Originally Posted by RichS

I have 2 kids in child care (child care centre for 3 days + 2 days family day care). My wife and I are both working. we are entitled to $0 assistance from the government, so nothing coming in there. Total cost p.a = c$26,500. So not cheap.

things to point out:

in my memory child benefit in the UK is not means tested - it is here.

The above scenario where you compared cost relating to income less tax is fair enough, but surely some of the ancilliary costings you then go to list as being an expense in Aus are things which in the UK are theoretically paid for out of your National Insurance contributions...which you didn't list as a cost.

So could you please re-submit the scenraio and factor in NI...which we don;t have here in Aus. That'll give a more accurate reading I think.

Originally Posted by RichS

thats better - didnt mean to confuse matters, but it wasn't clear to me if the figures took account of NI or not.

Originally Posted by jayr

My 3 yr old is in Kindy. Three days a week about 09:00 - 14:30, costing $450 per term. She goes to free pre-school next year, 5 days every fortnight. What exactly do you get for $100/day??

Originally Posted by Peter

So, why go over there then?

Originally Posted by pphillips

I had the same problem as you before I came to Australia.

OK, following me:

An I.T Developer in the UK earns around 37,500K Gross, the same role will be around $72,500 K per year.

Net income for UK: 27,379.20 Pounds Per Year (Tax Ded %=26.98)
Net income for OZ: $51,272 Per Year (Tax Ded %=29.28)

Week Wage:

UK: 526.52
OZ: 986.00
Pre School Fee % of Wages

UK: 27.00 per day %= 0.05
OZ: 67.00 per day % =0.06 or 100.00 = 0.10

So based on the above, yes it's not cheaper.

You also have to pay doctor fees Around $40.00 (50% gets rebated back to you via the Gov), food costs us around $400-500 dollers per month (based two adults, two young kids), petrol is around $1.00 to $1.10 per litre, from Richmond to the City costs me $161 per month.

For each new baby born in OZ you will get $3000 plus a few hundred dollers here and there.

My car (4 Litre 6 Cylnder Ford Falcon two years old) cost me $23,000 , you do not need insurance though but I have insurance, fully comp $500.00, includes my wife, car tax (includes building insurance) $670.

Hope the above helps

Paul

P.S

I would not worry about it to much, I tried to compare prices while I was in the UK and I was told it is to hard to work it out.

I have been here nearly two years and the cost of living is about the same, some things are cheaper and others are not but combine these together and the cost of living is a little bit cheaper.

Originally Posted by shecha

Peter,
I was born in Australia and my father is Australian and I have a lot more family in Australia than I have here in the Uk, so actually I will be returning home.
I was a bit shocked to hear that child care was dearer, but despite that I will still be moving back to Australia to be with my family.
So your sarcasm was not necessary or appropriate really, was it!
I do wish people wouldn't make negative comments without knowing the facts first.
Shell

Originally Posted by CHnJ

I think I prefer people who look after children being paid more!