Thanks mowlous - I've been there once a couple of years ago and I enjoyed it as well. Western Australia is great for those that enjoy the outdoors.

Yep, HECS as well. Unfortunately I'll have to keep my RRV active for work travels and going back to Malaysia as well.

Already have children, and childcare is bloody expensive

We actually moved for the kids, that was the deciding factor.

My wife is in a white collar profession - without divulging too much info, she managed to secure a job in her industry with an global organisation that is a direct competitor to her previous company in Malaysia.

She actually secured her job faster than me - attended 3 interviews within the first month and first day on seat almost exactly 4 weeks upon arrival in the country. It's been great for her so far - her English isn't the best, but her angmoh boss is super supportive. Work life balance is amazing as well.

For non-professionals, there's plenty of jobs here especially in hospitality, so it shouldn't be too difficult to land a first job.

This post has been edited by Salary: Jun 12 2023, 12:06 PM

ATO (Australian Taxation Office) has a tax treaty with LHDN. My tax accountant, who's from Malaysia as well, told me they've had cases where they clawed back unpaid taxes (and issued fines as well) due to failure to declare KWSP dividends.

I can choose to keep my KWSP as well, but then half of the dividends will go towards tax. Combined with the falling ringgit, not worth it for me to keep it in Malaysia.

i dont get this now, what does it mean

that only applies if you are australian citizen, right?

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.

Is the labor shortage big in o&g there? Im guessing you’re a de?

Not in Melbourne or Sydney, that's all I can say - I'm in one of the other smaller cities. Without taking into account my mortgage and holidays, we're spending on average around $3k per month + $2.5k for daycare (after subsidy). It's usually around 2k per month for groceries + utilities + going out + entertainment etc, but taking into account insurances, car registration renewal, home council rates, water rates etc, we average out at around $3k.

For job search, I use SEEK and LinkedIn primarily, but keep in mind that most jobs are not advertised. I've managed to recommend some friends for some roles that weren't advertised and they've managed to secure them without any competition. Employers here place a lot of value in referred candidates.

My free-time's mostly spent outdoors - hiking, kayaking, fishing etc.

To start over? Anything in the medical profession, no doubt. Nursing, medicine, etc. - that will guarantee you a long-term job. Engineering isn't too bad too (I'm biased, as I'm in engineering). Blue-collar jobs (i.e. electrician, carpenter etc) are great as well if you're willing to put in the hours and slog it out. It really depends what you're looking for and where your interest lies.

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%.

This post has been edited by Salary: Jun 12 2023, 11:43 AM

The dividends I earn through KWSP will be taxed at 45% as I fall under that tax bracket in Australia. As a Australian tax resident, anything I earn overseas will be added onto my taxable income. And since my taxable income will increase from my KWSP dividends, I get less benefits from the government (e.g. childcare subsidy) - so essentially I'm losing half of what I earn through KWSP.

You don't have to be an Australian Citizen to be a tax resident.

There's a labour shortage across the resources industry at the moment (oil & gas, mining, renewables, etc) and every company's pretty much screaming for engineers and blue collar workers. O&G is pretty difficult to break into - I had a number of offers from mining operators (despite being in O&G my entire career), one from an O&G contractor and one last minute offer from an O&G operator back when I was applying for jobs. Mining seems very keen to take on people with O&G background, but not the other way round.

if by DE you mean discipline engineer, you're correct.

What was the process of skills assessment in your case? can you share a bit please your experience

but you are not 55 yet and you can't withdraw the dividend yet

you accountant's client is 55 and above is it?

That's very high. If I just work there without becoming PR will I be taxed as such?

Also why did t you close your KWSP?

Is there a way to invest yourself with the super? I hate the idea of paying middle man to do the job for subpar performance when I can get better performance myself.

For my skills assessment, the only thing I had to do was to have my degree assessed by Engineers Australia - yes, I know, despite having an Australian qualification, it still needs to be assessed. For overseas engineering qualifications, as long as your your degree is recognised by EA through Washington/Sydney/Dublin Accord, you shouldn't have to do a competency demonstration report.

I didn't bother with having my experience/employment assessed as back then I had sufficient points to secure an invite via SkillSelect, i.e. I was applying as if I was a fresh grad.

It's not taxed when you withdraw your earnings. It's taxed when your dividends have been issued to you. For example, your 2022 KWSP dividend is issued in December 2022, but announced in March 2023 - this falls under your taxable income for financial year 2022 - 2023.

This link provides a clear explanation:
https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Capital-...vestment-plans/

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.

I've not closed my KWSP - I can only withdraw from my account once I renounce my Malaysian citizenship in a couple of years' time.

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?

They don’t care if you are PR or not, as long as you are deemed a tax resident, you will be liable for dual taxation