Potential move from Toronto area to Perth

My husband is currently in exploratory talks with a company for a job in Perth. I've done a bit of reading about Perth in general and I understand that it is primarily a business centre and that most people live in the burbs. This is not an issue for me as I have been a suburbinite all my life. My husband works downtown Toronto but we live in Mississauga and I'm currently a stay-at-home Mom with boys aged 7 and 9. Before we even start considering the financial aspects of the position, there is some basic information about living in Australia in general and Perth in specific I'd like to know as this would be a permanent position and not contract.

1) My first concern with 2 school aged children is the school system. I know the school years do not co-incide so that could be an issue with getting them placed in the right grades, but I'm more concerned with the actual curriculum. Would it be comparable to what they are learning in the Ontario school system? They will be completing grades 2 (7 year old) and 4 (9 year old) in June. Are the grade levels there the same?

2) What is the health care system like? Is is comparable to Ontario? I don't know what kind of benefit package is being offered with the job my husband is considering but obviously that would be a consideration.

3) What are income taxes like? Again are they comparable to Ontario?

4) What kind of sales taxes exist?

5) How do retirement savings/pension plans work?

6) What's the cost of living like? I read that in the Perth area groceries are expensive and from what I can see the price of housing seems very high. Is this true?

Any advice you could offer in these areas would be greatly appreciated. This job offer was very unexpected. While I hoped one day to visit Australia on vacation it never even crossed my mind that the opportunity to move there would exist so I know very little about the country.

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Your lack of English comprehension skills has rendered your post useless. If you have nothing constructive to add, apart from spamming for a moving company that DOES NOT OPERATE FROM CANADA, then why are you bothering to answer the original poster's question. Were they even asking for a moving company? Let me type this slower for you -- NO they were not.

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Hi gwnorth!

I can't personally answer all your questions, as my wife and I are also in the process of planning our big move to Perth ourselves. However I've done a LOT of reading and I'm actually really excited about the system in Australia... they've gotten so much right where Ontario has gone astray (see Public Transit, property taxes, pensions etc). Their education system is second to none as well, really really good. I'm waiting for my spousal visa to come through, then we'll be off to colonize Perth probably by year's end.

I've done a lot of reading on the following site, I hope it helps you discover what you need to be comfortable with a big move like this... on the right side you'll see a menu, where you can choose your city to get a better idea of what life is like there.

Cheers

triple W dot livingin-australia dot com

Hi gwnorth,

I moved from Oakville to Perth in Dec 2009. My husband was moved by his Cdn employer here so our situation is a little different but I think I can answer most of your questions.

1) our boys were 10 and 12 when we arrived. The school system is a little behind (1 yr or so) in learning against the Ontario system especially in things like math. This continues into high school so it really depends on how long you are in Australia as to the disadvantage (I can comment on transitions to university if you need to go that far later). In terms of their grades the age cut off in June 30th of each year vs. Dec 31st. So if your boys are born before June 30th, they will be in the same school 'year' as Canada. If they are born in the second 1/2 of the year, they will be in the year behind (back in yr 2 & 4 again until the school year ends in Dec)

2) There is no company health care plans or provincal medical like in Canada. Even in to the largest companies, most employees buy their own private insurance to supplement Medicare. Fees I see offered on TV are not hugely expensive but it's different than what we are used to. Depending on your immigration status though, you may not be eligible for medicare. We are on a 457 temp work visa but my husband is still paid through our Cdn company so our health costs are reimbursible through the Cdn plan. All comes down to your immigrations status and what your husband can work out with his potential employer.

3)Income taxes are about the same but you will need to file Cdn income taxes for at least the first year. A good international tax accountant can help you ensure you aren't double paying in Australia as there is a tax treaty in place.

4) 10%GST on everything but the tax is already included in on all your retail purchases. When the tag says $15.95, you pay $15.95. Service providers though (plumbers, lawyers, etc) will charge 10% GSt on their invoices.

5) There is a superannuation plan that all workers are eligible for. It's like an RRSP and the gov't requires employers to provide it. Have your husband ask more specifics from the employer.

6) Cost of living is very high. Rents are at least double what they would be in Canada. Food is outrageously expensive. Our food costs increased 75% over what we paid in Canada. 3 key grocery items are very expensive: seafood (3-4 times higher than Canada), fruit (and some vegetables) are almost double (Bananas are currently $6/lb due to cyclone damage but ususally sit around $1-2/lb), and bread/bakery items - count on double the cost. Don't plan on eating out as a simple lunch is rarely under $9 per person for a drink and sandwich. Restaurants are astronomical.

