From Eh to Oz
The University of Western Australia has three campuses. The suburb of Crawley, just 10 minutes from the Perth central business district, is home to the main campus. Other campuses include UWA Claremont and UWA Albany.
UWA’s picturesque Crawley campus is located on the Swan River just 10 minutes from Perth. The campus offers you a range of cafés, bookshops, banks, a vibrant cultural precinct, myriad clubs and societies, a supportive Student Guild, and on- and off-campus accommodation options. For international students, Perth is the perfect location with its warm, sunny climate and relaxed, outdoor lifestyle!
On the UWA Boarding Pass, you’ll find everything you need to know about getting ready to go to The University of Western Australia, including how to accept your offer and accommodation tips.
To start off, take a virtual tour!
Accepting Your Offer
Congratulations on receiving your offer!
Here are some important tips to ensure your acceptance process is as easy and smooth as possible.
Important Information
Congratulations once again on receiving your offer!
Please take time to read your offer email and letter of offer carefully and make sure all the information is correct.
Acceptance deadline/offer lapse date: Make sure to complete your acceptance process prior to this date. If a lapse date is not indicated on your letter of offer, we have provided a lapse date for you in your offer email.
This date will give you enough time to submit your acceptance documents, receive your Confirmation of Enrolment, apply for and obtain your student visa, kiss your family and friends goodbye at the airport, and hop on a plane bound for Australia!
Check your name: (As on your passport), birth date, and student (applicant) ID number, campus location
Commencement and completion dates: Plan to arrive in Australia at least two weeks prior to your class start date.
Acceptance deposit amount: Your offer letter gives you the deposit amount required to hold your place.
Tuition fees: Your offer letter will list the total tuition fees.
University’s tuition fee policy: Please note that UWA reviews all fees annually and these fees are subject to change without notice. It is important to factor this into your financial plan.
Understand UWA’s refund policy.
Australian Release Policy: It is important to be aware of the Australian Release Policy. If you are considering transferring to another Australian institution, you must be aware that if you apply for a visa, you will be unable to change institutions. You should not apply for a visa unless you are certain you want to attend that university. Please read the Australian Government’s Release Policy for more information. Let us know if you have any questions!
Specific admissions requirements/conditions (if applicable), including vaccination info and certificate requirements.
Declining Your Offer?
In case you choose to decline your offer, please let us know as soon as possible. Let us know by emailing your OzTREKK admissions officer outlining your decision and reason for declining your offer. We will then advise the university on your behalf. This is important because it can potentially open a spot for another student!
How to Accept
Step 1 – Read Your Entire Offer Letter
Ensure that you have read and understood the Acceptance Contract and Refund Policy.
Step 2 – Respond to Offer
- Log in to the UWA Accept Portal.
- Digitally accept the Acceptance Contract and Refund Policy. A PDF version of the contract will be sent to you for your records.
Step 3 – Pay Acceptance Deposit
Pay the acceptance deposit amount indicated on your offer letter.
Follow the payment instructions in the portal. Payments can be made through Visa, MasterCard, or Convera. Save a copy of your payment receipt. See Paying Via Convera for information about the process.
Step 4 – Confirm Acceptance with OzTREKK
Once you have accepted your offer and completed your payment, please email us to let us know, so we can keep an eye out for your CoE.
Step 5 – Receive Your CoE
When your acceptance and payment are processed, the university will create your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). OzTREKK will email your CoE and instructions on how to apply for your Australian student visa.
Payment Methods
Payments must be made through UWA’s Convera account or through credit card (Visa and MasterCard).
For instructions on how to use Convera, see Paying Via Convera.
#OzTREKKTip: Do not pay by bank draft or cheque.
If you plan to pay your acceptance deposit via credit card, contact the credit card company and advise them that a large payment will soon be processed in Australia, in Australian dollars, as it may be deemed a possible fraud attempt.
Accommodation
About Accommodation
Before you get into the nitty gritty about your university-specific accommodation options, it’s important to review the basics of securing long-term accommodation in Australia, which is often the number one predeparture priority of OzTREKK students. If you aren’t living on campus or pre-arranging accommodation before you leave Canada, we highly recommend that you understand how renting a property in Oz works, so you’ll be prepared to hunt for a place to live when you arrive. There are many benefits in arranging housing after you arrive. You can
- physically inspect the property before accepting the terms and conditions of the lease;
- decide whether you will be comfortable in your new neighbourhood;
- assess the noise levels, both by day and night. Remember, you need to be able to sleep and study in your new home;
- check whether it is well-lit at night.
This process still requires preparation. Consider the following when thinking about accommodation:
- Ensure you have temporary accommodation arranged.
- Be prepared financially for the time you may need to spend in temporary accommodation.
- Make housing your first priority.
- Avoid rushing your house hunting. Feeling rushed can hinder your ability to make wise choices.
