Perth - What's a reasonable salary? (Job interview tomorrow)

[200bhp]

I have a telephone interview tomorrow which follows on from a few emails over the last 7 days. The MD of the company has said one of the things he'd like to discuss is the package which will be on offer.

The company is based NOR near Ballurga / Malaga so we'd be looking to rent near there.

My wife wont be working and it's just the two of us and a dog (for now, at least).

Our sums have previously shown that anything above $80k is reasonable whilst $110k would be "comfortable".

I'm well aware of how tricky it can be to secure a well paid job from thousands of miles away so dont want to rock the boat too much, but I need to prepare myself if he comes up with a silly offer of $50 to $60k.

If the same job were in the UK I'd expect to see an offer of £40k to £45k

[Pommygranite]

Can you say the job/industry/company? Hard to say without.

[200bhp]

Pommygranite said:

Can you say the job/industry/company? Hard to say without.

I'm a mechanical design engineer.

The company currently buy-in a fairly complex product from an Italian firm which they then fit to machinery used in mining and rail industries. They're nervous about the long term survival of the Italian firm and wish to bring manufacture in-house along with design of new products. The job will be the "leading role within the new engineering arm of the company". I guess the UK equivalent job title would be Engineering Manager.

[PomBstard]

I work for a large engineering consultancy in Sydney and would expect to pay someone with 5-8 years exp around $90-100k depending on particular skills. If you were joining as a professional with 15 years you could expect $150k+ depending on what you've got! Our Perth office may pay rates over this but I'm not there to check

Good luck. Hope that helps...

[Pommygranite]

PomBstard said:

I work for a large engineering consultancy in Sydney and would expect to pay someone with 5-8 years exp around $90-100k depending on particular skills. If you were joining as a professional with 15 years you could expect $150k+ depending on what you've got! Our Perth office may pay rates over this but I'm not there to check

Good luck. Hope that helps...

This.

I would think anything below $100k is light if you are leading the area. Might even be$150k +.

There is a massive skills shortage and even if you got $100k you could probably leave 6 months later for $150k +.

[200bhp]

Thanks for the feedback guys. As it turned out the MD really has no idea what to pay for the position so is going to speak to some other people in the industry to see what he should be paying.

However, he did mention relocation assistance, a couple of weeks rental upon arrival and a car.

How does company car tax work over there?

Would a rental be taxable (as it would be in the UK) ?

[Pommygranite]

Any payment made to you by your employer will in some way be taxable.

IMPORTANT - when you get salary make sure it's salary PLUS super. Super is at least 9% so if they include as part of your base that's effectively a take home reduction. Absolute con.

[Colonial]

^^^^

Yep. Say it's a 100k salary. That can be advertised as either 100k+ Super or 109K Package.

They are the same.

[Bob the Planner]

200bhp said:

Thanks for the feedback guys. As it turned out the MD really has no idea what to pay for the position so is going to speak to some other people in the industry to see what he should be paying.

However, he did mention relocation assistance, a couple of weeks rental upon arrival and a car.

How does company car tax work over there?

Would a rental be taxable (as it would be in the UK) ?

I got 6 weeks rental on arrival as part of the package (with a property finder). It can be very difficult getting a property in Aus with no previous hitory. I was rejected 5 times on properties before I got accepted, moving was so much easier as we had history. I'd recommend pushing for more than 2 weeks - if they want you its a small price to pay.

From 1st July, LAFHA is taxable so your rent will be taxed if paid for by your employer ( was 4 years before you were taxed but that is changing). You will not get a tax free subsidence allowance either

[200bhp]

Thanks for the input, Bob.

Things have moved on a little since my last post on this thread and we've now booked accommodation for all of September.

The salary negotiations went reasonably well and the ability to have paid overtime was a bonus - Time and a half for the first two hours and double time after that. Here in the UK I work 10+ hours a week extra and get paid no extra.

Agreed a deal today on a salary of around $150k + super.

Just got to sort out the stuff we're shipping and hand in my notice to my current, unsuspecting employer.

[Pommygranite]

200bhp said:

Thanks for the input, Bob.

Things have moved on a little since my last post on this thread and we've now booked accommodation for all of September.

The salary negotiations went reasonably well and the ability to have paid overtime was a bonus - Time and a half for the first two hours and double time after that. Here in the UK I work 10+ hours a week extra and get paid no extra.

Agreed a deal today on a salary of around $150k + super.

Just got to sort out the stuff we're shipping and hand in my notice to my current, unsuspecting employer.

Win!

[200bhp]

Pommygranite said:

Win!

I believe the correct term is Bonza!

[Pommygranite]

200bhp said:

Pommygranite said:

Win!

I believe the correct term is Bonza!

fkin strewth ya farkin cant!