Andyrob

Yeah completely. LAFHA is an allowance you can claim for being here on a 457. I believe it reduces your tax, but I'm not sure. The novated lease is just a different way of doing a normal fully maintained car lease that means your payments come off Before your salary is paid and you make some tax savings. Andy

Yeah - I'm on a 457 visa, and had only been on it 2 weeks when I got the car. It's a wee bit more complicated than if you are a resident, but it's not that hard. I was able to prove some savings I have in the uk, so it was simple - but definitely worth doing. You shouldn't have too much problem Andy

It's an arrangement between you, the lease company and your employer. The lease payments (plus fuel and maintenance if you want to) are taken off before you are paid. Some comes off before tax, and some afterwards. So there are tax savings with it. Have a look at smartsalary's website, they have all the info on there Andy

Hi all Anyone got any opinion on the best (and quickest) way to sell a car? Websites anyone has used? If anyone here is interested its a 3 month old Hyundai i30 with around 3000k on it. It's a 2.0l automatic, blue with window tints. Cost me $23500 new. Bought it for my recently ex'd partner who is leaving the country. PM me if interested. Andy

If you can do it through your employer, a novated lease is fairly easy to arrange. I got one after 2 weeks being employed. They can source some good deals on car prices too, if you want a new car. Other option is commonwealth bank. They financed my for my ex partners car. By the way anyone interested in buying a 3 month old Hyundai i30??? Need to get rid of it lol

Got a question. I'm on a 457 visa and have racked up 7 points now in 6 months. I know that I don't need to get a WA licence til 3 months after I get residency, however if I pick up another 5 points in the next couple of years can they ban me while I'm still driving on my uk license - and what will happen when I apply for my WA licence. Hope someone can help!!

Hey all Does anyone know of a bank who will do loans in the traditional sense, as in the money paid into your bank as opposed to the draw down facilities?

Sophie. I dunno about sparks lol. But you are doing the right thing. WA is booming at the moment, in terms of construction related work the credit crunch hasn't hit here. Being onshore gives you a huge advantage in getting work, and companies are much more likely to sponsor if you are here and they don't nee to pay 10's of thousands getting you here. If he is willing to take fly in fly out work, which there is LOADS of here, then he should pick something up fairly easily

I'm working for a large construction / infrastructure company. I know they do take on direct labour, but because of the nature of work they have at the moment (mainly PM stuff) they aren't carrying too many on the books. I found seek.com.au to be the best place to hunt for jobs, and they will send you daily emails of the latest vacancies you are interested in

Hey all. Not sure if this is the best place to post - but worth a try. I'm looking to get a couple of tattoos done in Perth. But I know that the best places to go are from word of mouth rather than just picking any old place. Does anyone have any experience of this in Perth, and able to recommend somewhere good? Andy

Haha it's not a full blown drinking session for me Phil. Just a couple on the way home

There is a very high probability that I will need a beer or 2 after work on Friday, as it will be the end of my first full week! Anyone like to join me in a small celebration of my new career?

It's not a definitive list, but I can advise what I needed. And it was much less involved than I thought to get a 457. The company I am working for handled everything - they sent me the forms (mostly filled out already) and I had to complete specifics (like the number of the visa I was on at the time, health questions) and send it back along with my CV, copy of qualifications, copy of passport and reference letters from my previous employer. I also had to send proof of health care cover - but i registered with medicare when i was on my tourist visa, and a copy of the medicare card was sufficient. But NONE of them were certified copies, which did surprise me. I sent it all back to them on the Tuesday, got an email confirming that the application had been lodged on the Thursday and the visa was granted the following week. As I said before, I applied for my 457 onshore. I don't know if it's any different doing it offshore. But I know that if applying offshore you need to prove the healthcare cover also, but you can't register for medicare until you are in Oz - so it needs to be a private policy. Andy

Haha think it's time you parked the car at the office and used public transport to get in and home!!!!!

Hey all Quick one. Just got my 457 through, and start work this week. Had hoped to novate my car lease, but might struggle as apparently they don't like the fact that I have a probation period in my contract. Anyone know of any good (and also not rip-off merchant) car dealers or finance companies I can go to? Ive been hiring a car the last 9 weeks, but it's VERY expensive for a car I don't even like! And I need to get rid of it for my street cred, and bank balance!!!! Any ideas? Andy

How come the socialising (or drinking!!) threads have you in there somewhere Phil lol. Start reserving my place at the nights out - start work this week so pay day getting ever closer!!!

Hey I have just had my 457 granted. I didnt need medicals, but the application was submitted online last Friday, and the visa was granted today. It can be processed very quickly, but I applied from onshore, and I believe thats quicker anyway Andy

Haha Neil I you want to live here and job hunt you will need more than £20,000!! I've only been here about 9 weeks, and already I'm out by about £12,000. That's flights, accommodation, car hire (bloody expensive!!) and spending money (even more expensive - not cheap to live here lol). Tho that's for 2 of us, but sooooo glad to know I have a salary cheque coming soon!!

An update to this post. Got an email today confirming that my visa has been granted! Start work on Wednesday and can't wait!!!

Phil - you surprise me, being in need of a beer!! Lol. Not sure if I would make that, funds a bit tight and a visa & medical to pay for soon

Cheers Phil, and I most certainly be there!! I am in construction management, was a site manager back home but have taken a role as a site engineer here, as Australian experience is a huge thing. When I was looking in the uk, there was nothing really coming back. Since I moved out here I've had more response, however most companies have said had I been here on a working holiday visa they would have given me a trial with a view to sponsorship. However at 33, I'm too old for that. The biggest thing is not giving up. In total I have been looking since march, and sent my cv to every agency I could find, made a list of all the construction companies I could find and emailed them direct, and applied for EVERY job on the seek website which I was qualified for. The response hasn't been amazing, but it has been better since I moved over here, as it shows a commitment to being here - though I know it's not possible for everyone to just pack up and move (I came here with the intention of staying either 6 months, until I found a job or until the money ran out - whichever came first). Good references are also essential at the interview stages. I was lucky enough to be able to provide 3 amazing references (one client and 2 previous line managers), which the employer did follow up ob - not just accepting the letter but had lengthly phone calls with each of them today!! Also had to pass a medical before they would OFFER me the job. It's not been easy, and at times I thought it would never work out. But I'm still here, good job with amazing long term (residency sponsorship) prospects, great salary, huge promotion potential - plus all the amazing things has to offer on the side. So don't give up, the news you are hoping for will come when you least expect it!!!! Andy

Hey all Just thought that I would share some good news. Was made redundant in the UK in May and had been looking into a move to Oz. With the redundancy decided to pack up and come over to try to find sponsorship. Well this morning I had my pre employment medical, and the visa application for my 457 should be going in early next week - and I've been told this could be complete in as little as 2 to 3 weeks. To say I am over the moon is an understatement - fingers crossed now that it's smooth sailing all the way from here!!!!

I will be there too - any time suits me as I'm in the realm of unemployment currently lol Phil - no lemonade allowed this time though!!

Why thank you Lord Lucan

Haha Phil as if I need "dragged" out for beer!?! Will be living in canning vale from this weekend, but yup sure can manage beer on Thursday night. Could be a bloody expensive taxi home though lol