- Be informed. Before you arrive, read as much as you can about the various housing options and how to arrange them. Then you can get straight into house hunting after you arrive, rather than trying to figure out where to go and what to do.
Things to consider when comparing options
- Location – Take a look at Google Maps when comparing accommodation options!
- Amenities – Kitchen, meal plan, gym, A/C, etc.
- Cost/price range – This will be dependent on the location and amenities, typically the closer to campus and the most amenities offered the higher the price.
Short-term Accommodation
UWA offers several accommodation options close to campus for UWA staff, students and visitors. Short stays are available from as little as one night to a maximum of three months throughout the year.
Crawley Village
The university owns 10 short-term accommodation properties. All units are air-conditioned and furnished, including bed linen, towels and cooking utensils.
St Catherine’s on Park
St Catherine’s on Park offers 21 modern studios and apartments for visitors to UWA and Perth. Boasts outstanding collegiate facilities with complimentary Wi-Fi and breakfast throughout your stay. All rooms are fully self-contained and serviced daily.
St George’s College
Conveniently located within walking distance from QEII Medical Centre and Hollywood Hospital, with easy transport to Mount Hospital and the city, the college sits enviably between Kings Park and the Swan River.
Trinity on Hampden
Trinity on Hampden provides quality, affordable accommodation in Crawley. Air-conditioned, ensuite rooms and complimentary breakfast, Wi-Fi and parking.
Hostels
YHA is the largest provider of budget travel accommodation in Australia, with a network of more than 70 hostels in every state and territory around the country. Check out YHA – Perth Surrounds for more info.
If you are interested in exploring other options for temporary accommodation, you can visit the following websites for hotel and backpacker information:
On Campus
Offered at most universities in Australia, on-campus accommodations can be individual bedrooms or shared bedrooms with shared facilities. Australians often call these on-campus residences “colleges.”
Pay attention to application deadlines for on-campus residences as these tend to fill up fast in Australia, just as they do at Canadian universities. You normally have to receive an offer from your Australian university before you are eligible to apply for on-campus housing.
On-campus Accommodation
Collectively known as College Row, UWA’s five residential colleges are situated opposite UWA’s main campus, only a short walk from all areas of the university, the Swan River and Kings Park. Public transport is available in front of the colleges for easy access to the City of Perth, as well as the nearby suburbs of Subiaco, Claremont, Cottesloe and Fremantle.
- St Catherine’s College
- St George’s College
- St Thomas More College
- Trinity Residential College
- University Hall
Take a look at UWA’s five residential colleges (listed above), each of which offers a unique campus living experience.
Off Campus, Managed
This is the most popular option for students from Canada studying at Australian universities.
Crawley Village
Crawley Village student accommodation is a collective group of residential houses, units and studio apartments owned and operated by UWA. Properties are offered unfurnished or with partial furnishings.
- All properties are in a comfortable environment adjacent to the UWA campus
- Shopping and entertainment areas including Broadway Fair Centre and Claremont Quarter Shopping Centre
- Public bus transport is available, for a short trip into Perth City and surrounding areas such as Fremantle and pristine beaches
- A selection of properties offer partial furnishings (or unfurnished)
Campus Perth
A co-living hub with 726 beds across four different room types including ensuite Studios, Twodios, Cluster 6-bedroom apartments, and their signature Campus 4 rooms accommodating four students in a single bedroom at pocket-friendly monthly rates.
All bedrooms are furnished with individual bedside workstations, storage space, privacy curtains and more. The property includes over 3600m2 of community spaces including a fitness centre, rooftop, library, and gaming area.
The Boulevard
This inner-city community is in the heart of Perth with unbeatable skyline views and a terrace pool to give you the ultimate student lifestyle. You can live here with friends or make new ones with a range of rooms options, including modern private studios and shared apartments with communal kitchens and lounge rooms with up to six bedrooms.
This light-filled property is also full of lots of study spaces, a private onsite gym, rooftop cinema, and much more all designed for students.
The Switch
The Switch Perth Central is an innovative housing concept that has been specially designed to suit the lifestyle needs of students and young professionals.
The Switch is located across the road from Yagan Square in the hub of Perth’s beautiful city centre and steps away from the transport network with a world of entertainment, lifestyle, cultural events, diverse cuisine and shops right on the doorstep.
With ample relaxation, entertainment, and collaborative spaces, Perth Central offers a balanced and engaging space to call home with on-site amenities such as media room, theatre, class-focused staffed gym, sky lounge, and co-working space.
Get more details about these off-campus managed accommodation options.
Private Rentals
Most university students live off campus in private accommodation. OzTREKK recommends you allow at least 2–3 weeks if you are finding accommodation in Perth when you arrive.
To find off-campus accommodation providers, rental tips, property advice, etc., visit
Look for a Place and a Roommate
- Have a look at student.com and type in your city!
