Murdoch University

Western Australia covers one-third of the Australian continent. Spanning over 2.5 million square kilometres (1 million square miles), Western Australia extends into different climatic zones simultaneously. When it is warm and dry in the north of the State, it is cool and wet in the south.

The University is located approximately 20 minutes by car (15 kilometres) from Perth’s city centre and 10 minutes by car (eight kilometres) from the port city of Fremantle.

Western Australia is adored for its brilliant blue skies, warm sunny climate and white sandy beaches. It is a land blessed with some of the world's most precious natural phenomena including the dolphins of Monkey Mia, the 350-million-year-old Bungle Bungle range and the towering karri forests of the South West.

Perth, the capital city of the State, is home to 1.38 million people and enjoys more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in Australia. Sophisticated yet uncomplicated, the lifestyle in Western Australia is a relaxed one.

Perth city overlooks the Swan River, where many Perth residents enjoy fishing, windsurfing, sailing or simply relaxing with friends for a ‘barbie’ (barbeque) in the sun. You might like to take a cruise up the River to the wineries for a delicious lunch, or explore King’s Park, a preserved bushland area five minutes from downtown Perth. Bicycle riding is a great way to get around as the city has bicycle routes from the city, around the river, to Fremantle and the beach.

In downtown Perth city, a large shopping district offers a wide variety of cafes, restaurants, upscale boutiques, department stores, Australian and duty free shops for you to enjoy. Out of the downtown area, the suburbs also provide excellent shopping, especially in the open air markets on weekends. The port city of Fremantle (nicknamed ‘Freo’) is just 10 minutes by bus from Murdoch University and is a truly Australian experience for international visitors.

Despite being a relatively small city, Perth has a great deal to offer if you like to out at night. There are not many nights of the week when there isn’t something to do. You might want to take advantage of discount movie nights on Tuesdays, enjoy a meal at one of the lively cappuccino strips around Perth or Fremantle, or experience some contemporary Australian theatre or visiting international acts.

Perth locals love to eat out so outdoor cafes and restaurants are extremely popular. The city’s cultural diversity is reflected in the huge range of restaurants specializing in Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and contemporary ‘Australian’ cuisine with strong Asian and Mediterranean influences.

Perth has an excellent public transport system. Buses run regularly between Perth, Murdoch University and Fremantle. There are four train routes which run to different parts of Perth.

Should you wish to explore other Australian cities, Perth is less than four hours by plane from Sydney and Melbourne. As closest Australian city to South-East Asia, Perth is also a great starting point for exploring Australia’s Asian neighbours. It is only a 3 hour flight to Bali and 5 – 7 hours flying time to major Asian destinations including Bangkok, Jakarta, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

Accommodation

The University places a high priority on ensuring that International students have access to appropriate accommodation. Quality On Campus housing is available in Murdoch University’s Student Village. An Off Campus Housing Officer is also available to help students find accommodation on the basis of full board, house sharing or flat rental.

If you require on-campus accommodation or assistance in locating suitable off campus accommodation, you must omtact the university via the more information form on this page.

Cost of Living

As a general guide, students should budget approximately A$200 per week for their living expenses in Perth. This does not include tuition fees.

For a ten-month academic year, students will require approximately A$1000 per month or A$10,000 per academic year. These are generally maximum figures as many students live on A$650 per month (6,500 AUD per academic year).

The cost of living in Perth compares favourably with the estimated a 15,000 AUD to a 18,000 AUD annual cost of living in other Australian cities such as Melbourne or Sydney. The above estimates do not cover the cost of running a vehicle and will vary according to individual students’ lifestyles.