Living in Perth - Alexander Education Group

Living in Perth 

Pre-departure information guide

Darwin 

Western 

Australia 

Brisbane 

PERTH 

Adelaide 

Canberra 

Sydney 

Melbourne 

Hobart 

Hillarys 

Boat Harbour 

Warwick 

Lancelin 

Sorrento Beach 

Balcatta 

PERTH 

Trigg Island Beach 

Scarborough Beach 

Floreat Beach 

Innaloo 

Subiaco 

Mount Lawley 

Northbridge 

PERTH 

CITY 

East 

Perth 

Swan Valley 

PERTH 

AIRPORT 

Mandurah 

Bunbury 

Dunsborough 

Margaret River 

Albany 

Rottnest Island 

Cottesloe 

Beach 

Claremont 

Swan River 

Applecross 

South Perth 

Cannington 

Port Beach 

FREMANTLE 

PORT CITY 

MURDOCH CAMPUS 

Bibra Lake 

Murdoch University campus map

Table of Contents 

Welcome to Perth! 

Quarantine Matters 1 

International airports 1 

International mail 2 

International cargo 2 

Don’t risk it 2 

Customs 2 

Weather and Climate 2 

Safety and Crime 2 

Police Services 3 

Religion in Australia 3 

Places of Worship 3 

Restaurants 4 

Shopping Facilities 4 

Used Furniture and Household Equipment. 4 

Banking Facilities 5 

Driving 5 

Insurance 5 

General Information 6 

Gambling 6 

Keeping Appointments 6 

Conversation 6 

Social relations 6 

Laundry and Dry cleaning 6 

Car Parking 6 

Car Hire 6 

Public Transport 7 

Taxis 7 

Postal Information 7 

Change of address 8 

Telephone 8 

Getting your phone connected 8 

Phone card 8 

Mobile phone use 8 

Internet Access 8 

Newspapers 9 

Recreation and Entertainment 9 

Maps and Tourist Guides 9 

Accommodation 9 

The Lease 10 

General Real Estate Agents 10 

Perth is a beautiful city with a wonderful Mediterranean climate. 

It has lovely beaches and parks. Perth people are helpful and 

welcoming. The lifestyle is relaxed and most people enjoy outdoor 

activities such as sporting events, barbeques and picnics. Living in 

Perth will be an enjoyable experience for you. 

We hope that you will be very happy here and be successful 

with your studies. Most people adapt quickly when they move to 

another country. However, students do occasionally get homesick 

when they first arrive in Australia. Homesickness can take many 

forms and sometimes you may even feel like returning home. You 

are likely to find life a bit strange and different and perhaps not 

what you expected. This kind of cultural adjustment can happen to 

people of any nationality when they live in a new culture. 

How can you cope with homesickness and cultural adjustment? 

Firstly by accepting that things are not quite what you expected. As 

soon as you get used to life in Perth and start to make new friends, 

you will begin to miss your own country a little less. Discuss your 

reactions with your family and friends, you’ll be surprised at how 

understanding they can be – remember that they are probably 

missing you as much as you are missing them 

ALEXANDER EDUCATION GROUP•LIVING IN PERTH

Security & Quarantine 

Weather and Climate 

ALEXANDER EDUCATION GROUP•LIVING IN PERTH 

Quarantine Matters 

These are important NEW facts to help international students 

when they arrive in Australia, or receive goods from home. 

Tougher new quarantine laws and increased on-the-spot fines 

now apply in Australia. 

• All international travellers entering Australia who do not declare 

quarantine risk items now face an on-the-spot fine of up to $220. 

This could happen as a result of failing to declare something as 

small as a piece of fruit! 

• Smugglers of prohibited items may face fines of up to $60,000 

and a criminal record. For example, a student arriving at 

Brisbane airport recently was fined $6,700 for trying to smuggle 

less than a kilogram of dried meat into Australia. 

• The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) now 

inspect most international passengers, cargo and mail coming 

into Australia. 

International airports 

Most travellers coming into Australia’s international airports will 

now have their luggage screened by customs officials. In the past 

year AQIS has placed around 1,200 extra staff, 35 extra detector dog 

teams and 48 new x-ray machines at airports across the country. 

International students must declare ALL food, wooden items or 

items of plant and animal origin that they are carrying with them. 

International mail 

All letters, parcels and packages sent by mail into Australia are 

screened by x-ray machines, detector dogs and quarantine officers 

at international mail centres across Australia. Prohibited items will 

be removed from parcels and destroyed. Some articles may need 

to be treated to make them safe. 

Students must ensure that their families do not send ‘quarantine 

risk’ items through the mail. 

International cargo 

AQIS screens all cargo coming into Australia - including personal 

effects such as clothing, cutlery, food, books, bicycles, sporting 

equipment, dried flower arrangements, kitchen appliances, 

souvenirs and other items. 

Cargo sent by sea or airfreight may need an import permit or 

treatment and packing materials such as straw and containers such 

as fruit and vegetable cartons are prohibited because they are a 

pest or disease risk. 

