Student Life in Perth: What Your Wallet Needs to Know

Congratulations - you’ve just been accepted into a Perth university… now what?

Everyone tells you how exciting and amazing it is to start the early chapters of adulting, but they don’t tell you about the rest, because now you enter the part nobody really prepares you for: figuring out how much your day-to-day life is actually going to cost you, and where you’re going to live while attempting to do it.

Well good news - whether you’re moving from interstate or flying in from overseas, Perth actually stands out as one of Aussie’s most liveable cities! But sometimes “liveable” doesn’t always mean “cheap”. With that said, here’s an honest breakdown of what you can expect from student living costs in Perth, plus what to look for when choosing your accommodation so you’re fully prepped for the journey to come.

Student Accommodation Perth

Student Living Costs in Perth 101

  1. Where To Stay In Perth — Your biggest expense, after your tuition fee

    Accommodation is easily the largest single cost in any student’s budget, but also the most important box to tick off. To give you an idea of what to expect and how much to put aside, here’s what the Perth market currently looks like:

    • On-campus residential colleges → around $490-$700/week (some may include meals!)
    • Purpose-built student accommodation (ahem, like Campus Perth, ahem) → around $290-$700/week
    • Private rental (personal) → around $400-$600/week
    • Private rental (shared house) → around $220-$350/week

    We’re not sugarcoating it, this is gonna be the biggest punch to your bank account - so you want to make sure to choose not only the best, but also the most realistic choice that matches your needs and budget.

  2. Food & Groceries

    Depending on how often you cook at home vs. eating out, you may want to consider putting aside a budget of roughly $100-$250/week for food. But let’s be real, Perth’s café culture is not one to be missed, so you’re gonna want to factor in a little extra moolah for some little treats!

    And if you’re living in furnished student accommodation that comes with shared or private kitchens, there’s a chance you’ll spend less on food compared to homestays or residential colleges with set meal plans. More control over food = better control of how much you spend (this one gets extra points because you get to learn how to cook some delish meals!).

  3. Transportation

    Perth’s public transportation (a.k.a Transperth) is one of the more affordable ways to get around, especially with a student concession card. Concession bus and train fares will fetch you around $1.20-$2.90 per trip, and you can even ride some buses in the city area for free!

    Insider Tip: If you set up your card to have autoload, you can even score more discounts!

    Another way to cut your transport costs in a huge way is living in Perth CBD student housing, as it puts you within walking distance of everything you need. For example, major supermarkets like Woolworths and Coles are only less than a 10-minute walk from Campus Perth. The same goes for shopping destinations like Kmart, clothing boutiques, electronic stores, eateries, and trendy cafés!

  4. Lifestyle, Extras, And Then Some

    Think of budgeting like trying to balance the fun stuff (night outs, dinner or solo dates, and emotional support sweet treats) and the not-so-fun-but-pretty-dang-important stuff (BILLS). Here’s a quick look at what that can look like in Perth:

    • Phone internet plan: ~$30–$60/month
    • Utility bills (electricity, Wi-Fi, and water, usually for those staying in private rentals): ~$100-$200/month
    • Textbooks and study materials: $400–$800/year (Insider Tip: You can get some of these books online, or on Facebook Marketplace where you can get them for half the price! Some universities also have their secondhand book shop where you can buy used books, and sell it there after the semester ends as well!)
    • Health insurance (OSHC for international students): ~$600–$900/year depending on the provider
    • Social activities, gym, travel: highly variable, but don’t forget Perth is full of free and low-cost outdoor options!

Free Student Events in Perth

REMEMBER, if you stay in on-campus residential colleges or student accommodation like Campus Perth, all of your utility bills like Wi-Fi, electricity, water, are already covered in your rent! And not to brag, but we also have an in-house gym, a fitness studio (for dance classes and yoga) and a boxing studio - all of which you can use for free so you won’t have to sign up for an external membership fee.

