Originally Posted by sonlymewalter

Personally speaking the UK is the arse end of the world

Originally Posted by Grayling

So the world has got an arse in both hemispheres then?

Originally Posted by chris955

I must admit I have never bought into this bizarre 'better for the kids' argument, as with everything it

depends where you live. Our kids life here seems no better than the lives of our friends kids in England.

Originally Posted by trevorandjo york

If you don't try, you will always think - What if?

Originally Posted by moneypenny20

I often wonder what life would be like if I had ten kids. I have no intention of having them though and I certainly won't regret it on my death bed.

Originally Posted by Bermudashorts

If that is your reason for emmigrating, then I think you are better off staying put, considering your circumstances. If politics gets to you then it is likely to wherever you live and indeed they seem a particularly odd bunch here (all parties).

Also, guess what, we pay tax in Australia too. I haven't done a proper calc for a while but I might just do that now. Last time I checked for most people it works out pretty much the same (UK vs Australia).

Edit: just used a couple of quick tax calculators and I average 36% in both Australia and UK (on similar salaries). Try these out:

http://www.paycalculator.com.au/

http://www.thesalarycalculator.co.uk/salary.php

Originally Posted by Pollyana

...to say nothing of the houses being built on the brown and pleasant land of Aus to house all the new immigrants

Originally Posted by ozzieeagle

Two things strike me straight away about your thread. Not meaning to shoot you down or anything. I think you'll find that as a percentage Australia has far more migrants or overseas born people as part of the base population and is having to build really large extended Cities to cope. There is real controversy re the Green belt around Melbourne at present as it is now being acquired for much needed housing... and that was never meant to happen.

Secondly... I think you'll find the income tax rate isn't too different here... certainly not a lot lower. One major difference will be at 111,000 dollars joint income your child benefits cut out for two kids. Which if you think about it, is a hidden form of tax.... Child benefits are not income tested (Currently) in the UK AFAIK... I stand to be corrected on that though. Not sure of the UK tax system after 30 years here. A lot of State Taxes here. That Child benefit cut off point really affects the wife and I and means doing overtime is almost pointless. In fact we would have a much higher per hour take home income if we both worked Part time.

So the two factors you have concentrated on in your post... could actually be worse here.

I'm one of the posters on here that usually praises Aus.

I do believe that Aus has a much brighter future than anywhere in Europe though... So your kids will benefit from a far more positive outlook from the majority of the population. The Aus population as a whole is generally far more upbeat about the future than those in the UK. Having a positive environment as a reason for migrating, is seriously underestimated in my view. In fact a lot of Migrants really hate the "She'll be right mate" Tude... which Aussies see as positive and optomistc, which UK people misconstrue as lackadaisical. Takes years to get over the negative conditioning of the UK apparently.

Originally Posted by GoldCoastMag

Hi Anita, The reasons you give for giving another country a go may be the very reason why it could work for you, but a sounds like a lot of thought may be needed before your decision is made.

You are considering going to a foreign country. Australia is not the country for everyone and a lot of the things that niggle you now may be as bad here plus you would be in a country with a different culture and reality may be it is worse for you financially (it certainly costs to relocate) let alone leaving the house that you are so proud of. Australia is also very large with a variety of climates and cultural differences, depending which state you are looking at you could have a beach or country or inner city life but they all will be different from your experience now.

I would not change my Aussie childrens childhood but that doesnt mean everyone thinks the same. They grew up with the beach at their fingertips and they have all become wonderful adults who I am extremely proud of. Mine had to do their travelling when they grew up and then took the opportunity for world travel. They were able to able to go to the UK and access the rest of Europe and the Americas but from here it is always just about a days journey.

I think your children are lucky to have you thinking so hard about their future, and as part of that your whole family has to be happy about the decision. It sounds as if a lot of research is needed about the country you ultimately decide to apply to and whether your needs will be met by leaving your birth country.

A list of pros and cons may help too, you have obviously looked into leaving the UK before but found reasons to stay, and those reasons may still be compelling.

I think if you had an idea about which city or even state we could give you more links, and of course the DIAC website could be a good starting point to see if you are eligible for a visa.

Hope it helps a little

Originally Posted by ExSmoggie

Purely looking at tax rates, the top marginal rate in Australia comes in once you earn $180,000+ and is 46.5% (45% tax plus 1.5% medicare levy - don't forget that bit in your calculations!)

The top UK rate of 50% comes in once you earn over 150,000 pounds any less thank that and it is 40%.

Therefore you would have to be earning over the 150k in the UK before the tax argument for moving becomes effective.

On a similar rate of pay here in Australia, say $210k for example, you would also need to pay private health insurance to cover all your family otherwise you would need to pay the Medicare Levy Surcharge (an extra 1% of taxable income), In addition as someone else suggested, at that level of income, you would not be entitled to any family assistance.

Also, try googling the 'Flood levy'. This is for the 2012 year only and would not apply to you. However if taxes and politics are key to your decision making it might interest you to have a read.

The above is all financial. From my personal perspective I would say, don't do it! I love Australia but my husband and I are stuck. Here we earn good money and have a lot of the material items that we desire. In the industry we work (mining) there is no comparison in the UK and no way we could have this lifestyle. However, we don't have any family or support here which we would have in the UK which I really miss. To me, you are in the enviable position of currently having both and I don't think that is something to take lightly or to give up easily - just my opinion. Good Luck with whatever you decide.

Originally Posted by seanyg

Thanks, I'll try those. I think Australia's highest tax rate is 37% though, not 50% (or am I thinking of Canada?!).