Don’t risk it 

Australia has a unique natural environment with plants and animals 

that are found nowhere else in the world, as well as a $22 billion 

agricultural industry. We all have to play our part in protecting 

these. One item could have devastating consequences. 

For more important information: www.aqis.gov.au. 

Customs 

When traveling to Australia, please be aware that if you are carrying 

a total of AUS$10,000 or more in cash of any currency, you MUST 

declare the money on your Incoming Passenger Card and when 

questioned by Australian Customs officials upon arrival. A failure to 

declare this money may result in the money being taken and you 

being arrested and prosecuted. It is not an offence to bring this 

money into Australia. The offence is not declaring the money. 

Perth Western Australia’s weather and climate is best described as 

Mediterranean, with long dry summers and mild rainy winters. There 

are four distinct seasons: 

Summer: Dec - Feb 

The hottest months are January and February, and temperatures can 

frequently reach the mid to high 30’s Celsius (95-100F). Occasionally 

the weather can reach 38 degrees Celsius or more (100+ Fahrenheit), 

lightweight cool clothing and sunscreen is essential. 

Autumn: Mar – May 

Very similar weather to summer except milder, warm and sunny 

but cooler at night. You can expect things to start cooling down 

toward the end of April and will need some warmer clothing. 

Winter: Jun - Sep 

This is the rainy season, interspersed with chilly yet sunny days. A 

typical Perth winter day may fall between 16-18 degrees Celsius 

(60-65 degrees Fahrenheit). There are however, occasionally storms, 

characterised by thunder, lightning and heavy downpours of 

rain and strong winds. It is advised to have warm clothing and a 

waterproof jacket and umbrella handy. 

Spring: Oct - Dec 

Spring begins at the start of September and from this point the 

weather quickly warms to fine sunny but windy conditions. The 

temperatures will continue to rise in the lead up to the next summer. 

Weather Conditions in Perth 

. Summer Autumn Winter Spring 

. Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov 

Max 27 30 30 29 25 21 19 18 18 20 22 25 

Min 16 18 19 17 14 12 10 9 9 10 12 14 

Rainfall-mm 14 9 12 19 46 123 182 173 135 80 55 21 

Rainy Days 4 3 3 4 8 14 17 18 17 14 11 6 

Recreation & Entertainment 

Australians are very enthusiastic about sport, whether as spectators 

or participants. Most suburbs have sporting clubs catering for 

various sports. Information about contacting these clubs can be 

found in the telephone book or at the Student Services Office. 

Because of the favourable climate in Perth, picnics and barbeques 

are a common weekend activity for family groups, especially at the 

beach, by the river or in one of Perth’s many parks. 

The entertainment pages of the local newspapers are a useful guide to 

movies, theatres, clubs, restaurants, hotels and other entertainment. 

Films (Movies): City and suburban cinemas show a wide variety of 

films. There are also some specialist cinemas which concentrate on 

foreign language films including Chinese and Indian. 

Theatres: There are several professional theatre companies in Perth. 

Details of performances can be obtained from the daily newspaper. 

Students are entitled to concession rates for most shows. 

Maps and Tourist Guides 

Maps and street guides of Perth can be purchased from any bookshop 

or newsagent. The Western Australian Tourism Commission at Forrest 

Place Perth provides information on tourist attractions in W.A. 

You can collect a free map of Perth’s city centre from the Student 

Services in the basement. Check the WA Tourism Commission 

website www.westernaustralia.com for more information.

Safety and Crime 

Religion in Australia 

Perth is a small city and is quiet and peaceful when compared with 

other cities throughout the world. However, like every city it has 

its own criminal element and students should always take sensible 

precautions to look after themselves and their belongings. 

When you go out at night, keep to well-lit streets, go in a group 

and do not walk home alone late at night, if you have to travel late 

at night, it may be safest to order a taxi. Hitchhiking or accepting 

a ride from strangers is not recommended. Bag snatching does 

occur, so be careful to keep your bag with you at all times and 

never leave it unattended in a public place. 

When selecting accommodation in Perth you should check it has 

adequate security and that doors and windows can be properly 

secured. It is recommended that personal possessions of value 

such as TVs, videos, cameras, etc., be insured against theft. (See 

section re Insurance) 

Try to avoid anyone who is involved in illegal drugs. If someone 

approaches you with an offer to supply drugs to you, refuse them 

and avoid their company. 

Some international students have been the victims of confidence 

tricksters. These are often people who pose as friends, then borrow 

money because they are ‘in trouble’ and cannot pay their tuition or 

living expenses. Sometimes these un-repaid loans have amounted 

to thousands of dollars. 

Please do not lend money to anyone while you are a student. Your 

responsibility is to yourself. Any request that you lend money, even 

if it comes from someone you think you know very well, should be 

regarded with suspicion. 

