Destination: Western Australia
General Things to Do Weather Time Health Education
Welcome
Jo Vicario - Perth Branch
Our Perth team extend a warm greeting to you and welcome you to our great nation and in particular, Western Australia.
If you intend to relocate to Australia and have not yet arranged for a home visit and customised moving quotation, please complete our online Contact Request Form. Once we receive your completed form, one of Wridgways experienced moving consultants will contact you, and arrange for a representative to visit you in your home, anywhere in the world. You will then receive a firm, customised moving quotation.
Wridgways is uniquely placed to assist you. We have been moving people's treasured household effects since 1892 and are well acquainted with all the challenges of moving house. What's more, we have built a reliable, global network of partners in other countries, tested by time. This means you can be sure you'll receive the same high levels of service throughout all stages of your move.
Wridgways offer comprehensive moving and relocation solutions. Not only can we provide moving, storage, insurance and packing services, we can also help you find a new home, temporary accommodation, deliver cultural transition programs, find suitable schools for your children and introduce you to your new city with our orientation service.. just to name a few. Contact our Perth office or our Relocation division to find out more about our extensive services.
General
Arguably the largest state in the world, Western Australia covers one-third of the Australian continent. 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 is focussed on the central business district and surrounding inner city residential areas. Nestled in a picturesque natural amphitheatre, bordered by Kings Park botanical gardens and the beautiful Swan River. Visitors find the city to be clean, well laid out and easy to get around. There is good shopping available, plenty of riverside and beachside restaurants and cafes, a 24 hour world class casino, international quality golf courses, over 80 kilometres (50 miles) of white sandy beaches and a huge range of outdoor activities and experiences to enjoy.
Perth is an ideal base from which you can explore the diverse surrounding attractions. Only minutes away, you can visit wineries with sumptuous lunches, swim with wild dolphins in their natural environment, holiday on an island, and explore the colourful port city of Fremantle.
Things to do... Places to visit
Want to explore Perth but don't know where to begin? Then start by visiting the i-City Information Kiosk conveniently located in the Murray Street Mall near Forrest Place. The Kiosk is staffed by friendly volunteers, who know the City like the back of their hand. Whether it's shops, restaurants, parks, gardens, events or attractions - if an i-City Host doesn't know where it is, it probably doesn't exist.
The City of Perth is at the centre of the metropolitan public transport system. It is well serviced by bus, train and ferry services to help you get around. Transperth is Perth's metropolitan public transport system, which provides services as part of an integrated system.
Buses, trains and ferries display similar Transperth colours, and passengers may transfer from any service to another with one ticket. Travel on any Transperth service is free at all times within the Free Transit Zone in the Perth central business district. The Central Area Transit (CAT) system is a free city bus service which services the central City area including Northbridge and West Perth. CATs advanced buses are lower to the kerb for easy access including wheelchairs and prams, and each CAT stop gives departure information on an electronic readout and audio announcer.
Araluen Botanic Park was established in 1929 and is nestled in the deep jarrah forested valley in the Darling Range. It is a tranquil botanic garden, boasting plenty of grassy areas on which to enjoy a picnic, lively streams and several delightful bush walks ready for those sturdy walking shoes. Heavenly gardens of both exotic and native species have been created in this unique hills setting of loam soils and high rainfall. Magnificent stone terraced gardens and mature trees form the basis of the park.
The annual tulip display is held from August to October annually. Other events include special childrens' activity days during school holidays. The park is also a favourite venue for weddings, photography and family barbeques.
The Maze is the only attraction of its type in the Southern Hemisphere and contains six mazes; one massive 2500 metre squared timber maze and three hedge mini-mazes, one stone maze and one paved maze. You will not believe how much fun you will have trying to find your way out. You can also play mini-golf, enjoy lunch in one of the Maze's restaurants or enjoy a picnic lunch, or see some of Australia's most interesting animals such as koalas, kangaroos, emus and more, roaming freely in the nature enclosure. You can get right up close and watch them feed or you can feed them yourself.
