Canadians headed to Australia
Oct 14th 2009, 9:00 pm
#121
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 704
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
I'm in IT, unfortunately in a specialised little vertical. Sydney/Melbourne opportunities in my niche outnumber Brisbane-based ones by--literally--25:1, i.e. by far more than the population differences would suggest. It's not as bad for general purpose IT roles, but Brisbane still has a relative deficit.
Oct 15th 2009, 1:03 am
#122
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
I'm in IT, unfortunately in a specialised little vertical. Sydney/Melbourne opportunities in my niche outnumber Brisbane-based ones by--literally--25:1, i.e. by far more than the population differences would suggest. It's not as bad for general purpose IT roles, but Brisbane still has a relative deficit.
Oct 15th 2009, 2:14 am
#123
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 161
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Going back to the Brisbane - Melbourne choice:
In favour of Melbourne:
- breadth of job market
- restaurants / nightlife (by a considerable margin)
- shopping (Melbourne is a larger, longer-established commercial centre; it has a wider array of both discount and high-end shops)
- fresh food market (Brisbane has no true equivalent to Footscray [for Torontonians, think Kensington or St. Lawrence Markets])
- commuter traffic (surprising, since Brisbane is smaller, but true)
In favour of Brisbane:
- *much* better weather
- more attractive terrain (most of Melbourne is basically flat; Brisbane proper is pleasantly hilly, and there are lots of physically attractive locations in the commutable hinterland)
- more relaxed pace of life
- easier access to a huge variety of beaches and other family recreation options
- slightly cheaper housing
I'm an ex-Torontonian currently living in Brisbane; my wife's family is from Melbourne. I do miss some of the 'big city' features of Toronto and Melbourne, but not enough to relocate on that basis. (Brisbane supposedly has 1.7M people, but 'feels' like a *much* smaller city in terms of downtown development and cultural amenities; the earlier comparison to Calgary is actually pretty apt.)
Overall, we're *very* happy with Brisbane, but may need to leave it due to lack of career opportunity.
In favour of Melbourne:
- breadth of job market
- restaurants / nightlife (by a considerable margin)
- shopping (Melbourne is a larger, longer-established commercial centre; it has a wider array of both discount and high-end shops)
- fresh food market (Brisbane has no true equivalent to Footscray [for Torontonians, think Kensington or St. Lawrence Markets])
- commuter traffic (surprising, since Brisbane is smaller, but true)
In favour of Brisbane:
- *much* better weather
- more attractive terrain (most of Melbourne is basically flat; Brisbane proper is pleasantly hilly, and there are lots of physically attractive locations in the commutable hinterland)
- more relaxed pace of life
- easier access to a huge variety of beaches and other family recreation options
- slightly cheaper housing
I'm an ex-Torontonian currently living in Brisbane; my wife's family is from Melbourne. I do miss some of the 'big city' features of Toronto and Melbourne, but not enough to relocate on that basis. (Brisbane supposedly has 1.7M people, but 'feels' like a *much* smaller city in terms of downtown development and cultural amenities; the earlier comparison to Calgary is actually pretty apt.)
Overall, we're *very* happy with Brisbane, but may need to leave it due to lack of career opportunity.
Oct 15th 2009, 2:16 am
#124
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Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Perth WA via Vancouver & Toronto
Posts: 35
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Thanks everyone for your help to my first questions and the warm welcome. Paularn, we should chat before we both leave this area. I don't know how to contact you directly though. As someone with knowledge of both countries, you would be an asset.
I have a question today about import duties for items purchased in the last 12 mos. Realistically, no one can live a year without buying anything. I have all the forms I need but when I declare my "newer" purchases, are they looking for exact itemized purchases, or general categories ($500 clothes, $200 golf equipment) or am I going to have to list out every last thing?
Also, how do they audit this? am I going to have to show my visa bills, do they check bank records? What is reasonable to expect? or do they leave you alone as you are honest and say you bought $2K worth of new stuff in the last year.
I have a question today about import duties for items purchased in the last 12 mos. Realistically, no one can live a year without buying anything. I have all the forms I need but when I declare my "newer" purchases, are they looking for exact itemized purchases, or general categories ($500 clothes, $200 golf equipment) or am I going to have to list out every last thing?
Also, how do they audit this? am I going to have to show my visa bills, do they check bank records? What is reasonable to expect? or do they leave you alone as you are honest and say you bought $2K worth of new stuff in the last year.
Oct 15th 2009, 3:44 am
#125
Canuck/Aussie
Joined: May 2006
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
They really don't have any way of knowing which stuff in the container is less than 12 months old. The rule is really there to stop people from importing multiple new appliances and things like that.
The fact that you've bought new clothes or golf equipment is probably irrelevant for the most part. You could go all out and declare everything, however I suspect most people only declare things that are quite obviously brand new (appliances still wrapped and in original packaging).
