Essentials
- Internet Speed
- Average 55-90 Mbps (NBN Fiber/Fixed Wireless)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 AUD ≈ 0.65 USD; 1 USD ≈ 1.54 AUD
- Tap Water
- Drinkable (Highly regulated, safe for consumption)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I (three-pin flat)
- SIM Card
- Telstra (best coverage), Optus, or Amaysim (found at Woolworths, approx. $30 AUD for 40GB/month)
- Banking for Expats
- CommBank, Westpac, or digital options like Wise and Revolut
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Stayz, or realestate.com.au for longer leases ($600 - $900 AUD/week for 1BR)
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards/contactless accepted almost everywhere except small market stalls
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local agencies like Fremantle Beach Accommodation
- Budget Accommodation
- Fremantle Prison YHA (approx. $45 AUD/night for dorms)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Fremantle Port/West End (Historic district near High Street)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- South Fremantle (near South Terrace) or East Fremantle (more residential/quiet)
- Population
- 32,000 (Greater Fremantle area)
- City
- Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- fSpace (18 Market St); $45 AUD/day or $400 AUD/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Moore & Moore Cafe (46 Henry St) - large tables and great atmosphere
- Networking Events
- Fremantle Chamber of Commerce events and 'Small Business Fremantle' Meetups
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Perth/Fremantle chapter and 'Fremantle Community' groups on Facebook
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and DiDi (Available 24/7)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Beam/Neuron E-scooters (App-based) or Port City Cycles ($35 AUD/day)
- Best Beach Nearby
- South Beach (Fremantle) or Leighton Beach (North Fremantle)
- Top Regional Airline
- QantasLink or Rex (Regional Express)
- Top International Airline
- Qantas, Singapore Airlines, and Emirates (via Perth Airport PER)
- Highway Access
- Leach Highway and Canning Highway connect to the Kwinana Freeway
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Fremantle Station (End of the Fremantle Line from Perth CBD)
- Public Transport Passes
- SmartRider card; $10 AUD card fee, then 'tag on/off' for cheaper fares
- Regional Travel
- Transperth trains to Perth (30 mins) or Rottnest Express ferry to Rottnest Island
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Fremantle Hospital (Alma St) or Fiona Stanley Hospital (10 mins drive)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Space (8/25 Collier St) - $25 AUD casual class
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Snap Fitness 24/7 Fremantle (High St); approx. $18 AUD/week
- Laundry Services
- The Laundry Room (170 South Terrace South Fremantle); $6-10 AUD per load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- UberEats and DoorDash
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fish and Chips at Cicerello's or Kailis (Fishermans Wharf)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Mother (Queen Victoria St) - Sustainable plant-based dining
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gusto Gelato (Elizabeth Quay/Fremantle Port); approx. $7 AUD per scoop
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Fremantle Markets (Fri-Sun) for fresh produce
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.com.au, eBay.com.au, and Kogan
- Grocery Delivery
- Coles Online or Woolworths (Flat delivery fee approx. $10-15 AUD)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- The Cappuccino Strip (South Terrace) and the West End bars
- Local Brewery
- Little Creatures Brewery (40 Mews Rd) - iconic harbor view
- Wine Bars
- Strange Company (5 Nairn St) or Vin Populi (High St)
- Street Food Stalls
- The Yard (inside Fremantle Markets)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Bread in Common (Seasonal local/mediterranean) and Lions and Tigers (Modern Indian)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Fremantle Prison (UNESCO site) and WA Maritime Museum
- Museums & Art Venues
- Fremantle Arts Centre (1 Finnerty St)
- Historical Sites
- The Round House (oldest building in WA)
- Religious Sites
- St John’s Anglican Church (Kings Square)
- Annual Events
- Fremantle International Street Arts Festival (Easter weekend)
- Cultural Districts
- The West End Precinct (preserved Victorian architecture)
- Theater Venues
- Fremantle Town Hall and Spare Parts Puppet Theatre
- Local Markets
- Fremantle Markets (est. 1897); Open Fri-Sun and Public Holidays
- Music Scene
- Mojos Bar (North Fremantle) for live indie bands
- Street Art
- Cappuccino Strip murals and South Freo street art walk
- Cooking Classes
- Kitchen Warehouse (North Fremantle)
- Art Galleries
- Kidogo Arthouse (Bathers Beach)
- Historic Buildings
- The Esplanade Hotel and shipping heritage warehouses
- Local Heritage
- Noongar Aboriginal heritage (Walyalup) and Italian fishing heritage
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Garden Island (via ferry) or Point Walter Reserve
- National Parks Nearby
- Beeliar Regional Park (15 mins drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The Swan River foreshore path (Perth to Freo cycle route)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Monument Hill (High St) for panoramic sunset views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Bibra Lake (part of Beeliar Park)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Generally prohibited; use designated BBQ pits at South Beach Reserve
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Australia Post (Fremantle Hub) and DHL Express
- Tech Repair Services
- Fix It All Fremantle (South Terrace)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Esplanade Park (Public outdoor tables)
- Language Classes
- Milner International College of English
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Fremantle Library (at Walyalup Civic Centre)
- Community Centers
- The Meeting Place (245 South Terrace)
- Gaming Lounges
- The Nostalgia Box (Museum/Gaming - relocated to Perth CBD, 25 mins away)
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Crown Perth (located in Burswood, 25 mins by train)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $11,500 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = $402,500 AUD)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $8,200 per m² (e.g., 35 m² = $287,000 AUD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $10,800 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = $594,000 AUD)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $7,500 per m² (e.g., 55 m² = $412,500 AUD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $9,500 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = $807,500 AUD)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $6,800 per m² (e.g., 85 m² = $578,000 AUD)
- Corporate Tax
- 30% (25% for small companies with turnover <$50M)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 30% (Standard, subject to tax treaties)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 45% for income over $190,001 AUD (as of 2024-25 rates)
- VAT
- 10% GST (Goods and Services Tax)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, comprehensive rules to prevent tax avoidance
- Property Tax
- Yes, Rates (Council) and Land Tax based on unimproved land value
- Property Transaction Tax
- Stamp Duty (Approx. 3-5% based on value; concessions for first home)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific digital nomad visa; most use Tourist (600) or Working Holiday (417) with no local tax exemption