might be better off converting to SGD if you want stability

Try TransferWise and compare their rates to NAB. I use TW to move money between countries.

NAB online does not have MYR (only can do it physically at the branch ?). When I compare AUD/SGD NAB online a while ago, the rates for NAB is 0.92987. While TW is 0.96549. Ie. For every A$1k you save at least S$35. That's a lot !

TW supports forex --> RM, but not RM --> forex. If you want to transfer RM out, then you have to use other Fintechs or banks

Another cost savings is when you use bank to transfer, your local malaysia bank will charge you another fee. Use TW what you see on the screen is what the receipant gets. Local bank won't charge extra

No worries !

I think with 250k, you can negotiate with the branch manager. What I'd do is to get a benchmark using XE.com middle rate and talk to them

For example AUD/MYR current Xe.com rate is 2.9437.

For TransferWise rate, it is 2.9203

So, the spread (ie profit) for TW is 0.0234, or 0.79%

You can negotiate with NAB to get lower than that since it is a large amount. For Malaysia bank transfer money out, I can get about around 0.4% spread for larger amount like RM350k.

My observation here in Malaysia is for smaller amount (below RM350k), fintech companies have better rates. For larger amount, banks have better rate after negotiation. I don't have experience transferring large amount back to malaysia though, so I am not sure whether the banks like NAB can match the rates

Another thing to consider is if you use TW you have to transfer the amount in stages, as there is a daily limit (online banking daily limit, as well as TW max daily limit). If your limit is A$20k per day, then you have to do it over 13 days 

My wife tried OrbitRemit, which charges a 4 aud fee for transfer. Though the rates at the moment doesn't look too good.

At the moment: 1000 AUD is 2741 MYR.

Used to look at Carlingford. Changed to focus more in around Hills District nowadays. Not too keen on southwest and west suburbs. Going northwest.

Guess there's a reason for that with the high cost and heavy traffic constantly about that area. But thankfully not as bad as KL and its horrendous traffic.

I'm expecting Wattle Grove/Holsworthy to be similar to Campbelltown. Hopefully places with less SEA / asian population are not as bad as some stories I hear about those in the Shire. Asked a few colleagues about Auburn and they're like "We're never gonna stay there, ever!". And I'm really racists as well for seeking out a suburb where the ethnicity is more mixed and multicultural, not too dominated by any. =/

Annnnddd it's Friday! I miss the Malaysian holidays a fair bit, beside friends and family.

Weather is pretty much a killer too as we've only got 2 stand fans at home. Times like this one truly misses the Msian weather.

Lots of colleagues recommended areas around Kellyville, so that's where we'll be checking out tomorrow. Anywhere between Rouse Hill, Stanhope Gardens & Kellyville itself.

3 rooms in total 78sqm for the main residence. A tad bit small. After viewing many units by now, I find that any room that is less than 3m x 3m is just too small. The school's ranking is above 2000. Location is not that ideal. Even if it's convenient enough for you, it may not be so for people looking to rent the granny flat.

The granny flat may not earn you much after tax. Recently, I did some calculations on this one. Based on rental collection of about 19K, I would have to pay about 7K tax, without factoring in deductions yet. It's still money to help pay off mortgage nonetheless, but not as rosy as I had thought.

Need some advice about flooring and Owner's Corporation. There is a unit that I am interested in, but it turns out the owner unknowingly (or knowingly, who knows) installed hard ceramic tiling in the living/dining room without getting prior approval from OC.

How serious is this, and what are the possible ramifications to the buyer? The unit, however, is a ground level unit in a 3-level apartment building. But then, I do not see any explicit exemptions from by-law for ground level unit.

On a more positive note, I'm told Haymarket / Fairfield area usually celebrates Chinese New Year. Would anyone know if this takes place during the weekend prior or after since the event falls on a Tuesday?
Anything else to recommend? I want to bring my wife to such events if it's on a Friday/weekend. Thanks in advance!

I do think about whether I will choose to retire in MY one day, but that is a question for later.

What you say has a lot of merit, but pretty subjective to people's condition and situation. I tried looking for a role of my old level when I first came over 2 years ago but no luck. Had to settle for a casual job after 6 months, and from there I found a different casual role, and finally a permanent role in my current company, almost catching up to where I left off (granted it's not an exec role). Unless you're coming over with a job I heard stories like mine are pretty normal. It's especially harder if you want to get back your exact old role - with luck it's possible. Our current rent is a third of my monthly salary - no kids. Groceries cost about 50-70 a week. Very similar cost of living to Msia for us. Bamboo/Glass ceiling is here too, no different from the bumiputra companies.

The majority of people on this thread will disagree....

Of course there are pros and cons.....but generally, it's economically better for most people in Australia.... because of higher incomes across all professions.....

The main downside is when people from middle management starts from the bottom again in Oz....hence timing for migration is important....do it early....

And no, infrastructure in msia is not better....you are using kv to compare with Australia's huge rural infrastructure....

Yes, the toilet is supposed to be clean ....just mope around.... although my toilet has an outlet, it's never used as the toilet is a dry environment....I have an added bidet on the bowl and that is confined to the bowl and does not wet outside.....

Go spend your money.... travel around the world....till your assets qualify for the pension....lol

Coincidentally, was just discussing this matter with a friend who's back on holiday last night...we though one should upgrade to a better location/house to soak up your assets, give inheritance to children, spend, before pension eligibility.....until you get at least partial pension eligibility.....lol

Said friend figured he's paid more taxes over the last 29 years of work that the pension will likely pay out....

Far out... I might have to head to Shepparton for work next month and hearing it's 46'c at 10am really fills me with dread.

Thankfully it's rough 26-28'c around where I am (Chester Hill). While I do miss the tropical weather too, the humidity is equally as energy sapping now. I hear it's much nicer closer to the coast.
I'm sorta adapting to Aus and going back to any humid countries just makes me sweat extra now. I tend to sweat a lot and the dry weather here is such a boon that I don't stink up.

85 weeks on half pay!.... walaueh! That's like 1 1/2 year....!

As long as it matches your requirements it good, even better if it's a cheap property. I'm just too used to not paying strata that I'll have to change the mindset if we do end up finding a unit we'd like.