Western Australia

As the largest state in Australia, Western Australia is renowned for providing a sense of space and freedom. It is a land of diversity and adventure - from big ancient forests in the South to vast dry deserts in the east, huge ocean swells in the west to big gold nuggets in the North. There are few areas in the world that have such climate, landscape and biological diversity.

Western Australia is made up of nine regions: Kimberley, the South West, the Great Southern, Goldfields, the Mid West, Wheatbelt, Peel, Gascoyne and Pilbara.

Perth, the capital of Western Australia, is a lively and modern city with a stunning location on the Canning and Swan rivers. The beauty of this city is enhanced by some of the best beaches in the world.

Perth has many cosmopolitan districts, romantic scenic areas and suburbs that gracefully line the banks of the river. There is an active nightlife and a wide range of cuisine available, of which the seafood is most exceptional.

Breaking out from the beautiful beaches, the Perth area is rightly famed for the exciting fishing spots off the coast, and sailing is a perennial activity.

A three hour drive south of the city will bring you to the famous Margaret River region, known for its quality wines, gourmet delights and world-class surfing beaches.

Western Australia is a truly diverse environment of sun, adventure and friendly people.

State Business

Regional Western Australia offers numerous exciting business and investment opportunities, as well as an enviable lifestyle. The primary industries in the regions are highly competitive by international standards.

Well developed infrastructure exists throughout all nine regions and transport and communications systems provide fast, economical links. Major regional centres in Western Australia have a full range of services to support business and add to a high quality of life.

Advances in the telecommunications, transport and power sectors have improved services and moderated costs to enhance the investment potential of the regions.

The Western Australian State Government has created Regional Development Commissions (RDCs) in each of the nine regions to assist with delivery of government policy and to promote and encourage investment and economic and social development across the state.

State benefits and Incentives

The Business Migrant Incentive Programme (BMIP) is a Western Australian government initiative designed to assist qualifying business migrants who intend to operate a business activity in a regional area of the state.

To be eligible for funding, a prospective business migrant must qualify for a state Sponsored Business Talent or Provisional Business Skills visa and be able to demonstrate the financial capacity and a genuine commitment to engage in the proposed business or investment activity in a regional area of Western Australia.

State Sponsorship Programme

The Commonwealth Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) is the only agency that has authority to grant visas for entry into Australia.

However each state of Australia can participate in this process through the state/territory sponsored visa categories. These categories provide the ability to attract and sponsor migrants who have skills that are of value and importance to the state

Regional visas (business and other)

Western Australian state sponsorship is available on the following categories of provisional (temporary) and residence (permanent) business skills visas:

Please note that SIR sponsorship for Western Australia can only be given to applicants with certain occupations. A Global Visas consultant will be able to advise further details of these occupations.

Education

Western Australia offers a range of world-class educational institutions and courses.

The education system is made up of public (government) and private (independent) schools which offer a wide choice of specialities within primary and secondary schools in Western Australia.

The school education system is divided into three stages:

Pre-Compulsory (Kindergarten and Pre-Primary)
Compulsory (Years 1 - 10)
Post-Compulsory (Years 11 - 12)

Schooling is compulsory from the beginning of the school year in which a child reaches the age of six years (Year 1) until the end of the school year when a child is 15 (Year 10), however most students continue in education until they are 18.

Public (Government) schools

There are around 770 government schools in Western Australia, educating over 70% (250,000) of Western Australia's students. Government schools are controlled by the state and funding is provided by both the state and federal governments.

Western Australia government schools follow a standard curriculum, however the subjects offered do vary between schools. The eight learning areas include:

Mathematics,
Science,
The arts,
English,
Other languages,
health and physical education,
Technology and enterprise
Society and environment

All government schools in Western Australia are co-educational and each school decides on dress code.

The cost of attending a government school in Western Australia is less than AUS$300 p.a., however schools may also ask for a voluntary contribution to enhance the school's educational and sporting programmes.

Payment of voluntary contributions is at the discretion of parents.

Government schools are listed in the White Pages telephone directory under 'Schools: Government' and in the Yellow Pages under 'Schools: State'. .

Private (independent) schools

A significant proportion (approximately 30%) of Western Australian students attend one of Western Australia's 300 private or independent schools.

The majority of private schools cater for a specific religious or cultural environment, with the main affiliated religions being Catholic, Anglican, Baptist and Seventh-Day Adventist. There are also independent schools with no religious affiliation.

Tuition fees vary between schools and year levels. Fees can range from below AUS$1,000 at primary level in a lower fee school to about AUS$12,000 at the senior levels of a high-fee 'elite' school. Note that there are a variety of rates between these figures.

Some independent schools also offer a boarding option which can add another AUS$10,000 or more. These fees do not include the costs of textbooks, clothing and extra-curricula activities.

Generally, co-educational private schools charge substantially lower fees than single-gender private schools and most Catholic and Anglican schools also charge low fees.

Western Australia also has an elite schools group, consisting of 13 single-gender schools. These schools charge higher fees than other schools and set very high academic, sporting and cultural activity standards.

