Not the case all for all suburbs - I have fantastic Safeways near me. The one I use in Boronia is good, but shopped in the one in Stud Park, Rowville at the weekend and it is extensive. Also, for example, Knox City Mall, a huge Coles (which I haven't shopped in) and outside in the Mall is delis, butchers, bakers, Asian grocery shop - fantastic!!

Long Service Leave - yes all employers do pay this, but it varies from state to state.

Leave Loading - You should get the extra % (again varies - but by job), but you shouldn't be paying extra tax. Also it's not accrued like holiday pay, but is payable after a years service - although some employers may pay it before.

Exactly ... and The Alabama 3.

Top band they are

Kind of hard to sum up the differences as there are so so many. I found out quickly that aussies dont like to complain or say something when they find that somethings rubbish. They just prefer to ignore or leave it. If you complain then you might rub a few people up the wrong way.

I learned its best to keep your mouth shut !. Although this lack of complaining might explain why some things look dated, as no one has thought to say "actually this is crap lets replace it".
In adelaide in particular I used to see things like old buses from the 60's and old cinemas (like glenelg) and couldnt beleive that they hadnt got round to replacing them.

As others have said the TV is pretty bad. I do tend to find that people are more friendly, helpful and outgoing. Although I have met a few that turn nasty when they learn your english, I had one on a short course I did who used to use 'pom' like its was a dirty swear word.

Overall though its just different, its got good things and bad like anywhere else.

I found the house buying process much simpler and when you agree a price the is no gazumping and its all legal from that moment, huge penalties if you pull out
The only thing i miss is my friends although we have started to make friends here.
Oh and nescafe (original) coffee they have something called blend 43 and its horrible.

We've only been here a few month but the main things we have noticed here in WA (wait a while).

Everything is dead slow. An example today was at the food to go place in Mandurah. A couple of coffees and basic croissants took nearly 20 mins!!! You do get used to it although I think its taking my other half longer.

Houses are massives but lack the character of UK.
Supermarkets are better in the UK than in Oz (standard and variety) from what I have experienced and a bag of maltessers cost a fortune.
The local swimming pool is never busy. 5 pools and we are the only ones in it on a Sunday. UK jam packed especially when its raining.
Police hot on speeding in Oz. Don't even think about. I would say though that people drive a little crazy here. Right up your butt the whole time and constantly overtaking on the inside.
I think WA has much cleaner air than the UK and generally its a cleaner place.
It rains much more than most British people think in UK.
Different country different worries. Stupid to think that the grass is greener on the otherside because for somethings its not.

In my opinion there isn't much point in comparing. You kind have to experience it then decide which one you prefer. What you hate about England you will love about Oz and what you hate about Oz you love about UK.

Don't expect it to be really cheap to live in Oz these days its not. I think your money does go a bit further and most people can live in a 4x2 but it would be wrong to think you can pack up working full time and sit back and relax!!!

Poppet UK

My OH just told me that in Oz you are supposed to overtake on the inside...not sure if this is true though.

It's legal to overtake on the inside in Oz. Personally I think it should be in the UK, too - the law dates from the times when cars had no passeger-side wing mirrors.

Here's a few for you:

1) Petrol prices creep up Wednesday, thursday, friday, etc...then drop on a Tuesday !!

2) Every now and then, someone will ask you to come to a "working bee". This is basically where you rope a bunch of your mates into coming round to your place and doing a sh*t load of work for you. Then perhaps rewarding their days work with a sausage.

3) If you work in an office, you will be invited practically every week to a "morning tea". This is where everyone brings in either cheezels, tim tams, or some $$$ to go towards purchasing sausage rolls and some very dry doughy flavoured bread. Typically these events are to welcome someone back from holidays, say goodbye to someone before they go on holidays....any excuse really.

4) The "esky" is an essential item - basically a giant cooler box. You'll find 3 or 4 at a "barbie". The "esky" will be full of ice and beer.

5) Australians who live in one of the bigger cites are generally very passionate about the city in which they either come from or live, and believe it to be "better" than all the other Australian cities.

Second that, I have heard lots of Melburnians speak scathingly about other places, especially Adelaide and Tasmania, less so Sydney and Brisbane. I think they would be very uspet indeed if anyone turned the tables.

One of my neighbours, who has spent time in the UK, claimed that Melbourne's Fawkner Park, which is a fairly ordinary local park, no gardens, no lakes just grass and tree-lined paths, was better and bigger than Hyde Park in London, which is patently absurd. I knew better than to contradict him!

So that's where I've been going wrong.

I miss traditional Guiness and Kilkenny. The stuff you buy in most pubs here is 'different', unless you buy in an Irish pub...... why is that?

To all of you who are apprehensive about comming to oz, due to indifferences, you should just come here,
CAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY OF YOU HERE ANYWAY1
you won't feel outa place at all!
besides, the definition of an aussies - is a white australian with british herritage, so really the brits are the "true blue"
Stephen geagea
oh and join the ASIC Australian social Innerhealth Club while you're at it,
it's all about making more of the health industry in Australia Public
" FREEE GYM MEMBERSHIPS FOR ALL CITIZENS!"

Lost me on that one

JP's don't fleece you to certify a document. It's a different country, has a slightly different culture and it's vaguely irrelevant what those differences are if you're coming here. If you're thinking of coming here and those things are important to you then I'd say you might struggle.

Disclaimer: Any YOU mentioned about is not pertaining to YOU specifically but YOU generally speaking before any of YOU take offence. If YOU do take offence, I don't care terribly.