It is not normal. Even in large corporates, some cover only 80% of the premiums.
For small companies u can pretty much forget about it.

thanks, learned something new about Aussie employers today

My company provides us a fix amount to use for health insurance every year, it's then your decision if you want to use 100%,50% or 0% of it towards private insurance.

Damn....telstra has been internet down for few days dy. Chip lak service! Ganasai!
Office still got no internet....

Plus some more, it's supposedly Australia's most reliable network. And also the most exxy one.

Sitting in the office doing nothing....ganasai
Non productive really. Rang them couple of times still no luck

Hi all the sifus here,

Like most of ppl on here, I have been thinking of taking the leap of faith and migrating to Oz. I will be targeting on getting the 189. Will be claiming points for mech. eng. and targeting melbourne as I have most of my family and friends there. I am close to thirty. I have a masters and been working in the UK for awhile before this. After talking to friends and family, i think i have what it takes to grind it out at the start..I am not too worried about getting the 189, I am thinking a bit further..some of my questions ...

1) is the 189 a visa or a PR ?

2) how long do ppl with similar circumstances to myself need to take before getting a proper job ? In my case mech. eng. I have read horror stories of ppl that were doing very well in msia struggling to find something substantial even after 2 years or so.

3) with a proper job, paying market rate, how long before i can get my own place, either a condo or small house ?

would be great to hear some feedback, esp those who have already made it through to Oz.

Thank youuuuuuuu

1) first of all, have a good read here, you'll find most of your Visa answers
http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1/189-#

2) job hunt is very subjective, maybe some bros here can help

3) again, its subjective, depends on how much is your pay, how much you can save, where you buy, etc...
but if you have been working in both MY and UK, most probably you would already have a house by now... flip it and migrate?

thanks for your thought

1) thanks
2) The job hunting honestly is scarring me, i don't want to just keep working a casual job for 1-2 years.
3) i have enough to get me a house but i dont dare buy cause I dont know where ill be in even 3 months.

bro's here say its connection

well... i personally think it doesn't really matter where you are or whether if you are planning to stay or not cos it can always be an investment... but that's another topic

let's see what the other sifus here will say

Just my opinion and experience, may differ for other people:

1) Visa and PR is kind of the same thing in a way but to answer your question it is a PR if I understand your intentions which is to stay permanently in Australia. 189 superseded 885 and 175 which were the previous commonly applied visas. This visa lets you stay for 5 years from the date you get granted which at the end you can renew (subject to certain conditions you must meet for renewal).

2) I'm not in your field but not uncommon to hear that sort of story. There are a lot of graduates from all over the world here so you really have to fight tooth and nail for your spot here. However, it's not all doom and gloom as I've seen many had a break through even after as long as 3 years into their field finally if you stick to it. A bit hard to say, I'll leave this to the others who hopefully has had a successful experience with similar circumstances to yourself. I went through the education route so might differ quite a bit.

3) This is based on Melbourne market, you're looking at around 500k-600k for an apartment (2 bedroom) or around 650k-750k for a townhouse so it can vary. You would want to avoid paying LMI which is very costly so this means you're looking at around 80% LVR (in general), base case of 110k for 20% downpayment if you go for 2 bedroom apartment. If you have a partner to help you out it's very doable but will definitely take you at least a few years to prepare especially first home unless you're already sitting on a pile of cash. Alternatively, you can find financiers who can do up to 90% LVR or buy and rent it out till you are ready to move in (there are tax benefits for this).

ipohnoel, thank you so very much for taking the time ! really appreciate it.

1) - Superb explanation ! the reason I get confuse is that perhaps I came from staying in the UK, and there visa and PR are very different things. Was shocked to learn that I can straight up apply for a PR in Oz. But now i think i get it.

2) - thanks ! yea from what i can see its very hard to tell, very legit argument and stories for either camps.

3) - Wow that is quite exp. considering tax are so much higher in Oz. how much for utilities generally ? Elec, gas (esp for winter) and internet

Ok, will assist and reply as much as I can:
1) yes it is. U can get 190 too if not enuf points but need to live in that states for 2 years

2) well...very subjective. Some ppl landed with jobs way b4 they step foot here, some 1 to 2 weeks, months or year.
Connection always played major role here with current market. Local experience is the main key too. So try to get into ur profession even though it's small pay or casual. It does helps

3) melb and syd price is pricey but has the higher return investment. Perth 500k can get big house but with low rental income now. Perth is gloomy now....so depends on ur profession demand. If u get a job in perth then it's a good living environment but it's a so called WAIT AWHILE STATES (WA) sloooooooow and steady

- Tax is higher cos u get safety net. Unemployment benefits, aged care pension etc.
If u look at property pricing, i think it is almost 1:1 in dollar terms between KL/Syd/Mel.
Electricity/gas - v subjective. Depends on how much u use heater n how long u shower and which state. WA is more exxy, VIC a bit cheaper. In VIC, elec/gas is $150 a month with little use of heater/gas.
Internet - depends on areas. Some areas unlimited ADSL for $70 per month, others $90.

I think for 189 also need to remain in Aussie (regardless of state) for up to 2 years for renewal purpose.

yes

We usually think the visas (at least for myself) as PR or TR. Do you satisfy the point eligibility for 189?

On your 3rd point, this is based on guesstimates using my own as well, very consistent with what Shazam gave u:

1. Internet - $70 monthly (just taking iinet as an example)
2. Water ($40 monthly on average; just beware that if you are a homeowner it wil be approx $100 monthly because of surcharges)
3. Electricity ($100 monthly average, winter would add anothe $50 assuming you're going to use heater during winter but don't go crazy on this)
4. Gas ($50 monthly average assuming you plan to cook and you use gas stove)

Houses in Melbourne has been rising a lot because of the increasing population and foreign buyers. If you dont mind living further out, you can get cheaper prices than the ones I've quoted. On the plus side, interest rates just dropped recently is expected to dropped furher in the 2nd half of this year. We're currently in a historically low interest rate environment.

Thank you so much for your time Nemesis !

1) yes i think both also need to complete 2 years out of 5 I believe. But I don't get is, is it only after completing the 2 years only I would have a full PR ?

2) wow ?! really ? would you mind to elaborate how did ppl manage to do that ? because (correct me if I am wrong) most Oz companies will only start to consider you once you have a PR or you are a citizen ? how can I snag a job while still here in Msia ?

"Connection always played major role here" -----> wait i thought Oz is white country and in white country, cable no use one right ? its merit based ?

3) Nice !! thanks for the info, but I am aiming to be in Melbourne cause my the majority of my family and friends are there.

thanks bro ! yes i believe its the same. So is it after i complete 2 years I can go in and out of Oz as a full Oz PR ?

yup... i am ok with the higher tax, been working in the UK for a few years before this and used to it. And i actually feel the benefit of it, health care and like you said Unemployment benefits.

how much % higher do you pay in the winter...but i guess in Oz it doesnt get very cold right ? (compared to EU of course)