I'll have a search on here and see if I can give you some links on the subject.
The fact that you've bought new clothes or golf equipment is probably irrelevant for the most part. You could go all out and declare everything, however I suspect most people only declare things that are quite obviously brand new (appliances still wrapped and in original packaging).
I'll have a search on here and see if I can give you some links on the subject.
Oct 15th 2009, 4:06 am
#126
Canuck/Aussie
Joined: May 2006
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Here's a few related shipping threads.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
Oct 15th 2009, 11:09 am
#127
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Perth WA via Vancouver & Toronto
Posts: 35
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Here's a few related shipping threads.
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...pping+12+month
Thank you very much for looking up those threads for me. I had tried to search import duties and found nothing. I guess you have to know what to ask on the Board.
What I take away from what I read is that I may want to declare some general household things (linens, the new golf club) but they won't care or charge me import duties on it.
This makes me feel a whole lot better as we will not be bringing any new appliances or electronic things - coming from NA,
Maybe I'll go out and find a new pair of shoes afterall...
Oct 16th 2009, 12:49 am
#128
Canuck/Aussie
Joined: May 2006
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Thank you very much for looking up those threads for me. I had tried to search import duties and found nothing. I guess you have to know what to ask on the Board.
What I take away from what I read is that I may want to declare some general household things (linens, the new golf club) but they won't care or charge me import duties on it.
This makes me feel a whole lot better as we will not be bringing any new appliances or electronic things - coming from NA,
Maybe I'll go out and find a new pair of shoes afterall...
What I take away from what I read is that I may want to declare some general household things (linens, the new golf club) but they won't care or charge me import duties on it.
This makes me feel a whole lot better as we will not be bringing any new appliances or electronic things - coming from NA,
Maybe I'll go out and find a new pair of shoes afterall...
Oct 18th 2009, 2:20 am
#129
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Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Canada->WA->Melbourne
Posts: 1,612
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
Thank you very much for looking up those threads for me. I had tried to search import duties and found nothing. I guess you have to know what to ask on the Board.
What I take away from what I read is that I may want to declare some general household things (linens, the new golf club) but they won't care or charge me import duties on it.
This makes me feel a whole lot better as we will not be bringing any new appliances or electronic things - coming from NA,
Maybe I'll go out and find a new pair of shoes afterall...
What I take away from what I read is that I may want to declare some general household things (linens, the new golf club) but they won't care or charge me import duties on it.
This makes me feel a whole lot better as we will not be bringing any new appliances or electronic things - coming from NA,
Maybe I'll go out and find a new pair of shoes afterall...
We bought clothes for the kids to put in the boxes we shipped...in larger sizes. We hit all the sales at Old Navy, Sears etc.
I think as long as you aren't bringing in 2 or 3 new computers, sets of golf clubs etc. then it'll be fine.
Haley: my aunt, uncle, and cousins lived in Vermont, just 5 miles across the border. So, when we were down east visiting them, we'd stay with them and then drive to New York State and hit the malls.
Oct 18th 2009, 2:33 am
#130
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 72
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
I haven't lived on the east coast so don't know what people are like there so can't comment. On the west coast people are so laid back and relaxed. It's taken living in what I can only be described as a polar opposite experience to realize how much I miss being around people that at least try to be socially and culturally aware.
Oct 18th 2009, 3:14 am
#131
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 72
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
My first question to you would be where have you lived in Australia?
I'm not trying to trivialize the point you mad, because it is very true. Everyone needs to question why they are moving from Canada and what they hope to get out of Australia. Moving just for the weather might not cut it as Australia isn't really Canada with warmer weather. They are different countries and it's important to remember that.
However it's also important where you go to in Australia. If you are used to living in cities then rural Australia might not be for you (or it could be if you're up for a change). There are lots of different climates within Oz and many differences between cities and place to live.
I'm not trying to trivialize the point you mad, because it is very true. Everyone needs to question why they are moving from Canada and what they hope to get out of Australia. Moving just for the weather might not cut it as Australia isn't really Canada with warmer weather. They are different countries and it's important to remember that.
However it's also important where you go to in Australia. If you are used to living in cities then rural Australia might not be for you (or it could be if you're up for a change). There are lots of different climates within Oz and many differences between cities and place to live.
We moved to the sunshine coast which in all intensive purposes is very similar to where we were on Vancouver Island and was very aware that australians are "rough" but the social and cultural retardedness over past 4 years has warn me down. Obviously there are idiots everywhere, but here they're just so many of them that you can never get a break from them and recharge. Great country too bad it's full of australians
Oct 18th 2009, 1:22 pm
#132
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Joined: Oct 2009
Location: Perth WA via Vancouver & Toronto
Posts: 35
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
It depends on the electronics. We did bring our laptop...it can run on 110/220 and cycles between 50-60Hz. All we needed was a plug adaptor. Our daughter's portable DVD player also works here with a plug adaptor, but it only plays NTSC DVDs.
