Just had a bit of a shock... Because we haven't been in the country 104 weeks, my daughter will have to pay full college fees of $1,200 instead of $53 had she been here the full two years. She will also have to pay full fare on transport... all this will add up to well over $2,300 a year! She chose to leave school to do an apprenticeship and falls within the bracket of "low income earner". I am *&^&*ed off but really just want other members to benefit from our experience really, rather than find out the hard, expensive way.
Don't want to put anyone off but I can't say HOW important it is to do your sums and think of every possibility...
We are MUCH worse off here money wise and initially thought that the sunshine and "lifestyle" compensated but even that is wearing thin... I'm beginning to think we have made a BIG mistake. I realised long ago that we had committed financial suicide but got over that but it just goes on, and on, and on...
Just had a bit of a shock... Because we haven't been in the country 104 weeks, my daughter will have to pay full college fees of $1,200 instead of $53 had she been here the full two years. She will also have to pay full fare on transport... all this will add up to well over $2,300 a year! She chose to leave school to do an apprenticeship and falls within the bracket of "low income earner". I am *&^&*ed off but really just want other members to benefit from our experience really, rather than find out the hard, expensive way.
Don't want to put anyone off but I can't say HOW important it is to do your sums and think of every possibility...
We are MUCH worse off here money wise and initially thought that the sunshine and "lifestyle" compensated but even that is wearing thin... I'm beginning to think we have made a BIG mistake. I realised long ago that we had committed financial suicide but got over that but it just goes on, and on, and on...
Hi, thanks for you info.....we have been out here for 1 1/2 years and I am already having doubts. We send our kids to private school at the mo, therefore an extra cost we didn't bank on, even if you don't do that, the state schools charge for their books and pencils etc etc. Stamp duty on buying cars...we never knew this. Prescriptions, visiting a doctors etc etc, Xrays, the list goes on and on. I am already having doubts!!! The interest rates are so high we would really struggle if we bought our own place, so thats not on the cards. Feeling homesik on top of all this doesn't help, but I am aware the longer we leave it the harder it will become to go back and buy, its a big wake up call living here for sure. I agree also about the sunshine and lifestyle...What will you do?
__________________
Sunshine Coast QLD...but there is no place like home!!!
Just read your post and had a panic!!! My 18yr old daughter is currently in the Uk, finishing her diploma in photography and living with grandparents. She is visiting in March to validate her visa. We applied when she was 17yrs so included her in our application, she intends to apply to Adelaide school of art, or melbourne uni. We thought that her uni fees would be cheaper because we have PR. BETTER START SAVING THE PENNIES THEN!!!
Just read your post and had a panic!!! My 18yr old daughter is currently in the Uk, finishing her diploma in photography and living with grandparents. She is visiting in March to validate her visa. We applied when she was 17yrs so included her in our application, she intends to apply to Adelaide school of art, or melbourne uni. We thought that her uni fees would be cheaper because we have PR. BETTER START SAVING THE PENNIES THEN!!!
mONTY
Our other daughter was in exactly the same situation... she is still in U.K. at uni but it is also worth mentioning that I believe you have to be in Oz for 2 years before you can HECS uni fees. The daughter I was on about in my original post with her $1200 fee is on a TAFE fee, not uni so you would indeed be wise to save as hard as you can!
Hi, thanks for you info.....we have been out here for 1 1/2 years and I am already having doubts. We send our kids to private school at the mo, therefore an extra cost we didn't bank on, even if you don't do that, the state schools charge for their books and pencils etc etc. Stamp duty on buying cars...we never knew this. Prescriptions, visiting a doctors etc etc, Xrays, the list goes on and on. I am already having doubts!!! The interest rates are so high we would really struggle if we bought our own place, so thats not on the cards. Feeling homesik on top of all this doesn't help, but I am aware the longer we leave it the harder it will become to go back and buy, its a big wake up call living here for sure. I agree also about the sunshine and lifestyle...What will you do?
I guess we just count to 10 and carry on! It is hard though and I get so frustrated that I don't know where to go to get some of the info... My confidence has plummeted and I feel as though everything is my fault...
Just read your post and had a panic!!! My 18yr old daughter is currently in the Uk, finishing her diploma in photography and living with grandparents. She is visiting in March to validate her visa. We applied when she was 17yrs so included her in our application, she intends to apply to Adelaide school of art, or melbourne uni. We thought that her uni fees would be cheaper because we have PR. BETTER START SAVING THE PENNIES THEN!!!
mONTY
Hi Monty
From what I've found out about Uni your daughter will be able to apply for a Commonwealth Assisted Place with her PR Visa but she wont get any help with paying the fees (student loan) until she is a citizen.
I've looked into this quite a bit as we also have an 18 yr old just finishing A-Levels and wanting to go to Uni in Oz.
Location: Maudsland, Gold Coast from Oldham, Gtr Manchester
Posts: 1,075
Thanks: 8
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Hi, I start Uni in March, and don't have to pay full fees. I have a commonwealth assisted place, as I have permanent residency, and have only been here four months. Phoned to double check, and the woman from the Uni said I would only pay about $4100 for the year (post grad). Maybe I'd better triple check, but reading through the literature it looks right.
Jo
Hi, I start Uni in March, and don't have to pay full fees. I have a commonwealth assisted place, as I have permanent residency, and have only been here four months. Phoned to double check, and the woman from the Uni said I would only pay about $4100 for the year (post grad). Maybe I'd better triple check, but reading through the literature it looks right.
Jo
You've done well!!! I'm doing post grad also and I'm full fee paying deferred because I have citizenship. That is to say I get an index linked interest free loan off the commonwealth gov which I must repay once earning again over a certain amount (approx $40K I think?)... sort of additional payments to tax office until payed off.
Many undergrads leave uni with this kind of debt in the region of $100K (well engineers do anyway?).
Location: Maudsland, Gold Coast from Oldham, Gtr Manchester
Posts: 1,075
Thanks: 8
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by fatpom
Many undergrads leave uni with this kind of debt in the region of $100K (well engineers do anyway?).
Hi, I still owe about 13k in the UK to the student loans company for my undergraduate degree I completed five years ago. Have never earned enough to pay back yet (had kids). This time I have to pay for the fees upfront, but no loan's available I think. Never mind; I only spent the last lot I borrowed on booze anyway! $100k is shocking; engineers are better paid than teachers though:)
Jo
engineers are better paid than teachers though:)
Jo
In Aus only some engineers are better paid than teachers? Takes a long while to surpass teachers for many and usually its at professional supervisory level so not really comparable. The exception will be mining and civil/construction due to the boom?
13K in booze is a fair few 'bloody good nights out'. Good on yer.
You've got me thinking? I've aways assumed the debts are purely tuition fees but maybe not?
The exception will be mining and civil/construction due to the boom?
