Chortlepuss

Well done - all working out for you - Good luck on your next adventure!

You'd have to live in the catchment now for State High. There are better performing state schools out there but are selective - My son goes to Queensland Academy of Science and Mathematics - outperforms most if not all of fee paying schools but tough to get entry and they work like dogs so not for everyone - International Baccalaureate is a good choice, especially if your kids may consider a European university - the Qld OP systems means very little to those outside Australia

I'd say the house prices in York are a bit hideous. But used to live there ... And what a beautiful part of the world..

I'd also look at increasing your house budget - figured you gave would be on the low side even for Brisbane.

Great balanced post and advice from LR as usual. I'm in IT consulting, pretty well paid but those salaries seem pretty stratospheric with only a very few people in any large organisation earning at that level. In Brisbane appointments would probably be pretty closed to outsiders as well at this level, but market more mature in Melbourne/Sydney.

I'm sorry you're feeling so rough. I pressured my family to come out here by taking a job and now wish to go back, despite them wanting to stay. Makes you feel really guilty and irrational doesn't it but it's so easy to let this stuff overwhelm you. You sound like you're drowning and feeling that everything is permanent. Nothing is forever, so you think you messed up by coming here? You made a mistake as many of us do but it's not the end of the world, although it may feel like it. Try to be a bit kinder to yourself, grab some counselling if you can, forgive yourself and start working on moving forwards. Stuff like yoga is great - it's cheap and forces you to relax and be in the moment. Chat to hubby and start thinking about your exit plan. Good luck!

I moved over with a consultancy on a 457 - we were paid less than the locals but they did sponsor us for PR. I did move furniture over (at my expense) which I'm still using now I'm a citizen. If it is a consultancy (especially big 4) you'll work like a dog but it'll be great fun and you will get excellent experience. FWIW my employer at the time paid a fortune to a big4 consultancy to handle our PR application and it wasn't very well done (the consultant had v poor knowledge of migration rules and I used information from people on this site to guide her). My company didn't care about the cost cos they could claim it all back from me if I left within 2 years of sponsorship and us Brits were comparative bargains to locally sourced people. You'll be fine on $85k on your own though with a house share.

Just noticed you're going to Sydney. Salary is pretty low for such an expensive city - assume you are on your own and not taking family/kids? Accomodation costs are bonkers $200 -$300 a night should be tops for centrally based apartment. I would negotiate but also take into account that how they treat the negotiation is an indication of how they are going to be to work with. Once you're over here on a 457 you're trapped to that employer and the fact that they're using overinflated costings should be a bit of a warning bell!

You are lucky to get relocation but it's sensible to assume that includes moving your furniture etc and not 8 boxes. The immigration lark is a huge revenue raiser. I think you're right to raise it and if your company are giving you the $ to move, this should be used in a way that is most helpful to you

As mentioned, now you've got your date make the most of your time in Oz. It's not for everyone and I can relate to how it plays with your head knowing that you have no safety net, no close mates at hand. Find yourself a british expats meetup - did me the world of good just to have an honest conversation with like minded folk. Good luck! At least you know what's important to you - none of this experience is wasted time

It will be what you make it. Quite a strong work ethic in Sydney compared to Brisbane but be prepared to switch the lights off of you leave at 6pm.

Which city will you be working in? Lots of experience working as consultant/contractor in government in Brisbane and TBH people (even senior positions) work far less hard than in UK public sector and nothing like the hours you'd be working in an investment bank. You may get a boss that requires their pound of flesh, but I suspect you'll find it a comparable breeze workload wise. The politics and infighting are a different thing altogether though, and I am still shocked by the immaturity.

At your age you are very much in demand in Australia - this changes as you get older, so if you're unsure now may be a good time to spend some time here, get your citizenship and keep options open for the future. Once you have kids you are more constrained - and it is very challenging for young mums (and maybe dads) to be away from their support group and network of friends once they have a new baby. If you do have a baby here though it is a good 'in' to friendship groups - but you will miss your family! It's a difficult one but right now you are pretty free to come and go as you wish - as for being selfish, so what? It's your life so go with the flow....

And not in January - If it's anything like Brissie, the job market will be closed for the hols!

in Brisbane would be around 80K - don't know how Victoria differs & not sure what you get extra (if anything) for a doctorate

Too many primary teachers here as year 7's have moved up to secondary so getting a role may be tough. I'd suggest getting a teaching assistant role anywhere, failing that volunteer at your local primary - that will put you front of mind for any vacancies - In Brisbane who you know not what you know is the rule!

Don't desert us entirely fourcorners!!

I really didn't want kids until my early 30's then came over all hormonal and started lusting over the romper suits in baby gap. Shallow I know. I know very many people who have a fulfilled life without kids. It is very tough and so expensive. I think one of the biggest tragedies of rampant house price inflation is the pressure on young couples to have to work full time just to keep a roof over their heads when they have young kids. I worked full time outside the home until my kids were at school as I was the major earner and hubby didn't want to give up his job or cut down. It was absolutely exhausting . I worked out of financial necessity, not ambition or career interest but you learn all about guilt as a mum working full time...... We talk about women's 'right' to work outside the home, and fine if that floats your boat - but I do wish mums (and dads) could have a choice to spend more time with their kids if they want to and not to be forced into this endless grind just to meet mortgage payments.

I did loads of spreadsheets before I had kids until I found some sums to make it work. Lots of things are cheaper - It's expensive going to work, commuting, buying work gear. You won't be going out for about 10 years - think of how much you'll save in pub visits!! We couldn't afford it really but at aged 32 I thought bugger it I'm not getting any younger and went for it anyway...

Same with BA's... maybe just an oversupply of people in the market?

Very informative, thanks. We are heading back to UK in 2016 but will not have retired. My hubbie can get a sabbatical for his Oz job for up to 3 years. By then he'll be able to cash in his Australian super, so we are considering the possibility of returning to Oz after 3 years, working a year or so and then cashing in the super and retiring....back to UK Alternative is to let the super run and then just have it paid from Australia (and we'll have to pay UK income tax). It's not easy!!

I'd appreciate knowing more about this too! There's a fortune to be made by clued up financial advisors in guiding all us boomers through the best options....

Good skill set . Only know Brisbane market but I wouldn't think you'd struggle.

Son has to finish final year of school and I want to return in spring time so I don't go back to a UK winter. Terrified of pingponging and husband whingeing

I really shouldn't be reading this thread - Good luck to all departing - 15 Months for me at least :frown: