Desertdeserter

Thanks toOZ2012 - that link explains the situation.... Quote [h=2]Can 457 Visa holders & other overseas visitors working in Australia avoid this tax?[/h]Yes, if you come from a country with a reciprocal health care agreement. I you come from one of these countries after you purchase working visa cover, you should apply for reciprocal health cover (Medicare). There is no extra charge for this and combined with private cover can help you avoid paying the Medicare Levy Surcharge. For overseas working visitors the private health insurance you require is: 1) 457 Visa Holders need 457 Visa Health Insurance 2) 485 Visa Holders need 485 Visa Health Insurance 3) Other Visa Holder need Overseas Visitor Health Insurance By having a DIBP (Department of Immigration & Border Protection) compliant policy not only do you meet condition 8501 of your visa but you also meet have adequate health insurance to avoid the medicare levy surcharge no matter what your taxable income is this year. So in summary - my Bupa Visa Platinum cover is DIBP compliant and Bupa have sent me a letter confirming this. If I then enroll myself and family into Medicare by completing the Medicare Enrollment Form then I should be exempt from paying the Medical Levy Surcharge tax without having to pay Bupa an additional $1,750 for their "Reciprocal Healthcare Product." Does this sound correct?

Happy New Year! I have taken out Bupa Platinum Visitors cover for my family and I but I have been informed by Bupa that I am still liable for Medical Levy Surcharge tax as this product (Their most comprehensive cover for 457 visa holders) is not a compliant product for MLS exemption - I pay $680 P/M for the cover which does not have an excess associated with any claims. I am a UK national with a British Passport and will be earning over the $180k MLS family limit. What Bupa did offer me was a "Reciprocal Health Cover," product for approximately $1,800, which does not add any further cover or benefit to my existing Platinum policy, which will then make my policy qualify for MLS exemption and they will provide me with a tax certificate to confirm this. Does this sound correct or am I being charged £1,800 for Bupa to print me a letter when my accountant could confirm that my cover is actually sufficient to be exempt from the MLS tax? When I asked Bupa they explained that by taking out the Reciprocal Health Cover with them for $1,800 they are then responsible for paying my MLS and I only have to pay them the initial initial premium - does that mean that Bupa will actually pay the ATO my MLS on my behalf? Doesn't sound correct. Also, do I pay the additional 1-1.5% MLS tax on my total gross earnings or just the portion that I earn above the MLS threshold of $180,000? Thanks in advance for any answers!

Happy Boxing Day! I am due to fly to Melbourne from the UK with my family ans will land on 30th December. We will be bringing 7 suit cases between my wife and three young kids. The kids are too young to assist with the cases. Does anyone have any suggestions of how we can get 3 kids and 7 suitcases from baggage collection in Melbourne Airport to our temporary hotel on Southbank? In Dubai we used to use a "Concierge service," where a porter was assigned to assist us into the taxi. Thanks!

Hi, Any opinions on any of the following Primary Schools? [TABLE=width: 199] [TR] [TD]Brighton Beach Primary [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Sandringham Primary [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Hampton Primary School [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Elwood Primary [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Brighton Primary School [/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]Elsternwick Primary[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] I have a 5 Yr old and 8 Yr old so also interested in any opinions on good state secondary schools that are fed by the Primaries above for when the eldest needs to move up... Thank you!

Thanks, does anyone know of a 2015/2016 tax calculator that includes the Budget Deficit Levy calculation and adjusts for dependent kids?

Can anyone recommend a good Melbourne based Tax Consultant who can help with with personal income tax? I will be arriving in Melbourne in Jan 2016 with my wife and two kids. My package will consist of a fixed income portion and a variable monthly commission portion. I am trying to work out how I will be taxed monthly when my Gross salary will change every month. (Eg If I get paid $17k in the first month, will I receive the full $17k because I am under the first tax bracket or will they tax me proportionately on the assumption that I will earn $204k over 12 months?) I will take a Novated Car lease which adds to the complexity. Thanks in advance!

Hi, can anyone point me in the right direction of sporty schools in Sandringham or surrounding beachside suburbs on the Sandringham line? I am moving to Melbourne in Jan with my kids (2 Girls 8 & 4 and my 3 yr old boy) ideally I'd like somewhere with a Kindergarten, Primary and Secondary / College so that we can settle and not have to move as the kids grow older. Mixed sex non-religious state schools please! All three play rugby union in the UK, my eldest also plays netball. Happy to change codes to AFL! I looked at Elwood, the schools look nice but seem very art curriculum focuses rather than sports.