Living in Western Australia (an Overview)
Western Australia’s warm, friendly, uncomplicated way of life in a relatively unspoiled environment complements its sophisticated and profitable globally-oriented economy.
WA is adored for its brilliant blue skies, warm climate and white sandy beaches.
It is a land blessed with some of the world's most precious natural phenomena including the dolphins of Monkey Mia, the 350-million-year-old Bungle Bungle range and the towering karri forests of the South West.
The State offers its residents a unique and unparalleled way of life with a relaxed and friendly lifestyle, strong sense of community and the ability to experience fantastic recreational experiences.
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Culture and Quality of Life
Western Australia (WA) has a population of just over 2 million, one tenth of Australia's total population. WA's cultural mix is also one the most diverse in the world.
It is worth noting that 12 per cent of the State's population speak a language other than English at home, with the main languages spoken being Italian, dialects of Chinese, Vietnamese and German.
World standard cultural facilities and theatres are home to the State's nationally acclaimed symphony orchestra, ballet, modern dance, opera and theatre companies.
Each February, the Festival of Perth provides a major showcase of international and local performers.
Residents and visitors also have access to numerous public and private galleries and museums, with major touring exhibitions supplementing local collections. For those with more contemporary tastes, Perth is on many major rock tour itineraries, while numerous clubs and hotels foster a vibrant local musical scene.
Sporting facilities, such as magnificent golf courses, are plentiful and compared with most Asian countries, club membership costs are low. Western Australian teams are prominent at the national level in a wide range of sports.
Climate and Geography
Divided into nine regional areas, WA is the largest state in the world. It covers one-third of the Australian continent and spans over 2.5 million square kilometres (1 million square miles). The weather ranges across the state with a semi-arid interior, a Mediterranean south-west and a tropical north.
Perth offers a Mediterranean-style climate that averages more hours of sunlight each day and more rain-free days each year than Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, Hobart and Adelaide.
Bordered largely by desert to the east, WA is bound by 12,500 kilometres (7,813 miles) of the world's most pristine coastline to the west.
Population and Workforce
Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50% larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world - only two people per square kilometre.
WA has a population of nearly 2 million which represents one tenth of Australia's total population. Its population is among the most diverse in the world. 12% of Western Australia's population speak a language other than English at home, with the main languages spoken being Italian, dialects of Chinese, Vietnamese, German and Australian Indigenous languages.
The State's million strong workforce is highly skilled, productive and cost-efficient. Almost half of the workforce have post-secondary or tertiary qualifications, and many are multilingual.
Education
More than 450,000 students are catered for in Western Australia's education system, which is made up of five universities, a statewide technical and further education system and public and private schools.
Courses range from English language studies and secondary schooling to vocational training diplomas and full university degrees. In addition, Western Australia's educational institutions will develop and conduct customised training courses to suit individual employers and their workforces.
They also conduct courses in overseas locations and develop programs for delivery by overseas institutions. Links developed with more than 60,000 students since 1988 have helped to build strong business connections - particularly in the South East Asian region. Most services are well adapted to servicing the needs of overseas students and provide non-curriculum services such as help in finding accommodation and opportunities for leisure and social activities.
Please visit the Department of Industry and Resources's dedicated Perth Education City website for further information on education in Western Australia.
Health
Western Australians are some of the healthiest people in the world. They are living longer and healthier lives with a life expectancy of 74 years for men and 80 years for women. Nationally, Western Australia enjoys the lowest mortality rate of any Australian state. Western Australians enjoy a high standard of health and a combination of public and private health insurance.
Western Australia's sparse population, significant distances and diverse climate conditions present unique problems to the provision of health services. The demands of a sophisticated market have led to the development of considerable expertise in all aspects of health care in Western Australia and in some areas such as cardiac care and major burns trauma we lead the world.
Housing
Western Australia offers extensive residential accommodation options. It centres on detached houses on individual plots of land. In the inner city areas, they include medium to high rise apartments of all quality levels.
The median price of established homes sold in Western Australia in the December quarter 2007 was $465,000, while the average weekly rent was $320 (source: Real Estate Institute of Western Australia).
The inner city residential market is continuing to evolve. A high level of construction activity will offer potential buyers a wide range of apartments from which to choose in a variety of locations.