Police Services 

The Police in Australia are part of the Public Service and are 

not under the control of the Armed Forces. Also the Police are 

independent of political direction. Their job is to prevent and solve 

crimes, to maintain law and order, and to protect the population 

(and visitors) from any criminal and illegal activities. Police in 

Australia can be trusted. 

REMEMBER that the police in Australia are there to help you. If 

you witness a crime, or are the victim of crime tell the police 

immediately. 

To contact the WA Police please call 131 444 or 

for an emergency dial 000. 

Australia has laws that uphold religious freedom. This means that in 

Australia everyone is free to follow their own beliefs and religious 

practices, provided these do not coerce or harm anyone else. 

This freedom also means that people are free to spread their 

beliefs. Many students have had the experience of being visited by 

one or two people who wish to discuss religion and leave religious 

literature behind. You are free to listen or to politely refuse to listen. 

If you do stop to talk, you may find that the callers will take this as 

a sign of your interest and will keep coming back to visit you. By 

contrast visitors from mainstream Christian churches will usually 

simply give a greeting and leave a contact card or list of service 

times. Any further contact is up to you. 

Australians in general are Christians. Traditionally, Sunday is a day 

off work for most people. The Christian festivals of Easter and 

Christmas are important public holidays in Australia. 

Many people from other religions have settled here over the years 

and have established their own places of worship. You will find that 

many churches have a special interest in welcoming international 

students and enjoy interacting with guests from other countries 

and cultures. 

Places of Worship 

These are listed in the telephone book and in street directories 

under denominational headings or the religion’s name. To help you 

find a suitable place of worship, details are given below of some 

centres of the major religions in Western Australia, as well as details 

of some local Christian churches. The list of churches is alphabetical 

according to denomination: 

Contacts for Religions 

Buddhist 

Buddhist Society of W.A. 

18 Nanson Way, Nollamara 6061 

Tel: (08) 9345 1711 

International Buddhist 

Association Inc. 

282 Guildford Road, 

Maylands 6051 

Tel: (08) 9371 0048 

Indonesia Buddhist Association 

of Australia 

Kuan Yin Monastery 

2023 Albany Highway, 

Maddington 6109 

Muslim 

Perth Mosque 

427 William Street, Perth 6805 

Tel: (08) 9328 8535 

Islam Council of WA 

7 Malvern Road, Rivervale 6103 

Tel: (08) 9362 2210 

Sikh 

Sikh Association of WA 

Gurd Wara 

123 Saddleback Gr, 

Canningvale 6155 

Tel: (08) 9256 1314 

or (08)9455 7220 


Hindu 

Hindu Temple 

Warton Road, Canningvale 6155 

Tel: (08) 9455 2097 

Christian churches overleaf...

Religion in Australia 

Banking & Money 

Christian Churches 

Anglican 

St George’s Cathedral 

38 St George’s Tce, Perth 6000 

Tel: (08) 9325 5766 

Catholic Mass and 

Services in Chinese 

Further information phone: 

9478 1038 

Banking Facilities 

Business hours for most banks are: 

Monday – Friday 

09:30 a.m. - 16:00 p.m. 

Saturday 

Most are closed. 

Most banks have branches within easy walking distance of the 

Alexander Centre. 

There are a number of alternatives open to you for your banking 

needs. You should enquire about the bank charges and rates of 

interest before opening an account. The most popular account 

used by students is the access type using the ATM (Automatic 

Telling Machine) card - this type of account does not incur 

associated fees. 

Money can be deposited in a conventional bank or a credit society. 

A cheque account with a bank is convenient because you can pay 

your accounts by cheque, however if the amount in your account 

falls below a minimum, the bank will levy a monthly charge for 

keeping the account open. 

A savings account is a convenient way for you to keep your money 

and you will receive interest on your money in some accounts. 

There are branches of savings banks and credit societies in the 

Perth central business district. 

A Cashcard Account has the convenience of after-hours 

banking. The bank issues you with a plastic card and a Personal 

Identification Number (P.I.N. number) with which you need to 

activate the account. With it, you are able to deposit or withdraw 

money over the Bank counter or from automatic teller machine 

(ATM) outside the bank. If you lose your Cashcard you must notify 

the Bank immediately. 

To open a new account you will need to produce your passport 

showing your visa entry date. You will need to apply for a Tax File 

Number, otherwise your bank may be required to withhold part 

of your interest and send it to the Australian Tax Department. You 

cannot have that money refunded until you lodge a tax return at 

the end of the financial year (June 31or when you leave Australia 

permanently at the completion of your studies). 

Application forms for a Tax File Number are available from the 

Student Administration Officer. 

Please keep your passbook or cheque book in a safe place and 

immediately notify your bank should you lose it 

Memorise your P.I.N. Number and do not write it on a piece of 

paper. Never tell anyone else your P.I.N. number, not even your 

best friend. 

If money is being sent to you from home, a telegraphic bank 

transfer is the best method. A personal cheque from your parents 

could take up to forty days to clear. Please inform your parents 

of your new bank, branch address and account number to avoid 

any problems when your allowance is sent to the bank. Similarly, 

your parents should let you know the bank from which the 

payment is coming. It is safer to get your allowance from home in 

small amounts, for example in monthly installments, rather than 

annually, as then there is less temptation to waste your money or 

to gamble. 

