A.Working and living in Australia

 The appeal of Australia lies in its beauty, its climate, its welcoming people, laid back pace of life, balance of sophisticated cities and wide open, rural countryside and in the fact that yes, the cost of living is lower, the standard of living is higher and Australia is therefore a fantastic and highly desirable place to live.

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B. Health

The Government pays about 70% of healthcare costs (approximately 47% from the federal and 23% from state governments); the remainder is paid by non-government sources, e.g., insurance and private pay.

Private health insurance (which covers about 8.6% net of health costs) receives a 30% subsidy from the federal government. Everyone is eligible for this subsidy. And 45% of the population has private health insurance; for a family, it costs between A$1,000 and A$2,000 per year (US$539 to US$1,078). People buy insurance directly from the insurance company (not via an employer). Insurance products are not risk-rated.

C. Housing 

Australia's reputation for a high standard of living has a lot to do with its standard of housing and wide range of housing options. The majority of Australians live within 50 kilometres of the coast in large cities or towns.

Australians will often rent before they choose to buy a home or decide where to live. Together with the type of housing, the cost of accommodation will vary between the States and the Cities of Australia. Most people live in the suburbs of the state capital cities and like to live close to where they work, go to schools, access community facilities and use leisure areas.

To give you an idea 3 bedroom semi-detached house prices fell by 0.7% in January 2008, while in December last year the reduction was 1.4%. The price of a 3 bedroom semi in January 2008 was €o 297,181 - down from € 299,412 recorded in December 2007.

D. Transport

Australia is a vast nation with many of its cities and towns separated by large distance. Even within cities and towns, there is a need for transport to get from place to place.

Most Australians have cars and motor bikes that they use with our road system, for private transport. Most Australians own a car and use it often. They use them for every day travel for work and social events. People living in regional and rural areas rely on cars for just about all their transport needs. You may wish to buy a car or motorbike soon after you come to Australia.

If you hold a valid driver’s licence (in English) from your own country, you’re allowed to drive throughout all of Australia. (But an international driver's licence, if you have one, does not by itself give you the right to drive in Australia.) If your driver's licence is not in English, a translation would be necessary and you may also need to have an international driver's licence.

E. Tax

If you are visiting Australia for more than six months and for most of that time work in the one job and live at the same place, you are generally an Australian resident for tax purposes. Chart below depicts the tax rates applied in 2007 and 2008 respectively.

Tax rates 2007-08

Taxable income	Tax on this income
$1 – $6,000	Nil
$6,001 – $30,000	15c for each $1 over $6,000
$30,001 – $75,000	$3,600 plus 30c for each $1 over $30,000
$75,001 – $150,000	$17,100 plus 40c for each $1 over $75,000
$150,001 and over	$47,100 plus 45c for each $1 over $150,000

 

APPLYING TO WORK IN AUSTRALIA 

German Citizens who intend to apply for a position in South Africa need to produce the following documents with their application:

1. Passport (Certified Copy)
2. Filled application form
3. Birth certificate (Translation + Certified Copy)
4. Medical Check Report
5. Radiological Check Report
6. Police clearance (Translation)
7. Power of attorney
8. Curriculum vitae
9.Marriage certificate (Translation + Certified Copy)
10.Divorce decree (Translation + Certified Copy)
11.Degrees/qualifications (Translation + Certified Copy)

AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY IN GERMANY

Visa Office
Wallstrasse 76-79
D-10179 Berlin
Tel. +49-30-700-129-12

Website of The Australian Embassy