Jhouse101

Hi Nando, I was in a similar position to you five years ago (albeit i don't have an MSc!). I generally found that Australian experience is desirable in most cases and not essential. I will caveat that though as 5 years ago the market was very different to what it probably is now...... UK QS's are generally pretty sought after I've found as the QS profession as a whole is still relatively new in Australia, compared the the UK where it is an established profession. Regarding the cost of living, I'm not sure where in the UK you are but before i left i was earning around £35k as a newly chartered QS in London. When i landed in Sydney, I started on a salary of $82k (PQS) which today is around £45k. Again though although you earn more the cost of living on the whole i find is more in Australia than the UK, so although you have more money coming in more money is also going out! If you're living in the suburbs rather than the CBD this will help. A contractors QS is known as a Contracts Administrator out here. I would say for a ballpark salary you'd be looking around $80k - $90k given your experience. Hope this helps. If you need any further information feel free to reply / DM me. Thanks,

Hi, Anyone know of any motorcycle meet ups / socials in the Sydney area? Had mine for over a year now but looking to meet new people and share a hobby! Thanks,

Hi, wondering whether to ship my car over from the UK or not... 2011 Seat Ibiza Cupra Hatchback 1.4 TSI Petrol 180BHP Automatic FWD 45k Miles Yes to Aircon GBP £8,500 Sydney Private Price Guide $16k (Based on VW Polo with same engine - lack of Seat's in Aus! Thanks!

Optus > Vodafone > Telstra IMO

Canada is a lovely place too, going back there at the end of this year, can't wait!

Only a week unfortunately, going back there next year for 2 weeks....

Just got back from NZ, thinking about packing up here and moving over there, amazing place!

The Fox sports package now includes beIN sport and some of the games are being shown on there (the wales one tonight is at least!!)

I flew Qatar Sydney - London over easter and then the return journey. Overall i was pretty impressed

If you're coming to Sydney an umbrella!!

i had a really good experience, managed to view and get a rental within 2 days of landing Some of the bigger agents will ask for 100 points of ID to be submitted with a rental application (look this up on Google) but i didn't have to do this luckily. If i remember correctly i had to give a bond equivalent to 4 weeks rent plus two weeks rent up front... Happy hunting!

I would say fly, you'll lose loads of nights / days just sitting on a greyhound bus.....

ive just had to shut the windows and doors... Freezing! Didn't think i'd ever be saying that when its 20 degrees!

Only 12 degrees? its a balmy 20 in Sydney (and even i think this is cold now!)

JB Hi-Fi in North Sydney are looking for Xmas temps i seen today. Not been to Perth but would definitely say Melbourne > Perth first. Perth is closer to home, so saves cross country flights!

I went to see AC/DC last weekend which was epic and i've been to see the vaccines / jake bugg / mumford and sons tonight in the domain which was awesome! Alot of my down time is pretty much the pub / exploring North Sydney and the city! I've got to say in comparison to London i find this place so cheap, some things are more expensive but you earn alot more $$$ in comparison!

If it was a choice between Melbourne or Parramatta it would be Melbourne every day! The only good thing about out west is the cheap beer (3 schooners in Bligh Park on Friday was $12!) Just go and do what you want - i'm actually a tad jealous as i wish i didn't settle straight into work - i'll do my travelling on the way back to the UK though!

Agree with most of the newest comments - if Sydney isn't for you then get out! As i've said before Melbourne is an awesome city but definitely on par with Sydney in terms of cost of living IMO.. I did the Neighbours tour last time i was out and although i was hungover to hell, i'm slightly embarrassed to admit i enjoyed it! The set is tiny! If I remember rightly if you go in the week you see the garage set and if you go on the weekend you can see the lassiters complex (maybe the other way around). Home and away set is definitely next on the list as literally everyone i speak to says how amazing it is! If you do head up the east coast, Byron is lovely but wasn't my cup of tea. I loved airlie beach although we were only there for a few days, although nowhere seemed to serve food after 9:30 which really p*ssed me off! EDIT:- Also at the end of the Neighbours tour, you get to meet one of the cast. Kym Valentine (Libby) was there on our day but i didn't go in and meet her as I'd already had something else booked in and was late

Did mine myself, relatively straight forward but it was only for myself. If there are wives, girlfriends, children etc involved I would maybe use an agent..

If it was 2 bedroom yes but unfortunately it's only one.... Melbourne is an ace city, very different to Sydney but both have their pros and cons.... With regard to Sydney, it may be one of the more expensive places in Australia to live / work etc but it's also the place with most opportunities and the best paying jobs IMO (unless your a miner in WA - although all that is dying off now!)

I'm not luckily (or unluckily) depending on how you view it, I was offered a job before I got here so I've managed to rent a flat in North Sydney...

It's my third week and I'm only now properly getting over the jetlag, I haven't really had a quiet day / night since I got here though which probably hasn't helped... One plus if you do stay here for a few weeks will definitely be NYE, was incredible last year...

If you're looking for work aswell, alot of the backpackers I've met and my friends work in recruitment / sales. May be an alternative to bar work etc (not everyone's cup of tea mind)...

Yep that's the one!

I'm currently living in McMahons Point and can't recommend it enough.. plenty of pubs / cafes on the doorstep, ferry stop outside for access to circular quay and darling harbour and north Sydney / milson's point stations are only a 10 minute walk away... Also bridge / harbour views from outside my apartment block