Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Sep 10th 2007, 2:58 pm
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 5
Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Ok, we are about to start our visa application and are just doing our sums so we know a bit of what to expect.
Is anyone who has done the move be able to advise on the rough costings of the following please (permonth)
Medicare for family of 4
Water, elec, gas bills,
Council tax
Car insurance
cost of cars (roughly)
Also what would happen with things like our life insurance policies that we have here? Wills.
Also, if any of you are self employed, what % tax to you have to pay?
Regarding mortages, how easy is it to get one?
Thanks if you've got time to help us with this, much appreciated.
Is anyone who has done the move be able to advise on the rough costings of the following please (permonth)
Medicare for family of 4
Water, elec, gas bills,
Council tax
Car insurance
cost of cars (roughly)
Also what would happen with things like our life insurance policies that we have here? Wills.
Also, if any of you are self employed, what % tax to you have to pay?
Regarding mortages, how easy is it to get one?
Thanks if you've got time to help us with this, much appreciated.
Sep 10th 2007, 3:08 pm
#2
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Ok, we are about to start our visa application and are just doing our sums so we know a bit of what to expect.
Is anyone who has done the move be able to advise on the rough costings of the following please (permonth)
Medicare for family of 4
Water, elec, gas bills,
Council tax
Car insurance
cost of cars (roughly)
Also what would happen with things like our life insurance policies that we have here? Wills.
Also, if any of you are self employed, what % tax to you have to pay?
Regarding mortages, how easy is it to get one?
Thanks if you've got time to help us with this, much appreciated.
Is anyone who has done the move be able to advise on the rough costings of the following please (permonth)
Medicare for family of 4
Water, elec, gas bills,
Council tax
Car insurance
cost of cars (roughly)
Also what would happen with things like our life insurance policies that we have here? Wills.
Also, if any of you are self employed, what % tax to you have to pay?
Regarding mortages, how easy is it to get one?
Thanks if you've got time to help us with this, much appreciated.
Most of the questions you've asked have been answered many times before and you'll find all the information you need by using the site's search function (up in the pink bar at the top of the window). Regarding your question - we're better off - other people's mileage may vary. 
Sep 10th 2007, 3:25 pm
#3
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 423
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Dont forget the lifestyle too.
Not waking up in a grey horrible atmosphere, knowing you are paying through the nose for it, and getting no kick backs.
Granted aussie has bad points, but lifestyle has a factor in being better off.
Not waking up in a grey horrible atmosphere, knowing you are paying through the nose for it, and getting no kick backs.
Granted aussie has bad points, but lifestyle has a factor in being better off.
Sep 10th 2007, 8:59 pm
#4
this is home!!
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: laid back Springfield Lakes.............
Posts: 1,973
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Financially we are about the same as in the UK BUT physically,spiritually and emotionally....................................... OH YES we are most definately better off. Our quality of life as far as time spent with each other and things we have done since arriving 10 months ago far outweighs anything we had in Britain (the only downside is missing the kids and grandkids but they are visiting soon).
Loz x
).Loz x
Sep 10th 2007, 10:29 pm
#5
Senior Stella Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Location: Brisbane, QLD
Posts: 394
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Ok, we are about to start our visa application and are just doing our sums so we know a bit of what to expect.
Is anyone who has done the move be able to advise on the rough costings of the following please (permonth)
Medicare for family of 4 - 1.5% of your pre tax salary after pension taken out plus another 1% if as a family you earn over $100K and don't have Medical Insurance.
Water included in Rates ours were about $400 a qtr, elec about $350-400 a qtr, gas - don't have it
Council tax - see above rates
Car insurance - $40 per months for a small car
cost of cars (roughly) - new Kia Rio around $16k, new medium 4X4 around $32k, large 4X4 around $50-60k plus on road costs. Second hand cars hold their value. Check out www.carsales.com.au
Also what would happen with things like our life insurance policies that we have here? Wills. I checked with my Life company and they sent me a letter to say we were covered so long as the payments were being recieved in the UK (kept bank account open for that reason + handy for parents transferring money for kids presents etc.....).
Also, if any of you are self employed, what % tax to you have to pay? Not self employed so can't help you there, I know come tax rebate time self employed folks do OK!!
Regarding mortages, how easy is it to get one? You will need to be in a job and have passed your probabtion period, other than that they are giving them away with Corn Flakes....a 20% deposit will avoid the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance which can be a good few grand......
Thanks if you've got time to help us with this, much appreciated.
Is anyone who has done the move be able to advise on the rough costings of the following please (permonth)
Medicare for family of 4 - 1.5% of your pre tax salary after pension taken out plus another 1% if as a family you earn over $100K and don't have Medical Insurance.
Water included in Rates ours were about $400 a qtr, elec about $350-400 a qtr, gas - don't have it
Council tax - see above rates
Car insurance - $40 per months for a small car
cost of cars (roughly) - new Kia Rio around $16k, new medium 4X4 around $32k, large 4X4 around $50-60k plus on road costs. Second hand cars hold their value. Check out www.carsales.com.au
Also what would happen with things like our life insurance policies that we have here? Wills. I checked with my Life company and they sent me a letter to say we were covered so long as the payments were being recieved in the UK (kept bank account open for that reason + handy for parents transferring money for kids presents etc.....).