If you need a student loan or line of credit, talk to your bank. 


St. Peter Anglican Church 

11 Leonard St, Victoria Park 

6100 

Tel: (08) 9361 1233 

St. Barnabas Church 

104 Woolwich St, Leederville 

6007 

Tel: (08) 9381 9824 

Perth Christian Fellowship 

- Assemblies of God 

Riverword City Church, Perth 

6000 

Tel: (08) 9471 7118 

Christian City International 

233 South Terrace, Fremantle 

6158 

Tel: (08) 9336 3317 

Baptist Church 

10 James Street, Perth 6000 

Tel: (08) 9328 6507 

Baptist Church 

59 Chapman Road, Bentley 6102 

Tel: (08) 9458 1628 

St. Mary’s Cathedral - Catholic 

Victoria Square, Perth 6000 

Tel: (08) 9221 7238 

Churches of Christ 

142 Beaufort Street, Perth 6000 

Tel: (08) 9328 1499 

Churches of Christ 

29 Darnell Ave, Mt Pleasant 6153 

Tel: (08) 9364 8637 

Full Gospel Assembly Perth 

32 Dumond St, Bentley 6102 

Tel: (08) 9451 5788 

Lutheran Church of Australia 

16 Aberdeen Street, Perth 6000 

Tel: (08) 9227 8072 

Perth Chinese Christian Church 

146 Flamborough Street, 

Doubleview 6018 

Tel: (08) 9244 2364 

Riverview Church 

1 Thorogood Street, Burswood, 

6100 

Tel: (08) 9416 0000 

Uniting Church in Australia 

93 William Street, Wesley 

Mission, Perth 6000 

Tel: (08) 9321 9711 

Westminster Presbyterian 

Church 

32 Bullcreek Drive, Bullcreek 

(Indonesian Services) 

Tel: (08) 9332 6300 

If you bring a large amount of cash with you, open a bank account 

and deposit it IMMEDIATELY. Do not keep large amounts of cash 

with you or even in your room. The only safe place is your bank 

account

Transport 

Driving 

You need have a valid licence to drive in Australia. The Student 

Services Manager has information booklets detailing how to get a 

licence and from where. 

Remember when you register your car, you are only getting 3rd 

party insurance, which means if you collide with someone else’s car 

and it is your fault, you will pay for all damages unless you’ve taken 

out full insurance. 

Insurance 

Many different types of insurance are available to protect people 

against possible financial hardship. The two types most relevant 

to international students are (a) insurance of personal possessions 

against all risks, and (b) insurance to cover you whilst driving a 

vehicle. 

(a) Insurance of Personal Possessions 

You should consider insuring all the valuable possessions that 

you own, such as cameras, radios, jewellery, sound equipment 

and watches against any loss or damage. Living in shared 

accommodation means you may be exposed to more risk of theft 

than if you were living with your family and will be covered if the 

stolen things are insured. 

Wherever you live, your possessions are your responsibility and are 

not covered by Alexander Education Group, your homestay or the 

hostel. It is your responsibility to insure them. 

(b) Vehicle Insurance 

Third Party Property Insurance 

This insurance is the least expensive to purchase. It will help pay for 

damages to other peoples cars or property if there is an accident 

which is deemed to be your fault by the police or magistrate. If 

you do not have any insurance, you will have to pay the cost of 

repairing your own vehicle and the other person’s car as well. This 

can be very expensive, possibly thousands of dollars. Third Party 

Insurance does not cover the cost of repairing your own vehicle 

only the driver of the other vehicle. 

Comprehensive Insurance 

This is more expensive, but it covers the cost of damages to all 

vehicles in a crash. The insurance company will pay for most of the 

repairs though you may still have to pay excess (the first part of any 

claim). This varies with age. Contact any insurance company for 

further details. 

Car Parking 

There is no student parking facilities at the Alexander Centre. The 

nearest parking areas are the Bus Station and the public car park 

under Central Park. All public car parks in the central city area 

require you to pay by the hour. 

Car Hire 

Western Australia is a large state and you may wish to hire a 

car during the vacations to explore the countryside. At the car 

hire firm make sure that you read all the small print on the hire 

agreement form and that you full understand all the conditions of 

hire before signing the form. An example of a condition of hire is 

that only the person(s) whose name(s) appear on the agreement 

are authorised to drive the car. Also take special note of what 

excess (Insurance) you are being charged. Some of the cheaper 

hire companies charge up to $5000 excess. We advise that you ask 

if there is extra insurance you can buy to lower the excess. 

To rent a car, you need a valid driving licence and to be over 21 

years of age. 

Public Transport 

Perth has a coordinated transport system called TRANSPERTH, 

which provides train, bus and ferry services. Many different types 

of fares apply. 

