Any one found the drop in wages a problem? (leaving UK wage and then taking lower Aus wage).

For me, the reverse was true; I had a well-paid government job back home in Australia, but when I came to the UK I found that all the experience in my previous job was simply ignored (still don't know why; I was simply told "Well, that was in Australia, not the UK - so it doesn't count" ) and I had to start on a pittance.

First job paid minimum wage. I took it because I had no other option.

Nearly two and a half years on (and quite a few temp jobs later!) I am now in a permanent position with a large multinational, earning substantially more than I earned in Australia. Doesn't pay overtime (unlike my job in Australia) and I only get 4 weeks of holidays (I received 5 weeks back home) but hey, you have to make a few sacrifices when you move to a different country.

Feels great to be sitting pretty at last, though it was a hell of a ride to get here!

Vash, is it unusual to receive 5 weeks hols in Oz, especially in private companies? It seems most places only give 4 - can you negotiate more?

I currently get 5 weeks and I would prefer not to spend less time with my children in Oz.

Thanks

Buzzy

Just curious - would you go back to Aus to live ? :

maybe you could better ask, does Oz want him back ? :scared:











just kiddin Vash

When I finally get to Oz, I will be taking about a 25% drop.

I don't personally give a damn. I want less stress, less hassle, a bit more space and I hope a better life, and i'm not the only one.

I do have the advantage of having some savings, but it's definitely not enough to stop working thats for sure !!!!

I'll let you know in about 8 months if I made the right move.

Don't forget, It's not all about money, Most people moving to Oz decided initially because of : space/stress/weather etc. Not money.(that came later )

No, it's not usual to get 5 weeks for private companies; 4 weeks the standard allowance.

I was only given 5 weeks because I had a government job.

Absolutely! I'd go tomorrow if I could!

Currently planning to return with the missus somewhere around the end of 2008.

Though of course, now that I am a British citizen, I can stay for as long as I like...

but don't forget, even convicted criminals don't get deported nowadays.

Yes, makes a change from the old days, doesn't it!

touche !

Same with Polly,TOH, had 14+ years working admin for police in UK, came to Australia and finally got a job with the Qld gov't, though had to start on the bottom rung. However, overseas admin experience apparently doesn't count (for that matter Oz either) as there is an inground culture of "you are this level not that level, so you can't do that job", even though in the UK she was doing work sometimes at a higher level. I find this applied not only in the workplace, but as a motorsport official it occurs even if I 'm sure I could do the work just as well as others.
She has now found niche job but has to apply for it, even though she has been doing that job for over 12 months but still has no guarantee of getting it permanently.

I've had to take a drop of 3hrs/week in o/t pay(@double time) since the new workplace regs came in and there's nothing I can do about it. Really hurts the bottomline, and I'm from here.

Now under the "reforms" by Little Johnny Howard, I believe they don't even have to give you that many hols, depending on how the "agreement" is worded when you first join.