Mike 3G

Hello expats,

I'm currently based in Brisbane QLD but originally from the UK.

We are now weighing up a move to Abu Dhabi with my present employer, we are a family of 6, the kids are aged 3,10,15 & 17, my wife will most likely remain as a stay at home mum.

Our parent company is a fairly well established mid sized Oil & Gas service company in the middle east with a regional HQ in Abu Dhabi. My role would be Regional General Manager of a new division in the business and I'd be tasked with establishing the division and building a team with capability to go to market with the service. I have 23 years experience in the industry and my role in Brisbane is very similar to what I'd be doing in the Abu Dhabi.

For Background the equivalent role in the company in the UK comes with a salary of 100k GBP and a 5k car allowance, in Australia it's 270k AUD + super, there is a fairly loose structure in the business therefore I'm not convinced they will have an off the shelf contract and benefits package to present to me when we get down to the nitty gritty, hence the questions.

I'm keen to understand what a package for a role as described in region would be roughly valued at, also given my current deal in Brisbane what I need to replicate our lifestyle and save circa 20% - 30% per year.To give an indication of lifestyle we save about 15% here at present and enjoy a couple of family breaks to Indonesia or Malaysia a year, 4 star level with economy flights. We have a 4 year old Toyota SUV and a 2 year old base Ford Focus. We drink far too much cheap red wine and eat out once a week. We own a very average 4 bed house in a average suburb about 35kms out from the CBD, classic Aussie suburbia!

From the research I have done I'm thinking an average package for the UAE is made up of the following.

• Base
• Rental allowance
• Medical
• Schooling - is it usually capped at 3 kids?
• Company car?
• Flights to home country every year - economy?

I reckon I'm in a decent position to get a fair deal but I'm aware there is often a big difference between what the employer will open with and what they will actually settle on .

Any and all feedback welcome.

Millhouse

reddiva

Yes capped at 3 kids and some only give a % towards fees ( not full amount)

scot47

I would think about education and future for kids - especially the two older ones. Stay put is my advice.

Standanista

Just a bit of background info on money. This is contract money rather than permanent, but, as a pointer, a mate of mine here in Qatar - British, 50s, supervisory role and a mix of on- and offshore - is making £1200 a day. No frills as far as I know apart from hotel and transport paid.