Also, if any of you are self employed, what % tax to you have to pay? Not self employed so can't help you there, I know come tax rebate time self employed folks do OK!!
Regarding mortages, how easy is it to get one? You will need to be in a job and have passed your probabtion period, other than that they are giving them away with Corn Flakes....a 20% deposit will avoid the need for Lenders Mortgage Insurance which can be a good few grand......
Thanks if you've got time to help us with this, much appreciated.
Sep 10th 2007, 10:48 pm
#6
Banned
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Most Aussies who move to the Uk do so to earn more money and better career opportunities, while most people who move from the UK to OZ do so not to earn more money or to be better off financialy but move for a better lifestyle. eg better weather, larger house, more space, outdoors, beaches etc.
Sep 11th 2007, 2:53 am
#7
Australia's Doorman
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: The Shoalhaven, New South Wales, Australia
Posts: 11,056
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Most Aussies who move to the Uk do so to earn more money and better career opportunities, while most people who move from the UK to OZ do so not to earn more money or to be better off financialy but move for a better lifestyle. eg better weather, larger house, more space, outdoors, beaches etc.
Sep 11th 2007, 3:03 am
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 92
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
It can depend on what line of work your in, some jobs pay less out here than the same job in the UK. I'm in I.T. and financially I'm a little worse off, but the lifestyle more than makes up for it.
Some things out here cost an absolute arm and a leg, air travel (both international and domestic) is VERY expensive compared to the UK whereas there are things such as dining out, which is much cheaper than the UK....and better too.
Some things out here cost an absolute arm and a leg, air travel (both international and domestic) is VERY expensive compared to the UK whereas there are things such as dining out, which is much cheaper than the UK....and better too.
Sep 11th 2007, 4:04 am
#9
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Chichester, England, Auckland, NZ, Gold Coast, Oz. Going back to UK 17th Oct
Posts: 123
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
It also depends what state in Australia you'lll be living...every state has different fees and charges.
Financially we're no better off here in QLD.
Financially we're no better off here in QLD.
Sep 11th 2007, 4:07 am
#10
Account Closed
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 8,913
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Ok, we are about to start our visa application and are just doing our sums so we know a bit of what to expect.
Is anyone who has done the move be able to advise on the rough costings of the following please (permonth)
Medicare for family of 4
Water, elec, gas bills,
Council tax
Car insurance
cost of cars (roughly)
Also what would happen with things like our life insurance policies that we have here? Wills.
Also, if any of you are self employed, what % tax to you have to pay?
Regarding mortages, how easy is it to get one?
Thanks if you've got time to help us with this, much appreciated.
Is anyone who has done the move be able to advise on the rough costings of the following please (permonth)
Medicare for family of 4
Water, elec, gas bills,
Council tax
Car insurance
cost of cars (roughly)
Also what would happen with things like our life insurance policies that we have here? Wills.
Also, if any of you are self employed, what % tax to you have to pay?
Regarding mortages, how easy is it to get one?
Thanks if you've got time to help us with this, much appreciated.
Sep 11th 2007, 4:46 am
#11
Proudly Deplorable
Joined: May 2003
Location: Alloha snack bar
Posts: 24,246
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Undoubtedly, yes.
We are better off financially (now).
We have a better quality of life.
Our standard of living is roughly similar.
We have the thing I craved the most in the UK - space.
Much better off here at the moment.
We are better off financially (now).
We have a better quality of life.
Our standard of living is roughly similar.
We have the thing I craved the most in the UK - space.
Much better off here at the moment.
Sep 11th 2007, 5:59 am
#12
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 423
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Again depends on how you "define" better off.
I earn more money in Uk thn I could in Aus.
I am away in Uk 4 nights of the week, and work daft hours, and never see anyone, alone worker.
The reason I need to, if I took a more office based job, my earning go down, and I cant afford what I have, so i dont have a balance here, and hat I have is needed to enjoy life here, because lets face it, theres very few places you can go without paying for it.
In Aus, I can have the balance, as I want to be there, and will cut the cloth accordingly, having lived there, and ping ponged, I can see where my flaws were in migrating.
I earn more money in Uk thn I could in Aus.
I am away in Uk 4 nights of the week, and work daft hours, and never see anyone, alone worker.
The reason I need to, if I took a more office based job, my earning go down, and I cant afford what I have, so i dont have a balance here, and hat I have is needed to enjoy life here, because lets face it, theres very few places you can go without paying for it.
In Aus, I can have the balance, as I want to be there, and will cut the cloth accordingly, having lived there, and ping ponged, I can see where my flaws were in migrating.
Sep 14th 2007, 10:13 am
#13
Forum Regular
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 251
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Are you coming back to UK? Which part f the Gold Coast are you on? I think there is not much in it to be honest - the things you save on you pay more for in other areas. Its the dental costs and medical that frighten me!!!
We came back for 18 months and are going back - costs rising here!!!!
Sep 14th 2007, 10:23 am
#14
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: Hervey Bay QLD
Posts: 129
Re: Are you better off in Aus than the UK?
Hi Just a quick reply, we were better off financially in the UK!