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Original poster

TIE ME KANGAROO DOWN, SPORT - THE COMBINED AUSTRALIAN THREAD

153 replies

MrsBigD · 11/09/2006 14:15

Sorry couldn't resist, especially as I'm bored at work and you know... idle hands...

OP posts:
Original poster
MrsBigD · 18/09/2006 15:07

ah it's nice to be quiet at work

Kindergarten Union Site and
SDN Children's services site

now if I only knew where we were moving LOL I think tomorrow I'll be busy emailing some kindergarten/pre-schools in NSW!

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Astrophe · 18/09/2006 16:52

Well done MrsBigD - I have searched for that site before to no avail! I've just emailed KU Chatswood West to register my 6 month old (my 2 year old is already on the list).

sunnydelight · 18/09/2006 17:13

I just realised that for some reason this fell off my "watching" list so apologies for those who responded to my query about airlines - I wasn't ignoring you!!!! I'm in a bit of a tizz at the moment - desperately trying to sort our holiday (does anyone in Sydney fancy meeting up for a coffee while I'm over - probably 4-22 November?) - and similarly addicted to property websites! I had also picked up on the fact that we might be liable for school fees (not sure what kind of visa DH will have but from what I can see "long term business" visas mean you pay school fees - is that correct?) so am seriously nagging DH to get his employers to agree to school fees as part of his package. I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole thing at the moment TBH so sorry if I'm not making much sense.

Astrophe · 18/09/2006 17:28

hang in there sunny, it will be worth it when you get there.

bloss · 18/09/2006 21:42

Message withdrawn

arfishymeau · 19/09/2006 10:54

Hi Sunny! I'm on for coffee (there is a slim chance I will be in the UK, but should be back by then).

I'm on a 457 long term business visa and yes, as far as I know you will still have to pay fees as you are not Australian Residents on that visa (you are 'resident' for tax purposes, just to confuse you).

Get as much as possible from your DH's work, especially for shipping & rent if you are going to live in Sydney. Claim LAFHA as it compensates for the higher tax rate you will pay as expats and lack of local benefits (eg childcare & child benefit). Get private health insurance as soon as you set foot in Australia or you will have to pay an extra 10% levy on your tax. Bear in mind that salaries quoted also incorporate your Super, which goes into your pension, not your pocket.

I'm by no means an expert, but Australian tax is lethal and expats get doubly stung by tax on their world-wide income (so if you are renting out your house in the UK you will also pay income tax on that), no local benefits and a higher rate of tax in general.

Sorry. Went off on a bit of a tangent. Is it plainly obvious that I'm in the middle of my tax return?

Original poster
MrsBigD · 19/09/2006 13:39

Astrophy I just typed in www.ku.com.au in the address bar as a google search didn't throw anything up and got lucky

Next I have to find a map of the suburbs and compare where the various KU's are. Chatswood rings a bell... is that the long hours one?

Only just got in the office after extended dental session and boss just told me to shut up until injection wears off because I sound like quasimodo! charming eh?

Arfishy are you saying that if we had income here in the uk we'd get taxed on it in Australia? How would they know , thankfully won't be an issue for us we don't own a house to rent out

OP posts:
sunnydelight · 19/09/2006 13:56

Flipping hell arfishy - tax on your worldwide income!!!!!!!! DH is in the early stages of negotiation with his employers, but I keep on telling him GET THEM TO PAY THE SCHOOL FEES. As we have three kids it won't be insubstantial. I thought it was financially better to be an expat, but maybe not! Our migration agent (employed before the transfer became a reality) is totally crap and only seems to answer specific questions so if you don't ask the right questions .... The only upside I can think of is that we will definitely have private medical cover. ATM it looks like we will be in Sydney from 5 - 21 November (the stop over in Bangkok on the way back is adding £1,000 to our flights so I think we're going to stay there for four nights to try and make the most of it) so hopefully we can meet up.

mogwai · 19/09/2006 19:37

hey Robinpud, you're arriving about a week after us.

My husband starts work on January 22nd so we need to be there at least a week beforehand.

Arfishy, it would be a place for a child of 18 months. $110 dollars a day is about £50 isn't it?

bloss · 20/09/2006 07:03

Message withdrawn

Original poster
MrsBigD · 20/09/2006 14:48

Found a map of North Sydney and just emailed KU North Sydney, thought any will do to get on a waiting list, and requested some more info. Waiting to hear back from them now. Sometimes I really don't like time zones ...