Parents considering sending their children to a private school should note that there is a very high demand for admission and as such waiting lists can be between 2 and 7 years long, with year 1 especially in high demand.

Kindergarten and Pre-Primary

Attendance at kindergarten and preprimary is not compulsory, however the Department of Education and Training is committed to providing a place for all eligible children at their local or nearest school, or at the school or community kindergarten of their parents' choice.

Kindergarten programmes are available to children who have turned four by June 30 in any given year. Kindergarten programmes run for the equivalent of four half days, however they may also be offered as two full days, or one full day and two half days.

While many Kindergarten programmes are offered on the school site, some programmes are run 'off-site' in close proximity to the school. Kindergarten programmes are also offered through Community Kindergartens.

A tuition fee of up to AUS$60 may be charged by gvernment schools. Preprimary programmes are available to children who have turned (or will turn) five by 30th June in any given year.

Primary School

All children in Western Australia must begin primary school in the year they turn six. This means children will begin Year 1 at the beginning of the year that they turn six.

At primary school (Years 1 - 7) students are generally taught by one teacher for most of the school day, however some schools also have specialist teachers for some subjects like music, art, drama and religious studies.

Children enroll in primary schools for years 1 to 7 and upon completing their 7th year they transfer to secondary school for Years 8 to 12. section.

Secondary School

Choice and diversity increases for students at the secondary school level. In lower secondary (years 8 - 10) the curriculum is based on the same eight key learning areas as at primary level as well as a range of elective subjects which students can choose from.

Secondary school students are taught by different teachers with specialised qualifications in their subject areas.

In Upper Secondary (years 11 and 12) students are encouraged to study subjects in which they excel or which relate to their career aspirations. Students are required to develop detailed theoretical knowledge and understanding of the subject matter.

Students who do not intend to go to university after completing secondary school, but do wish to complete their secondary education, can choose from a wide range of vocational subjects. Students who intend to go to university must stay on until year 12 and need to select four Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE) subjects which will be assessed and will contribute to a student's Tertiary Entrance Rank (TER).

University places are usually offered on the basis of a student's TER although for some courses there are other additional requirements. Students who complete Year 12 with satisfactory grades will also gain the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE).

Tertiary Education - Vocational and Educational Training Facilities

Tertiary education in Western Australia is provided by government funded institutions and a range of private institutions.

The vocational sector provides education and training courses that award qualifications for direct employment, and entry into universities in Australia and overseas.

The Technical and Further Education (TAFE) network within Western Australia consists of 10 colleges, four of which are in Perth with the remaining six located throughout regional Western Australia.

The colleges offer diploma and certificate level courses and secondary graduation (year 12) is required for entry into the majority of courses.

Universities

There are five universities in Western Australia, with the oldest being The University of Western Australia, established in 1911.

Curtin University of Technology, Murdoch University and Edith Cowan University are the three other public universities. There is also one private university, Notre Dame, which opened in Fremantle in 1991 and has strong links to its parent campus in the United States.

The five universities in Western Australia offer courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level and all maintain high standards of excellence and as such have earned international recognition and admiration.

The university academic year generally runs from early March to late November and is divided into two semesters.

Employment

Key industries

Western Australia is one of the world's leading producers of minerals, hence the mining industry is a major source of employment within the state.

The mining, oil and gas industries have long been the backbone of the state's economy and collectively these industries employ around 18% of the workforce and contribute approximately a quarter of Western Australia's GDP.

Other industries that are growing strongly and creating employment opportunities include the services, technology and specialist manufacturing sectors.

The services sector is the fastest growing industry sector in Western Australia and provides many of the business opportunities available to small business operators. The services sector accounts for a large proportion of the state's economic activity and is highly competitive in the areas of education, health and biotechnology, building and construction, information technology and engineering.

The manufacturing industry is dominated by the production of basic metal, chemical, petroleum and coal products, processed foods and beverages and mining equipment.

Tourism is a key employer throughout the state, providing jobs for between 73,000 and 80,000 people. It is also one of the fastest growing industries in Australia. Opportunities in tourism stretch from owning your own tourism business, to working in accommodation, food and wine, events, sport or government.

Looking for work

There are a number of resources available to jobseekers in Western Australia.

The state’s major daily newspaper The West Australian has a dedicated section advertising employment vacancies, with Wednesday and Saturday editions holding the most extensive employment section. Other newspaper sources include The Australian and the Australian Financial Review.
Recruitment agencies and consultancies are another key source for job leads and can be found in the Yellow Pages or the career section of local newspapers.
The internet is also a useful resource and there are many sites that list job vacancies in Western Australia.
Many large companies have their own websites, which may outline career opportunities or list job vacancies in their organisation.

Housing

Home ownership

There are a variety of options when it comes to choosing where to live in Perth. Migrants looking for an inner city lifestyle may be attracted to central Perth and its surrounding suburbs, while for those seeking a semi-rural lifestyle there are the Hills area on the outskirts of Perth and the wine growing region of the Swan Valley.

