need advice: moving to Austrlia.

[jazzman]

Hi there,

I live in Canada and have been offered a full-time position in Sydney as a software specialist. The assignment is at least 2 years long and the technology is top-notch that I have not been ablt to get into it in Canada.

But I am torn with all the logistics and financial issues. I have been offered a $120 package which includes the base, car allow., bonus, and superann. The title is Systems Specialist, so it is not a project manager role. Is this a reasonable package? Any items that I should pay particular attension to in signing the deal?

What is the cost of living in Sydney anyhow, say for a modest 2 bedrm apartment and all the health and car insurances for a non-resident?

Any help will be appreciated!

Jazzman

[EcoTeam]

Hi there,

I live in Canada and have been offered a full-time position in Sydney as a software specialist. The assignment is at least 2 years long and the technology is top-notch that I have not been ablt to get into it in Canada.

But I am torn with all the logistics and financial issues. I have been offered a $120 package which includes the base, car allow., bonus, and superann. The title is Systems Specialist, so it is not a project manager role. Is this a reasonable package? Any items that I should pay particular attension to in signing the deal?

What is the cost of living in Sydney anyhow, say for a modest 2 bedrm apartment and all the health and car insurances for a non-resident?

Any help will be appreciated!

Jazzman

Top notch technology in Australia?
$120K package - You !@#$%^&

A AU$120K package is pretty damn good for a non-managment "software specialist", esp in todays dwindling market after the IT bubble burst. For that sort of money they will work your arse off though. Don't know how much that's worth to you in Canada though?, and the tax implications? Australia is one of the most highly taxed countries in the world. We pay 48 cents in the dollar for every cent over something just over $60K, that SUCKS. As a full time employee you'll get hit hard by tax.

8% or so of your salary will go to Super as part of any "package", kiss that goodbye.
Rent is fairly cheap and easy to get in Sydney at the moment, depends on the area of course, but $300/week or so should get you a descent place on your own. Some are stupid and pay double that, others pay half that...

Can't really help you with health insurance.
Full comprehensive car insurance is a few thousand a year (depends on the type of car, value, your location etc). If I was you I'd buy a cheap bomb of a car and just get "third party property damage" insurance, only a few hundred bucks a year. If the car gets stolen you get nothing, but if you hit Ideology's Porsche you are covered.

Hope that helps.

Regards
EcoDave