LAFHA on 457

**Mongrel** · 26-02-2009, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by crabbejo

cheers Mally, bit confusing when you're not used to it, but I guess it's a tax break which will help us when getting started

until we get to apply for PR

Theres also salary sacrificing oh a nurse does a lot of employers do it , there are companies who do this and charge you a small amount , you sacrifice part of your salary for mortgage ,rent ,car even dining out ,but you have to show rental ,mortgage cotracts ,car loans etc , think it s 9 grand a year goes out of your salary before tax then the salarey sac firm pays it into your bank the next day

Maly

**charlinoz** · 15-07-2009, 12:34 AM

Hey, I worked in Australia for a while on my working holiday visa, I got LAFHA through working through a company called Geoffrey Nathan... my timesheets went to them and they paid me with the living away from home allowance.. they helped me get my residency too ! google them!

**charlinoz** · 15-07-2009, 12:36 AM

Hey! just saw this - i replied on another thread...but Geoffrey Nathan is one of the companies that does that. they helped me get my residency too!... I rate them! :)

**Rocky2** · 15-12-2009, 06:05 AM

Hi,

Should have been a member of Poms in Oz some time ago...but hey!
I have have just heard of this LAFHA allowance and have not been claiming the benefit for 1 year( time spent in Brisbane thus far). Obviously deeply concerned with my lack of basic information. Does an employer have to pay this benefit if you are eligible? If so, are you aware if it can it be back dated?

Thank you in advance for your reply.

Regards,

Rocky2

**ezeepz** · 15-12-2009, 07:11 AM

Hi bryam99

I'm not saying anyone here is misleading because I had never heard of it other than for existing employees going to a worksite remote to their normal Aus home. In this case it would form part of their collective agreement. I am surprised the ATO give away money to foreign nationals to work here. Do you intend to go back to the UK as that maybe the key in proving or not that you ar entitled to LAFHA. But as I say I had never heard of it.

Here are some links to other places I have just found. They may help. Happy reading.

Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) - update

The lowdown on LAFHA - Brainbox.com.au

Good explanation here as well
Living Away From Home Allowance LAFHA

Cheers

**Mongrel** · 15-12-2009, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by ezeepz

Hi bryam99

I'm not saying anyone here is misleading because I had never heard of it other than for existing employees going to a worksite remote to their normal Aus home. In this case it would form part of their collective agreement. I am surprised the ATO give away money to foreign nationals to work here. Do you intend to go back to the UK as that maybe the key in proving or not that you ar entitled to LAFHA. But as I say I had never heard of it.

Here are some links to other places I have just found. They may help. Happy reading.

Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA) - update

The lowdown on LAFHA - Brainbox.com.au

Good explanation here as well
Living Away From Home Allowance LAFHA

Cheers

This is a 2 year old thread , you dont have to sign owt sayin you are intendin to go back ,you have to be offered it in your contract and obviously you have to supply a home address away from your area of work ,eg an address in the uk if you are a 4577 migrant

**herts1** · 15-12-2009, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by igraham

Can anyone help

I have been in Oz for 9 months and am currently claiming LAFHA. I am on a 457 visa and would like to know how my employer should be paying the tax free contribution to me.

At present they are removing the LAHFA component off of my salary prior to me paying tax. This means that when I get a wage slip it shows up at a lower yearly rate of pay than I am contracted on. If I work any overtime it is payed to me at the lower rate, which I think is incorrect. Also my employer is paying my Super at the lower rate rather than my contracted rate which means I am currently getting $195.00 per month less than I should be.

Does anyone know how the LAFHA system works, as ther is limited information on this.

Ian

I am also on LAFHA and my employer said it was the rule that the super was also reduced to the lower rate. You have to work out which is more beneficial if your rent is high then taking LAFHA more than covers the loss in superdepending on whether your reduced salary takes you into a different tax banding. If you return to the UK you would get the super back.

**nm123** · 22-12-2009, 04:05 PM

My employer will offer LAFHA but HR is now out of office until Christmas. My Total Remuneration is $104,500, with a salary of $94,000. We (2 adults) are going to be living in Sydney and estimating $2500 per month in rent. Anyone fancy guestimating my net take home?

Also, I presume OH won't be able to claim LAFHA on the same rent??

Thanks!

**tasha161096** · 24-12-2009, 01:49 PM

my total package was a little higher but taking LAFHA is likely to increase your take home pay by about $800 - $1000 a month. not sure on the double claim on same rent , there is also a groceries allowance and I think it is better to have claim in as soon as possible as I do not think the payment can be backdated.