University of Western Australia

35 Stirling Highway
Crawley Perth
Western Australia 6009
Web address: www.international.uwa.edu.au
ADS contact phone: +61 (8) 6488 2420
ADS contact fax: +61 (8) 6488 1129
Relevant campus: Perth.

Community and surrounds

Perth is the capital city of Western Australia, the largest State of Australia. The city has a population of 1.4 million, making it Australia’s fourth largest city. It is located on the southwest coast of the Australian continent with the Indian Ocean at its shores, situated along the banks of the Swan River and overlooked by Kings Park, a 400 hectare area of botanic gardens and bushland.

Perth is a sophisticated and modern city, with a clean and well-planned central business district. The city centre provides for excellent shopping, as well as a vast range of restaurants, night life and entertainment venues. As home to people from around the world, Perth offers all the benefits of a cosmopolitan city, such as speciality food stores, places of worship and social networks, which enable Perth’s diverse population to maintain their cultural lifestyles.

Climate

Summer (December to February) average temperatures range from 17 to 32 degrees Celsius. Winter (June to August) is rainy but not uncomfortably so, ranging from 8 to 19 degrees.

Cost of living and accommodation

Perth offers a high standard of living at a comparatively low cost. On average, students on campus at a Residential College will need about $280 a week for living expenses. This includes rent/board and meals (around $9,350 for a 34-week year). Those students who rent off campus need about $270 a week ($14,040 a year), which includes, electricity, water and travel costs.

Campus description

The University of Western Australia is characterised by romanesque architecture and landscaped gardens, set in a natural environment. Students have access to libraries, an extensive range of campus services, and excellent sports and recreational facilities to balance the demands of study. Activities include sports such as tennis, squash, basketball, volleyball and aerobics, general interest clubs and societies, cafes, theatres and museums. The campus is 65 hectares in size and has a student population of 16,358. It is only five kilometres from Perth’s city centre and 20 kilometres from the international airport.

The campus is equipped to provide for all student needs. It has banking facilities, bookshops, childcare facilities, a computer shop, guild shop (post office, clothing, gifts), hairdresser, student social club, travel agency, an art gallery, museums, theatres and a cinema. It also contains a recreation centre (basketball, volleyball, squash, tennis, gym), a sports store, a health and fitness centre, swimming pools, an eye care centre, a dental surgery, a medical centre, a pharmacy and a physiotherapist.

International student population

At the University of Western Australia in 2003, there were 2,785 onshore and offshore international students including students from South-East Asia, Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands, South Asia and the Indian Ocean region and Africa. Most of the remaining overseas students were from countries that do not receive ADS awards such as Norway, Canada and USA.

Family and community services

The Western Australian State Government provides a certain number of places in government schools for dependent school age children.

There are many shops, supermarkets, major department stores, discount department stores, pharmacies and chemists close to campus.

The university area and all suburbs of Perth are well served by private medical practitioners. Emergency hospital services are available 24 hours a day. Hospitals exist for the particular needs of women and children such as the King Edward Memorial Hospital and the Princess Margaret Hospital respectively.

As Perth is a State capital city, it has employment opportunities in a wide range of industries. In addition to the businesses within the city, Perth is also an administrative centre for the oil, gas and mining industries across the State.

Childcare facilities

The University Child Care Club (Unicare) is located on campus and a fee is charged for care provided. If childcare for dependants of ADS students is not available on campus, they may use external childcare providers. Under arrangement with the Australian Government, ADS students are eligible to apply for a childcare rebate to refund childcare costs to them.

Facilities for special needs

The university is committed to providing an environment of equal opportunity, free from unfair discrimination, for students with disabilities in the pursuit of their academic goals. The university aims to achieve equitable access for students and staff with disabilities to all academic, occupational, recreational and social activities.

The University of Western Australia employs a disability officer whose primary responsibility is to provide support to students and staff with disabilities.

Foods for different cultures

Perth offers a variety of international cuisine. Asian grocery shops are located in the city (Northbridge) and around Perth’s suburbs. There is an Asian supermarket close to campus. Many restaurants and markets offer a multicultural selection of food and produce. Numerous outlets exist for students who require special foods (such as halal meat) for religious purposes. There are several markets open on the weekends and public holidays, including in the suburbs of Subiaco, Fremantle, Gosnells, Wanneroo and Malaga.

Religious facilities

The University of Western Australia has a prayer room and wash facilities for Muslim students. The university has organisations such as the Muslim Students’ Association of the University of Western Australia. There are also a number of chapels that conduct regular Christian worship, as well as student prayer and bible study groups.

Public transport

From the airport: Perth’s international airport is located 13 kilometres east of the city. The university offers an airport arrival service.

Getting around: The campus is situated next to a main highway where public transport provides efficient access to Perth’s central business district, Fremantle, major shopping centres and beaches. Perth’s public transport system is run by Transperth and integrates buses, trains and ferries. Concession fares are available to students with a student card. Fares range from 80 cents (to cross one zone) to $1.60 (to cross three zones). Most students live within one zone radius of the university and city centre. Bus number 78 goes from the city to the university.

There is also a network of cycle paths surrounding the university and nearby suburbs giving students an economical and efficient transport alternative.