So what do you lot earn? I have to ask as i cannot understand why the wages are so low. Yes we knew this before we came here, but we never imagined them to be so low!

I am on $420 a week. before tax. After working 3 months here in Oz full-time i am now getting into debt. I have tried looking for a new job but seems they all want slave labour. Am i the only one on a bad wage. My morgage has gone up but not my wage.

Do i stick it out til i am in dire-straits, get a repossession, swallow my pride and head back to the UK doing the same job and earn treble.

I'm not telling you it's too embarrasing - peanuts would be a good way to describe it, but it is at a Uni and relatively stress free. I don't know how most people manage. Well, I do. If you are in mining, engineering or trades you'll be raking it in. If you're unemployed you pretty much don't have to pay for anything. It's the people who work in all the other jobs that struggle.

Obviously not seen this one pinned to the top.

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...t=385198&pp=15

Blue collar and shopworkers earn more here than in the UK... in general that is.

Posties definitely get more here. Full timers earning circa 50,000 on average, with about 18,000 quid being the norm in the UK.

Path Transit (part of Transperth) are always looking for Bus drivers, you'll need to get a Heavy Rigid licence and then a hire and reward endorsement. Pay is between $800 $1200 depending on shifts and overtime. Maybe it not your cup of tea, but it's an OK job.

Full time tram drivers, here in Melbourne, also get circa 50-60,000.. Yes lots of shifts, Including split ones. However it is circa the average wage, and far more people earn less than the average wage than on or above it. Plus all you need is a car licence, and jobs come up fairly frequently.

My wife and I both nurses (both quite senior now) and were all ready to take a pay cut when we get out there (in January) but I have been lucky enough to land a job where I am getting paid the equivalent as I am earning here .

But my wife if she continues practice nursing then wont be earning as much as she is here .

Yes, that's a very helpful comment for the OP.

I think it really depends on the industry you are in.
My line of work (journalist/sub-editor) is pretty poorly paid in the UK - you're lucky to find jobs over £25,000, and that's in London - and I've been doing this for over 10 years.
The job I'm starting in Melbourne is $55,000 (plus Super) so, although a bit lower than I'm on now, not that far off the mark (plus that's only a starting wage - I'd expect it to gradually increase).
From reading posts on here it seems some industries definitely pay more than the UK, while others pay less. Luck of the draw I guess

What work do you do?

Whats your job?

I'm a tradesmen in Engineering and the money is "average" circa $50k.
It doesn't go far, was much better off financially in the Uk.

Kevin

I'm a Hairdresser at the moment, but was qualified nursery nurse in UK. I came on Skilled visa for Hairdressing but getting a job was a pain, then realised they wouldn't pay much until i trained to there standards. I came here already qualified, so why do i need to start training again. From what i have seen in the 2 salons i have worked at they all need to go back to training. It's a very stressful situation going back to basics and i feel i have come on false pretences. By the way i am in Perth so does that make a difference as i realise now they seem to be 20 years behind in everything.

I was lloking at doing a hairdressing course, until I saw how much they earn :scared: I think the most they get here in South Australia is $30k a year. No wonder there is a shortage.

I'd do the Child Care bit if I were you. You'll still need Aus skills, but I bet the pay is better.

Know your rights....

The current minimum wage for full-time adult workers on federal awards and in Victoria, NT and ACT is $484.40 a week or $12.75 per hour.

However, unions have recently (June and July 2006) succeeded in winning a lift in the minimum wage for adults that remain on State awards to $504.40 a week in NSW, TAS and WA and in SA to $501.40 and in QLD to $499.80...

Full detail here...
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/lr/Labour...e%20Rates.html

...and the specific WA award for Hairdressers....
http://www.docep.wa.gov.au/lr/Labour...ers_Award1.pdf