Monthly living expense
 

Hiya,
My date of flying to Oz is fast approaching and still couldn't sell the house, this is giving me sleepless night as it is the only source of funds for me to take with me to start a new life with my OH and 4 kids.

As an emergency measure I am trying to raise some money to manage for the first three months and my budget is as follows.

Rent deposit 1500
Rent for a month 1500
Groceries & household 600
utility bills 150
Public transport 200
Miscellaneous exp 200
Total exp per month 2650

Total exp for 3 months including House deposit [B]9450
Have reserved funds from the A/ticket, and logistics.
If I have 12k will I be able to manage for the first 3 months,
Have I underestimated anything ?
Assuming, with in the next 3 months I will be able to dispose the house or find a job for both us, My OH is a Pastry Chef, hope can find a sooner.


Would appreciate advice from those who have experienced similar scenario.

Re: Monthly living expense
 

Basing on where we're heading (Perth) I think the deposit sounds about right, rent could be just a little higher, groceries sounds a bit low for a family of six. Unsure about the rest so maybe someone else could help you out with that.

Re: Monthly living expense
 

I suspect the rent and grocery figure are a little low, but i would think 12k would be ample, just cut your cloth etc, good luck!:thumbup:

Re: Monthly living expense
 

Food for a family of 6 on a very tight budget you might get away with $200 a week:unsure:, but that would be very basic nutritional requirements. Maybe with little kids, with teens you would be looking at much more.

Dont forget to allow something for medical expenses, medicare only pays a % of some things, you pay for kids scripts, optical etc. Dental too, even a emergency filling is going to cost you, let alone regular dental care for 6.


School fees or set up costs, even in state schools there will be uniforms, books, stationary to purchase and in state high subject fees etc.

However with 4 kids Centerlink Benefits will probably be much higher than the h UK, you can get up to $6000 a year per kid depending on income.

Re: Monthly living expense
 

Its going to be really tight. Really tight! Do you really want to put huge financial pressure on yourself when just the move will be stressful enough. I stopped with a friend for a month when i got here. Been here just over four months. Started work second week here and i have still done £11k. Think carefully. If you hate it how you gonna get the money to go home.

Re: Monthly living expense
 

that might be a little low for 6 of you (especially in the colder weather).

Are you renting you house? can you change to an interest only mortgage?

We re-mortgaged and took a little extra for funds. Luckily we had plenty of equity.

Re: Monthly living expense
 

If you are PR, you'll get centrelink payments each fortnight (backdated to the date you arrived). You will need to set this up when you arrive. The payment will include rent assistance.

If you are coming on a temp via you should look at LAFHA.

Re: Monthly living expense
 

as, which state? (did I miss that?)

Re: Monthly living expense
 

What about school uniforms, books, school fees (there is some to be paid even in Govt. schools). In my case they added up to almost 4.5k for 2 kids, a bulk of it for my child in Y9 :frown:

Re: Monthly living expense
 

I would say you need about another grand a month, just to scrape by.

Re: Monthly living expense
 

Rent will very much depend on where you live and how big a house/flat you get. It can be anywhere between $250 and $1000/week in most suburbs of Melbourne. I would say $1,500/month is OK for rent but you might have to have more for the deposit. Some agents require 2 months worth of rent as a deposit.

Groceries and household seems a bit tight to me for a family of 6. I would allow at least $1,000/month if not slightly more.

Utilities will cost you a lot more in the first few weeks than $150 as you will have connection/set-up costs. I would allow at least $300 for the first month and $150/month thereafter.

Public transport costs depend on how old your children are, where you live and whether you have any concessions.

I'd say that you'll probably find yourself spending close to, if not over, $6,000 in your first month. After that, I would put the figure at $3,000/month including rent. You might just do it with $12,000 for 3 months, but you haven't factored in school fees/uniforms costs, insurance costs (house contents, medical maybe), furniture and appliances if needed, and of course any contingency.

This is by no means meant to be taken as gospel and other people will probably advise differently, but I would be very cautious about coming here on such a tight budget with 4 children.

Re: Monthly living expense
 

Where are you looking at moving? It could be a lot more than that depending where and what you are looking for.

I pay $2038 rent a month, and that’s for a 1 bedroom apartment in Canberra!

Re: Monthly living expense
 

I guess that would come from Centrelink's FTA and FTB - with 4 kids, could easily add up to a grand:unsure:

Re: Monthly living expense
 

Initially we'll be settling in Melbourne, in and around Footscary, tottenham, kensington area which is close to CBD where we both intend to find job.

No intention of buying the groceries from Coles, woolworth, have to locate some bargain spots.;)

Re: Monthly living expense
 

Good luck :thumbsup: