Life in Perth
Life in Perth
Welcome to Perth. We know you are going to love living in Perth and have a great time if you are passing through.

Life in Perth
Is Perth a good place to live?
Yes, Perth is a great place to live or visit. Below our guide to Perth will give you all the information you need to make moving here easier or make your trip a more informed and enjoyable one.
Visas required to live in Perth
If you happen to be a citizen from a country other than Australia and are looking to move to Perth, you are going to need a visa to do so. Australia has many visas on offer that could allow you to live and work in Perth. Due to there being many different visas, each with it’s own rights and obligations, it is best to take our Free Visa Assessment so we can provide accurate advice on the visa options available to you in your specific circumstances.
If you are moving to Perth and want to find a job in Perth we have a guide specifically on how to find and apply for jobs in Perth for new arrivals. Always make sure you have secured a visa that allows you to work before starting your new job.
Map of Perth
Weather in Perth
Perth
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia (WA). It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is part of the South West Land Division of Western Australia, with most of the metropolitan area on the Swan Coastal Plain between the Indian Ocean and the Darling Scarp. The city has expanded outward from the original British settlements on the Swan River, upon which the city’s central business district and port of Fremantle are situated. Perth is located on the traditional lands of the Whadjuk Noongar people, where Aboriginal Australians have lived for at least 45,000 years.
Captain James Stirling founded Perth in 1829 as the administrative centre of the Swan River Colony. It was named after the city of Perth in Scotland, due to the influence of Stirling’s patron Sir George Murray, who had connections with the area. It gained city status in 1856, although the Perth City Council currently governs only a small area around the central business district. The city’s population increased substantially as a result of the Western Australian gold rushes in the late 19th century. It has grown steadily since World War II due to a high net migration rate. Post-war immigrants were predominantly from Britain and Southern Europe, while more recent arrivals have led to a large population of Asian descent. Several mining booms in other parts of Western Australia in the late 20th and early 21st centuries saw Perth become the regional headquarters for large mining operations.
Perth contains a number of important public buildings as well as various historic sites. Notable government buildings include Parliament House, Government House, the Supreme Court Buildings and the Perth Mint. The city is served by Fremantle Harbour and Perth Airport. It was a naval base for the Allies during World War II and the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Base West is located on Garden Island. All five of Western Australia’s universities are based in Perth. The city has been ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, and was classified by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network in 2020 as a Beta global city.
As of 2021, Perth is divided into 30 local government areas and consists of more than 350 suburbs. The metropolitan boundaries stretch 123 kilometres (76 mi) from Two Rocks in the north to Singleton in the south, and 62 kilometres (39 mi) east inland to The Lakes. Outside of the central business district, important urban centres within the metropolitan area include Armadale, Fremantle, Joondalup, Midland, and Rockingham. Most of those were originally established as separate settlements and retained a distinct identity after being subsumed into the wider metropolitan area. Mandurah, Western Australia’s second-largest city, forms a conurbation with Perth along the coast, though for most purposes it is still considered a separate city.
Hotels and Accommodation in Perth
There are all types of accommodation available in Perth. The best place to find Hotels, serviced apartments or holiday lets is via Book Direct and Save Bookdirectandsave.com
This website lists the exact same properties as Airbnb and booking.com but does not charge the high commissions so their nightly accommodation rates are cheaper.
Or contact any of these great local hotels, apartments or holiday accommodation businesses.
Perth is full of great businesses and helpful services. Below are a selection of our best.
Accountants in Perth
Banks in Perth
Cafes in Perth
Carpet Cleaners in Perth
Dentists in Perth
Doctors and Medical clinics in Perth
You can make an appointment at any of these local doctors or clinics.
Contact one of the Perth Electricians below
Hospitals in Perth
Mechanics in Perth
Newspapers in Perth
Pest Control in Perth
Plumbers in Perth
Real Estate Agents in Perth
Restaurants in Perth
Schools in Perth
Solicitors in Perth
Supermarkets in Perth
Vets in Perth
For all information on living in towns and cities across Australia visit our Living in Australia index page where you will find 160 guides on areas right across the country.
To live and work in Australia you might be eligible for an Australian Work Visa or a Permanent Residency visa as a skilled worker. Find out more and move to Australia to live and work and start you new life.