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Living in Perth, Western Australia

Living in Perth, Western Australia

Being a multicultural and fast paced city, Perth has become of one of the most desirable places in the world to live in. Those living in Perth and visitors can enjoy more sunshine than any other capital city in Australia. Western Australia is the fastest growing state in Australia by population and unlike many economies around the world, Western Australian economy has managed to remain stable during the recent global downturns.

 International students in Western Australia will receive student concession rates whereby students can take advantage of a 40% discount on all public transportation fares. Each student will be issued a Tertiary smart rider card when you arrive at Australian Professional skills Institute during Orientation day. Free bus services are available at Perth CBD area, Fremantle and Joondalup city as they are in the free transit zones. Students can easily get to APSI by catching the free yellow CAT around the city.

Find out more about Transportation around Perth at www.transperth.wa.gov.au

Weekends and school holidays

Western Australians are laid back and very friendly. There are plenty of outdoor activities that can be accomplished during your free time. Students may choose to head down to Perth’s stunning beaches such as Cottesloe and Scarborough beaches, enjoy a picnic with friends and family at Kings park or savour a good cup of Coffee over at Hay street mall. Outdoor barbecues are also a great way to socialise or get hyped up and watch Australian Rules Football (AFL) over a cold beverage with loud cheering fans.

As an international student in Perth, there are many fun activities you can enjoy during school holidays and weekends. This website gives a good account of all the exciting activities for international students to participate and enjoy.

https://www.weekendnotes.com/perth/

Perth

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia (WA), and the fifth most liveable city in the world (according to The Economist’s World’s Most Liveable Cities 2004-2015). With a population of 1.7 million, Perth is the fourth most populous city in Australia and continuously growing. Perth has a high standard of living, while remaining affordable to international students. People of more than 200 different nationalities live, work and study here, speaking over 170 languages, making WA the most multicultural state in Australia.

Western Australian people can be described as laid-back and friendly, and will tell you that their state offers the best lifestyle in the world. They love the outdoors, participating in sport, picnics and the famous Aussie barbecue, and taking advantage of Perth’s pleasant Mediterranean climate, famous for its long days of sunshine and clear blue skies. From the wineries of Margaret River to the beaches of Cottesloe and Scarborough to the nightlife of Northbridge, WA offers something for every taste.

Perth offers one of the highest standards of living in the world, and yet is more affordable than the UK and the USA. Perth is Western Australia’s cultural hub for arts and entertainment. Visit the traditional and contemporary art galleries, enjoy a night of theatre, ballet, comedy or film, and take advantage of Perth’s amazing weather by enjoying the city’s outdoor music festivals.

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Perth Muslim Guide

WA is a vibrant and multicultural society that welcomes people from a wide range of different backgrounds and cultures. WA citizens speak as many as 270 languages and identify with more than 100 religious faiths. The number of Muslims living in Western Australia is about 40,000 and is growing. The Muslim community ranks as the second largest minority religious group in WA and Perth.There is growing interest in Western Australia as a place to work, invest, study or holiday amongst the Muslim community.

Festivals like Eid-ul-Fitri and Eid-ul-Adha are major community events that are celebrated across the State. There are three Islamic colleges and one Islamic school as well as 20 major mosques or prayer halls in metropolitan and regional communities. The ‘Perth Mosque’ is a located 8 minutes drive (20 minutes walk) from Australian Professional Skills Institute.

‘Study Perth Australia’ is an initiative of Perth Education City, supported by the Western Australian government and have released the WA Muslim Guide, outlining useful information for Muslim students, business visitors and tourists. It provides facts on how we live and get around in Perth and Western Australia with topics including business culture, climate, clothing, currency, government, health risks and languages. The Guide lists facilities that will be of use to Muslims, such as the locations of consulates, WA Islamic Organisations, Islamic Schools, Mosques and Halal Outlets. This ensures that Muslims in WA feel comfortable and included when staying in WA. The WA Muslim Guide is available in English, Arabic and Indonesian and can be viewed here: http://studyperth.com.au/wamuslimguide

