Drumbeat

Thank you, the lump sum is only 2300 pounds so hadn't really thought about the tax implications.

All I want to do is pay the least amount of tax needed

I have received a very small lump sum pension from a company I worked for as a school leaver in the UK. Tax has been deducted from this and as I have no other UK income I am unsure whether to try and claim this back? Or will I then pay higher tax on it in Australia? Any advice is appreciated.

Well I'd be on around $100, 000 with shift penalties working full-time, my former colleagues earn more than that in more senior roles.

It was the same in our house, husband worked in the resources industry so always earned much more than me. I could have earned more if I'd moved into a more of a Management role but was never interested. The development of the SRN Level roles and Nurse Practitioners has opened more opportunities in Nursing, thank heavens.

That site quotes an average, it would be more meaningful if examples were provided. If I was still nursing I’d expect to be earning more than $75,000 FTE especially with shift penalties.

Why?? Nurses are professionals, many have 20 - 30 years of experience with a Masters degree and a massive amount of responsibility. Would you have said the same if she was an engineer?

Perth prices are definitely rising and houses are selling quickly. We have sold 2 properties in the last month, both had offers on them 3 days after the first home open.

You could look at living in the Perth Hills rather than one of the city suburbs. We have half an acre and live opposite National Park land so there's a much more open feel and it's a nice community. It takes us around 40 mins to drive into the city in peak hour traffic or many people take the train. There are plenty of schools, both public and private. Some areas to look at are: Darlington, Greenmount, Boya, Glen Forrest, Mahogany Creek, Gooseberry Hill, Kalamunda, Lesmurdie. A little further out are Mundaring, Parkerville and Stoneville. Don't be put off my Perth's urban sprawl, there are still areas where you can keep chickens and have a garden full of birds and native wildlife.

That's such a shame, I wouldn't be happy living down there either. But my brother-in-law has lived there for years (not in one of the new areas though).

But you choose to live down there (I'm guessing you're around Mandurah), you can't blame Australia for your choice of suburb! Take a trip out to Kalamunda one day, that's an amazingly active community.

It's unusual to be able to salary sacrifice so much, working for WA Health the amount is $9000. NGO's usually have a higher limit.

Qantas have today announced 'a further suspension of scheduled international flights until the end of October 2021 due to the ongoing Coronavirus situation.'

Up until 3 weeks ago I could have sent you some contacts but I've just taken early retirement so don't have access to the address book anymore.

I've posted a link to the WA Country Health Service careers site http://www.wacountry.health.wa.gov.au/index.php?id=nursing

You're assuming they are all massive properties. Our block is half an acre, my neighbours have quarter acres - not that expensive to maintain.

Yes, the hills area is at risk of bush fires. We live directly opposite a National Park but the Shire burns off regularly in the area plus residents are required to maintain their properties. The local volunteer bush fire brigade are excellent too.

You could consider the hills, Darlington, Glen Forrest, Gooseberry Hill, Kalamunda. I love living in the hills but we're planning to move to Tassie later this year hopefully . Otherwise there is Guildford, Mount Lawley is a little further but some beautiful properties there. Midland isn't the most upmarket area but it does have a lot of facilities, including a newly opened enormous Bunnings .

Didn't you just relocate to Australia in 2020 (not 2019)?

Life's only as boring as you make it.

I must eat out at different areas because I never book a table earlier than 7.30. We’re definitely not early to bed people although we mostly go out at weekends.

MaryRose, when I read your posts I always feel you are someone at peace with yourself

I took mine last year, it was great. I know lots of people in Perth who take it, if you work for WA Health you take it with you when you move jobs (or to other Government departments). The other option we have is to purchase extra leave which many people do.

I agree with you Ali, I've lived in a few suburbs over the last 30 years, none of them sterile! We moved to the Hills 10 years ago and love it, like you our preference would be river over beachside.

Wow, that is expensive. I believe it is on the best street in Devonport? We think we'll probably buy something while we build, as I have a horror of cold houses and we'd like something with a passive solar design.