Relocating to Perth
Perth is one of Australia’s most geographically isolated cities, but there are still plenty of things to do within and outside the town.
There are many opportunities for people looking to move abroad into jobs related to mining.
During the high season for real estate, apartments and houses in Perth are most likely to be sold. So if you’re planning to look for one during this period, expect to face some competition.
Perth is the Capital City of Western Australia
If you move to Perth, you’ll end up living in the capital of Western Australia. It’s the most significant state or territory in Australia and has the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the nation. It’s also considered one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, and estimates suggest that between three and five million people will live there by 2050. But unlike these major cities, Perth is not in the middle of the continent; instead, it’s situated in a relatively isolated southern hemisphere region.
Expats relocating to Perth should be mindful that they’re about to live in one of the most remote locations on Earth. If you were planning a holiday, it’d be wise to know that Perth is much closer to Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, than Brisbane, Australia’s southernmost city. Geographically speaking, Perth is mainly surrounded on three sides by water – the Indian and Pacific Oceans to the West and South, respectively, and the Darling River to the East. So, it would not be easy to make a spontaneous getaway!
Despite its drawbacks, Perth is an excellent and best place to live if you’re looking for a laid-back lifestyle on sandy shores. It has a pleasant climate, similar to the Mediterranean or Cape Town in South Africa, and lots of sunshine throughout the year, making it ideal for outdoor activities.
Perth has become increasingly attractive for both locals and foreigners because of its warm climate, high quality of life, and also its job opportunities. As a result, the local governments of Perth and the Australian Federal Governments are actively working to increase their population by attracting skilled and qualified immigrants.
Regional Hardship Area
Perth has become easy to get a skilled regional (provisional) working visa.
Although this visa is an excellent choice for potential expatriates, a recommendation from a state or territory government body is still required to ensure that you are a wanted worker. Also, individuals who receive this visa must live and work in low-populated regions. In Western Australia, these locations include any place outside of Perth and its surrounding areas, such as Kalgoorlie, Broome, Bunbury, Geraldton, Esperance, Albany, Rockingham, Margaret River, Exmouth, Carnarvon, Derby, Port Hedland, Darwin, Alice Springs, Adelaide, Hobart, Launceston, Melbourne, Geelong, Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville, Toowoomba, Gold Coast, Sydney, Canberra, Wollongong, Newcastle, Albury/Wodonga, Bendigo, Ballarat, Shepparton, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga, Armidale, Dubbo, Orange, Bathurst, Mudge.
The Local Job Market
Recently, the demand for skilled labor has increased significantly in Western Australia. This is evident in Australia’s economy’s primary and secondary industries. The Australian Government reports that in 2015, one in every three employers could not find qualified staff to fill positions. As a result, companies struggle to grow their business and meet customer needs without the right employees. This is mainly why certain areas of the primary and secondary industry are worth considering if you’re considering relocating to Perth or, more broadly speaking, to Western Australia altogether.
There are still plenty of jobs available in the industry, but fewer than in 2011, so don’t expect to get rich overnight. However, if you’re willing to work hard, you could earn good money.
Most of Perth’s and Western Australia’s economic success has been based on its agricultural industry, but according to the Australian Government, this industry detracts from the Gross State Product (GSP). Although farming generally decreases, Australian farmers still produce 93 percent of Australia’s foods.
As far as the third (tertiary) industry is concerned, professional services like retail, health care, and social assistance are vital for the residents of Western Australia. These services generate more than half of the state’s GDP and employ almost 80% of its workforce. Therefore, these sectors create plenty of job opportunities for qualified foreign workers who want to relocate to Perth.
You could also move to Perth to work in the travel business. With its beautiful weather, sunny beaches, and relaxed atmosphere, Perth is one of Australia’s best places to live. Between March 2015 and February 2016, 9.8 million tourists visited Western Australia, most choosing to stay in the capital city. In the future, Perth plans to use its natural beauty and laid-back lifestyle to attract more tourists.
Diverse Demographics
Perth is one of Australia’s major cities, with a population of around 2 million people. In recent decades, immigration has played a significant role in shaping the city’s culture. Many immigrants from Asia, Africa, and South America have settled in Perth, bringing various cultural traditions. Perth is home to many ethnic communities, including those from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe.
Over the past few years, Australia has seen an increase in migration from Asian nations, including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. These migrants tend to settle in the Western suburbs of Sydney and Melbourne. However, there are also sizeable communities of migrants or expatriates born in Germany, Ireland (especially Dublin), the Netherlands, and the United States.
Today, up to 31 percent of all city dwellers in Perth were born abroad. Among the religious population, Buddhists and Muslims are the most prominent groups.
Neighborhoods in Perth
Regardless of where you’re from, there’s a good chance you’ll run into other ex-pats or immigrants who share your background after relocating to Perth.
Although the metropolitan region is only a small part of Western Australia, it covers a lot of ground. The metropolis extends 140 kilometers from north to south, from Two Rocks to the city of Mandurah, and approximately 50 kilometers from the coast to the shire of Mundaring in western Perth. Where you reside depends primarily on your circumstances, such as your job and salary. However, we would like to present a few areas and townships in metropolitan Perth.
Suburbs in Central Perth
Perth is a city in Western Australia that lies on the country’s north coast. It is the capital of the state of Western Australia. It has a population of 1.6 million people. It is known for its beautiful beaches and parks.