1. Multi-rider – The ticket allows you 10 trips with a saving of 15% 

over cash fares. Multi-rider Plus gives you 40 trips with a saving of 

25% over cash fares. 

You can buy Multi-rider/Plus tickets from your local newsagent 

or Transperth InfoCentre. Infocentres are located in Plaza Arcade, 

Wellington Street Bus Station, the City Busport and Perth Train 

Station in the City. 

2. The minimum adult fare applies for up to two zones (approx. 2 

km). After two zones, various fares apply according to the distance 

traveled. The transfer time for travel over one to four zones is 1 

hour and 30 minutes, travel over five to eight zones is 2 hours. You 

may transfer as many times as you wish between bus, rail and ferry, 

provided the travel is within the nominated fare zones and time limit. 

3. 50c student fare 

Primary and secondary school will pay a maximum of 50c when 

travelling to or from school on a Transperth bus, train or ferry or on 

any regional bus service, regardless of how many zones they travel. 

Ticket is valid: 

• Available from Monday to Friday from the first gazetted school 

day of the year to the last gazetted school day of the year. 

• Available during the mid-year school term holiday and on any public 

holidays that fall from a Monday to Friday during the school year. 

• Not available on weekends and on any day during the summer 

school holiday period. 

Can be purchased as a: 

• 10 trip ticket costing $5.00 or a 40 trip ticket costing $20.00 from 

Newspower Newsagents or Transperth InfoCentres. 

• Not available as a cash ticket. 

4. Student SmartRider 

As part of the new SmartRider ticketing system being 

impletmented in 2006, the Transperth student travel permit 

currently carried by secondary students will be replaced by the 

new Student SmartRider card. The Student SmartRider card also 

acts as your student identification card because information such 

as your name, date of birth and student number is printed on the 

reverse of the card. Some schools have elected to use the Student 

SmartRider card for school purposes too. These cards may have other 

information included on the back such as a student photo and school 

name. Student SmartRider are issued at the library on campus. 

There are Central Area Transit (C.A.T.) buses which can be used free 

of charge around Perth City. 

For further information regarding timetables, concessions and 

to purchase tickets contact Transperth’s information offices at 

Plaza Arcade, the Busport and Wellington Street Bus Station. 

Alternatively, you can telephone them on 132213 or visit their 

website at www.transperth.wa,gov.au 

Taxis 

Travel by taxi can be expensive in Perth. Charges are fixed, meters are 

used at all times and the fare is NOT negotiable between passenger 

and driver. There is an extra charge after 6.00 p.m and on weekends 

and on public holidays. There is no extra charge for luggage. 

Telephone numbers for taxi service in Perth are: 

Swan Taxis Tel: 131330 of Black & White Taxi Tel: 131008 


General Information 


Restaurants 

Perth has a wide range of restaurants that cater delicious cuisine 

to suit every type of taste bud and budget. To find a particular 

type of restaurant in a suburb close to where you live look in 

the yellow pages telephone directory or on the internet. A great 

site for finding a suitable restaurant in Perth is: http://www. 

bestrestaurants.com.au/perth_restaurants.asp. If you would 

like particular information on halal food contact the Student 

Administration Officer. 

Shopping Facilities 

Departmental stores and most other shops are open during the 

following hours: 

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

Saturday 

9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. 

Sunday afternoon trading from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. is available 

in Perth, Fremantle and Rockingham city centres. Thursday is latenight 

shopping night in the suburban centres, where many shops 

stay open until 9.00 p.m. and Friday is the night for shopping late in 

Perth City. 

Food stores and convenience stores, or delicatessens, are often 

open after 6.00 p.m. and during the weekend (including Sunday). 

Departmental stores are located in the central city and suburban 

shopping complexes. Stores like David Jones and Myer specialise 

in clothes and household items such as cooking utensils, crockery, 

etc. while K-Mart, Target and Big W Discount Stores carry a cheaper 

range of household items. 

Self-service supermarkets are located in nearly all suburbs. Items 

such as fresh fruit, vegetables, fish and meat can also be purchased 

from small stalls and shops found in every suburban shopping 

centre and in the City. 

Local small supermarkets remain open until late but they may 

charge higher prices in return for their longer hours of service. 

Many carry processed and canned foods and a few stock Asian 

cooking ingredients as well. In addition there are shops that specialise 

in Asian and other ethnic foodstuffs; they are located in Northbridge, 

Canning Vale, Fremantle, Midland, Wanneroo and Subiaco. 

Please note that all departmental stores and supermarkets employ 

plain-clothes detectives and use closed-circuit television cameras 

to guard against shoplifting (stealing) and pilfering. Penalties are 

high and may result in a jail sentence. 

Prices are fixed in Australia. Bargaining is not practised, although a 

discount may be given for cash purchases at white goods stores such 

as Good Guys. If you attend garage sales or follow up advertised items 

from the ‘Classified’ section of the newspapers, you are invited to make 

your own offer, and you can negotiate a suitable price. 

