jamharr

Hi, Was hoping to hear people's opinion on the schooling in Queensland. Our daughter has recently started in Prep. We were concerned on whether QLD teaching would be up to UK standards. We have also recently spoken to an Aussie who said that QLD schools are the worst in Australia and there is no set curriculum or external exams. Also that kids aren't being taught the basics - times tables, fractions etc What do other people think - should we be worried? We love the outdoor lifestyle but don't want to put it before our children's education. Any info good or bad would be appreciated. Thanks James

Hi Alaska thanks for your advice. Looking at the NAPLAN results for the primary schools around us they don't look that great - no scores above the average and quite a few lower - how much should we read into this? I'd like to think the school we send our kids to is at least average!

Hi Jak, Thanks for that - we had heard North Lakes schools were quite good but don't think the State schools will take outside of catchment. We could do with living somewhere a bit closer to the train line. Have you heard any reports on either Kallangur State school or Undurba (Murrumba Downs)? Thanks

Hi, We've just moved to Kallangur and are looking for a good primary school for our daughter to go to. We're interested in any schools close by and willing to move. Any recommendations? Also would be interested to know which Secondary schools are good in the same area. Thanks, James

Thanks TP this gives me a good idea of a starting point when negotiating. Cheers

That is a definite figure - $50700 per year in the bank - just over $1900 a fortnight. The only reason I put it 'equate to' was because Fathead was questioning where I got the figures from. Either way from what I've heard it's nowhere near what I would need to bring home to live a reasonable lifestyle in Brisbane. Thanks all

[TABLE=width: 500] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][/TD] [TD][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Been told that with the SS it would equate to having a wage of $64000- this is from the payroll manager so don't shoot the messenger. So can anyone give me a figure of what would be ok to live on to begin with? thanks

Ok guys I'm back on so everyone can lay into me again :cute:. As the saying goes if it looks too good to be true it usually is - so I spoken to HR and a lot of the SS isn't actually realistically usable!! So now my new question is would a family of 4 be able to live on $50700 per year take home (all tax etc already deducted)? Thanks in advance!

I understand that Flathead but I'm having trouble finding what the rate would be in Australia - sorry

Thanks FF will do as you say.

In the UK £27000 - £32000

The job is a Senior Technician position

Hi Verystormy - that's what we thought but I have it in writing from HR and the manager that 'the contract I have received does NOT take into account salary packaging benefits'

Thanks this is what we thought but I have it in writing from the Manager and HR that the basic salary does not include the salary sacrifice.

Thanks Alaska!! Invaluable info. For the salary issue I think I was being a bit of a fool - have double checked and I would be getting $55000 basic + super + $36000 salary sac (for rent, bills etc) so really a wage of $90000 so should be fine. Thanks to everyone for your help - I was just getting last minute jitters!!

This is something I'm now looking into - you have given me hope!!! I assumed (hopefully wrongly) that it was just taken from your wage so you didn'tget taxed on it.

Hi Alaska, thanks for all the help (from everyone as well). I've got myself quite confused so have emailed my 'potential employer' to confirm whether the SS is included in the wage or extra (didn't think that it might be extra as I guessed it was like we can do with childcare vouchers back here in the UK). If it's extra then we're laughing!! If it's not....... so fingers crossed!! Your offer of help of costings (utilities, train etc) would be fantastic and also if you could recommend any other places around the Petrie area to live - I just need to be quite close to a train station to get to the Royal Brisbane hospital each day. Thanks in advance

Yes that's before tax - so it's not looking good! The only other thing they have said is that there is a salary sacrifice scheme of $26000 a year to go on rent, utilities etc before tax but I doubt this makes that much difference.......

Hi Cal, 457 visa - so no benefits! Rent we were hoping to be paying $300-$400 a week.

[TABLE=class: ev_msg_rowcolor2, align: center] [TR] [TD=class: ev_msg_userinfo] [/TD] [TD][TABLE=class: ev_msg_table] [TR] [TD=class: ev_msg_timestamp] [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Hi, Really want to move to Brisbane and have been offered a job but the wage is not as much as I'd hoped! Do people think a family of 4 could live on a basic wage of $55000? This doesn't include the superannuation etc. We would hope to rent a 3 bed house in the suburbs not in Brisbane centre - maybe around Petrie area. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated Thanks!! [/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE]