I'm off to OZ for a YEAR!!!!!!!

KiKi

If you are on a Working Holiday Visa, and are a non-resident for tax purposes, then ALL your income is taxable at 29% flat, up to $35K a year. It's not the easiest of systems:


Tax rates 2009-10

$0 – $35,000 : 29c for each $1
$35,001 – $80,000 : $10,150 plus 30c for each $1 over $35,000
$80,001 – $180,000 : $23,650 plus 38c for each $1 over $80,000
$180,001 and over : $61,650 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000



I would recommend ANZ as a bank to join - they charge $5 a month. ALL banks charge for using ATMs other than their own.

Make sure you apply for a Tax File Number on your first day in Australia so that you can work. You cannot start work and be paid (legally) without one.

On a WHV you HAVE to complete a Tax Return for Australia every financial year (June) and when you leave the country. You will have to complete two if you are there for a year.

Cheapest phone deal without a contract (which you are unlikely to get with no Aus credit history) is $29 a month with Vodafone, PAYG. $29 gives you something like $300 of credit, including texts and calls. I never looked at Skype phone deals, though. With a laptop, 3 have the best broadband mobile service with the best speed and cost for surfing.

Have a great time. I'm looking forward to the day that I move there permanently...!!

KiKi

RoryFulcher

Do you have to complete a tax return only if you are self employed... How about if you are working solely for employers (who pay your tax for you)?

And $29pm with vodaphone PAYG? Is this to cover the cost of the phone(like in a contract situation).. or is this just the amount of credit you have to put onto your phone... And how do you get $300 of calls/texts for $29? lol I might just take a mirror and use morse code signals...

KiKi

Yes, you have to do a tax return regardless. Everyone does. The tax system in Australia is very unhelpful compared to the UK, but they make it user-friendly for you.

$29 is the amount of credit you put on your phone (it's only £13). You pay $29 and that 'cost' gives you $300 worth of credit on PAYG with them. It's the cheapest deal on all the networks. (You can get PAYG for $10 with other networks, but then you only get $10 credit, which would last you all of two days if you send a few texts.)

(The Aus PAYG system is ridiculously complex. Why they don't just lower the cost of the texts and calls and make $29 = $29 I don't know. Instead, they make the texts and calls expensive and you pay $29 - but they give you $300 credit. Makes no sense to me as it all works out the same!!)

Don't rely on internet advice if you want to work in Aus - you need to do your research. They come down heavily if you don't work legally and if you don't do your tax stuff properly. The ATO website gives you everything you need to know as an international travelling there:
http://www.ato.gov.au/individuals/default.asp?menu=43646

KiKi