hardtochase

did you read my post? I did call them and they told me to call back on Tues.

So I am awaiting my Tax File Number. I know that if I don't provide it to my employer after 28 days I will get taxed at the higher rate. The application form states it takes 28 days to get here. 28 days is Tuesday, so given it's nearly the weekend I thought I would call today and find out what's going on as it hasn't arrived yet. I've just been told I have to wait the full 28 days, see if it arrives and if it doesn't then I can call back and only then will someone look into it. Sounds completely ridiculous/inefficient to me. For all I know they might have one error in my address and I can't sort that out until 28 days have passed. I don't know what I want from this post, apart from to air my frustration.

Once you're here and earning Aussie dollars, it won't matter so don't worry about it.

Rachel i know what you mean about the weather. The temperature is ok, around 18 degrees. At home I would be braving bare legs, but here it's coat and tights. I think it's because there is no central heating and most of Sydney is geared up for Summer so restaurants/bars are fully open at the front, you don't get that cosy feeling. And when you get home, you don't warm up! I bought a hot water bottle my 2nd day here, I've never had one in England! Resorting to old school ways of keeping warm! Am up for meeting people, as I have a few friends, but don't want to rely on them too much. I'm in Surry Hills so pretty central, feel free to PM me. Nat

Hi all, this sounds like fun. I'm 30 from London, living in Surry Hills. I can recommend The Sheaf in Double Bay as a good location? It's about 10 mins walk from Edgecliff train station if that. Also if anyone is up for a mid week drink anytime in Surry Hills area, feel free to PM me.

Thanks guys!

My new employer booked my flight so I had no say. Thanks for the info re airfreight though, think this might be the way to go..

I'm moving to Sydney in 3 weeks and I've had so many mixed messages about the weather, wondering what to pack vs. what to ship. Shipping crate is not arriving for a good six weeks after I arrive so all proper Summer stuff is going in there obviously, I am more concerned about how Wintery what I bring in my case needs to be. I've heard it's still around 20 degrees, which is warmer than here right now, but I suppose that could dramatically change in the next two months? Also more importantly than what I'm going to wear for the next 10 weeks, are there any people moving or have moved alone to Sydney. I'm moving to take up a job as a Fashion Buyer, I know a couple of people but would love to hear tips and experiences from people in the same boat. A lot of the threads here seem to relate to families and couples. Thanks :biggrin:

I just spoke to Malaysia Airlines and learnt the astronomical cost of paying excess baggage, so going overweight is NOT an option! My shipping boxes arrived this morning. And now looking at my room and my case and all my belongings, I have sinking feeling! How on earth am I going to fit all in?? I have been downsizing for ages but still seem to have so much stuff. I know I'm just having a momentary panic, so could do with some reassurance that it will ~all be ok~!! Packing seems like a mammoth task I would rather avoid for the time being!!

I am being so indecisive about luggage. I definitely want something soft for easier storage and obviously need something light! I'll be travelling overseas a lot in my new job, so it needs to be robust. I was really into Eastpak something along these lines, but then a friend told me they have a tendency to fall over and a guy in Selfridges said they might not be strong enough for a frequent traveller. http://www.eastpak.com/uk-en/luggage/lightweight-luggage/expedite-80-black.html Then I started looking at Delsey http://www.bagsdirect.com/delsey-crosstrip-74cm-expandable-trolley-duffle-bag-black/p3472 http://www.bagsdirect.com/delsey-crosstrip-78cm-2-cpts-expandable-trolley-case-black/p3480 But whether to go with the duffle bag style or the suitcase?? And what size?? In the past when I've had a really big suitcase I've found it too easy to fill and ended up overweight so I want to avoid that. But at the same time I'm moving to the otherside of the world, so the bigger is probably better, especially since I'm going in winter and will need to pack chunky items. So in short, help?!?

Hmm ok, I see where you are coming from, but I don't know if it's as simple as comparing average gross salaries. My friends in Sydney who earn around 60k - 70k have a MUCH better standard of living in Sydney than they would in London on 27k. For a start they live alone which would not be possible in London on 27k at all. If paycalculator is correct, I'll take home around 6% more of my salary in Oz than I would in the UK plus thanks to super I will no longer be paying seperate pension contributions, so my net income will automatically be higher in Oz than the UK, which probably goes some way to explaining it. I haven't been using the current exchange rate, nor have I been using a rate as high as you suggested, but my net income comes into that bracket so everyone's a winner.

Wait are you suggesting you need to earn 2.5 times more in Oz for the same standard of living in the UK? I know the cost of living is higher but this seems dramatic compared to what I've heard so far..

Hi, I'm new here and moving to Sydney on 7th June. I've put my salary into paycalculator.com.au and it's telling me that about 19% of my pay will be deducted. I am more than happy with this but I want to check whether this sounds accurate. I will be on a working holiday visa to begin with a view to my company sponsoring me after 6 months. I will be travelling on a one way ticket and know that I must have sufficient funds in my bank account, but it's not 100% clear how much this is since the exchange rate fluctuates. Is £5k enough and can I get away with less?? Thank you.