Cost of living figures

[chantelrayshum]

Originally Posted by Kevan Sangster

Hi Karen,

We currently live in Brisbane and have been here for 6 years since moving from the UK. Cost of living has gradually gone up over our time here, especially if you factor in the exchange rate to the pound (tip - the sooner you stop converting back to your currency of origin the better)! Current costs for us in a 4 bed house in the suburbs of Brisbane are as follows:

Electricity - $500 per quarter (more in summer - aircon!)
Water - $300 per quarter
Groceries - c$200 per week (family of 4)
Fuel - $30 a week (half a tank in our Toyota Corolla)
Commute - $50 per week for commute to CBD from zone 3 (10 trips)

Hope that helps for anyone trying to price up coming over here. In summary, its not cheap but well worth it!

Kevan

Hi Kevan

We are looking at moving to Brisbane within the next few months, from NZ originally from South Africa, need some advise on good suburbs to live & names of good primary & high schools.

Any advise or info will be greatly appreciated.

Regards

CHB

[katecurson]

hi, I live with my family which consists of my husband, me , my 7 yr old and my 3 yrs old
- For groceries, I have been buying both in coles and aldi for 3 yrs, between them I spend around 150-170 aud per week , if I only buy at coles, then I would pay an extra 50 per week at least, so I save money by going to both
- for gas and electricity, we pay about $200 aud every 3 months
-for water about $220 every 3 months, we dont have swimming pool
-for schools, once you get the permanent residence you only pay $40 for a public school but for 2 yrs in the same school ( public primary) I had to pay $4,900 for my 7 yr old until we got the PR
- for preschools I pay about $80 per day , then if you get the PR you get back 50% by the government,
- for petrol, we pay about $50 per week

[wesmant]

Originally Posted by katecurson

-for schools, once you get the permanent residence you only pay $40 for a public school but for 2 yrs in the same school ( public primary) I had to pay $4,900 for my 7 yr old until we got the PR

Hi Katecurson,

What visa you have now? is it not 457? I thought 457 is paying the same as PR for school fees of dependent?

[_shel]

No 457 is a temp visa and you get no state benefits including school in NSW & ACT. And no help with childcare, pre school or out of school care.

[wesmant]

Originally Posted by _shel

No 457 is a temp visa and you get no state benefits including school in NSW & ACT. And no help with childcare, pre school or out of school care.

Is the arrangement different for each state? I heard my friend's colleague in Perth has their kids paying local fees for education. (which was why he asked me to try 457, instead of 189)

[_shel]

It is, in Perth you won't pay school fees bar normal contributions. Not so in NSW or ACT where you pay up from $4000 a year per child.

[wesmant]

Originally Posted by _shel

It is, in Perth you won't pay school fees bar normal contributions. Not so in NSW or ACT where you pay up from $4000 a year per child.

Thanks Shel, crystal clear. Means NSW and ACT are not so family friendly for those with school going kids

[_shel]

No not at all, the states have been challanged in the Courts but won. I always advise people going on a temp visa to avoid NSW & ACT unless the employer compensates for the childrens education.

[Michelle75]

Hi Kate,

OMG, I didn't realise that you had to pay for schooling. Did you have to pay it upfront in one lump sum or is it split over the 2 yrs until you get PR?

Thanks
Michelle

[CA to OZ]

Thanks for posting about Perth.
My husband and I are planning to move to Perth so he can go to UWA and I would like to work at King Edward memorial hospital. We have 2 kids, ages 4 & 6. We would like to commute primarily by bike and public transit so we can cut down to only one car. Can you recommend family friendly neighborhoods in the area?
Thanks,
Anne