Scoofy

Hi everyone,

I have more been an observer of this forum rather than an active poster, and have gotten a lot of valuable info out of it. We (my partner and I) migrated to Australia 4 years ago on a skilled migration visa, and we have been loving every minute of our stay here.

However, I remember how daunting it was from a financial point of view when we first arrived here: looking for a job, wanting to buy a house and trying to make the most of the money we made.

We had no idea how our income was being taxed, how to choose a super fund, whether we should keep our overseas investments, transfer our pension fund to Australia, etc.

I wasn’t until I started working in financial planning that all of the above started to make some sense. And in the past 2.5 years I have been dealing (professionally) with migrants from different countries, all facing the same issues as us when we first arrived.

That’s why I have been thinking for a while about organising informal information sessions on these topics. I am not a spruiker and would not be selling products or providing individual advice, but would like to share what I have learned and experienced over the past few years.

So I’m really just gauging your interest on these topics (buying a house, taxation, what to do with UK pension and investments, superannuation, etc) and would be happy to liven up some get-togethers with my boring stuff

BTW, I live in Perth’s northern suburbs

Cheers, Scoofy

Syedney

What's a spruiker?...Can I get it from the chemist

Sorry, just joking but on a serious note, I am on my first few days as a 457 and trust me life ain't fun when it comes to money stuff!!

ABCDiamond

And a 457 is very different to a PR, on the financial side.

Scoofy

exactly, there are a lot of other issues to consider if you are on a temporary visa.

'spuiker' is used here in Oz as a person who sells dodgy stuuf, including investments

ABCDiamond

It is also commonly used to describe those people outside shops advertising the goods that the shops sell.

spruiker
noun Australia
Definition:

1. salesperson: a salesperson who addresses passing members of the public from the door of a shop, bar, or other establishment

2. public speaker: somebody who promotes goods, services, or a cause by addressing people in a public place

Scoofy

anyway, I'm not one of those

ozbaz

Great idea. definitely interested , esp life assurances, pensions. It seems even our financial advisor who sold us the insurance in the first place doesn't seem to know. Obviously he hasn't come across many emigrants in his time !

Ozbaz

eeksy

I'd be interested too. Going out on Student Visas with the hope of PR but we have investment income here to consider too.

Idlewood

Would definately be interested!!

We'll be in Perth from August, and have pensions super annuations etc since we're both just in our 40's; all the advice and tips and explanations we can get would be gratefully recieved (might even throw a beer in there!!)

Scoofy

Hi, all of you, thanks for replying and expressing your interest. We have quite a bit of experience in dealing with migrants at work, and I will do my best to tell you about my personal experiences as a migrant and also provide you with a bit more in-depth information from a technical point of view.

Any idea on how to best organise this? Should we organise a get-together, or would it be easier to meet one-on-one?

Scoofy

Syedney

Start with a web site to let people know about your services and to collect interested parties details.

Then let us all know about the address of the site!!

Scoofy

Syedney,

that's an excellent idea, but unofrtunately i do not have the time nor the skills to start a website

is there another way on the forum or via word of mouth maybe to get a few people together?

Syedney

You could write an article on the whole subject and posted in the articles section, not forgetting to add your contact details there for people to get in touch with you.

Failing this you could wear some pink underwear and fluffy pink hat and stand in the middle of the Perth...

I am sure soon enough you'll get the publicity you're seeking!!!

Scoofy

nice one