Living and Working in Australia
Quick links: Accommodation / Bank Accounts / Phones / Healthcare / Pay & Bens / Tax / Visas / Travel
Accommodation
There are many ways in which you can find accommodation in Australia and there are also different housing options. In order to make the right decision, you need to think about a) your budget, b) your preferred location, c) convenience to public transport and shops, d) whether the property is furnished and e) its condition.
- Monthly rent varies from $600 - 1,200 per month
- You will be asked for reference letters from your employer, bank and previous landlord if appropriate.
- You will be asked to make a down payment of typically 2 month's rent, 1 month’s kept as a bond (deposit) refundable when you move out depending on the condition of the property
- Tenants must pay utilities bills such as gas and electricity in addition to rent and deposit
- The most common lease terms are for 6 months or 1-2 years, with the opportunity of a notice period (usually one rental month) written into the contract
If you are intending to stay in one city for a long period of time, it is more cost effective to rent a flat/house. The best place to find accommodation is to buy a copy of the local paper on a Saturday morning or to visit real estate websites eg: www.domain.com.au, www.realestate.com.au, www.rentaustralia.com, www.ozrentals.com.au
While you are looking for longer term accommodation, you may want to consider temporarily staying in accommodation for travellers.
It can be difficult to gain a mortgage through local banks for the first 12 months of your residence. If you would like to buy property within this period set up a bank account with an international bank, such as Barclays or HSBC, before leaving your home country.
Bank Accounts
To open a bank account in Australia you will require proof of identification, proof of address, a letter from your employer and bank statements, together with a reference, from your bank at home. Ensure you obtain this from your bank before you leave. Alternatively you can also set up an Australian bank account before you depart, by contacting your bank or others at home.
You will have a choice between a statement-based account accessed via a bankcard or a passbook account which is accessed over the counter.
Most banks and ATMs (cash machines) will allow you to withdraw from international bank accounts, provided your bankcard has an international symbol on it, such as Cirrus. We recommend that before departure you check with your bank that you have access to international banking. Once you have your Australian Tax File Number it is important to give this to your bank so that any interest you’re owed is not taxed.
Many find that setting up an Internet bank account makes managing bank accounts between countries much easier. If you are looking to transfer money between countries you will find the best rates on the net.
The leading banks in Australia include Westpac, Commonwealth Bank, NAB, ANZ and St George. The Commonwealth bank has a Migrant Banking Services section and a branch in London. The National Australia Bank also has a Migrant Banking Service.
EFTPOS is a debit card that gives cash back. There are over 60,000 participating EFTPOS outlets in Australia.
Mobile phones
The main mobile phone providers are Telstra, Optus, Vodafone and Virgin Mobile.
Healthcare
Australia has first class medical standards, with a state healthcare scheme called Medicare. The Commonwealth Government has signed reciprocal healthcare agreements with Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. This reciprocal agreement ensures that Australian citizens, permanent residents and working travellers are entitled to free emergency medical treatment through Medicare.
Ensure you apply for a Medicare card on arrival - for information on the Medicare scheme please visit www.hic.gov.au. If you require dental work while residing in Australia you will be required to pay for the treatment personally.
Residents of the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Netherlands, Finland, Malta and Italy who visit Australia are also entitled to:
- Free treatment at a public hospital in-patient or out-patient department
- Selected medicines subsidised under the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
- Medicare benefits for out of hospital medical treatment provided by doctors through private surgeries and Government Health Centres
Pay & Benefits
The minimum wage in Australia is $467.40 per week but most job sectors are bound by ‘award’ wages; these are set for different industries, professions and trades and decided by pay agreements between unions and employers. You can consult wages and conditions of employment information on www.wagenet.gov.au
Executive salaries in Australia are fast catching up with the rest of the world and expatriate American heads of top Australian companies earn $millions a year.
Tax
If you are planning to work in Australia you will need to obtain a Tax File Number and can apply for this at any main tax office.
Tax in Australia is paid on a sliding scale and all salary earners must submit an annual Tax Return, forms can be obtained from post offices or downloaded from the Australian Tax Office’s website.
Superannuation is best explained as a compulsory pension contribution, even for temporary residents. The current contribution is 9% of your salary and your employer will automatically pay this on your behalf. This is redeemable in your home country upon return from Australia.
Before leaving Australia, obtain Payment Summaries from your employer(s) as these will be required to complete your final Tax Return. We recommend that you seek the services of a good, personal tax accountant.
Visas
To work in Australia you will need to have a visa. Please refer to the following website to see if you are eligible www.immi.gov.au.
Alternatively, please contact our International division to discuss the possibility of employer sponsorship:
By email Australia@reachinternational.com or call +44 (0)161 – 602 3560.
Travel
Australia drives on the left and generally has a well-maintained system of roads and highways. Most of the state capitals are linked by a good highway network however Australia's low population density makes for long driving times between major centres. Car hire companies and local police will decide whether your driver’s licence is valid in Australia.
Due to the extremely large distances involved, flying is the well-patronised form of travel in Australia. Fares are generally low, being a highly competitive market, and flights depart regularly. Services along the main business travel corridor (Melbourne - Sydney - Brisbane) are run almost like a shuttle service, with flights leaving every 15 minutes during the day.
Visitors from Europe and Japan may be surprised by the lack of high-speed, inter-city rail services in Australia.
In the major cities mass transit is by train or bus. Melbourne has a comprehensive tram network serving the inner suburbs. Sydney has an extensive rail system which includes stations within the metropolitan area, as well as a fleet of ferries that serves the population living around the harbour.