Australian Professional Skills Institute welcomes all Muslim students wanting to study in Perth. For more information, contact us on 6365 4386 or at info@apsi.edu.au

Weather and Seasons

Perth has a Mediterranean climate, meaning mild winters and hot, dry summers. Perth is the sunniest capital in Australia with an average of 8 hours a day of sunshine. The summer months are hot with an average temperature of 29 degrees Celsius during the day, and 17 degrees Celsius at night. Beware, those from cold climates, some days around New Year’s have been known to rise to and above 40 degrees Celsius (about 104 degrees Fahrenheit)! The warm summer days are cooled down in the afternoon with the “Fremantle Doctor”, a strong sea breeze that blows in from the ocean. The “Doctor” blows away the hot air trapped above the Perth Metropolitan Area and the Darling Ranges, providing an excellent wind for windsurfing and sailing on the Swan River. Perth experiences a very low rate of humidity, and it is recommended that you drink lots of fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated. It is advisable that when out in the sun you always wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

Due to the warm weather there may be water restrictions during the summer. It can affect what time you can water your garden or wash your car. Remember to be water wise and help save the water in our dams. Also due to the warm weather there will most likely be fire restrictions, meaning campers cannot light any camp fires, for more details on fire and other bush walking related articles visit the Department of Parks and Wildlife and Department of Environment Regulation

The winter months in Perth are from June to August and are mild, with an average temperature of 18 degrees C during the day, and 9 degrees C at night. The wettest month of the year is July, and the average yearly rainfall is around 880mm. The rain seems to come down hard and quickly, and will be followed in many instances with sunny periods. It rarely gets cold enough for snow to fall or frost to form.

You can always visit the Bureau of Meteorology for a 7-day weather forecast.

Time Zones

Perth’s standard time zone is GMT +8. There is no daylight saving in WA.

Accommodation options in Perth

Hotels, Motels & Backpackers Generally, the price you pay for accommodation will determine its quality. However, it can be expensive to stay in a good quality motel or hotel for a long period of time. Backpacker accommodation is relatively inexpensive but you may need to bring your own pillow and sleeping bag if you choose this option. Find out more.

Staying With Friends or Family If you know someone in Australia, this is a great way to settle into life here. Your friends or family can provide advice, support and encouragement in your first days in Australia. However, if you are under the age of 18 you must obtain approval from your education provider first.

Homestay APSI can arrange new student’s temporary accommodation with homestay families. Please inform APS Institute about homestay booking requirement at least 10 working days before arrival. Find out more.

Rentals The cost of renting a property in Perth varies depending on the locality. There are many local real estate agencies in Perth can help you to find a suitable rental property. Find out more.

Share House It may be a good idea to share accommodation with other students to split costs. Find out more.

Getting around

Public Transport
Perth is serviced by an extensive network of buses, trains and ferries. Free CAT buses are available in Perth city and Fremantle areas. Visit the Transperth website for timetables more information

Taxis
The main taxi company in Perth is Swan Taxis. Visit www.swantaxis.com.au for more information or call 13 13 30. All taxis in Australia are metered.

Driving
All vehicles in Australia need to be registered and insured. Visit the Department of Transport website for more information. Cars can be rented from Hertz Car Hire Perth (Ph: 1300 132 607) or purchased (visit www.carsales.com for more information)

Bicycles
All cyclists need to wear helmets at all times and display reflectors at night.

Medical Facilities in Perth

Emergency Services: Dial 000

Hospitals

Royal Perth Hospital
Wellington St, Perth WA 6000
Ph: +61 8 9224 3737

Fremantle Hospital
South Tce, Fremantle WA 6160
Ph: +61 8 9431 3333

Fiona Stanley Hospital
11 Robin Warren Dr, Murdoch WA 6150
Ph: +61 8 6152 2222

Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital
Hospital Ave, Nedlands WA 6009
Ph: +61 8 9346 3333

St John of God Health Care Murdoch
100 Murdoch Drive, Murdoch WA 6150
Ph: +61 8 9366 1111

King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women
374 Bagot Rd, Subiaco WA 6008
Ph: +61 8 9340 2222

Medical Centres

Central City Medical Centre
Shop 14, 378 Wellington St, Perth WA 6000
Ph: 9221 4747

St Georges Medical Centre
2 nd/189 St George?s Tce, Perth WA 6000
Ph: 9321 6788

Bank & ATM Locations in Perth

Banks and ATMs are located around the city. Visit the bank’s website for more details.

