Moving to Perth
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Perth, Australia. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$2,554
solo, city centre
Livability
66/100
decent
Safety
91/100
Safe enough to stop thinking about it
PR timeline
—
varies
How to move to Perth
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Residency data coming soon for Perth.
What it costs to move to Perth
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$1,821
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 21% of 97 cities
$3,034
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$2,554/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Manageable1–3 weeks
- •Rental application: ID, income proof, rental history
- •4 weeks' bond
- •Less competitive than Sydney/Melbourne
- •Mining cycle affects demand
First month in Perth
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Research visa options for Australia
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring your passport and proof of address
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$32/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–3 weeks. Housing friction: Manageable.
- ☐
Have $11,432 ready for move-in costs
First month + 4mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$150/mo until residency kicks in
Language in Perth
Can you order coffee without pointing?
English
primary language
Very High
English proficiency
English is the primary language. You'll be fine. One less excuse not to move.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
8.7/10
democracy index (EIU)
🏛️ Full democracy
regime type
Travel advisory: Level 1 — Exercise normal precautions
Is Perth safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
👍
Safe enough to stop thinking about it
0.8
homicides per 100k
Weather in Perth
What the thermometer actually says
29°C
summer highs
9°C
winter lows
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System:
Before residency: Medicare for citizens and PR holders. Some nationalities (UK, NZ, several EU) have reciprocal agreements covering emergency care. Others: private insurance required (~$130/mo). Emergency rooms treat everyone — billed in full without Medicare or insurance. (private insurance ~$150/mo)
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Safety in Perth: 0.8/100k rate. Focus on other things.
- ✓ Perth: 29°C and the sea. Summer sorted.
- ✓ Rule of law in Perth: Australia scores 8.7/10. Functional.
Think twice about
- ✗ City rent in Perth: $1821/mo. Plan for it.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Perth profile →