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Studying in Perth as an Indian Student: UWA, Rents, the Tertiary SmartRider and Category 2 Benefits

Perth is the fastest-growing capital in percentage terms, up 2.4% in 2024–25 to 2.45 million people, and the largest Category 2 city: degrees from its campuses bring the five regional points and a second 485. The Western Australian government gives international students the same tertiary transport concession as local students.

Leonid Kurza, co-founder of EdumappleBy Leonid Kurza · co-founder of Edumapple · checked

Perth skyline and the Swan River from Kings Park
Perth skyline and the Swan River from Kings Park. Photo: Alexey V. Kurochkin, CC BY-SA 4.0
  • 2,452,765people, June 2025
  • Category 2regional 485 benefits
  • A$595WA government sample budget, a week
  • 58,181India-born residents, 2021

Universities

The University of Western Australia is Perth's Go8 member, with fees from A$40,900 a year and an offshore deadline of 11 January for February entry.

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  • Courses your marks and degree qualify for
  • Tuition and the visa living funds, counted in rupees
  • GS answers, visa timing and your 485 plan
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Costs

StudyPerth lists a room at A$294–659 a week, on-campus housing at ₹15,100 (A$225)–740, purpose-built student accommodation at A$294–935 and homestay at A$280–440. Utilities run about A$100 a month for electricity, A$90 for water and A$50 for gas. Public transport with a Tertiary SmartRider costs A$5–35 a week.

The Indian community

Greater Perth had 58,181 India-born residents at the 2021 census, 2.8% of the city, with 19,930 Punjabi speakers. Canning Vale in the south had more than 3,000. The Consulate General of India on Barrack Street has a section for Indian students in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Regional status

Category 2: a degree from a Perth campus counts as regional study for the five points, and graduates who stay in a regional area can apply for a second 485 of one year.

Around the city

AUS Perth, Central Business District, Elizabeth Quay
AUS Perth, Central Business District, Elizabeth Quay. Photo: -wuppertaler, CC BY 4.0
Completed Elizabeth Quay February, Perth
Completed Elizabeth Quay February, Perth. Photo: Benjamin "Jeffrey" Powell, CC BY-SA 3.0

Questions from Indian students: Australia

Which universities are in Perth?
On this site, the University of Western Australia (UWA) at Crawley. Curtin, Murdoch and Edith Cowan also teach in Perth.
How much does it cost to live in Perth?
The WA government's StudyPerth puts a room at A$294–659 a week and gives a sample budget of A$595 a week: rent A$350, utilities A$40, groceries A$80, phone and internet A$30, transport A$15, entertainment A$80.
Do international students get transport concessions in Perth?
Yes. International students can get a Tertiary SmartRider through their institution, with concession fares more than 50% below the standard fare. CAT buses in the city are free, and travel is free on Sundays for SmartRider holders.
Is Perth regional for the 485?
Yes, Category 2: five regional points and, after two years living in a regional area, a second 485 of one year.
Is there an Indian consulate in Perth?
Yes, at 23 Barrack Street, serving Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Sources we checked