students, this means far more than part-time work during studies: graduating with skills in trades, engineering, construction or resource-related fields could assist you in finding full-time roles. Because many employers in WA are actively seeking skilled workers like civil, mechanical or electrical engineers, there is demand that often translates into stable pay, practical work experience, and longer-term job prospects rather than just casual work. Combined with Perth’s lower cost of living and relaxed lifestyle, this strong labour demand makes the city an excellent choice for students wanting not only a quality education but also practical work experience and long-term career prospects in Australia.
Perth’s Student Safety & Support
Perth is consistently ranked among the world's most liveable cities. International students benefit from:
Low crime rates
Excellent health access
Smaller student communities with stronger support networks
Some universities, TAFE and vocational training colleges (VET) as well as English language schools provide international student centres, settlement services, counselling support and job readiness programs.
Easier Living, Less Stress
Students choose Perth because life feels simpler:
Rent and living costs are generally lower than Sydney or Melbourne
Less competition for accommodation
Shorter commute times to campus, work, and the city
More casual job availabilities
Students often manage to balance study, part-time work, and social life comfortably - something harder to achieve in high-pressure capitals like Melbourne and Sydney.
Perth: The Heart of Australia’s Mining Industry
Did you know Perth is known as the gateway to Western Australia’s massive mining and resources industry?
Perth is the business centre of Western Australia’s major resources and mining sector, hosting major global mining companies such as BHP, Rio Tinto, and South32, alongside Australian leaders including Mineral Resources, Northern Star, IGO, Pilbara Minerals, and Northern Minerals. The city is also home to cutting-edge mining technology and services providers like Imdex, Weir ESCO, SafeAI, and Autonomous Solutions Inc.
This strong industry presence creates ongoing demand for skilled workers in construction, engineering, trades, site operations, and mining technology, offering practical career pathways for students studying in Perth.
Is Perth Right for You?
If you want:
Great education outcomes
Lower living costs
Exciting outdoor lifestyle
Supportive student communities
Easier job access
then Perth may be Australia’s best study destination for you.
Beyond Perth: Discover Broome & Esperance
Western Australia is famous for its incredible road-trip destinations, and two student favourites are Broome and Esperance.
Broome offers a truly unique coastal experience, where red-earth outback landscapes meet turquoise waters along the iconic Cable Beach, known for its camel rides at sunset and breathtaking Indian Ocean views.
The photo was taken by our student Melissa from Germany during her travels in Broome, capturing the relaxed lifestyle students love exploring on long weekends and study breaks.
Meanwhile, Esperance is celebrated for having some of Australia’s whitest sand beaches and crystal-clear bays, including the famous Lucky Bay, where kangaroos are often spotted lounging on the shore. These nearby destinations highlight how studying in Perth means easy access to unforgettable natural adventures beyond the classroom.
Your trusted guide to studying and migrating to Australia on a student visa
For students exploring study options or migration to Australia on a student visa, especially destinations like Perth, Study-in-Australia.com provides up-to-date CRICOS student visa course information, scholarship opportunities, campus comparisons, student visa courses, and lifestyle resources tailored specifically for international students. Our team works closely with registered education providers, migration agents and migration lawyers across Australia to help students choose the right course, understand work and migration options, and navigate the application process with confidence. If you are researching student visa courses, job-focused study pathways, or the best cities to start your Australian journey, our website is designed to support you with reliable insights and personalised assistance every step of the way.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this blog article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute migration advice, legal advice, or professional guidance. For the most current and accurate regulations, always refer to the official website of the Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Department of Education, ASQA and other relevant authorities. Please note that fees, regulations, and other details mentioned on this page are subject to change at any time, and we may not be able to update this page immediately to reflect those changes. We recommend subscribing to our newsletter to stay informed about the latest updates and important changes relevant to students.
