Are we entitled?

AnxiousMum

I was just down in Australia last month for a few weeks - price wise - you may find you need to adjust your groceries somewhat - some things I found extremely expensive - in particular ANYTHING convenience related. However, if you actually cook from scratch you can do a whole lot better than here. Some prices I remember:
2 cheesecakes for a birthday celebration from small bakery - $48.00
Pint of beer in one pub - $12.00
Fast food meals (ie KFC etc.) $10.00 region per person
Bottled drink - $2.50 (for a 400 ml size bottle)
Box of cereal - $6-8 per box (large boxes)
Fish and chips (only one went to was a cafe style on the water front) $18.00

However......petrol was $1.35 per litre......and your salary is likely 3 times as much as it is here for the same job.

Come April next year, you may be able to file for a refund of taxes here in the UK - as you wouldn't have earnt as much as the deductions taken would've been calculated for. Also, you will get a tax refund in Australia next June - as, depending on when you are going to Oz, you won't have worked a full year there either. So.....no benefits, but tax refunds in the first year only.

With regard to your daughter being disabled - you will also need to ensure that you have private medical insurance prior to going, as well as any private coverage for any prescriptions etc. that you might need.

DaisyFlower

Australia are, very rightly, very strict on who can claim. You cant claim anything in the first two years and even after that its very limited.

If one of you has a job, then you wont need them anyway. If you cant afford to live on that salary then you'll also have to look for work.

PoorCharleyBear

We have been through the migration process and there is no financial help for 2 years if you go as a permanent resident (which you are not), as they expect permanent residents to contribute to the economy.

As a temp resident (we were this originally) you even pay for school fees- so be prepared for this. Your husband's employer has to provide health insurance as temp residents you are only entitled to emergency care for free (but not ambulances- everyone pays).
And there is no such thing as child benefit in Aus- all is means tested except for childcare cost rebates for pre-schoolers.

All of these things should be advised as part of your employment package.....temp residents are expected to be good rate tax payers, so receiving benefits would not even be a factor. And - sorry - but it is unlikely that you would be granted permanent residency if your daughter is disabled. Last year a doctor (temp) wanted to apply for PR but his Down's Syndrome son was considered a financial liability so his visa was not granted. Harsh but I guess the Aus govt can chose however it wishes.