We bought clothes for the kids to put in the boxes we shipped...in larger sizes. We hit all the sales at Old Navy, Sears etc.
I think as long as you aren't bringing in 2 or 3 new computers, sets of golf clubs etc. then it'll be fine.
Haley: my aunt, uncle, and cousins lived in Vermont, just 5 miles across the border. So, when we were down east visiting them, we'd stay with them and then drive to New York State and hit the malls.
We bought clothes for the kids to put in the boxes we shipped...in larger sizes. We hit all the sales at Old Navy, Sears etc.
I think as long as you aren't bringing in 2 or 3 new computers, sets of golf clubs etc. then it'll be fine.
Haley: my aunt, uncle, and cousins lived in Vermont, just 5 miles across the border. So, when we were down east visiting them, we'd stay with them and then drive to New York State and hit the malls.
Yes, we will be bringing our Laptops, PSP games for the kids, the Wii and a portable DVD player. We also plan on purchasing a few Step up/Step down transformers to run the occasional tool or rarely used kitchen appliance. We are coming on a long term work visa so we do not want to necessarily rebuy everything we own that plugs in.
I understand I can bring my lamps as long as I replace the bulbs with OZ voltage and buy plug adapters.
Yes, I am going to miss cross boarder shopping. Grew up making annual treks to Seattle for shoes from Nordstroms and have made a few trips to Buffalo from Toronto to get deals. Never had to wear old clothes across the boarder to buy new ones though. But I did have a friend whose mom made her wear a US bought prom dress home under her regular clothes to avaoid paying duty. I think she looked like she gained 25 lbs with the bulk of the dress.
Oct 18th 2009, 1:33 pm
#133
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 6,039
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
We moved to the sunshine coast which in all intensive purposes is very similar to where we were on Vancouver Island and was very aware that australians are "rough" but the social and cultural retardedness over past 4 years has warn me down. Obviously there are idiots everywhere, but here they're just so many of them that you can never get a break from them and recharge. Great country too bad it's full of australians
Possibly the socially and culturally aware Australians have just been avoiding you so you're stuck with the rest?
Last edited by fish.01; Oct 18th 2009 at 1:41 pm.
Oct 18th 2009, 11:37 pm
#134
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Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 161
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
had the strangest thing happen last week...can anyone provide insight.
I had a phone based interview for a role in Brisbane. I thought based on the interview positive comments and our discussion all was going really well and I might have a shot at the role until we came to the end. She said that the role was only open to citizens even thought when I applied for it, it stated it was open to anyone who had a PR visa.
Is this normal? ie certain jobs are not available to anyone on a PR visa and only open to citizens. I can understand if it was a high security related position but it was a simple accountant role that I applied for.
Any insight is appreciated. Any other quirks like this that I should be expecting.
I had a phone based interview for a role in Brisbane. I thought based on the interview positive comments and our discussion all was going really well and I might have a shot at the role until we came to the end. She said that the role was only open to citizens even thought when I applied for it, it stated it was open to anyone who had a PR visa.
Is this normal? ie certain jobs are not available to anyone on a PR visa and only open to citizens. I can understand if it was a high security related position but it was a simple accountant role that I applied for.
Any insight is appreciated. Any other quirks like this that I should be expecting.
Oct 18th 2009, 11:46 pm
#135
Canuck/Aussie
Joined: May 2006
Location: BC, Canada
Posts: 4,547
Re: Canadians headed to Australia
had the strangest thing happen last week...can anyone provide insight.
I had a phone based interview for a role in Brisbane. I thought based on the interview positive comments and our discussion all was going really well and I might have a shot at the role until we came to the end. She said that the role was only open to citizens even thought when I applied for it, it stated it was open to anyone who had a PR visa.
Is this normal? ie certain jobs are not available to anyone on a PR visa and only open to citizens. I can understand if it was a high security related position but it was a simple accountant role that I applied for.
Any insight is appreciated. Any other quirks like this that I should be expecting.
I had a phone based interview for a role in Brisbane. I thought based on the interview positive comments and our discussion all was going really well and I might have a shot at the role until we came to the end. She said that the role was only open to citizens even thought when I applied for it, it stated it was open to anyone who had a PR visa.
Is this normal? ie certain jobs are not available to anyone on a PR visa and only open to citizens. I can understand if it was a high security related position but it was a simple accountant role that I applied for.
Any insight is appreciated. Any other quirks like this that I should be expecting.
I think sometimes though that employers are scared of hiring people who are overseas for fear of relocation expenses or things like that. So it is possible that it was just an excuse, and it's also possible that it wasn't!