$45k
 

We are a family of 4, 2 adults & 2 kids (11/12).

As I am the only wage earner and have been told the above is my annual salary in your opinion is it possible for us to live on this?

Just talking basics, negative as well as positive very welcome

Thanks

Bill

Re: $45k
 

If you had a mortgage I personally think you would be struggling on that. It depends on where you live but I think $60k would be a minimum salary with a mortgage.

This is my personal opinion.

Re: $45k
 

It depends on where you are? Though I think wherever you are, this isn't what I would consider a 'good' wage. Before we came here, we worked on a worst case scenario or me earning $50k and the missus not working - and we have no kids. This is based on living in / very close to the city.

Re: $45k
 

As others have said, it will depend on a number of things like what standard of living you are used to, but most particularly if you have a mortgage or not. You could certainly survive on that (especially as you would get some Family Tax benefit, assuming you will be here on PR), but its not a great wage. Particularly with kids going into the teenage years where they tend to want so much more stuff (expensive stuff :eek: )

IMO if your wife got a part-time job you'd probably be alot better off (even though you would probably lose some of your FTB).

Re: $45k
 

you may just get by if you're mortgage free, 45k aint a lot....

Re: $45k
 

I understand what other people are saying that $45k isn't much, but the Aussies must be able to cope on this wage.
Just my opinion of course.

Re: $45k
 

Thats what Dad said.

Wife will certainly be looking for a part time job but have heard these are very few and far between so thought wise not to bank on it but to treat it as a bonus.

Bill

Re: $45k
 

Hold on while I get my calculator..(thinking what's that in english money).

Re: $45k
 

We are a family of 5, 2 adults, 3 kids (13, 10 and 2) and we manage at the moment on that in th UK, mind you I haven't been out since 1997...lol.

Re: $45k
 

Hi,
I have been working the same thing out, I have worked out my wife and I (no kids) need to earn $70,000 with no mortgage (or ver little) to be where we want to be.

Re: $45k
 

Yes many can and do. But also consider that some of the lower income families are entitled to some benifits that you are not eligible for in the first couple of years.

Also consider that if you wanted to go to the UK for a holiday. We reckon on it costing us around 12k (Family 4 with car hire, spending, days out etc. Thats quite a lot of your annual income.

Of course you can survive but is that what you are coming half way around the world to do?

Re: $45k
 

Not true, here in Perth there is LOADS of part time work about!!

Re: $45k
 

Good question....

I suppose my honest answer would be i'm coming for a life experience and an adventure.

I don't hate my current job, life or situation. I just want to make the most of every opportunity and not look back and wish I had. I think it is important to be informed of all the pros and cons and respect and am grateful for all views and opinions wether they are positive or negative.

If it was just the wife and I this wage wouldn't be an issue. I just don't want to ruin my kids future...

Bill

Re: $45k
 

Bill,

Where are you heading :confused: because it will depend on that I guess. I have Australian family and quite a few of the women have part-time admin jobs, so I shouldn't worry about that, or are you going away from the cities :confused:

Re: $45k
 

I think you have the right attitude getting all the answers first but as everyone said it all depends on a mortgage. Do you have one or not? I would say it is not enough if you need to have a mortgage.
People have a preception that Australia ( Melbourne in my instance ) is a lot cheaper than the UK. I am finding that is not the case, I think we have missed the porperty boom by a couple of years and everything as far as I can see is on a par if not more expensive ( houses ) I would say the houses are bigger but the mortgages are the same with a higher interest rate.
Be prepared and as the Aussies say 'She'll be all right'

Hope the info helps you out