Melb2016

Also, check whether you get some relocation support.

GBP63k > AUD110k. Some companies use a conversion factor rate rather than a straight currency exchange rate. This accounts for cost of living differences. Obviously you are getting hammered due to a weak GBP. I would argue that coming from London, Sydney wouldnt be too different as regards cost of living. But, to reach standard of living parity based on your UK wage, I would be looking at closer to AUD 125-130k + medical cover (although having said that, Medicare is pretty much free and very good). A note about annual leave, yes you would get less leave in Au but pls check how the bank holidays stack up too. I have a feeling that you will be able to recuperate a couple of days as Au has more bank holidays thank the UK.

Flemington would be a good bet and certainly within your budget. You should be easily able to get a decent 1 bed for around 400/week. 5-6kms from the city with good public transport.

Very sorry to hear about your situation. Good luck for the future and I hope you find a way forward.

Agreed marriage to an Australian citizen is not a bullet proof shield. As regards people being deported due to criminal records - that is clearly irrelevant here as nowhere have I read this man having a criminal record.

Sounds interesting. I am assuming you mean if if you could sustain yourself and have a job paying a similar amount to what you get paid in Australia? If not, just because you were middle class in Australia (nowhere does it say this woman is middle class btw) means nothing.

I wouldn't classify having nuclear weapons as a differentiator as to whether a country is developed/developing. Pakistan has nuclear weapons, by all accounts Iran and North Korea may also get there in the foreseeable. I wouldn't count any of those countries to be economically developed.

I agree with that. But in this case I don't see this as so black and white. I am a British citizen and if for some reason my visa was cancelled, my wife and I would quite happily return back home. However, I would argue that the life opportunities and the standard of living to be at a similar level between the said two countries. Uprooting and moving to a developing country must be a daunting proposition for the wife and the young child (both Australian citizens I understand).

I am not sure how long she has been an Australian citizen so can't comment. As regards you imagining this woman's connections in another country - is you doing just that- imagining. Also when you say go back, I am assuming she is of Indian origin and was previously living there.

The wife is an Australian citizen and has a life in Australia. The child is an Australian citizen with a life here. People suggesting the wife should just move away from her home country are making this sound like a pretty trivial decision. It can't be. The man has been living here for 10 years and sounds like is still married to an Australian citizen. This is awful for the family and the child involved.

Ok, do the numbers though. You don't want to uproot and move to realise you are struggling. On the plus side Melbourne is great to live in. Use the ATO website to work out tax etc. If you are coming on PR check if you are eligible for any assistance.

You need to talk to the employers and try and up your salary - 85k AUD lifestyle would not be equivalent to 50k GBP lifestyle.

It is possible. I have colleagues who've done the RAF to RAAF sideways move. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

You can get a good 2 bed place within 5-10 kms to the CBD for $2500. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

What is your budget for rent per week? Also look at and around North Melbourne for proximity to CBD. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

I live in a 2 bedroom around North Melbourne. Gas + Electricity + Water is approx $300 / month. Not got house insurance. What areas are you looking at? Renting a 3 bed for that amount may mean going away from the city a bit. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Agree with what's been said, 56k is low for a family if 3. If you decide to make the move, you should try and see if your husband can line up a job before you get here. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Eagle street pier. Plenty of options with a great view. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

The relocation package sounds ok and should certainly help. The $7k assistance sounds like help towards buying a car. Note cars in Australia are much more expensive here, budget for around $10k for a decent small run-around Ford Fiesta, Suzuki swift etc). $89k is a good salary. However, supporting a family of 5 on that would be a stretch. Agree that your focus should be to secure employment for yourself. 457 visa spouses can find it stressful to find employment as a lot of the non-minimum wage jobs look for more permanent residency status (Au national etc). Check if any such requirement exists to work in the criminal justice field. For my wife it took 6 weeks (different sector to you). Rent would be your biggest expense. As has been mentioned check the domain.com website and work out where you want to live etc. Short-term let's can be expensive. Sorting long-term accomodation within a month of landing will require you to be pretty organised, do all your respect into areas prior to arriving. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

No. Normal tax rates apply. Sent using Poms in Oz mobile app

Which city are you in? Yes, if want to work in defence on army aircrafts you need to be an Australian national. If you are from the UK, there are ways where you can get your UK clearance recognised in Australia. However it is difficult, expensive and can only be done on a project by project basis. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Agreed on your locations. I myself live in Kensington- and really like the area. Yes pictures can be deceiving you will need to do the legwork and see a fair few before you see something you like. Internet + phones (2) = $150 a month. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

You will be able to get a decent 2 bed within 10 kms to the CBD in that. As regards bills, no council tax (rates). My water, electric, gas internet, mobile phones (2) comes to about $500 a month. 2 bed townhouse. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Check online but I think it's in the 54k ball park. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz

Agree citizenship is preferred for work in defence. However, people with nationality of certain countries and current clearance can go through a process to gain equivalent clearance on a project by project basis. Sent from my iPhone using PomsinOz