Some advice needed.....

[chrisandjoe]

Hi all, have been loitering on here for quite some time! Fell in love with Australia when I spent 2 months in Sydney in 2005 and have always thought about returning, my civil partner Joe lived in Perth for a number of months a few years ago after finishing uni and also has always wanted to go back. I am finishing my medical training next year as a GP and, as we rent in the UK and have no ties, this would be a perfect time to go!

Last month we went to Perth for a couple of weeks, rented a place in Woodvale and looked at a few jobs. I have been offered (and accepted) a job as a GP in the northern suburbs for next year but since getting back we have thought of a few things which I wonder if you might help us with! We shall be coming over on a 457 initially and looking to get PR as soon as we can.

One of our main worries is the money, we would be coming over with about $10-15k, being a doctor is quite well paid (will be looking at $225 - 250k per year at first with the potential for this to increase) but I will be totally self employed so no pension etc, Joe is a chartered surveyor so will also be looking for a job. I know that this is a lot of money but it is a bit scary looking to have no NHS to back you up, what other sorts of costs (out of work insurance, pensions etc) do you think that we need to look at? Neither of us are materialistic people but we want a good life wherever we are and saving up a good deposit and buying a house is something that we really want to do.

The other thing is cars.... we are both car mad, I have searched on here about leasing / buying cars as someone is self employed - anyone had any experience? Also, any tax perks of being self employed like over in the UK?

We are both really excited about the move but I think we both have a fear about the security of working in the UK i.e. paid holidays, pensions, sick pay etc. (all of the really boring stuff and I am only 33 and Joe 30!) but it is the kind of stuff that you take for granted!

Any wise words would be much appreciated!

[Petals]

There is a doctors thread on the forum so have a search through it, I am sure that others using the thread will be able to assist you.