Moving to Perth

If you’re thinking about moving to Perth, Britannia Movers International can help. We have been assisting people with moves to Australia for many years and Perth is one of the most popular destinations we move to.

Perth was recently voted as one of the top ten cities in the world to live in, offering a unique combination of city life in a remote area. Migrants to Perth discover that they have everything within close distance, but the nearest big city is over 1,300 miles away. With stunning skylines and a reputation as one of the most isolated cities in the world, Perth is a unique destination. Many British people move there every year and quickly make it their home, and it’s easy to see why. If you’re considering the big move to Perth, let Britannia Movers International manage the removal and make your transition overseas as easy as possible

Removal Services to Perth

While Perth itself has a reputation for being remote, it is still a thriving, busy city. A move to Western Australia involves a lot of planning and Britannia will be on hand from the very beginning. Britannia Movers International specialises in moves to Perth and can take care of the whole process from start to finish. When you first decide to make the move, we’ll send a team to your home and complete a lengthy questionnaire with you. This will establish what items you want to move, whether you need to put anything into storage, if anything is staying behind, whether you need any help packing or require materials, and what your budget and timeframes are.

If you’d like, we’ll provide a packing team, who will carefully wrap all of your belongings in high quality packing materials and they’ll then load them onto the shipping containers for you. We can also just provide the packing materials if you’d rather do your own packing. Before your items are admitted to Perth, a detailed inventory will need to be handed over, so Britannia will create one as we go. We’ll also barcode everything, so that it can be monitored throughout the journey and easily sorted upon arrival.

Shipping to Perth

The majority of movers to Perth opt for cargo shipping with Britannia Movers International. It is by far the most affordable option for shipping your world possessions and if you have a shipping container to yourself the process only take eight weeks. If you are sharing a container (a great option to save money if you have fewer possessions) this is extended to 12 weeks.

There is a weekly service running to all major ports in Australia, including Perth, and shipping is the safest and most affordable way to get your items to your new home. Giving us as much notice as possible about your move to Perth will ensure your items arrive in Australia shortly after you do.

Air Freight to Perth

If you need your items to arrive in Perth quickly Britannia Movers International can arrange air freight for you. This alternative to shipping is more expensive but does mean your items will arrive in Perth much more quickly. However, please do bear in mind that your items may remain in customer for around two weeks. Britannia Movers International will ensure you have all the necessary paperwork completed to avoid unnecessary delays.

Additional Removals Services to Perth

At Britannia International Movers we understand that simply shipping or flying your belongings to Perth safely is not enough. Over the number of years we have been helping people like you move to Australia we have introduced more and more services to make sure you are fully looked after. Not limited to removals, we will help you with every single aspect of your move to Perth, including all paperwork and visas; you will never feel lost at any point with Britannia by your side every step of the way.

Need some storage options? Want to take your pet to Perth? Moving on a shoe-string? Get in touch with us today or check out a sample of our additional removal services below.

Arriving in Perth

The longest your items will take to arrive in Perth is around 12 weeks, so we will arrange have them sent across far in advance of your arrival. We encourage most of our clients to get in touch with us as soon as they know they are moving to Perth, this allows us to make sure your items reach you when its best for you.

With Britannia, you can rest assured that all relevant paperwork regarding visas and exports will be completed before you leave the UK for Perth. However, please do expect to complete some further imports paperwork when you arrive in Perth. This is completely normal and your patience and assistance will be appreciated by the officials who deal with Perth imports.

Most items clear customers in Perth in around two weeks. If you have selected our door-to-door service our removal team in Perth will get them to your new home and help you move them into your property.

If you are moving to Perth and need removal services, then give Britannia Movers International a call today on 0845 600 661. Speak to one of our international removal specialists and find out how easy it is to move to Perth. We’ll give you a full breakdown of the process and an idea of the costs of international removals as well.

Emigrating to Perth

Whilst Perth is not as popular as Sydney and Melbourne there are countless happy expats living in the city and its outskirts. Whilst the city is busy the laid-back lifestyle Australia is known for is alive in Perth and the locals are easy-going and sometimes head to the beach for a dip on their lunch breaks. The city has everything an expat could ever desire whilst being surrounded by incredible coastline, parkland and forest.

Australian Imports

Shipments of household goods and personal effects are allowed duty-free entry into Perth (and the entirety of Australia) if you have owned and used all items for at least 12 months prior to importation. Like all international moves, there will be lots of paperwork prior and post customs. However, Britannia Movers International will help you with the entire process.

You and each member of your family must hold a valid passport and visa to enter Perth.

