I'm in perth too but it didn't grow well at all. But I'm pretty new to caring for plants so that's probally why.
My salvia plant has finally died. I kept it in the pot it came in and it was quite slow going, but I think that's due to hotter conditions. I went away over xmas and left it in a shadey spot in the garden and to be watered by sprinklers. It survived although had been better, but after watering more it picked up for a while and started growing properly. As it was donig so well outside in the shade I left it out there, still watering occassionally.
But then one day I noticed it had lost all it's leaves and was looking sick. I found it had about 50+ rollypollies (slater bugs) all through the soil in it's pot. I repotted it, giving it slow release fertilizer and rich soil, washed its roots. It didn't survive though. I hate those damn bugs now, it was almost like a pet, that is green and very quiet.