Can a family live off one teacher's salary in Australia?

[Whichplace]

This is very much an theoretical idea at the moment, but I've seen an ad for a teaching post in Australia that's really sparked my interest. It's in a big private school in a regional city (rather one of the big ones), but isn't particularly remote and certainly not a hardship posting. It would be for just a bog standard class teacher rather than a leadership role - I've got 10 years experience in the uk.

Before I even think about making enquiries or applying, I would like to know if it's possible for a family of 3 to live off one teacher's salary. Although dh may get a job there (and has a well established professional career) I need to make the assumption that he'd need to be a sahd for ds for at least a while (who'd be 18mo when we move) We don't have any special outgoings and would be renting (having rented out our home in the uk but probably making negligible profit)

Thanks for any info!

Yes I think you'd be able to live well but not lavishly in ballarat on one salary.

Ballarat is a good city to live in lots going on, the cafe/bar scene is getting better and your very very close to Melbourne. You'd also be close to parts if the coast too.
Because you mention it's private, are you aware that several of the catholic schools in ballarat are heavily embroiled in child sex abuse from the 70s but there is currently an inquiry going all the way to Rome.

Ah cadle that would be it - we were looking 40mind out of Melbourne I guess at the time. You really are rural! I bet it's ace and full of community :) Well done on making the move. What age do you teach? I'm fascinated by some of the differences in education ( we now wouldn't move but obviously as a teacher the differences fascinate me!)

Aussie in London at the moment.

Once you do the currency conversions, here's the rub:
food is about the same (meat is heaps cheaper and much better quality)
utilities about the same
insurance more expensive
cars about the same but petrol cheaper (but you will probably find yourself using the car more often)
public transport from Ballarat is probably the same or a bit cheaper but within suburbia it's miles cheaper (think the equiv of about £3-4 for a daily ticket
clothing and children's activities about the same
child care is about half because as an Australian citizen you will be eligible for Childcare Rebate, so daily costs will come down to average of $50/day (£25) for long day care
rent is much, much cheaper. Our house in the western suburbs of Melb (about 40 mins train to city) with three bed, two bath, double garage big garden is rented for $1565/month (~£800)
I wouldn't expect to pay more than about $400/week rent in Ballarat, but then I'm always surprised at how much rent some people are willing to pay (case in point, how much we pay for our flat here is diabolical if you do the conversion). Look just outside Ballarat, there will be lots of places a lot cheaper and it won't be a difficult commute. None of this taking half an hour to travel 2-3m stuff there.

After all that, I would say the minimum salary I would be looking for, to live comfortably, is at least $60k. Like here, lots of families do it for a lot less, but if you want to be able to do some travelling, that should give you a little bit leftover to save. If DH can get a job you'll be laughing. A family income of $100k is considered pretty good.

Also with $60k you still get some family tax benefits. Which adds Adair bit

I forgot to mention that yes, nappies are a bit more expensive, but the quality is heaps better as well so you don't need to change as often. And most child care centres, if you use them, provide all nappies and food so that could save you a bit during the week.