Guide to Moving from Sydney to Perth

The beautiful landscapes, relaxed lifestyle and more affordable cost of living are just some of the reasons why Sydney-siders are choosing to relocate from east to west. Any move is equal parts thrilling and stressful, but relocating interstate can heighten both the excitement and the pressure.

As Allied is no stranger to helping individuals and families relocate from Sydney to their new homes in Perth, we have the right experience and expertise to know what it takes to execute a successful move. That’s why we’ve created this handy guide to everything you need to know about moving to Perth and how best to prepare for your interstate move.

Known as one of the world’s most isolated capital cities, Perth is quickly becoming a favourite destination for those looking to embrace both a booming economy and a more relaxed city lifestyle. But, what is life in Perth really like and how does it stack up against Sydney? We break it down for you!

Although previously known for its abundance of mineral and energy resources, Perth is more than just a mining town. Due to Perth’s closer proximity and time to Asia and Europe than the east coast, it is home to many large Australasian corporations’ headquarters and is expanding its industries beyond simply mining.

Manufacturing and tourism are major industries in Perth, and are continuing to expand following the COVID-19 related border closures. Healthcare and medical science is an especially fast growing industry, which is offering a multitude of opportunities for career advancements. To find Perth job opportunities, visit employment sites such as Seek, Indeed and CareerOne, or use a Perth-based recruitment agency.

As Sydney continues to have one of the most expensive housing markets in the world, Perth is a highly appealing option for those wanting more bang for their buck. Perth is reported to have the cheapest median capital city house price at $530,000, making it highly appealing for first home buyers. Renters can also find Perth is significantly more affordable with Budget Direct stating that rent prices in Perth are 68.8% lower than Sydney.

Much like Sydney, the suburbs close to the beaches and the city are considered highly desirable in Perth. Popular beach adjacent suburbs include Floreat, South Fremantle, and Scarborough. The south of Perth is popular with families thanks to the abundance of parks and schooling options.

When it comes to combining the best that city life and beaches have to offer, Perth has it nailed. With crystal clear water and stunning white sand beaches, you can enjoy swimming, surfing and all the beach activities that Perth can provide. However, ensure that you keep to the patrolled and shark-net beaches. As City Beach is only 15 minutes from the Perth CBD, you can enjoy an afternoon swim after work or go straight from the sand to the thriving nightlife in Northbridge and Fremantle. Sport is highly popular in Perth, with a range of professional games and local clubs for cycling, cricket, netball, football and soccer available.

You may be surprised to learn that Perth offers more than sport and great beaches, the arts scene is continuing to grow. Theatre and music festivals such as Fringe World, Listen Out and the Perth International Jazz Festival are becoming increasingly popular and offer enjoyment yearound. If you are looking for a vibrant nightlife of bars, clubs and bars, head to the suburbs of Northbridge, Fremantle and Subiaco.

Perth makes getting around using public transport relatively easy due to the network of trains, buses and ferries. Perth has their own version of the ‘Opal Card’ with their ‘SmartRider’, simply top-up and touch on to pay your way on all public transport. As the public transport system doesn’t completely reach the outer suburbs, car ownership is common. Unlike Sydney, the traffic in Perth is less busy and parking is much easier to come by. Petrol is also cheaper in Perth, with BudgetDirect reporting it to be $1.63 a litre (compared to Sydney’s $1.73). The favourable weather and bike lane infrastructure means Perth is considered a bike-friendly city, so you can enjoy cycling on your commute or riding for pleasure.  

Did you know that Perth holds the title for the most days of sunshine per year out of all the capital cities? According to Dreaming of Down Under, Perth gets around 30% more days of sunshine than Sydney and doesn’t suffer the same intense humidity. You’ll find that summer days are hotter than Sydney with the average temperatures ranging between 18℃ to 30℃ with minimal rainfall. The winters tend to be relatively cool and wet, temperatures from 8℃ to 19℃. Keep in mind that Perth doesn’t observe Daylight savings and follows Australian Western Standard Time so Sydney is two hours ahead (and three in Daylight savings).

So, you’ve now got a basic understanding of what life will be like in Perth! To make your dream of moving to Perth a reality, it’s time to begin planning your move. We explain everything you need to do to ensure your interstate relocation goes smoothly.

Every move involves packing of some kind, and moving from Sydney to Perth is no exception! The distance between Perth and Sydney is over 3,933 kilometres so you want to do a good job of your belongings and furniture. Otherwise you may risk your precious items not making the journey to their new home in one piece. It’s common to leave packing to the last minute, however aside from booking your removalists, this is one of the most important tasks in a move. As it can be a highly tedious and time consuming task, we recommend using a professional packing service. They will ensure that your belongings are safe and secure for the trip to Perth, giving your peace of mind throughout the move.

If you are considering bringing your car or vehicle interstate to Perth from Sydney, you have two options. The first option is you can choose to drive your car from Sydney to your home Perth. This journey is at least 41 hours driving, which is done over a ten-day period. The second option is to use a vehicle transportation service who will relocate your car for you. This is a highly convenient option and saves you the excessive driving and cost of petrol, accommodation and food along the way.

Pets are part of the family so considering how you will relocate with your pet is an important part of the move process. You can bring your cat or dog with you into Perth without quarantine requirements. However, for pets such as rabbits, mice, birds, fish, spiders and reptiles, they will require a specific permit and inspection upon arrival in Western Australia. The State’s Agriculture and Food website has detailed information on the requirements for bringing a pet in from Sydney. Due to the vast distance between Perth and Sydney, it’s best to use a pet transportation service. They will have the right expertise and resources to get your pet to their new home in Perth, safely and efficiently.

It can be tricky to know what items and furniture will work in your new home in Perth. That’s why using  is ideal. If you need flexibility during your move, short-term storage is ideal as you will be able to settle into your new home before receiving the bulk of your belongings in Perth. Otherwise, you can opt for long-term storage to keep your items safe and sound for as long as you need. Either way, ensure that you choose a storage provider (like Allied) who has storage facilities in both Perth and Sydney, and can deliver your stored belongings and furniture to your new interstate home when you require.

When deciding to relocate from Sydney to Perth, you’ll need to decide if you’ll use the services of an experienced interstate removalist or attempt to tackle the move yourself. Usually, the major deciding factor is whether or not it is cheaper to use a moving company.

You may be surprised to learn that it can be more valuable or cost-effective to use removalists when relocating to Perth. After factoring in all the costs involved in moving yourself, such as petrol, packing materials, the time taken to pack and move yourself (including taking time off work), renting a truck or van, and any other incidental expenses - it often ends up being much more worthwhile to use removalists. The main advantage is the time and energy you save. As removalists will have experience, a high level of training and the right professional equipment to handle your interstate move and will be significantly more efficient.

There is also the added benefit of professional movers having multiple services (including car and pet relocation) which can provide a more competitive deal compared to using numerous service providers. Don’t let price fool you, working with the cheapest removalists available also comes with risks as inexperienced movers have a higher likelihood of losing or damaging your belongings. If the quality of work is shoddy, the cheapest option may actually end up costing you more.

Excited to make your move from Sydney to Perth? Then book your interstate move with Allied! We even service moves beyond Sydney in different regions of NSW with our Newcastle removalists , Coffs Harbour removalists, and Wagga Wagga removalists team. Our wealth of experience and highly trained team mean that we will ensure that your move to Perth is as seamless and hassle-free as possible. Your dedicated moving consultant is there to handle every aspect of your move and provide advice and assistance when required. Chat to the team at Allied about your relocation and receive a free quote which is specific to your move today!