Freespirit / Working Away From Home Allowance
Mar 1st 2006, 12:13 pm
#1
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Joined: Mar 2006
Location: London, UK
Posts: 3
Freespirit / Working Away From Home Allowance
Hi
I've just been to a seminar in London run by Freespirit, as I'm looking at going over to Aus in a few months to stay for a couple of years. They've told me that I can get a job in IT in Sydney, and they'll sponsor me. I'm looking at going over on a working holiday visa, and then if I find a job I want to stay in I could convert to a 457 with their help.
I'm using an agent, as apparently it's very difficult to get a 457 visa when I'm not in Aus to go to interviews and meet potential employers. So I've been advised to get a WHV for now, and then change it when I've been in Sydney for a while, settled down and have secured a job.
They've said that they deal with all the tax/sponsorship/payroll details, and in return I pay them 10% of my salary (or there abouts? I'm not completely sure).
They said that there are agencies who take a lot less than their fee, but Freespirit offer something called a 'Working Away From Home Allowance' (WAFHA).
I've just read up on that on this site , and it seems that if I don't own a property I can call a home, I can't claim that I'm working away from that home and get the allowance. I'm renting in London now, and when I leave my tennancy ends. From an objective point of view, this article makes sense (as technically I'm not away from home if I don't own one!). The article goes on to say that there are agencies who offer the WAFHA, but if I'm 'caught out' as not owning a home, I would have to pay back all the benefits I've received, with interest. Scary stuff.
At this point I'm not sure which source to believe, but obviously Freespirit are using the WAFHA as a major incentive to sign up with them so naturally I'm wary. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks
Ben
I've just been to a seminar in London run by Freespirit, as I'm looking at going over to Aus in a few months to stay for a couple of years. They've told me that I can get a job in IT in Sydney, and they'll sponsor me. I'm looking at going over on a working holiday visa, and then if I find a job I want to stay in I could convert to a 457 with their help.
I'm using an agent, as apparently it's very difficult to get a 457 visa when I'm not in Aus to go to interviews and meet potential employers. So I've been advised to get a WHV for now, and then change it when I've been in Sydney for a while, settled down and have secured a job.
They've said that they deal with all the tax/sponsorship/payroll details, and in return I pay them 10% of my salary (or there abouts? I'm not completely sure).
They said that there are agencies who take a lot less than their fee, but Freespirit offer something called a 'Working Away From Home Allowance' (WAFHA).
I've just read up on that on this site , and it seems that if I don't own a property I can call a home, I can't claim that I'm working away from that home and get the allowance. I'm renting in London now, and when I leave my tennancy ends. From an objective point of view, this article makes sense (as technically I'm not away from home if I don't own one!). The article goes on to say that there are agencies who offer the WAFHA, but if I'm 'caught out' as not owning a home, I would have to pay back all the benefits I've received, with interest. Scary stuff.
At this point I'm not sure which source to believe, but obviously Freespirit are using the WAFHA as a major incentive to sign up with them so naturally I'm wary. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks
Ben
Mar 2nd 2006, 5:31 am
#2
Reg. Migration Agent
Joined: Jan 2003
Location: Inner Western suburbs of Sydney
Posts: 4,483
Re: Freespirit / Working Away From Home Allowance
Originally Posted by ben1980
Hi
I've just been to a seminar in London run by Freespirit, as I'm looking at going over to Aus in a few months to stay for a couple of years. They've told me that I can get a job in IT in Sydney, and they'll sponsor me. I'm looking at going over on a working holiday visa, and then if I find a job I want to stay in I could convert to a 457 with their help.
I'm using an agent, as apparently it's very difficult to get a 457 visa when I'm not in Aus to go to interviews and meet potential employers. So I've been advised to get a WHV for now, and then change it when I've been in Sydney for a while, settled down and have secured a job.
They've said that they deal with all the tax/sponsorship/payroll details, and in return I pay them 10% of my salary (or there abouts? I'm not completely sure).
They said that there are agencies who take a lot less than their fee, but Freespirit offer something called a 'Working Away From Home Allowance' (WAFHA).
I've just read up on that on this site , and it seems that if I don't own a property I can call a home, I can't claim that I'm working away from that home and get the allowance. I'm renting in London now, and when I leave my tennancy ends. From an objective point of view, this article makes sense (as technically I'm not away from home if I don't own one!). The article goes on to say that there are agencies who offer the WAFHA, but if I'm 'caught out' as not owning a home, I would have to pay back all the benefits I've received, with interest. Scary stuff.
At this point I'm not sure which source to believe, but obviously Freespirit are using the WAFHA as a major incentive to sign up with them so naturally I'm wary. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks
Ben
I've just been to a seminar in London run by Freespirit, as I'm looking at going over to Aus in a few months to stay for a couple of years. They've told me that I can get a job in IT in Sydney, and they'll sponsor me. I'm looking at going over on a working holiday visa, and then if I find a job I want to stay in I could convert to a 457 with their help.
I'm using an agent, as apparently it's very difficult to get a 457 visa when I'm not in Aus to go to interviews and meet potential employers. So I've been advised to get a WHV for now, and then change it when I've been in Sydney for a while, settled down and have secured a job.
They've said that they deal with all the tax/sponsorship/payroll details, and in return I pay them 10% of my salary (or there abouts? I'm not completely sure).
They said that there are agencies who take a lot less than their fee, but Freespirit offer something called a 'Working Away From Home Allowance' (WAFHA).
I've just read up on that on this site , and it seems that if I don't own a property I can call a home, I can't claim that I'm working away from that home and get the allowance. I'm renting in London now, and when I leave my tennancy ends. From an objective point of view, this article makes sense (as technically I'm not away from home if I don't own one!). The article goes on to say that there are agencies who offer the WAFHA, but if I'm 'caught out' as not owning a home, I would have to pay back all the benefits I've received, with interest. Scary stuff.
At this point I'm not sure which source to believe, but obviously Freespirit are using the WAFHA as a major incentive to sign up with them so naturally I'm wary. Can anyone shed any light on this?
Thanks
Ben
I'm surprised they're touting the LAFHA like that, or that you need an agent for a 457 when you don't have a job offer, but they're right about one thing, it's easier to come here on a working holiday visa and then get sponsored. Suggest you talk to their competitors, eg www.lester.com.au or http://www.gnaustralia.com.au/info1.html to see if they'd offer you the LAFHA.
Cheers,
George Lombard
www.austimmigration.com.au
Mar 2nd 2006, 10:58 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Freespirit / Working Away From Home Allowance
Try www.cxcglobal.com as well. They are pretty good. was with them for
a while. and LAFHA doesnot require u to have a "home" as such. and 10%
is wwwwaaaayyyyy too much charge. usually 6-7% or fixed price like 300$
a while. and LAFHA doesnot require u to have a "home" as such. and 10%
is wwwwaaaayyyyy too much charge. usually 6-7% or fixed price like 300$