Major Banks in Perth:

(NB : this list is just a sample of some financial institutions in Australia)

Banking Hours
Most bank branches are open from Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 4:00pm (except on public holidays). Some branches have extended trading hours during the week and may be open Saturdays (check with your individual bank). ATMs remain open 24 hours a day. However, you should be aware of your personal safety if accessing cash from an ATM at night in quiet areas where there are not a lot of people around.

Bank Fees
Bank fees are the price you pay for the products and services that banks offer. Different banks charge different fees for different products and services, and the best way to find out what fees apply is simply to ask your bank. Any fees that apply to your accounts are fully disclosed in information leaflets and terms and conditions that your bank can provide before you open your account. Some banks waive some fees if you are a full-time student. The way you do your banking may also affect the fees that apply for example: internet banking rather than walking into a branch.

If you don’t understand any fee which has been charged, contact your bank.

Working in Australia
Permission To Work
People granted student visas will automatically receive permission to work with their visa grant. Most student visa holders will no longer need to apply separately in Australia for permission to work. Please note that you will NOT be able to work in Australian until the first official day of classes when the education provider will confirm your study commencement. Your education provider may do this automatically on the first official day of classes, or you may need to request that they do.

Working While Studying

  • You are not permitted to start work until you have commenced your course of study
  • You can work a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight during the term and unlimited hours when your course is not in session.
  • The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) considers your course to be “in session”:

– for the duration of the advertised semesters (including periods when exams are being held)
– if you have completed your studies and your Confirmation of Enrolment is still in effect
– if you are undertaking another course, during a break from your main course and the points will be credited to your main course.

For a full list of mandatory and discretionary student visa conditions please visit the Department of Immigration and Border Protection website

Australian Working Conditions

Know your workplace rights
Pay rates and workplace conditions are set by Australian law. All people working in Australia, including those from overseas, have rights and protections at work. These cannot be taken away by contracts or agreements. If you have questions about your pay and conditions while in Australia, you can contact the Fair Work Ombudsman for free information, resources and advice.
Visit fairwork.gov.au for information for visa holders and international students. There are also a range of helpful videos at www.youtube.com/fairworkgovau about working in Australia in many languages. Contact the Fair Work Ombudsman by phone within Australia on 13 13 94.

Pay
Your minimum pay rate can come from an award, enterprise agreement or other registered agreement, or the national minimum wage. Employees have to be paid the right pay rate for all hours they work including training, team meetings, opening and closing the business and doing a trail shift.
National minimum wage
Certain employees may have different pay entitlements depending on whether they have a reduced work capacity because of disability, if they are under the age of 21 or if they are an apprentice or trainee. You can calculate your correct pay and entitlements using the Pay and Conditions Tool at www.fairwork.gov.au/pay. Further information on employment in Australia is available on the Department’s website at www.border.gov.au and on the website of the Department of Employment at www.employment.gov.au

(Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection)

Staying Safe in Perth
Perth is a relative safe city to live. As a visitor or international student in Perth, you still have to exercise precautions like in any other cities.

Please visit the Staying Safe in Perth page of the Western Australian Private Education and Training Industry Association.

You can read safety tips in 11 different languages. Our friendly student services team will help you with any queries.

Hope you have a safe study journey in Perth!

Living Expenses
Living Expenses and School Age Dependents

The Australian government provides an indicative guidelines on living costs in Australia. Knowing the average living costs in Australia is an important part of your financial preparation. Read more here. 

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