Foreign residents are subjected to more tax. For foreign workers, you're taxed 32.5% for everything you earn up to $120k. For permanent residents, the first $18.2k are not subjected to tax, while between $18.2k and $45k, the tax rate is 19%. All income earned above $45k are taxed the same rate regardless if you're a foreigner or PR.

You can set up your own super fund where you manage your own super. It's called SMSF, or self-managed super fund. If you can get better performance and are happy to spend your own time on it, why not?

Hi All,

I’ve been browsing Lowyat Forum on and off for the past decade or so and I’ve seen a lot of threads every now and then that centres around the topic of moving to Australia. There’s a lot of good information on here, but there’s also an equal amount of misconceptions about living and working in the land down under.

One saying that I’ve come across a lot which stands true is that the grass is not always greener on the other side, and this is something that I’ve always kept at the back of my mind when I was planning the big move. I’ve seen many migrants struggling as they did not deliberate enough when making the decision to uproot their established lives in Malaysia to give what they perceive as the land of opportunity a go.

I have a bit of time to spare over the next week, so I’d be happy to shed light on and provide some first-hand insights into moving, living and working in Australia. Some context about myself to kick start the AMA:

- I obtained my Australian permanent resident visa prior to the COVID pandemic
- I moved early 2022 at the tail-end of COVID border restrictions
- I am English-educated while my wife is Chinese-educated
- My wife and I are in our early 30s
- We are both currently working in our respective industries, either at the same level or higher that the jobs we had prior to leaving Malaysia
- We had a combined monthly salary of approximately RM35k per month in Malaysia with our house and cars paid off, which made the decision to move even more difficult

Feel free to ask me anything and I will endeavour to provide a candid answer based on my personal experience. 

So u successful already ?

found job as what ?

you in which industry? IT? accounting?

Even KWSP which you don't have access to? The taxes are what make me hesitant to move there. Very high tax Vs Malaysia tax. Not to mention all my overseas investment in Malsysia are tax free.

This is just one aspect. All the acocunting and book keeping. If it's just open brokerage and invest yourself without need for keeping record, don't mind it.

Nope, no longer planning to go back to Malaysia to work, unless I'm paid expat rates. At this point, I'm not really looking for expat roles until my kids are much older.

Reason to move is for the kids - better quality of life. That, and the work life balance is is great.

In terms of numbers, if you don't convert, I'm paid 75% what I was getting back in Malaysia. If I lose my job here in Australia and secure a different role, even with a contractor, I'll only take a very slight hit to my paycheck, no more than 10%. In Malaysia, if I lose my job and join a direct competitor, I'll be lucky to get 60% of what I was paid. Worst still, if I ended up with contractor/consultant, I'll need to take a pay cut exceeding 50%.

Hi All,

I’ve been browsing Lowyat Forum on and off for the past decade or so and I’ve seen a lot of threads every now and then that centres around the topic of moving to Australia. There’s a lot of good information on here, but there’s also an equal amount of misconceptions about living and working in the land down under.

One saying that I’ve come across a lot which stands true is that the grass is not always greener on the other side, and this is something that I’ve always kept at the back of my mind when I was planning the big move. I’ve seen many migrants struggling as they did not deliberate enough when making the decision to uproot their established lives in Malaysia to give what they perceive as the land of opportunity a go.

I have a bit of time to spare over the next week, so I’d be happy to shed light on and provide some first-hand insights into moving, living and working in Australia. Some context about myself to kick start the AMA:

- I obtained my Australian permanent resident visa prior to the COVID pandemic
- I moved early 2022 at the tail-end of COVID border restrictions
- I am English-educated while my wife is Chinese-educated
- My wife and I are in our early 30s
- We are both currently working in our respective industries, either at the same level or higher that the jobs we had prior to leaving Malaysia
- We had a combined monthly salary of approximately RM35k per month in Malaysia with our house and cars paid off, which made the decision to move even more difficult

Feel free to ask me anything and I will endeavour to provide a candid answer based on my personal experience. 

If you take your time and read though he already mentioned engineering.

IIRC two 9’s one 8.5 and one 8.0.

I think that's a misconception (which I had as well). You will be taxed upon becoming a tax resident in Australia. The one question my tax accountant asked me was - when did you apply for your Medicare card? Upon making that application, you've shown your intention to stay permanently and is it from that point you become a tax resident as you've started benefiting off their government services.

I don’t believe things have changed but I might be wrong… you are only deemed a tax resident if you stay in Australia for more than 180 days. And yes that applies to most people who have or is planning to work in Australia

A few questions:
Family and Friends
- Tough leaving friends behind?

Income
- Did you make dollar for dollar after moving?
- By %, you save more in Msia or Australia?

Weather
- I dont like long term winter, how do you find it?

Food
- Are you used to local foods yet?

Even KWSP which you don't have access to? The taxes are what make me hesitant to move there. Very high tax Vs Malaysia tax. Not to mention all my overseas investment in Malsysia are tax free.

This is just one aspect. All the acocunting and book keeping. If it's just open brokerage and invest yourself without need for keeping record, don't mind it.

So u successful already ?

found job as what ?

you in which industry? IT? accounting?

I didn't declare my EPF divided when moving to UK. I even transferred > RM 100k from Malaysia to UK without any major issues. I only got questioned by my UK bank of the source of the money and I said from my employment in Malaysia for 10 years

Not sure if Australia is really so strict on this, or TS just following strictly by the rules. I guess a tax consultant will advise the client to follow 100% of the rules

i got a degree in business and marketing, but basic experience with customer relations and etc.

Got hope to start life in AU?

savings not much either, somewhat starting from scrap.

age 29

Hi TS, my wife and I are planning for our kids to study and work in OZ. In fact we want  them to migrate as well.

The only way that we can think of is the twinning/transfer programmes.

Do you have any comment or advice on this? Any recommendation will be great too.

Thanks in advance

A few questions:
Family and Friends
- How are your parents? Are they still alive? Who is caring for them now?
- Tough leaving friends behind?

Income
- Did you make dollar for dollar after moving?
- By %, you save more in Msia or Australia?

Weather
- I dont like long term winter, how do you find it?

Food
- Are you used to local foods yet?

damn... your english damn good. You mentioned before that you are an english ed, still, your english command is good !

Part of the reason i couldnt apply for a PR because back then i need band 8 to fulfil the point system.  oh well.

still, congrats !