I don't know if you've had to make your decision yet but I hope this helps. Even with the drawbacks though, once you live here, you may never want to go home. The weather is fantastic, people very welcoming and you will have many new adventures as a family. You will not get rich living in Perth or save much money but if it's a once in a lifetime opportunity, take the chance!

Happy to answer any other questions you have.

Hi Everyone,

I've already posted my questions in another forum but I really need answers, so I decided to address the same questions to you. 'Hope you can help me..

We are currently living in Scarborough, ON (GTA) and my husband is being offered a job in Perth. Belmont in particular. If the plan push thru, we will be moving with our 4-yr-old son and a newborn daughter. My question is, is raising kids in Perth almost similar to raising them here in Toronto? Are there affordable music classes, dance class, martial arts, swimming, art, gymnastics and those kinds of stuff in the area? Are there drop-in playplaces? Home daycare? Is having a nanny affordable? Our son is supposed to attend JK in September, so I'm a little worried for him.. if he'll be able to adjust well to this move. And our baby daughter will have to receive the rest of her immunizations there. Do you know if the immunizations there are the same as here in Canada? Any tips and advise will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much!

Yoshi,

We moved from Oakville to Perth in Dec 2009. While my kids are in their early teens, it seems there are a lot of activities here just as there would be in Canada but some others as well - especially sports for young kids. Physical activity and team sports are huge here and yours will get an opportunity to learn rugby, cricket, Australian rules football, netball and surf lifesaving from the right age - if you have an interest in getting them involved.

As to cost, it will depend on whether your husband is being paid in Australian dollars (an Australian salary) of if he's being transferred by a Canadian company and paid in Canadian dollars. Salaries in Australia are much higher for the same work than they are in Canada - anywhere from 50% to 300% higher. While this is great, everything costs more - housing (double), food (50% higher), electricity, services, school fees, eating out, etc. Swimming lessons, phone, household gas prices and buying a car are about the only things I have found comparable to Canada. I'm sure there's more but there is huge sticker shock. However, if you are paid higher in Australia and in Australian dollars it goes a long way towards making up the financial difference.

While salaries are higher, you will need to pay for your own health insurance as this is not part of a standard salary package. If you have medicare and a health insurance program, you will have no issues getting your daughter immunized. Their immunization schedule is similar to Canada so you should have no worries. Health care is also as easily - maybe easier - than in Canada

Regarding you kids and school, the school year runs from Feb to Dec and the age cut off for any school entry year is June 30th. So if you child is born in the first 1/2 of the year, he will be in the same grade as in Canada. If he is born after July 1st, he will be a year behind. At the beginning of his school life though, this should not be an issue. You probably know that they don't have JK and SK. They have Kindy, Pre-primary and then Year (grade) 1. Not sure about the ages but the schools can help you with this.

I do believe they have in home child care but as in Canada, all child care is in high demand. There is huge flexibility in work arrangement for mothers though. Most companies are desperate for capable and experienced workers and do much more to accommodate working mothers with non-traditional hours.

Perth is a great place to live. You will not miss shoveling snow and cold winters. It is hot here in the summer but without the humidity of Toronto. We are only here for 5 years but are not looking forward to the next place we may go as nowhere will be as warm, sunny or pleasant year round as Perth. There is a Canadian group here who have social activities and there seem to be a number of other families with small kids in it. You will also find it easy to make friends with other moms with your kids in early primary school.

Let me know if you have any other questions. Happy to help where I can.

Audrey

Thanks for a very informative reply Audrey! Very, very helpful!

As to cost, it will depend on whether your husband is being paid in Australian dollars (an Australian salary) of if he's being transferred by a Canadian company and paid in Canadian dollars. Salaries in Australia are much higher for the same work than they are in Canada - anywhere from 50% to 300% higher.

Hi Audrey, I think it really depends on the job. The median household income figures of Canada is actually higher than Australia.

I know quite a few friends who are working/have worked in OZ or came to Canada to work when they were younger and from what I know only engineering/IT jobs are paid higher there. Healthcare/medical in general is paid lower, and business and accounting fields are paid about the same. Min wages are a lot higher. AUD is among one of the most overvalued major currencies at the moment too (AUD:CAD used to be in the 0.7~0.8 range about 4 years ago). The other thing is I don't think OZ employers provide any benefits, whereas employers back home provide pretty much everything from dental, optometry & glasses, orthotics, to chiropractic/PT, acupuncture, and other complimentary healthcare (even for permanent min wage jobs).