Wherever migrants choose to settle, there are many parks, playgrounds, picnic spots, and picturesque waterside areas throughout Perth's suburbs.

Perth's spacious suburbs allow many people to build a single or two storey, three or four bedroom free-standing home. Most free-standing homes are built on 500 to 1,000 square metres of land, while larger land holdings of between a quarter of a hectare to two and a half hectares are found on the outskirts of the Perth.

For those who choose to live in smaller homes such as apartments or a group of smaller villas or townhouses, there are usually parkland areas nearby to provide open leisure areas.

One of the major influences in terms of where migrants choose to live is affordability. According to the Real Estate Institute of Australia the average median property price in Perth as at June 2004 was approximately AUS$240,000, making it one of the most affordable cities for housing in Australia and by interstate comparisons the local Perth market appears to be very good value.

Other factors that will determine location include the influence of family, friends, work, schools and lifestyle.

Renting

Perth offers a large variety of rental options, from simple units to luxury mansions. Availability of rental properties is largely seasonal with the highest demand for rental properties being in the summer months of November through to March.

The average rent for a three bedroom home in Perth is around AUS$210.00 per week, however prospective tenants should expect to pay in the range of AUS$225 to AUS$250 per week for an average rental property in a middle range suburb.

To secure a property, tenants will need to pay a security bond (refundable deposit) plus a payment of several weeks rent which has to be paid in advance. In many instances two references will also be required.

Properties for rent are advertised in the 'To Let' section of The West Australian. Landlords and real estate agents place advertisements in the classifieds section, with the largest number of listings being placed in Wednesday and Saturday editions. O

n average around half of available properties are usually rented out within two weeks of being advertised, with the better ones often being taken within days of coming on the market.

Transport

Cars are the most popular means of transport in Perth and the per capita ownership of cars in Western Australia is one of the highest in the world.

Not surprisingly there is an excellent traffic network, which combined with low traffic densities and low car prices make owning a car a very attractive option.

Despite the popularity of cars, Perth also has an efficient, modern public transport network of bus, train and ferry services that reach from one end of the city to the other. Transperth manage all of the public facilities, meaning that all of the train, bus and ferry timetables and tickets compliment each other.

One of the easiest ways to travel around Melbourne is using the Metcard which allows you to change from tram to train to bus, all on the one ticket. Metcard tickets can be purchased from railway stations, trams and buses, and retail outlets such as newsagents and chemists.

Within the central city area is a free transit zone which allows commuters to travel on either buses or trains for free. The transit free zone is provided every day of the week and stretches from Kings Park to the Causeway, and Northbridge to the Swan River.

Taxis are also readily available at taxi stands in Perth and the outer suburbs. Alternatively people can telephone one of the taxi companies or book a taxi online. Cycling is also very popular and it is possible for cyclists to take bicycles on trains.

Population

Western Australia is a vast state with a population of approximately 1.95 million, of which 1.35 million are located in Perth.

Of the nine regions in Western Australia, the Southwest has the largest regional population with approximately 132,000 people living within the main centres of Bunbury, Busselton, Margaret River, Collie and Bridgetown.

Climate

Western Australia has one of the most diverse climates in Australia, from its tropical north, to its temperate areas in the south-west corner. The warm sun and temperate climate has helped Western Australia cement its reputation as a world-renowned food and wine region, and is also conducive to the state's outdoor lifestyle.

In the southern half of the state there are four seasons - summer, autumn, winter and spring, while in the north there are just two - the 'wet' and the 'dry'. The northern winter, or 'dry' season (April-September), has long days of sunshine and blue skies with temperatures ranging from 24 degrees Celsius overnight to around 34 degrees Celsius during the day.

Coastal temperatures vary little throughout the day, while the interior may top 40 degrees by day and dramatically drop towards zero in the cool of the night.

The northern summer, or 'wet' season (October-March), sees temperatures in the mid to high 30s and high humidity.

In the southern half of the state the weather is less dramatic. Southern coastal areas of the Southwest region average a maximum of around 32 degrees Celsius in summer and 14 degrees Celsius in the winter.

The city of Perth averages more hours of sunlight each day (eight hours per day) and more rain-free days each year than Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart and Adelaide.

Time Zone

Western Australia is + 8.0 hours GMT. Please note that daylight savings time is not observed in Western Australia.

Geography

Western Australia covers one third of the Australian continent and spans over 2.5 million square kilometers, making it the largest state in the world.

It is bordered predominantly by desert to the east and 12,500 kilometres of the world's most pristine coastline to the west. The big variety of landscapes and climates in Western Australia means there is always plenty of sunshine, making it a perfect year-round location.

Cost of living

Western Australia is one of the best locations in the world for quality of life, and it is also one of the most affordable by world standards.

A worldwide cost of living survey by the Mercer Group of Companies in 2004 ranks Perth as the least expensive city in Australia and identifies the cost of living as less than half of the world's most expensive cities.

Another survey conducted by the Mercer Group of Companies in March 2005 ranked Perth in the top 20 cities in the world for quality of life.

As in all countries retail prices can vary widely between retail outlets and across suburbs.