Cldb Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Hi all I’ve just been offered a job with a 457 visa in Melbourne and I’m in the process of negotiating my wage. I currently get paid £42,000 pro rata in the UK and have been offered $79,800 which converted works roughly at 45k. If comparing like for like this is more than I get paid now but taking into consideration the higher cost of living I’m thinking it would effectively be a pay cut. As much as it is a fantastic opportunity to live abroad I don’t want to go and end up struggling. My husband will be with me and will be job hunting when we get there. I’ve read somewhere about negotiating 2.2-2.5 in dollars to keep a potentially similar standard of living, is this correct? I would be grateful for any advice, I obviously want to negotiate as much as I can but also don’t want to get to the point where they tell me to get stuffed lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Look at a salary survey https://www.hays.com.au/salary-guide/index.htm to compare for your role/industry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cldb Posted November 18, 2017 Author Share Posted November 18, 2017 Thanks Peach, I already know the salary scales. Im a social worker and they have offered me the lowest pay scale for my grade which when considering cost of living I'm not sure equates to a similar standard of living that i have now. I'm hoping to negotiate higher on the scale but also trying to figure out the lowest i can realistically accept without being skint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peach Posted November 18, 2017 Share Posted November 18, 2017 Ok another way, UK average salary is 27K GBP (my keyboard doesn't have a pound sign) 42K pro-rata is 50% over the average. Average salary in Australia is around $80k. So you'd only be on the average salary (assuming you're working equivalent hours). Another comparison is your current income compared to local house prices/rents and the same for Melbourne. What does 420,000 GBP buy you in your town? What would $790,000 buy you in Melbourne where you will work? (in some areas not much). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cldb Posted November 18, 2017 Author Share Posted November 18, 2017 Ah thank you that makes much more sense! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rammygirl Posted November 19, 2017 Share Posted November 19, 2017 Also check if that salary includes super or if that is extra. Makes a big difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cldb Posted November 20, 2017 Author Share Posted November 20, 2017 They have told me the super is additional but i will confirm to be sure. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melb2016 Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 42k GBP lifestyle in UK would be better than a 79k AUD lifestyle in AU. Rent costs itself in Mel would be high compared to the UK (unless you are coming from London). I can understand that a low sterling is causing a low conversion for you. I would suggest aim for closer to 84k AUD. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quoll Posted November 20, 2017 Share Posted November 20, 2017 54 minutes ago, Melb2016 said: 42k GBP lifestyle in UK would be better than a 79k AUD lifestyle in AU. Rent costs itself in Mel would be high compared to the UK (unless you are coming from London). I can understand that a low sterling is causing a low conversion for you. I would suggest aim for closer to 84k AUD. The usual multiplier is 2.5 so $100k would be nearer the mark and that is more in line with comparison with average salaries. Be aware though that the spouse of temporary visa holders often struggles to get meaningful work - especially if they are hoping for something significant and career related. They arent an attractive proposition to an employer because they can be off with only 60 days notice as many dependents have found to their cost. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cldb Posted November 24, 2017 Author Share Posted November 24, 2017 Thanks for your replies. Managed to get a higher wage + Super. Not the 2.5 multiplier but will see how we go when we get out there. Thanks for the advice about hubby. He’s already sending CV’s out but quite aware it could be a tricky road at first. He’s a grafter so he will find something when he gets there even if it’s short term while looking for a career related job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 On 25/11/2017 at 09:55, Cldb said: Thanks for your replies. Managed to get a higher wage + Super. Not the 2.5 multiplier but will see how we go when we get out there. Thanks for the advice about hubby. He’s already sending CV’s out but quite aware it could be a tricky road at first. He’s a grafter so he will find something when he gets there even if it’s short term while looking for a career related job There are lots of skills that are genuinely in demand from employers here in Australia (I'm not talking about the so called 'skills in demand' list as many are of those aren't in demand I'm talking about skills that are genuinely needed but don't appear on any list) so if he can do one of those jobs he'll do well - but in the jobs that are oversupplied with people with Australian experience he'll struggle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patphillips47 Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 On 25/11/2017 at 09:25, Cldb said: Thanks for your replies. Managed to get a higher wage + Super. Not the 2.5 multiplier but will see how we go when we get out there. Thanks for the advice about hubby. He’s already sending CV’s out but quite aware it could be a tricky road at first. He’s a grafter so he will find something when he gets there even if it’s short term while looking for a career related job All employers are obliged to pay super for their employees I think the rate at the moment is 9.75% of the gross wage so if they have said they are doing that as an extra they are not ( unless its different on the visa your on ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 (edited) 4 hours ago, Patphillips47 said: All employers are obliged to pay super for their employees I think the rate at the moment is 9.75% of the gross wage so if they have said they are doing that as an extra they are not ( unless its different on the visa your on ) There's a great deal of unscrupulous employers out there who quote a "salary package" inclusive of Super to make the amount they are paying sound higher. As a result the employers who do it properly often have to spell out that the figure they are quoting excludes Super. The rate is still 9.5% - when it was last increased from 9.25% in 2014 there had been a proposal to increase it by 0.25% every year until it reached 12% but this wasn't done. There's now a plan for it to increase by 0.5% a year from 2021 to get to 12% - but that probably won't be followed through either. PS - Your visa doesn't affect your Super as your employer has to pay the same rate for everyone - except that with a temporary visa you can take the money out of Australia when you depart (although they've recently introduced a hefty tax bill on doing that). Edited November 26, 2017 by Ken Added PS 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUPERSTARDJ01 Posted January 23, 2018 Share Posted January 23, 2018 There are lots of skills that are genuinely in demand from employers here in Australia (I'm not talking about the so called 'skills in demand' list as many are of those aren't in demand I'm talking about skills that are genuinely needed but don't appear on any list) so if he can do one of those jobs he'll do well - but in the jobs that are oversupplied with people with Australian experience he'll struggle.What are these skills your talking about? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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