Australian Customs Restrictions

Australia has very strict rules about what can and cannot be brought into the country, including Perth. The government import guidelines are out in place to protect the ecosystem as Australia has a high dependence on their crops and harvests. Furthermore, they are dedicated to protecting the citizens of the country. The following items are prohibited:

• Dangerous breeds of dogs
• Psychoactive substances
• Suicide devices

The following items are restricted. This means you will need written permissions to bring the goods into the country:

• Antibiotics
• Cat and dog fur products
• Drugs and narcotics
• Endangered animals and plants
• Firearms and ammunition
• Growth hormones
• Fish and toothfish
• Hazardous waste
• Knives and daggers
• Money boxes
• Pencils or paintbrushes
• Tobacco

Moving Pets to Perth

There is no need to leave your pet at home if you are moving to Perth. We know that live Down Under is not complete without the family pets and Britannia would never expect you to leave them behind.

Australia, in general, is a great place to live with pets. Dogs enjoy a particularly fruitful life as there are so many open spaces for them to play and social in. Luckily, we work with trusted partners who are dedicated to helping animals relocate around the world with their families.

Our partners in Perth will be able to help bring your pets to your new home, including all required vaccinations and documentation needed. Australia is very strict about the import of animals so utilising the skills of our trusted partner will save any issues.

Most pets will require the following:

• To be a minimum of 12 weeks of age
• Microchip
• Pet passport
• Rabies vaccination
• Tapeworm treatment (dogs only)

Taking Your Car to Perth

If you want to take your car with you to Perth the Britannia team can make this happen for you. However, you may want to do some research beforehand to assure that your car is compliant with Australia’s standards – we can help with this too! If your vehicle is granted approved for import you will be subject to duty charges.

Money Transfer

You will undoubtedly need to have money available when you arrive in Perth and you will likely need to make payments before you enter the country. Britannia International Movers can recommend reputable foreign currency exchange services to help protect you from exchange rate fluctuations and save you time and money on international payments.

Moving to Perth from the UK

Qantas now offer non-stop flights from the UK to Perth. Launched in March 2018, the airline offers a daily service from London to Perth that takes 17 hours, replacing the original Melbourne to Dubai to Perth route.

Other airlines offering flights to Perth tend to stop in Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. Waiting time at these airports can be anywhere between one and 25 hours, meaning flights times vary between 20 and 42 hours. More often than not, the quicker flights are more expensive.

Airlines carrying passengers to Perth from the UK include Qantas, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qatar, Cathay Pacific, Etihad, British Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Air New Zealand, South African Airways, China Southern, Garuda Indonesia and Air Mauritius.

Visas for Perth

Anyone who wants to live or work in Perth will need an Australian visa. Whilst the Australian government has stringent views on immigration, if you are eligible, applying for a visa is actually a very straight forward process.

The Australian Department of Immigration website has a clever visa finder tool that will help you whittle down all the visas until you find the correct one for you. However, this is also something Britannia International Movers can assist you with.

To live in Perth permanently, expats have the following options:

• Skilled work visa (sponsored or nominated)
• Skilled work visa (not sponsored or nominated)
• Distinguished talent visa
• Invest or business visa
• Parent, child or family member visa
• Partner or spouse visa

If you are at all confused about your visa options for Perth get in touch with us today on 0845 600 6661 or visit the Australian Department of Immigration website.

Living in Perth

Perth is Australia’s fourth largest city but the country’s fastest growing. It is the capital of Western Australia and its southern and western borders is laced with miles of beautiful coastlines, whereas the eastern border presents the famous Outback as far as the eye can see.

Inside this cocoon of nature is Perth city, a bustling metropolis that has all the modern amenities that international visitors and expats could imagine. Due to its expansion, there are a number of employment opportunities available for skilled foreigners.

Perth Weather

Summers in Perth are hot and dry with little to no rainfall. Temperatures can reach 30°C but, luckily, the afternoon heat is often broken by some cool sea breezes if you are at the coast.

Winters are mild but the majority of the year’s rain falls during these months (June to August) and it can be as thunderstorms.

Perth Average Temperatures and Rainfall

Jobs for Expats in Perth

Much of Australia’s wealth hailed from Perth back in the day due to the mining boom. However, with this industry having dried up, there are high unemployment rates in the city. Perth has responded by expanding other sectors, such as healthcare, tourism, and construction, which is where many expats find jobs.

Finding a Job in Perth

Expats in Perth have a number of different avenues to explore if they haven’t been relocated to the city by their current employer. These include online searches, getting in touch with a local recruitment agency, or perusing the local classifieds.

Also, make sure your LinkedIn account is up to date and use their job search functionality.

