jamjar

So hows the British summer treating - its been great hasnt it. Seen the sun yet? I really hope it improves for the Olympics

Sorry but is that for the broadband and the line rental

May I ask how much that all costs? And can you bundle the tv and broadband like with Sky and virgin in the UK? Thanks for any info

It has to do with lots of factors, the reason that it came back from 2.4 was the financial crisis that hit all countires but didnt really touch Oz. As the bank of england lowered interest rates, all the way to 0.5% you saw that large decrease from 2.4 to about 1.8 (nobody want GBP when you not getting any interest). From there it has contiued to slide due to the receission and all the going on's in the Euro zone and QE, everytime they pump money in it gets weaker. It was in the 1.45 range before the 1.6 spike you mention in your OP, this spike had nothing to do with the UK. It was because China sneezed and Oz cut its interest rate. Now its going down again, due to more bad news in the Eurozone and more QE again. If you want to be selfish about it (and I do), we need China to hit a big wobble. I thought it was going to happen but looking less likely, there is some more bad news coming out of Oz that might help in the next 6 months or so. All industries other than mining are being hit.

You ever watch the news?

Well not surprised now that you dont like it. But I dont think its Oz you dont like, its the situation you are now in. Perhaps try a little harder to get the kids in somewhere, perhaps start a post on that topic. You will be surprised how many hidden child care places there are and someone could perhaps put you in the right direction for your area. I am also sure that you could find work above a cleaner, what do you currently do?

I think you need to try and give it chance. If you are so convinced you dont like it already, then you probably went with that opinion in mind before you even arrived. 6 weeks is nothing. No its not going to be all sunshine and roses to start with, perhaps try to start doing things you enjoy and build from there. Most say it takes 2 yrs to settle, I think you will know quicker than that, but not within 6 weeks. Good luck

Hi Just a word of caution. If shipping boxes using Sevenseas, they expect you to take the boxes out to the street. This was not made clear at the time of booking, pretty easy if you are in a house. But not if you are up on the 4th floor of a block of flats, you will be leaving your possessions un-attended if by yourself. They also dont have moving trolleys on their vans, seems a bit odd considering they say dont put more than 40kg in a box. No doubt other companies may be the same. Thanks

Besides not liking the beach, surely you could have done all the things you do in the UK in Perth. Your logic and the point you male to Joebloggs has to work both ways - so how could you have found it boring, because you didnt make the effort.

Foxtel not got it?

Not sure about the info you have received, true you will most probably not secure a job before you are there. Think about it, there are 1000's of accountants, so they want to see you in person - makes sense really. It's not like a special skill set that would secure you something from the otherside of the world. As for jobs - there are plenty, go on Seek.com.au and do a search for accounting roles for your and OH's postions. Both Melbourne and Sydney will have more jobs than Brisbane. We started of choosing Melbourne and then changed our minds, probably the best city in my opinion but the weather is a bit up and down and we dont like the beaches there. Sydney is just another big city and we are leaving London, so want a change - though it has nice beaches, but property close to the beaches is expensive and by close I mean walking distance. My OH does not like Brisbane - no real reason. So we went for Perth, never been there, so we will see. But we can afford a property within walking distance to the beach. Oh and I am an accountant just in case you thought I was being negative about your career choice. The agents I have spoken to have all said the same, no chance of getting a job from the UK but no chance of not finding something when you get here - just be FLEXIBLE on the first job and then the next one will fall into place. I think you should decide where you want to go and then research that city, all the big cities have plenty of jobs for accountants. Good luck

Would that mean that Coles would in fact charge more for say the same tin of beans in Perth compared to Sydney?

So all those putting down Oz in the Moving Back to UK section is ok? Thats a really bad excuse if you only want to hear that everything is perfect in the UK. You read what you read and dismiss it if you know its complete rubbish.

Sorry, what does this mean?

It is my understanding that you do, otherwise anybody could state anything.

So he didnt really notice a difference between prices in Brisbane v Perth? Thanks

When it comes to finanical comparisons, I am sorry but you dont know what you are talking about. If the price of milk in Oz went down and the exchange rate tanked (like it did) according to Mercer, Australia got more expensive to live in. It is a pointless list.

Was in Noosa a few yrs back, great place, lovely beach (bit narrow). Some good restaurants, not sure if this is different from Noosaville. I know they are very close.

Hoff, I am not saying it is not based on facts or am I dis-agreeing with the logic. But not everybody earns the averages, and I know of people who earn £100k in the UK and there is a snow balls chance in hell of them getting AUD220k. Now if the get 1.6, that's AUD 160k = more than enough, so they can still make the move. I think Oz likes everybody to be in the middle, so lower paid jobs in the UK seem to convert at 2.2 or more. Where highing paying UK jobs convert at a lower rate. Thus they try to keep the average person out of poverty.

The problem is, not anybody I know is getting this conversion rate for the salary or even close to it - best is 2.0 and that is only 1 person, the other 6 I know range from 1.5 - 1.8. So yes people need to really do a lot of reserch to see how the actual numbers will fall. I really think a lot of poeple are shocked at the costs in Oz - not because they are really that expensive as a % of salary compared to the UK but more because they expected to be richer after the move. What I dont understand is that if people were just getting by in the UK or were doing just okay, what makes them think they will be loaded when they get to Oz.

Were you able to change the address in the end?

Totally disagree with this part, I know someone who has lived in an english speaking country for 40 yrs and she still only speaks Portugese. That is disgraceful and I dont feel sorry for her when she goes to the hospital. 40 yrs and she cant be bothered, in fact she must have tried hard not to learn the language.

Which beaches are you aloud to drive on? If you dont mind how is the Pajero? New or used? Cost if you dont mind? Thanks

UPDATE We have a 4 day bank holiday weekend with Jubillee celebrations coming up and true to Great British form, the weather is pants. It's currently grey and raining here in London (which is South for those who keep going on about the great weather in the South) and the same is forecast for the next 5 days. Enjoy everyone, dont forget you sun screen , oops sorry meant your rain coats.

I think you have failed to see the point, most poeple on 457 are NOT Australian and thus being taxed less than Australians earning the same salary due to LAFHA. They are not taxing foreigners more, they may not give them all the same dedcutions or benefits, but why should they, they are temps. Everybody has known that this was coming to an end, if you didnt well then get your head out the sand and pay attention.