Perth’s CBD is rapidly transforming into one of Australia’s most concentrated education precincts, supported by strong demand from providers seeking centrally located, student-friendly facilities. Recent leasing activity shows that educational operators are emerging as one of the most active tenant groups in the city, with more than 18,000m² of enquiries recorded over the past 12 months and nearly 6,000m² of confirmed new leases across key sites.
This momentum is being supercharged by the impending opening of the new Edith Cowan University (ECU) City Campus, which is already reshaping Perth’s urban heart.
“In just a few weeks, the new Edith Cowan University City Campus will open its doors, bringing around 10,000 students and staff into the heart of Perth, many of them international students. This project is not simply a new university precinct; it is reshaping the way our city lives, learns and feels. It has already sparked new investment in purpose-built student accommodation and accelerated Perth’s evolution into a vibrant, connected student city,” said Ms Derryn Belford, CEO of StudyPerth.
According to Knight Frank, education tenants are increasingly prioritising CBD locations with existing 9B certification, a requirement for compliant training venues, due to the cost and complexity of converting traditional office space. Landlords are now actively considering conversion to meet the rising demand.
This includes major commitments at 10 William Street, where Kaplan, Idea Academy and Strategix have collectively taken more than 3,600m², leaving only a single floor unleased. Additional significant commitments include Crown Institute of Higher Education at 1325 Hay Street and ILSC at 150 St Georges Terrace.
Ms Belford said the trend reflects Perth’s growing appeal to both students and national providers.
“For international students, being able to study and live in the centre of the city is genuinely aspirational. We’re also seeing many education and training providers opening new campuses in the Perth CBD, particularly institutions expanding from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, all of which strengthens Western Australia’s thriving international education community.”
This expansion aligns with increasing student interest in Western Australia, supported by migration incentives and Perth’s reputation as a safe, welcoming destination. As CIHE CEO Dr Narayan Tiwari noted, student demand in Perth is being driven partly by clearer pathways to skilled migration and higher visa approval rates for regional areas.
Ms Belford highlighted that Western Australia’s growing diversity of institutions is positioning Perth as a national leader in student experience and educational choice.
“As more institutions choose Western Australia, we’re building a more diverse, more dynamic education ecosystem. This benefits students, strengthens the talent pipeline for local industry, and contributes to a more vibrant and internationally engaged city.”
She added that Perth’s unique combination of livability and opportunity continues to set it apart.
“Perth offers a compelling proposition for students: high-quality education, a safe and welcoming lifestyle, genuine employment pathways, and a sense of belonging that international students consistently tell us makes Perth feel like their home away from home.”
With education now one of the strongest drivers of Perth CBD tenancy and a major contributor to the city’s cultural and economic vitality, the sector’s growth is poised to reshape Western Australia’s capital for the decade ahead.