- Roomgo
- Flatmates
- Gumtree
The Burbs
One of the key components of your research will be to get a feel for the city/town in which you will reside. Public transportation options are key to understanding where you could live based on where your university is located and which bus/train/tram/ ferry travels to and from campus. Spend some time reviewing the city maps, become familiar with potential suburbs in which you could reside, and visit Australian public transportation sites.
Public transport is available at the university for easy access to the City of Perth, as well as the nearby suburbs of Subiaco, Claremont, Cottesloe and Fremantle.
Get Around Town
Have a look at Transperth for transit system info!
What Students Say About Where They Live
2023 Intake Reviews
Dental student
Crawley Unihall, $430/week. Arranged before arrival. It’s nice, great community, food is not the best but can’t complain too much. Super close to everything, no complaints. Rentals in Australia are really hard to find. Student accom is great choice for first year to create more and deeper connections. Helps with the sense of belonging when you’re somewhere new.
Marine biology student
Private rental, Nedlands, $1300. Took 2 – 3 weeks to find. Convenient walk to campus and buses. Easy bike path to CBD. Street noise is loud, no grocery store within short walking distance. It’s difficult so look for rooms in a house that come up for rent. Get a bank account asap or else people won’t rent to you.
Medical student
Crawley, Unihall Perth, $420/week. Arranged before arrival. Prices are going up next year to ~$490/week I think, it is a good option for first year especially with the housing market here. It makes it super easy to walk to class in the morning. Close to campus and lots of other students in your program in the colleges so easy to meet up with friends. Try to do uni-based accommodations for the first year. For second year if you want to move out look at finding a place early (October/November) because of the housing market.
Medical student
Homestay with an Australian family in Warrick. $200/week. Arranged before arrival. I’m near public transit but very far from campus, so this is a disadvantage. Finding accommodations in Perth is quite challenging. It’s probably best to try to arrange student accommodation for the first while, unless you know someone here.
Medical student
Private rental, Subaico, $700/week. Took 1 – 2 weeks to find. Too expensive. Budget, references, be prepared to go to multiple showings and reveal sensitive information with no response in the end.
Medical student
University Hall, Perth, $440/week. Arranged before arrival. So close to facilities and good events/programs, one of the cheaper residences. Apply for residence because rental market is complicated.
Medical student
On campus, St Catherine’s College, $430/week. Arranged before arrival. Very close to classes and great amenities like dining hall, cleaning services, private studio rooms. A little disjointed from the trains but easy access to the main city at least. If planning to live on campus APPLY EARLY!
Medical student
Private rental, Wembley, $450/week. Arranged before arrival. My building is quite quiet and well maintained with an outdoor pool which is great for the spicier summer days. I haven’t had any issues with cleanliness or neighbours. It is an easy 10 minute walk + 15 minute bus to campus, but is a bit tricky to get to/from other spots especially if at night or on weekends. Living on campus or closer to a train station would have been more convenient! If you have a family member or friend living where you’re looking to move, ask them if they’d be willing to go to a viewing on your behalf. Most rentals need an in-person viewing before you can apply. If this is an option for you, you can have accommodations sorted for when you land.
2022 Intake Reviews
Dental student
Arranged accommodation at UniHall before arrival. It’s very convenient and close to campus, bustop, river, etc. $410 but it’s increasing to 440 next year.
Dental student
University Hall is a great option to use if you can afford it, however there are loads of places to rent around campus for much cheaper if you’re willing to sort it out once you are in australia.
Dental student
If you’re looking for private rental accommodation, it’s a good idea to come 1-2 weeks before your classes start so you have time to view a few places, move in and get furniture if needed. Definitely have a look on flatmates and maybe even gumtree and set up a few places to check out. Don’t panic and settle for the first place you see. I went and saw 3 places before finding my current apartment which ticked off all my boxes of what I was looking for and was within my budget!
Dental student
I am staying at Uni Hall which is just a 10 minute walk to the main dentistry buildings.
Medical student
[I’m staying at] Uni Hall accommodation. It is expensive, but a good option if finance is not an issue. [I will probably] rent a house with friends after first year. Generally speaking, living expenses are higher in Australia compared to Canada.
Airport Transfers
About Airport Transfers
UWA is not currently offering airport pick-up services. There is an inexpensive shuttle service from the airport to Elizabeth Quay.
Visit the Study Perth Welcome Desk on arrival at Perth International Airport and they can let you know the easiest route to get where you need to go, including Perth’s newest trainline running from the airport. Airport transport here is capped at just $5!
Advice from OzTREKK Students
Each year we send a survey to the students in their first year of studying in Australia. We ask about their university, program, adjustment to living in Australia, accommodation, and work outside the classroom.
Read our University of Western Australia Students’ Advice to get all the insider tips (copy and pasted directly from the survey!) for a smooth transition to studying at UWA!
