Quick read: A gentle, useful guide to building a social life in Perth when you have just arrived, work odd rosters or miss home.

Start with repeatable things

• Friendships grow faster when you see the same people regularly.
• Pick one sport, one pub event, one gym class, one volunteering option or one club and give it a few weeks.
• Do not wait until you feel fully settled. Getting involved is part of settling.

If you work FIFO

• Plan your social life around your roster, not against it.
• Tell people your swing dates so they know when you are around.
• Choose groups that do not punish absence: casual sport, pub quizzes, Sunday sessions, beach walks or Irish meetups.

When it feels hard

• Most people look more settled than they feel. A lot of new arrivals are trying to find their people too.
• Message one person after a meetup and suggest something simple, like coffee, a walk or watching a match.
• If loneliness or anxiety becomes heavy, reach for support early.

You do not need a huge circle. A few reliable people can change the whole city.