Education

The Australian education system is celebrated worldwide, and many people move to the country so their children can benefit from high levels of schooling. Due to the government’s focus upon education there is little discrepancy between public and private schools throughout Australia.

Expat children in Perth can attend any public school regardless of what visa their parents have. However, the status of their parent’s visa is likely to affect whether they need to pay fees or not. Regardless, these fees will be much less than private or independent schools.

Children are guaranteed a spot at their local Perth school and this includes expat children as long as their parents are on a permanent visa of qualifying temporary visa. However, schools can quickly fill up.

The majority of Perth’s private schools are Catholic. Although Catholic students are given most spaces, any leftover go to non-Catholic students.

Non-Catholic private schools are often referred to as independent schools. This also includes schools catering to other religions such as Islam, Christianity and Judaism.

There is handful of international schools in Perth. However, parents wanting their child to study the curriculum of their home country will be out of luck as the majority offer the International Baccalaureate. This qualification is recognised around the world, but parents must remember than international schools come with a high price tag.

Cost of Living in Perth

Whilst living costs are considered to be more expensive in Perth compared to cities in the UK, they are often less than London. Living in a vibrant coastal city surrounded by nature is assumed to come with a high price tag but many expats find that living comfortably in Perth.

Australian Currency

The Australian Dollar is the country’s official currency and is used in Melbourne and throughout Australia. It is often shown as AUS, $A or (most commonly) $. Each dollar is made up of 100 cents and notes come as 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 AUD. Denominations of coins include 1 and 2 AUD and 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

Opening a Bank Account in Perth

The best time to open a bank account in Perth is within six weeks of arrival. During this grace period many banks do not require you to provide proof of address, such as a utility bill, as they understand you may not have access to this type of documentation yet.

Customer benefits and interest rates between providers vary and some Australian banks have expat specific accounts. It is best to shop around when you are looking for a bank in Melbourne to make sure you are receiving a service that is best suited to your needs.

Some of Perth’s popular banks include Westpac, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, ANZ Bank, and National Australia Bank.

Cost of Everyday Items

Check out some of the items you are likely to purchase regularly whilst living in Perth below. Prices are shown in Australian Dollars and converted to UK pounds so you can see how prices match up.

Eating Out in Perth

Whilst Perth may not have the same calibre of restaurants as Sydney, it certainly doesn’t lack variety due to its multicultural makeup. There is outstanding diversity when it comes to eating out in the city and there is a mix of funky cafes, culture bistros and edgy modern eateries.

Many regard Northbridge (just north of the city centre) as the gastronomic and cultural hub of Perth. You can find flavours from all around the world in this areas, from the Mediterranean and the Middle East, to Africa and Europe.

Public Transport in Perth

Expats in Perth find public transport in the city reliable and relatively inexpensive. Many rely upon it for day to day living as driving in the city can be somewhat daunting to new arrivals. However, many rent mopeds to have their own wheels if they are living in the city. Some families do end up investing in a car if they live on the outskirts of the city as it makes getting around easier.

The transport infrastructure is simple in the city; buses, trains, ferries. Everything is run by Transperth and your ticket can be used on any mode of transport and, like London, there are fare zones depending upon where you are travelling to and from.

Tickets can be purchased and used on all modes of transport. However, there is a time limited depending on how many zones you are crossing.

Most people who live in Perth purchase a SmartRider card. Like the Oyster card in London, you top up the card with credit and the fare is deducted when you tap in and out of services. SmartRider cards offer much cheaper fares compared to cash fares.

Renting in Perth

When you are looking for a home in Perth the best option is to go through an estate agent and be prepared with references from previous accommodation you have lived in.

When you go to view a property it is unlikely that you will be the only viewers present as homes in the city get a lot of attention and go quickly – some even put down deposits there and then.

In Perth you can expect to pay your rent monthly and liaise with utility suppliers to ensure they know you are the new tenant and charge you your bills accordingly.

Buying a House in Perth

If you wish you buy a house in Perth, expats are only eligible if they have been granted permanent residency.

Like many cities around the world, property prices are highest within the city centre and get cheaper the further you head to the outskirts and suburbs. Expats will need to pay a 4% stamp duty to the government when buying a home.

Public Holidays Perth

There are 10 national public holidays per year in Perth:

• New Year’s Day – 1^stJanuary
• Australia Day – 26^thJanuary
• Labour Day – changes annually (usually 11^th/12^th March)
• Good Friday – changes annually (usually March/April)
• East Monday – changes annually (usually March/April)
• ANZAC Day – 25^thApril
• Foundation Day – changes annually (usually 5^th/6^th June)
• Queen’s Birthday – 25^th September
• Christmas Day – 25^thDecember
• Boxing Day – Friday 26^thDecember