Without tempting fate or looking to far ahead I like to plan on advance. Having looked through some rental options in perth it appears that to rent a decent apartment will cost £450 pw. For a little more you can get a house with a pool and what looks like luxury. My plan ideally would be to find a couple in a similar position to me and my partner and rent a place together. Anyone had any ideas? Or done similar

I would suggest that sharing and getting a property you couldn't normally afford seems a great idea. However, you will have to bear in mind what position you would be in if your co sharers for some reason decided to up sticks and move out, thus leaving you with a property you can no longer afford?
Sharing's a great move, but best to share a house you could afford to pay for on your own, just in case.

Try asking on the main Aussie forum, I'm sure the question has come up before

http://britishexpats.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=54

I don't have a partner but was thinking the same as u if all works out. Seems like sharing means a lovely house with a pool for fairly cheap!