Used Furniture and Household Equipment 

There are a number of shops run by charitable organisations where 

you can buy used furniture, second-hand clothes and household 

equipment very cheaply. Organisations such as Salvation Army, 

Good Samaritans, St Vincent de Paul, Red Cross and Anglicare can 

be contacted for details. 

Gambling 

In Australia gambling is common, especially on horses, lotteries 

and card games. It is illegal, however, for persons under 18-years of 

age to gamble, and it is illegal to gamble in unauthorised places. 

Every year there are a number of international students who lose a 

lot of money at the Burswood Casino and are sometimes tempted 

to extort money from other students to cover their losses. This is 

illegal and regarded by the police and immigration authorities as a 

very serious offence. You are liable for deportation if you break the law. 

Gambling can be as addictive as drugs and should be avoided. 

Keeping Appointments 

Punctuality or ‘being on time’ is regarded as very important in 

Australian culture. For a business or medical appointment, it is worth 

arriving a few minutes early. When you are invited to a function, ask 

what time you should arrive and ensure that you arrive at that time. 

Conversation 

Do not be worried if you are not fluent in English. Australians are 

used to international students and visitors, and enjoy talking to 

them. Most people will understand that you will speak slowly. If 

they speak too fast, ask them to speak a little more slowly. The 

more you speak English, the more fluent you will become. 

Social relations 

Australians are used to a very informal style of social interaction. If you 

are invited to attend a social function by an Australian you should feel 

free to refuse politely if you do not wish to accept. If you are in doubt 

about the correct way to behave or respond to a situation please 

feel free to approach the Student Services Manager, or one of your 

teachers. They will be very happy to give you some advice. 

Men and women have equal status in Australia and should be 

treated with the same amount of respect. 

Laundry and Dry cleaning 

You will be responsible for laundering your own clothes whilst 

staying in Perth. Most homestays and hostels have washing 

machines, and you will find self-service laundries, commonly 

known as laundromats, laundrettes or laundrobars in most 

suburbs. The instructions in these places are easy to follow and you 

must provide your own washing powder or purchase some at the 

laundromat. The use of clothes dryers costs extra. 

Some tips to assist you in looking after your clothes: 

• To avoid ruining clothes, first check the label to obtain the 

correct laundering instructions. 

• Always wash woolen garments in water that is just warm, never HOT. 

• Never place woolen garments in a dryer as most articles will shrink! 

• Test bright colours to check that the dye does not run and stain 

other clothes. 

Dry-cleaning services are also available throughout metropolitan 

shopping centres, with costs varying according to the article to be 

dry-cleaned. 

Servants 

Australians do not have servants. Most people, including the 

wealthy, clean their own homes and cars and paint their own 

houses. Household chores are usually shared amongst family 

members and children are expected to help as well - at least by 

keeping their own rooms tidy and clean.

Communication 

Postal Information 

Postal services in Australia are controlled by the Australian 

Postal Commission, and Post Offices can be identified by the 

Commission’s symbol – white P on a red circle. The services 

provided by post offices include lettergram and fax, letter and 

parcel posting as well as some banking, money transfer facilities 

and bill paying. Public telephones are available at post offices. A 

post office guide providing information on services and charges 

is obtainable free from post offices. There are special facilities for 

overseas telephone calls at the Perth GPO (General Post Office), 

Forrest Place, Perth. 

Post offices are open from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday. 

They are not usually opened on Saturday or Sunday although some 

shopping centres have Australia Post Shops which are opened 

until 12.00 p.m. on Saturday. In Australia, letters are delivered once 

a day, on weekdays only. 

Parcels from home which contain foodstuffs or medicine are 

liable to examination by Postal/Customs Authorities. You may 

have to collect parcels personally from your suburban Post Office. 

Medicines particularly are subject to analysis and you may require 

the approval of a local doctor to gain possession. 

Change of address 

If you change your address in Australia, it is advisable to fill out a 

‘change of address’ form, available at any Post Office, so that mail 

may be re-directed to you. There is a charge for this service and 

you can advise the Post Office the period you wish your mail to 

be re-directed, e.g. one month. The best way to get your mail is to 

inform your relatives/friends of your new address. 

Remember: It is a condition of your stay in Australia that you 

inform your Academic Institution and DIMIA whenever you move 

to a new address. Changes of address forms are available from the 

Student Enquiries Officer on floor 13. 

Telephone 

Telstra Australia is responsible for Australia’s telephone system. The local 

telephone directory provides useful information regarding individuals, 

organisations or businesses supplying various goods and services. 

The names, addresses and telephone numbers of doctors, dentists, 

hospitals and other useful organisations are also readily available 

in the telephone directory. It may be necessary to refer to the 

separate Yellow Pages directories if you are looking for a choice of 

businesses to contact, e.g. car hire firms. 