Creative Native is the only place in Perth where you can marvel at the work of Australia's first artists, the Aborigines, with the live sound of a Didgeridoo in the background. It is well worth a visit for that unique gift, souvenir, memento or simply for a glimpse back into the Dreamtime. The staff are very helpful and are expert in the field of Aborginal art and culture. They offer a spectacular range from authentic didgeridoos, artefacts and aboriginal crafts or gifts to contemporary accessories including silk scarves, jewellery, clothing and bags to excite the most fastidious shopper.
The Bells is Perth's New Tourist Landmark. This towering glass spire, located where Perth meets the Swan River, has now become a touchstone for Australian and international tourists. It is one of the largest musical instruments on earth, housing the twelve bells of Saint Martin in the Fields church, the parish church of Buckingham Palace. The Bell Tower offers tourists fascinating displays on the history of the bells and bell ringing, as well as stunning views of Perth city skyline and the Swan River.
Visit these Internet Sites for further information:
» City of Perth
» Discover Perth
» All About Western Australia
» Gateway to Perth
» Your Guide to Perth & Fremantle
Weather & Climate
Perth enjoys more hours of sunshine than any other capital city in Australia. Its warm sunny climate, clear blue skies and beautiful beaches are making it an increasingly popular destination with tourists.
The winter months average maximum temperate is around 18oC and is extremely mild. The summer months offer some extremely hot days, often the daily maximum temperature can range between 30oC and 40oC. It is highly recommended that you wear a hat, cool clothing and apply sunscreen during the hotter periods.
Perth's summer extends from December to February and is generally hot. Autumn is pleasant and extends from March to May, winter is mild, sometimes cool and extends from June to August and spring is often warm and extends from September to November.
Time
Western Australia is on Australian Western Standard Time (GMT + 8 hours). Summertime or 'Daylight Savings' is not observed in Western Australia.
Health
Australia offers a high standard of medical care and facilities. All cities offer privately funded doctors surgeries, hospitals and clinics as well as Government funded facilities. Most Australians are covered by private health insurance to avoid the long waiting periods associated with certain treatments, but many also enjoy the government funded public health system referred to as Medicare.
Medicare is Australia's universal health insurance scheme and provides access to free treatment in a public hospital and free or subsidised treatment by practitioners such as doctors, including specialists. Australia's public hospital system is funded jointly by the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments and is administered by State or Territory health departments. Contribution to the health care system is made through taxes and a Medicare levy which is based on taxable income.
Are you eligible for Medicare?
People who reside in Australia are eligible if they meet any of the following four criteria:
- they hold Australian citizenship
- they have been issued with a permanent visa
- they hold New Zealand citizenship, or
- they have applied for a permanent visa, restrictions apply to persons who have applied for a parent visa (other requirements apply).
However, for new arrivals to Australia it is interesting to know that The Commonwealth Government has signed Reciprocal Health Care Agreements with some countries. Under these arrangements, residents of these countries are entitled to restricted access to health cover while visiting Australia. For further information,
» visit the Medicare website
Ambulance services are offered Australia-wide and provide emergency services, clinical care, paramedic training and non-emergency transport. It is among the best in the world in providing state-of-the-art emergency care.
The state government provides free services to some pensioners and Senior Card holders, however, this service is generally not free of charge in Australia. It is suggested you contact your state ambulance authority and discuss the option of membership subscription with them as soon as possible. You can find out more at
» Ambulance Western Australia
Dental services are extensive in Australia and dentists operate within private practices in most communities throughout the country. Dental services are not free, but can be partly or completely covered within a private health fund membership or dental protection plan.
To obtain details of your closest dentist, visit:
» www.dentist.com.au or
» Dental Services Australia.
