My husband is an officer in the merchant navy and is on a ship in Australian waters at the moment. The management of the vessel has just been given to an Australian company and he has been offered a contract with them because he is a senior officer. They are willing to offer him one of 2 types of contract:
Permanent and casual. Many of the Australians are on the casual as it pays 12% more. The only difference is that when they have used up their leave at home (they work 5 weeks and have 5 weeks off) then the casuals are not paid until they rejoin a ship but the others do. As the officers work back to back with their countrparts this does not happen. My query is about us going to live in Australia. Can we do that on both contracts or just the permanent one?
MY next query is about tax. We aren't sure if he will be paid into a British bank account net and then pay UK tax or if they will pay inot and Australian account and he would be liable for Australian tax. If the latter can he claim the tax back and pay UK tax while still living here? We will not move for about 6 to 9 months.
I have 2 further questions:
1 I have a son who is about to go to uni in Sept. Can he transfer to an Australian uni to be with us? Or beca\use of his age would he have to come out as an adult with us sponsoring him later?
2 My final question is about me! I am a primary school teacher and would like to teach in Australia. IS this possible if I come to Australia becuase my husband works there? Is it easy to get a job and will my qualifications be accepted?
Any help would be great, so thanks in advance to everyone.
Many queries!!!!!!