On top of that, we also have 25+ monthly social events (think Sip and Paint, cooking classes, and bowling night) that are mostly free, so you can save even more on social-leisure costs.

TLDR: How Much Do You Need To Actually Budget For?

If you’re just here for the big number, students in Perth can expect to spend roughly $2,000–$3,500 AUD per month on living costs - excluding your tuition fees. Bear in mind that this is just an estimate, and your actual spend will depend a lot on your choice of accommodation and your lifestyle.

It’s also worth setting aside a small buffer for unexpected costs because, well, life happens, and having that emergency fund can save you a lot of stress down the road.

What to Look for in Student Accommodation in Perth

Now that you’ve gotten the need-to-know about how much life can cost, here’s a quick checklist to help you get started on picking out your accommodation.

  1. Is It Furnished?

    Now this is a lot more essential than you might think. Furnished student housing means you’re not spending a hefty $1,000–$3,000 setting up a room from scratch. Beds, desks, wardrobes, washer, dryer, and kitchen equipment should all be included if a place is listed as furnished, so always confirm exactly to what extent “furnished” is before you sign anything.

    At Campus Perth, your rooms are pretty much furnished and move-in ready. All you’ll really need to bring for yourself would be your own bed linens, some utensils (for cooking), personal items, and things you wanna use from home. But, we also have our shop, so in case you need anything last minute, we’ve got your back!

  2. What’s Included?

    Some accommodation quotes look great until you add utilities, internet, and amenity fees on top. Key questions to always ask can include: Is Wi-Fi included? Are electricity and water covered? What communal facilities are included? Do I still have to pay maintenance or amenity fees on top of my rent?

    At Campus Perth, your weekly rate covers your furnished room, utilities, high-speed Wi-Fi, and access to all our common spaces. And no sneaky hidden maintenance fees (unless you broke something of course…)!

  3. How Close Is It To Your University or School?

    Proximity to uni is just as much a financial decision as it is a convenience. A short bus ride or walk to campus means lower transport costs, more time to study (or socialise), and easier access to campus resources.

    Guess what: Campus Perth sits right in the Perth CBD, placing you within easy reach of ECU City Centre, UWA, Curtin, and lots of other schools via public transport.

  4. Is There A Supportive Community?

    Good grades are a good goal, but your wellbeing matters just as much too. Keep an eye out for student accommodation that offers social events, 24/7 support or on-site management, and a welcoming environment. This is especially important if you’re new to any city and may or may not have local friends.

    Residential Advisors (RA) on Campus

    Here at Campus Perth, your wellbeing is one of our top priorities, so we also have our residential advisors (RAs) around to help everyday. They’re also residents here, so they know what it’s like to be away from home and be a student. So if you ever need some help getting around, extra advice, or just a friendly face, you know who to look for!

  5. What Are The Lease Terms?

    You’d be surprised how important flexibility is, especially if you’re an international student, taking a short course, or are just looking to try out the student living experience before committing long-term.

    So before you decide where to stay, be sure to confirm the length of your stay (whether it’s semester-length or a short-stay), as well as the clear break-lease policies. Better safe than sorry after all!

The Bottom Line

You’re gonna have an amazing stay in Perth, as it is genuinely a wonderful city to study and live in - sunny, safe, and full of opportunity. But the little costs add up fast, so it’s always good to be savvy about the reality side of things.

Choosing furnished student accommodation in the Perth CBD area with utilities included isn’t just about upgrading your lifestyle or opting for the “fancier” option — it’s often the financially smarter move in the long(ish) haul. Less to set up, fewer hidden costs, and more time and energy for actually living your best Perth life!

Ready to see what Campus Perth has to offer? Explore our rooms and availability here. Currently, we also have a limited time offer for new bookings, stay with us for 4-weeks and try out the student living experience without lock-in commitment; check out our promo details here (promo ends 31 August 2026).

Have questions about moving to Perth for study? Drop us an email or whatsapp— we’re happy to help.