Working in Perth, Western Australia

Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia (or more affectionately just called WA) and the fourth most populous in Australia. Western Australia is the largest state in Australia, it covers almost a third of the country, with a total area of more than 2,500,000. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of 1,659,000, and extends from Yanchep in the north, to Rockingham in the south covering a distance of approximately 90kms.

The metropolitan area of Perth is located in the South West of Western Australia, between the Indian Ocean and a low coastal escarpment known as the Darling Range. The central business district and suburbs of Perth are situated on the banks of the Swan River. The CBD has recently been the center of a mining-induced boom, with several commercial and residential projects due for completion, including a 244 m office building for Australian/British mining company BHP Billiton.

Perth by virtue of its population and role as the administrative center for business and government, dominates the Western Australian economy, despite the major mining, petroleum and agricultural export industries located elsewhere in the state. Perth’s function as the State’s capital city, its economic base and population size have also created development opportunities for many other businesses oriented to local or more diversified markets. Industrial employment has influenced a large amount of the economic geography of Perth. Industrial estates in Perth such as Kwinana, Welshpool and Kewdale contribute to the growth of manufacturing south of the river. Since the 1950s, heavy industry has dominated the location including an oil refinery, steel-rolling mill with a blast furnace, alumina refinery, power station and a nickel refinery.

You will locate the city of Perth along the peaceful waters of the Swan River. There are so many places to see and many things to do in and around Perth. You can cruise the river visiting many of the local wineries in the region. There are more than 40 vineyards in the area many still run by the original families that started the wineries. Also a short ferry ride from Perth is Rottnest Island, a small island only 11kms in length so you can either just go for a day trip or relax and have a few days on the island. There are no cars allowed on the island so you really feel like you are a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of city life. A short drive from Perth either north or south are some of the most cleanest and beautiful beaches in Australia. With over hundreds of kms of the most pristine beaches in the world there is something to offer to everyone, whether you are wanting to go , surfing or fishing, or visit some of the most amazing diving sites, to fun family beaches with playground heaven there is a Perth beach available to suit all.

Perth has a number of locations which jump into life, especially at the weekends. Just outside the Perth city center is the Perth district of Northbridge where you will find a range of nightclubs, pubs, cafes and eateries, offering an eclectic mix of cultures and cuisines. Meanwhile, just south of Perth in Fremantle things are jumping at the local nightclubs and bars. Perth also has more restaurants per capita than any other city in Australia, making it the perfect place to wine, dine and relax on your important days off.

Perth also has four public universities and one private university. The University of Western Australia is renowned as on to Australia’s leading research institutions.. Curtain University, has a rapidly growing research reputation and is the only Western Australian university to produce PhD recipients of the AINSE gold medal, the highest possible recognition for PhD level science and engineering research excellence in Australia and New Zealand.

If you're a sports fanatic then Perth is the city for you! West Australians take part in various local and national sports competitions, ensuring that on any given weekend, Perth is always hosting a major sporting contest. The main summer game is cricket, although inroads are being made by soccer and basketball. In winter the religion Australian Rules Football, or "footy". With the river and ocean on its doorstep, sailing and fishing also figure largely in Perth's sporting life. Golf is also popular and Perth weather makes it a year-round obsession.

Perth receives moderate though highly seasonal rainfall, making it the fourth wettest capital city after Darwin, Sydney and Brisbane. Summers are generally hot and dry, lasting from December to late March, with February generally being the hottest month of the year, whilst winters are relatively cool and wet, making Perth a classic example of a Mediterranean climate.