Suppose you’re younger than 40 years old, single, and don’t have kids. In that case, consider moving to Subiaco, northbridge, or Fremantle, which are suburbs in Western Australia (WA) that are popular among young people.
Fremantle
On the south side of Perth, near the port, you’ll see Fremantle (or “Fremont” as the locals call it).
It has many historic sites from the colonial era, drawing many tourists who explore Fremantle’s tourist trail. However, its arts scene, live music scene, outdoor dining culture, and local vibe are additional bonuses for the locals.
If you decide to move to Fremantle, you’ll enjoy its natural beauty and its proximity to the rest of Western Australia. You’ll meet many expatriates from Italy, Ireland, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Portugal.
Upper-Class and Middle-Class Residential Areas
If money isn’t an issue, consider looking for a house in the inner suburbs of either Applecross or Bicton. These two districts are both located within easy reach of the CBD, but they’re also quite close to each other. Both are considered to be among the most desirable areas in Perth.
Both Applecross and Bicton are located on the Swan River’s shores, designated an Important Bird Area (IBA). In exchange for a large sum of money, residents of these townships have the chance to live in streets lined by jacaranda trees, near numerous public spaces, the South of Perth Golf Club, and several golf clubs.
Bicton is a suburb of Perth, Western Australia, located between Fremantle and Mandurah. It is considered part of the metropolitan region of Perth.
Expats who live on an average income are most likely to move to an urban area like Willetton, which is a broadly middle-class to the upper-middle-class suburb in the city of Canning, about fifteen kilometers south of the CBD. There is a large ethnic mix in the neighborhood with a large Asian community. This makes it a good option for expats with children.
The Outer Metropolitan Area
Further from central Perth lies the City of Swan, an inner suburb of Perth. It contains over 30 different neighborhoods, including the exclusive neighborhood near the five-star resort. These areas include Ellenbrook, which is a rapidly developing suburban settlement. This planned satellite city is a rapidly expanding residential district that may one day become a regional center.
Joondalup, located in the outer metropolitan region, is a prime example of a regional town. It has its commercial districts, hospitals, and school system and is connected by rail to the central business districts of Perth. Its population consists mainly of working families, seniors, and retired people, which means they’re not likely to be interested in the nightlife or entertainment scene of the central cities.
Eastern Shire of Kalamunda is more of a “dormitories suburb” than Joondalup, which has plenty of people who mainly commute to work elsewhere. However, for those who enjoy peaceful settings and natural scenery, Kalamunda is an excellent choice.
Perth: Housing, Visas, Cost of Living
Finding housing in Perth can be challenging.
Once you’ve decided upon an area of Perth where you’d love to reside, you’ll need to search for suitable accommodation. The most significant demand for rental properties occurs during the summer season (between November and March), so if you’re planning on relocating to Perth in these months, you’ll likely face greater competition on the rental market than if you were to move during the winter. To get started on your search, visit online property portals such as:
The last web page may be fascinating for expatriates who want to move to Perth, as it features an official webpage of one of the leading associations of real estate agents in Western Australia. It doesn’t just offer a property search tool but also has many valuable tips and advice for people looking to rent or buy houses in the state.
The Perth Real Estate Market and Housing Costs
If you want to purchase a property in Perth, be aware that the real-property markets move quickly. So once you’ve seen something you like, please don’t wait too long before buying it. Because there is so much demand for good quality homes at reasonable prices, you need to provide the owners of potential properties with convincing proof of your current financial situation, your most recent tax returns (sometimes it is necessary) and bank statements, proof of residency permit or visa, and maybe even a recommendation letter from your previous landlord.
Despite the current economic climate, rental prices in Perth remain relatively low compared to those in Sydney and Melbourne. According to the West Australian, property prices in Perth have dropped by about 10% in recent months. However, the outlook remains positive, and analysts predict that the cost of houses will continue to fall. The PerthNow news reports that house prices in Perth are around 27% higher than they were five years ago. But, the forecast remains optimistic, and economists believe that the cost of homes will drop by another 5%. This is due to the reason that there is currently an oversupply of houses in Perth. In 2013-2014 alone, Western Australia saw a record number of new dwellings being built, with almost 30,000 new apartments and houses started.
If you’re moving to Perth, don’t get discouraged!
Cost of Living in Perth
In general, the costs of life in Perth are higher than average. However, like other cities around the globe, the prices of goods and services are falling. The 2015 Mercer Global Cities Index ranks 48th out of more than 200 global cities under review. Regarding Australia specifically, the index highlights that currency fluctuations can significantly impact the prices of international businesses. In other words, if your company operates in the United States, it would be more economical to pay salaries in USD rather than AUD. This is because the AUD is weaker than the USD, so it becomes more expensive to hire foreign talent in Australia than elsewhere.
Even though Australia is still relatively expensive compared to other cities, it’s not as expensive as some might think. For example, although Perth is one of the world’s most expensive and high-demand cities, it’s still cheaper than other major cities like New York, Shanghai, or Oslo. To give you a couple of examples: A grocery bill for a middle-class family of four requires approximately $250-$300 per month. This sum already covers occasional discounts at Woolworths or farmer’s markets.
It would help if you also considered transportation and housing expenses when planning your move to Australia. These become especially relevant if you’re not eligible for Medicare, the public health insurance program available to most temporary residents in Australia. Make sure you get paid enough to afford these additional expenses, and you’ll be well-prepared for life in Perth.