Private telephones are expensive items in Australia. There is an 

initial connection fee and a transfer fee payable by new tenants 

moving into a house or flat where there is a telephone already 

installed. You can also use the online telephone directories: 

www.yellowpages.com.au 

www.whitepages.com.au 

Getting your phone connected 

Call Telstra Centre on 132200 to arrange the connection. There will 

be a charge for the initial connection of the phone and the person 

who organises for the phone to be connected and whose name 

appears on the phone bill will be responsible for the account. 

Therefore, do not forget to have your phone disconnected if you 

move out of your present accommodation. 

There will be a connection fee, monthly rental deposit, call costs 

and a transfer fee (payable if you move into premises where a 

telephone is already connected). 

Note: If you are under 18 years of age you cannot connect a 

phone line. 

Present Costs of calls 

From private telephone (unlimited time) 25 cents 

From public telephone 

40 cents 

Long distance & international call costs Check Telstra’s website 

www.telstra.com.au 

Phone card 

Some public telephone boxes have been converted to accept 

phone cards, some credit cards as well as coins. Phone cards 

costing $5, $10, $20, $50 can be purchased from newsagencies 

and some other outlets near to the converted phone boxes. Many 

pre-paid phone cards still attract the cost of a local call when used 

from a private phone. 

Overseas Calls 

For information on cheapest times to phone overseas, dial 12552. 

For other information on overseas calls look at the Telephone 

Directory. Phone cards offering excellent international call rates can 

also be purchased at Newsagents. 

Mobile phone use 

Mobile phones are now an everyday part of modern 

communications globally. In Australia there are separate phone 

networks, each with different transmitting and receiving 

equipment. 

Note: If you are under 18 years of age you cannot sign up to a 

long term mobile phone contract. You will have to buy a ‘pre-paid’ 

mobile phone and rechargeable phone cards. 

Good mobile phone manners are becoming increasingly important. 

You must always turn off your phone when attending classes. 

Internet Access 

There are a number of places in the metropolitan area that offer the 

general public access to the Internet, the main ones being Internet 

cafes and libraries. Below is a brief guide to some of these places: 

Fairlanes Cafe in the City: 175 Adelaide Terrace, Perth. Phone: 9325 

4498. Services: One computer, $6.50 per half hour, $10 an hour. 

No printing facilities. Hours: Daily 9 am until the bowling alley 

closes, usually around 10.30 pm and 11 p.m. on Saturday. 

Smileys Internet Services and Cafe: Shop 18, Times Square, 337 

Stirling Highway, Claremont. Phone: 9335 5520. 

Alexander Library: Perth Cultural Centre, James St, Northbridge. 

Phone: 9427 3111. Services: Six computers, free half hour usage 

but booking essential. Web browsing (some sites are restricted), 

no e-mail, downloading or printing available. Hours: Monday- 

Thursday 9.00am-8.00 pm, Friday 9am-5.30pm, Saturday & Sunday 

10am-5.30pm. 

Local public libraries: Many public libraries in the metropolitan area 

and suburbs offer Internet use to local residents. Some allow only 

Web browsing, for up to an hour a day, free of charge. 

Keep an eye out for stand-alone public access terminals or web 

terminals that look like an ATM machine. Instead of giving you money, 

you pay it (sometimes by cash, card or a pre-purchased card) to get 

online. There is one such machine in the Carillon Arcade in Perth. 

Newspapers 

It is possible to obtain overseas newspapers and less common 

magazines by taking out a subscription. The national paper, The 

Australian and major interstate papers can be obtained from the 

larger newsagencies. The local daily paper is The West Australian. 

The weekend papers are The Sunday Times and The Weekend 

Australian. Many suburbs have excellent local free newspapers that 

contain useful information about the area you are living in. These 

often contain various advertisements for furniture and trade services. 


Accommodation 


This is a brief summary of common queries about finding 

somewhere to live. More assistance is available from the Student 

Services Offices in the Basement. 

Types of accommodation: 

• Homestay: Living with a family with breakfast and dinner 

provided. 

• Shared Accommodation: Flats, units, houses – either sharing 

with other students or the owner of the accommodation. Usually 

you will have your own bedroom with the use of the household 

facilities. Approximate cost is $80 - 180 per week depending on 

size, location and facilities. Other costs such as electricity, gas 

and water are usually shared. 

• Hostel: approximate cost is $170 per week depending on length 

of stay. 

• Rental: renting your own flat/house, either on your own or 

sharing with others. Approximate cost for an unfurnished one 

or two-bedroom unit close to the city centre is $100 - 200 per 

week. Ongoing costs can be high. 

What to look for: 

Cost 

Is the accommodation affordable? Initially it can be quite 

expensive. Remember you may have to pay a bond (usually the 

equivalent of 4 weeks rent) and a letting fee (1 week rent), plus 2 

weeks rent in advance. This makes a total of 7 weeks rent. If your 

rent is more than $125 per week, you can also be asked to pay 

stamp duty. There will be other expenses such as food, gas, water, 

electricity and telephone to also be taken into consideration. 

Location 

Is it close to the college? Cheaper accommodation may be found 

further from the city but transport costs and time spent travelling 

need to be considered. 