Mentioned it to dh and what did he say... oh I hadn't even thought about childcare... TYPICAL!

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robinpud · 21/09/2006 21:47

Arfy- no news at the moment on the broadband deal. both dh and I have been busy at work so haven't been chasing stuff up too much. There was some problem about wireless which was a shame as I had visions of sitting surfing outside...

Julek · 22/09/2006 06:50

Hi everyone just thought id introduce myself. I live just south of Sydney and am mother to 6week old boy.
I've been hanging around for a while but just found this thread and am feeling a bit depressed - I turn 25 today and nobody has remembered! Not to worry was hoping to cheer myself up by talking to you ladies

suzywong · 22/09/2006 07:08

BLoody RIPPER of a day to have a birthday, Julek!

Happy birthday to us, happy birthday to us, Happy birthday dear uuuuuuu--uuussssssssss

Happy birthday to us!

The Bumps, The Bumps!

eidsvold · 22/09/2006 08:41

suzy is it your birthday today too - happy birthday Suzy and JuleK. Of course the very best save their birthday until Sunday When they will turn a very youthful 38!!

kjaysmum · 22/09/2006 09:48

Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Julek, happy birthday to you, hope it helps a little, congratulations on your six week old ds, you have many birthdays ahead of you to celebrate with you little boy

Papillon · 22/09/2006 10:02

Hey KJ

Saw Tribeoffive yesterday and she gave me half her house contents in an effort reduce luggage! She is well and says Gidday

Julek · 22/09/2006 10:28

Wow Happy Birthday to everyone!!!
eidsvold havn't you heard 30's are the new 20's?
Thanks for the songs, they've made my day. ds has been extemely good today and dh has come to the party (with a gentle reminder) but my day is almost over now. Hope your enjoying yours Suzywong

sunnydelight · 22/09/2006 15:58

And of course the 40s are the new 30s Happy birthday to both of you.

mogwai · 24/09/2006 23:39

please can I have some advice on the eastern suburbs of Sydney?

If working in Randwick, I'm thinking we should live in Randwick, Coogee, Bronte, centennail park, moore park or Kensington

What are Kensington are Rosebery like? I can't get a feel for them?

humpydumpy · 25/09/2006 03:23

Happy Birthday Suzy, JuleK and eidsvold. Hope you all had great days. Was my birthday too on Friday and had a fantastic weekend.

eidsvold · 25/09/2006 03:38

hope you all had lovely birthdays - me - good one despite the news earlier in the week of FIL's passing.

went out for breakfast , played in the gardens with dds, then dh looked after them for the rest of the day. Yummy chinese for dinner followed by a lemon meringure tart as my birthday cake. Still have tonnes of choc to wade through - not that I am complaining.

Julek · 26/09/2006 00:23

Happy Birthday humpydumpy glad to hear you and eidsvold had great days. Did any one not have a birthday on the weekend? There must be something in the water around the festive season...

eidsvold so sorry to hear about your FIL.
I had chinese too. I bought myself a pavlova and made my sis come over and do the big solo happy birthday song then we ate the whole thing. Well she had a piece and I ate the rest ... trying to put on some weight.

mogwai got a friend who lives near Kensington ill give him a call tonight (oz time) and get back to you

mogwai · 26/09/2006 19:51

thanks julek

I also need some advice on renting somewhere short-term while we get something longer term.

Anyone have any ideas? Serviced apartments are way too expensive for 3 weeks and I just had a quote of $1600 per week for a two bed flat in coogee (laughing manically emoticon)

sunnydelight · 27/09/2006 10:17

I've just had a look in my newly purchased Rough Guide to Sydney for you Moqwai . Sorry, I can't remember how many children you have but I think it's maybe the one? If so www.accommodationsydneycity.com.au might be useful - they have central studio apartments that sleep three and rent for a minumum of 13 weeks for 250-350 australian dollars. It also says www.parkagency.com.au rent their - quite expensive - apartments for a cheaper rate quarterly. There's nothing else of interest in it I'm afraid. I'm waiting for confirmation of our 10 day holiday rental at the moment - it's taking the travel agent ages to confirm it and I'm getting a bit stressed as we need to plan the rest of our accommodation around it!