Further information about Health in Australia, is available on the Internet at the following related links:
» Public Health System in Australia
» Medicare public health system
» Private Health Insurance Administration Council of Australia
Perth Emergency Contact Numbers:
Ambulance, Fire , Police 000
Alcohol & Drug Info. (+61 8) 9442 5000
Dr Locum Service (+61 8) 9328 7111
Dental Emergency (+61 8 )9325 3452
Interpreter Service (+61 8) 13 14 50
Medic Alert (+61 8) 9334 1234
Poisons Information (+61 8) 131126
Samaritans (+61 8) 9381 5555
Sea Rescue Info (+61 8) 9442 8600
Crisis Care (help line) (+61 8 )9325 1111
RSPCA (+61 8) 9351 8377
Education
Perth offers an outstanding array of schools, colleges and universities with highly qualified teaching staff. There are tertiary, technical and vocational courses and a concentration of business and English language colleges and schools for hospitality and tourism. The city is a focus for student life, as the entertainment, cultural and social hub of the metropolitan region.
International Education
A popular choice for international students, Perth is rapidly positioning itself as a strategically located city offering high quality international student education. Its cosmopolitan population, cultural harmony, ideal climate, geographical location and pleasant lifestyle attract thousands of students every year.
Many English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) are concentrated in the city. They provide international students access to a wide range of English language support programs, academic preparation and business English courses. For international student queries contact
» Perth Education City
Education System
The school system in Australia is divided into two sectors; government-run or "free-of-charge" public, education system and the independent or "private" education system.
Western Australian state schools are coeducational. Children may begin their education with kindergarten and/or preschool, in preparation for primary school.
Early childhood education in Western Australian government schools covers the learning years between kindergarten and Year 3. Two non-compulsory years of schooling are available in WA before the start of Year 1. The first year of this non-compulsory period is known as kindergarten and the second year as pre-primary. Children commence their compulsory schooling in Year 1.
From 2001, all children who turned four by 30 June were able to start kindergarten from the beginning of that school year. Children who turned four in the second half of the calendar year then started kindergarten at the beginning of the following school year. The new starting age brings entry to schooling in Western Australia closer into line with entry ages in other states. Before 2001 children could start full day schooling and finish school at a younger age than anywhere else in Australia. The new starting age means that children will be more mature when they enter the later stages of their education.
By law, children must attend school between the ages of 6 and 15. Primary school is the first compulsory stage and covers Years 1 to 7. Children usually commence Primary school when they are five or six years old and continue this level of education for seven years.
After completing Primary school, most children attend secondary or commonly referred to as High school. High school offers years from Years 8 through to 10, children often commence their High school education aged between 12 and 13 years. On completing Year 10, students have the option of continuing to Years 11 and 12 or leaving school.
The school year usually runs from late January to mid-December. It is divided into two semesters, with two terms in each and vacation breaks for Easter, winter, spring and summer.
» Western Australia Education Department
Secondary Schools
Choosing a secondary school for your child can be a daunting task, particularly if you are moving from an overseas country. For parents who are new to Australia, it may be difficult to know what questions to ask to make an informed decision.
If you require assistance with school searches, please contact our Perth office or our Relocation Division. We also suggest you visit the numerous education websites available for further details, please see links provided below. We hope it will help you as parents, make the important decision your child's secondary education.
We suggest that before you begin your school search, you clearly establish what your educational priorities and educational requirements, for your child are. Consider the individual personality, strengths, weaknesses, skills, likes, dislikes and needs of your child. This will enable you to create a clear picture of the kind of school that will reflect your educational values and will best suit your son or daughter.
The Western Australia secondary school year is broken into two semesters and four terms. Semester 1 commences in January and concludes in June and Semester 2 commences in July and concludes in December.
If you are planning to transfer to Western Australia from interstate or overseas you, or your school, will be required to provide the school principal with all school reports and certificates, as evidence of your child's previous schooling and level achieved.
What does education cost?
Western Australian State schools do not generally charge annual tuition fees. The parents and citizens' associations of most schools, however, do request that parents/caregivers donate a financial contribution. The amount varies from school to school.
In most schools, parents are responsible for providing such items as stationery and uniforms. Parents also bear the costs of sending their children on school excursions and to camps and for participating in extracurricular activities.
Private school fees vary from approximately AUD$1,000-$6,000 per year for Catholic and smaller private schools and up to AUD$5,000-12,000 for the larger private schools.
Further information about the full range of Education Western Australia services is available on the Internet at:
» Western Australia Education Department
» Catholic Education Office of WA
» Association of Independent Schools WA
» Murdoch University, WA
