Moving to Perth
Sunshine, high wages and the best beaches in the country
The most British city in Australia — and only 8 hours ahead, so you can still ring home after work.
2.3 million
7-8 hours ahead — the easiest time zone for calling the UK
$520
about £267
$101,000
about £51,795
$780,000
Would Perth suit you?
Why UK movers pick it
Perth is the sunniest capital in Australia and the one with the strongest British accent. Mining and resources pay exceptional wages, especially for engineers, trades and fly-in-fly-out work, and the beaches on the western suburbs coast are genuinely world class. The catch is distance: you are closer to Bali than to Sydney.
"More sunshine hours than anywhere in Australia. Winter is when the grass goes green, like an Andalusian spring."
On the weather.
"Sheffield rent, Sydney weather, and mining-sector wages."
On rent.
Weather, plainly
31°C
19°C
300
68
Mediterranean. Long, hot, bone-dry summers and short, mild, green winters.
Rent compared with other cities
Weekly one-bed rent, cheapest to priciest.
How Perth rates
Suits you if
- You work in mining, engineering, trades, health or construction
- You want big wages and a low-key coastal life
- You want the easiest time zone for calling family in the UK
- You want to own a house with a pool without a million-dollar mortgage
Think twice if
- You want frequent, cheap trips to the east coast
- You need a big cultural scene
- Boom-and-bust resource cycles make you nervous
Suburbs worth knowing
Rent shown is a weekly median for the area, with a rough UK equivalent so you can picture it.
Scarborough / Trigg
Surf beach, apartments, casual
UK equivalent: Bournemouth cliffs
Fremantle
Port town, heritage pubs, arts
UK equivalent: Bristol harbourside
Joondalup / Hillarys
Family estates, marina, schools
UK equivalent: Milton Keynes on the coast
Subiaco / Leederville
Inner city, cafes, walkable
UK equivalent: Didsbury
Indicative planning rate of A$1.95 to £1. Check a live rate before you transfer money.
Dig deeper
Jobs market+
Resources, energy, defence and construction dominate, and skilled trades are in chronic shortage. FIFO rosters can pay well above city equivalents for the same qualification.
Highest median wages in Australia thanks to the resources sector.
Schools+
Solid public system; independent schools are cheaper than the east coast equivalents.
Healthcare+
Fiona Stanley and Sir Charles Gairdner are the major hospitals; some regional specialist waits are longer.
Getting around+
Good rail spine north-south, but Perth is a driving city with easy parking by UK standards.
Brits here+
The highest proportion of British-born residents of any Australian capital.
Visas+
WA runs a broad skilled nomination list and most of the state outside Perth is designated regional for subclass 491.
Other places to consider
Keep researching
Ready to plan the move to Perth?
See how far your salary really stretches once rent, bills and tax are accounted for, then check which visa and job pathways fit your skills.