• Universities in Perth are some of the most prestigious universities in the world with University of Western Australia standing at 98th of global ranking
• Students are allowed to work part-time of about 4 to 5 hours a day to supplement their allowance and gain work skills
• In general, Perth is diverse in people, food and activities - you should be able to find what you would like to do in this dynamic city
• Students aged at least 16 years with an accredited course provided by Australian school may apply for your student visa via the Australian immigration website

The first thing comes to mind when thinking about studies is the quality of education that you are going to get. This is obviously important as international students have to spend a lot on housing, food, clothing and other domestic needs. Without a quality education and lifestyle in a reputable university, all of this seems futile. However, you need not worry about this when it comes to Australia as QS Higher Education System ranked Australia at 4th position after USA, UK, and Germany. Australia is also known for welcoming international students with open arms. Australia has the highest number of institutions appeared in the 'QS Top 50 under 50'. The diverse courses offered at these universities are another feather in their cap along with vast number of extracurricular activities. Three of the universities of Perth are included in QS World University Ranking 2016, highest of which is University of Western Australia standing at 98th position.

Playing a host to numerous students from different parts of the world and diverse cultures ensures that there is a chance to network and interact. This offers a great atmosphere of diversity and harmonious living. Perth has a laidback environment which offers all the cultural, culinary and entertaining attractions. The major plus point is its serene and surreal beaches which makes anyone fall in love with its beauty. It ranks of 7th out of 300 least polluted cities, a testimony to its safe and clean atmosphere.

‘’Before applying for a job, a tax file number (TFN) is required which can be easily obtained from the Australian Taxation Office’’

Part-time jobs are a lifeline to international students living in a foreign country. It is important not merely to cover living costs but also in the development of your skills. However, it is essential to check the terms and conditions on your visa. According to the rules of student visa, he or she is allowed to work maximum up to 40 hours per 15 days during a semester that is, 4-5 hours per day and work full time during holidays. Opening an account in any of the banks in Perth is also beneficial as the employer can pay a student easily. Before applying for a job, a tax file number (TFN) is required which can be easily obtained from the Australian Taxation Office. Some of the popular job search websites are Seek, Adzuna, and CareerOne. In order to be informed about your rights as an employee, visit Fair Work Ombudsman. Retail, hospitality and service are some of the sectors suitable for a part-time job.

The multicultural identity of Perth is duly established as the diversity here is truly enchanting. There is not a country in a world from where you will not find its people here. The diversity ensures that there is no lack of familiar people in a foreign land. This is consoling for the students who find it difficult to immerse themselves in local culture. The culture can be intimidating to many people despite its diversity. In such circumstances, it is important to learn about the place beforehand. Culture shock can lead to social isolation which could impact your student learning environment. Overall, the culture of Australia is said to be friendly and welcoming.

Food often becomes an issue for an international student especially if the culture is completely different to his or her own culture. In Perth, you do not need to worry about food as it is known for its high quality produce in the whole of Australia. Whether it is Margaret River region or its local organic market, Perth is a hub of good food. Also, the wealth of fresh seafood is legendary. The weekend markets and supermarkets which has item of every cuisine are lifeline to international students. Even if you are broke, Perth offers a wide range of cheap options which are enticing to your taste bud as well as pocket. Food trucks are the best option if you want tasty and pocket-friendly meal. Some of the best and cheapest restaurants are Quinlan's Training, Pavilion, Bentley Pines, etc.

The most dreaded word for international students is visa. Most of the students spend sleepless nights over it. In order to get over such fears, it is necessary to have proper knowledge about the whole procedure and guidelines of getting a student visa. Ensure that you have all your documents ready including medical records and IELTS result. Australian student visa is quite accommodating as it let students study and work for the duration of the course and holidays. You can package multiple courses with the same visa. Unless sponsored/ part of secondary exchange, visa fee starts from AUD 550 and can be paid directly on Australian immigration website. In order to get your visa approved, student visa needs to be combined with an accredited course provided by some Australia’s schools. Confirmation of enrolment (COE) identifies the beginning and ending of the date of the course, this will be sent to you electronically. A student must be above 16 years of age to apply for student visa. You should send your application for a visa at least 12 weeks before your start date. Your application will be allocated a unique Transaction Reference Number (TRN) by the Australian Government, which you may find out about the application status online.