Wondering if anyone has had experience working in Australia private healthcare system? Is it worthwhile to leave permanent jobs in the UK to pursue opportunities there?

Wife and I are medical consultants in the UK. There are opportunities in Australia (area of need) - about 2.5 hours driving from Perth. Expected monthly is said to be 4 times UK's net of taxes (full-time consultant pay in the UK is about £5k / RM 25k per person; Mortgage/council tax/utility bills £3k, excluding foods, travel, petrol/diesel). However, income in Australia is based on volumes of work done (contracts) and can be less secure than public-funded jobs (permanent jobs like in Malaysia) in the UK. Yet, UK has extremely heavy tax burden since recent years. After working for more than 10 years in the UK, our assets are about £80k in house equity, 2 fully paid cars (used), £20k savings, £5k investments, after paying for holidays/frequent flights to Malaysia to visit family members

Thank you!!

This post has been edited by PseudomonasSA: Jul 13 2025, 08:07 PM

Thank you very much.
Yes, UK tax is 40%, Pensions (like EPF 12.5%), and 8% national insurance (a bit like insurance premium, it is a form of tax).
Though job is more structured and secure. You won't get paid extra even if you work more or do more.

Council tax (a bit like Cukai Tanah) is about 20% of mortgage payment.

When gross income is between £100k to £125k, the effective tax rate is 60%, because we lose tax free allowance.

Okay to live a comfortable and stable life here, but very hard to accumulate wealth

UK is very good towards businesses, but penalises high earning employees

Thanks again for your input!

MOs are being offered an annual package of S$110,000 (RM385,000). Depending on performances, annual bonus between 2-6 months is offered. Biggest advantage of working in Singapore.

Unsure about consultants pay. Not advertised directly.

Heard Singapore is building more and more hospitals. Some with 10,000 beds!

No, we won't lose the contributions. After the retirement age of 67 years, we will still be paid pensions, but the sum will be much lower, and proportionate to the duration of employment in the UK.

It is also possible to transfer the entire accumulated pensions to en equivalent scheme in Australia