Australia ticks all the boxes when it comes to getting both a first-class education and a high-quality student lifestyle. But if you’re looking for a more affordable option compared to East Coast cities such as Sydney and Melbourne, then you should consider UWA College and The University of Western Australia (UWA), located in the heart of sunny Perth, as your study abroad destination.
A successful study abroad journey is all about careful planning. One of the most important things to consider is your budget.
Below is a guide to the cost of living in Perth, with some handy tips to help you set a realistic budget.
Tuition fees
The largest chunk of your budget usually goes towards your tuition and course fees. The amount varies depending on your study level, subject and location. Generally, it’s cheaper to study business and humanities subjects than specialized courses such as engineering and medicine.
Top tip: Remember to allocate money for other additional expenses such as textbooks, printing, a mobile plan and other essential study supplies.
Pathway program fees
Some international students may need to take a pathway program or an English language course before they can enroll at university. Pathway programs help students prepare for higher education, bridging the academic gap between their high school education and the level required for an Australian university.
Tuition fees for a pathway program vary based on the education provider and the duration of the program, which typically take about 8 to 12 months to complete.
UWA College is your pathway to studying at The University of Western Australia, a world top 77 university (QS World University Rankings 2025) and a member of the prestigious Group of Eight.
Depending on your program, tuition fees for a UWA College pathway leading to an undergraduate degree range from AUD $33,600–$49,800 in the academic year 2024–25. Here, you’ll experience student life at UWA while you’re building academic and English language skills in a supportive and interactive learning environment.
Top tip: Check with the university you’re applying to find out if you’re eligible for any scholarships or discounts they may offer. UWA College not only helps international students prepare for their degree but also supports high-achieving and eligible students to apply for scholarships offered by UWA, such as the prestigious Global Excellence Scholarship.
To learn more about scholarships offered, visit UWA College’s scholarships page.
Undergraduate degree tuition fees
An undergraduate degree in Australia typically involves 3 to 4 years of full-time study depending on the subject and the structure of your program.
According to Study Australia, the official government site for international students, an undergraduate degree could cost:
East Coast: from AUD $15,000–$60,000 per year.
West Coast: from AUD $13,700–$51,000 per year.
As these fees vary by course and institution, it’s best to research your options first. To begin, you can explore UWA and the courses they offer.
Accommodation
Your home away from home is likely to be the second largest expense after your tuition fees. Most students choose to live in their university’s residences or privately-owned purpose-built student accommodation. In Australia, it is also common for international students to live in a homestay, in which they live with a local host in their homes. Students aged 18+ may also live with other students to make their housing more affordable.
The cost of accommodation depends on your room type and the facilities and services your provider offers. Most student accommodation includes utilities such as gas, electricity, water and Wi-Fi – but in a shared house, you’ll usually have to pay extra on top of the rental fee.
According to Study Australia, below are the average weekly rental costs depending on your accommodation type in Perth and Sydney in 2024:
| Accommodation type | Average cost in Perth (per week) | Average cost in Sydney (per week) |
| Homestay | AUD $330 | AUD $410 |
| Shared house | AUD $214 | AUD $292 |
| Managed apartment | AUD $290 | AUD $347 |
| One bedroom unit | AUD $525 | AUD $832 |
UWA College offers a range of comfortable and secure on-campus or private student residences with a range of facilities as well as homestay options. Check out UWA College’s accommodation page to learn more.
Living costs
Australians enjoy a great quality of life thanks to the country’s warm climate, healthy work-life balance and unspoiled natural beauty. In fact, Perth is rated as the 12th most livable city in the world (Global Liveability Index 2023, Economist Intelligence Unit)!
Living costs will depend on the city and lifestyle you choose, but on average you should budget around AUD $2,372–$4,197 to cover transport, accommodation, groceries and other living expenses during your studies. Perth has a lower cost of living than major Australian cities (Worldwide Cost of Living Survey 2022, Economist Intelligence Unit), so your money will go further.
Top tip: To make your study abroad budget more personalized to your planned lifestyle, use Study Australia’s Cost of Living Calculator.
Traveling in Australian cities and beyond
When choosing where to study, you should consider how easy and affordable it is to get around. Perth has a well-connected and efficient transport system including buses, ferries, trains and light rail.
In Perth, international students can enjoy a 40% discount on all public transport or travel for free with the Purple CAT bus. Perth also has an excellent cycling infrastructure, allowing you to enjoy its fantastic weather and bike all year round.
If you want to travel beyond Perth, the city offers transport options to other major Australian destinations such as Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. If you’re staying at Perth and want to explore cities on the East Coast, be prepared for a flight of at least 4 hours – yes, Australia really is that big!
Australia’s proximity to Asia makes vacation weeks and semester breaks a great opportunity to travel to Asian countries. Perth, who shares the same time zone as the majority of Asian countries (+/- 2.5 hours), offers plenty of direct international flights if you want to explore large hubs in Asia including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
Other costs
In addition to covering your daily and monthly expenses, it’s important to allocate some budget for your student visa and health insurance, which are essential for your entry into Australia.
Your student visa, which allows you to study in Australia, will cost you upwards of AUD $1,600. You should always check government sites for the most up-to-date visa information.
As part of your student visa conditions, you must have adequate health insurance for the duration of your stay in Australia. Known as Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), this must be from an approved Australian health provider. This health insurance covers the cost of hospital and medical treatment as well as ambulance services.
The cost may vary depending on the OSHC insurers and the plan you choose. If you need support, the UWA College admissions can provide help in selecting an OSHC provider.
Of course, your study abroad journey wouldn’t be complete without experiencing life in Australia – so make sure to include “fun money” in your monthly budget. This will mean you can explore your local area, try authentic Australian dishes, or discover the country’s natural beauty with your new friends.
Read this blog to learn what international students love about living in Perth.
Work while you study
Working during your studies is a great way to boost your bank balance. Many university students work part-time while studying, taking advantage of opportunities to earn and gain valuable work experience that will benefit their future careers.
In Perth, the average weekly income is 9% above the national average (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2022), making it an attractive city for students to work, study and play. Student visa holders in Australia can work for up to 48 hours every two weeks while studying.
Visit the Department of Home Affairs website to find out more about the work hours and the work conditions that may apply to you.
Now that you’ve learned everything you need to know about the cost of studying in Perth, it’s time to finalize your budget plan and pick the right program for you.
You may also want to read 6 reasons why UWA should be your top university choice or 8 unique features that make Perth the perfect international study destination.
For more information about studying abroad in Australia
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Provider: The University of Western Australia (UWA)
UWA College in Partnership with INTO Perth
CRICOS 00126G, PRV12169, Australian University
INTO Perth Pty Ltd is an approved third-party provider of The University of Western Australia and will provide the course on its behalf.