Condition 

Is it in good repair? Is it clean and secure? Are major repairs 

needed? Does everything work? 

Furniture/Facilities 

Is it furnished or unfurnished? Will you have to buy or lease 

furniture? What facilities are available – does it have a laundry? 

If you are sharing, what is communal property? Can you use the 

stereo etc? 

How to find accommodation 

1 The West Australian newspaper on Wednesday and Saturday has 

a large “To Let” classified section. 

2 Look in local papers such as the Post and Chronicle and the 

Quokka. 

Telephone the provider 

1 Introduce yourself and speak to the person advertising. 

2 Explain who you are and where you found the information i.e. 

the newspaper, the notice board at the Institute etc. 

3 Ask if the accommodation is still available and if you can make 

an appointment to see it. Be on time, if you can’t keep the 

appointment telephone to say that you will be late or are 

canceling. If you are not sure that you want the property do not 

be talked into leaving a deposit. 

Note: If you are using a property agent, he will give you the key for 

you to inspect the property on your own. Take your passport for 

identification and be prepared to leave a cash deposit of between 

$50 and $100 as surety for the key. 

Questions you should ask when viewing a property 

• What is the rent? 

• Does the rent include utilities (gas, electricity and water)? 

• Is there a bond? How much? 

• Must I pay rent in advance? How many weeks? 

• Are there any other charges? 

• If you need to sign a lease: how long is the lease? What happens 

to the bond money? 

• How much notice will I have to give if I want to leave? 

• In most cases you will be asked to leave one week’s rent as 

deposit if you are keen and interested in the house, check how 

long it will take for them to approve your application? 

The Lease 

If you are renting a house, flat or unit, you will be required to sign 

a lease. READ IT CAREFULLY. If there is anything that you do not 

understand, ask – either the agent or the Student Administration 

Officer. The lease is a binding, legal document and it is expensive 

to break a lease – so be sure you are happy with the conditions 

and the accommodation. 

Request a property condition report. Make sure it is signed and 

witnessed. This protects you against any loss of bond money at the 

end of your tenancy for damages and loses for which you are not 

responsible. 

When you move in you should be given an inventory list of 

everything in the property. Check it carefully - count the knives 

and forks provided – move the sofa to make sure the carpet is 

not damaged underneath etc. If there are discrepancies contact 

the agent/or owner immediately by phone and letter to get the 

inventory changed. You will have to replace or pay for anything 

that is missing at the end of your tenancy. 

Payment of bond - usually 4 weeks rent. You will get your bond 

back at the end of the tenancy if the property is in the same 

condition as when you moved in. Real estate agents can charge a 

letting fee: private landlords cannot. Never hand over cash for your 

bond or for your rent without getting a signed receipt – even if it is 

hand written! 

Property inspection 

Routine inspections of your property will be carried out every 3-4 

months by the Property Manager. You will be advised of these 

inspections at least 7 days before. You are not required to be 

present, but if you are concerned you should be present for the 

inspection. 

Note: Do not forget to keep all of your rent receipts. You cannot 

question the agent regarding your payments if you don’t have the 

receipts. 

You will need to contact Western Power (telephone 131353) to 

have the electricity account put in your name and if required, 

Alinta Gas (telephone 131358) to have the gas account put into 

your name. There is a charge for this. You will receive an electricity 

bill every 2 months and a gas account every 3 months. For 

telephone connection phone TELSTRA (132200). 

General Real Estate Agents 

See the links below to useful real estate agents in Western Australia 

with current listings of all rentals and shared accommodation: 

www.realestate.com.au 

www.reiwa.com.au 

www.shareflatmates.com 

http://au.easyroommate.com 

10

The Alexander Education Group 

M U R D O C H U N I V E R S I T Y C a m p u s 

University Foundation 

Programs: 

• Murdoch University 

Preparation Course 

(MUPC) 

• Diplomas in Commerce, 

Mass Communiations, 

IT, Science 

Academic English 

Programs: 

• English for Academic 

Purposes 

• General English 

• Preparation for 

Secondary Studies 

Secondary Schooling 

Programs: 

• Years 7 -12 

• Western Australian 

Universities’ Foundation 

program (WAUFP) 


11


Alexander Education Group 

Institutions 

Alexander Education Group 

Level 4, 40 St Georges Terrace, Perth Western Australia 6000 

Tel: (618) 9338 2000 | Fax: (618) 9324 1818 

Email: info@alexander.wa.edu.au 

Website: www.alexander.wa.edu.au 

The information in this publication is correct at the time of printing as at March 2006, but may be subject to change. 

Murdoch College reserves the right to change the content or method of assessment, to alter tuition fees, to withdraw 

any unit or program, to impose limitations on enrolment or to vary the arrangements for any unit program. 

Comprehensive Education Pty Ltd trading as Murdoch College 

CRICOS Provider Code 00429D ABN 90 009 281 501 

Affiliated with 

A040 10/06 

12

Living in Perth - Alexander Education Group

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