Consequence for Kiwi working in Aus?

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kingdragonfly

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#255669 23-Aug-2019 08:37

I'm considering a job in Australia.

I'm an older worker, and have some health issues, though managed right now.

I was thinking of working there for 11 years, and returning to retire here in NZ.

The area is Charlestown. The houses are AUD $500K - $700K for an acceptable 2BR home near work. Any assessment of the area?

If there's a medical emergency, would I be charged a lot of money?

How would I be affected with Kiwisaver?

How easy is it to take my cat with me?

Any consequences I need to think about?

Cheers

gehenna

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#2304366 23-Aug-2019 08:59

You're eligible for Medicare in Australia. Also, get ambulance insurance.

kingdragonfly

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#2304377 23-Aug-2019 09:12

Sorry to be a pain. I found this webpage

https://www.movingtoaustralia.co.nz/medicare-australia/

Am I at a great financial risk, if I have a medical emergency?

surfisup1000

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#2304411 23-Aug-2019 09:42

The government website says you can enrol into medicare if you are a nz citizen.

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/documents-you-need-enrol-if-youre-new-zealand-citizen

and, what is covered...

https://www.humanservices.gov.au/individuals/subjects/whats-covered-medicare

Helen Clarks actions provoked Australia into cancelling NZ citizens rights to various entitlements . So, don't expect to receive much in the way of support from any welfare agency.

kingdragonfly

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#2304442 23-Aug-2019 10:15

I don't plan on getting an unemployment entitlement, as long as I get the same medical costs are an Aussie, I'm good.

If anyone has opinions about the original post, I'd appreciate it.

I see Charlestown / NewCastle is prone to flooding, but I guess crime / livability is OK

wellygary

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#2304454 23-Aug-2019 10:37

I was thinking of working there for 11 years, and returning to retire here in NZ.

Just be aware that NZ super eligibility includes a requirement of residency of "at least 5 years since you turned 50".

kingdragonfly

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#2304460 23-Aug-2019 10:50

Thanks. I didn't know that.

New World

Shop on-line at New World now for your groceries (affiliate link).

KrazyKid

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#2304585 23-Aug-2019 13:33

When I was over in Aussie some (most) things were covered, but not some over the extras so depending on your condition you should be fine. Medical insurance may be an issue as NZ policies won't cover you in AU and pre-existing continue are unlikely to be covered in AU.

Wheelbarrow01

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#2304972 23-Aug-2019 23:03

I lived in Newcastle from 2006 to 2008, in Warners Bay just a few kms down the hill from Charlestown by Lake Macquarie. Australians in general rubbish Newcastle as a bit of a sh!t town, but it's actually a pretty nice place to live with dozens of white sandy beaches, stunning weather, and plenty to do. The city itself is very spread out but I found it pretty easy to get around by car. Like any city there are good and bad areas. Charlestown is pretty good as far as I can remember with plenty of shops, and it's not far from Kotara Mall. Charlestown is right next to the Pacific Highway which provides a quick way into the central city, or drive the other way for around 90 mins and you're in Sydney.

I got a Medicare card when I was there. Most doctors do "bulk billing" so as long as you present your card, you don't pay anything at all for doctor's appointments - or at least I never did when I was there. They don't have anything similar to ACC there so medical insurance could be a good idea from an accidental injury point of view. Many employers pay for or subsidise this. Treatment for injuries sustained in car accidents is paid for via everybody's compulsory third party vehicle insurance - so you can sue and be sued.

Employers will generally pay into your Australian super account at 10% of your salary/wages - this is on top of your pay, not a deduction. You can access Aussie Super at 60 I believe, but not if you transfer it to your Kiwisaver so think hard about that.

I enjoyed the lake lifestyle - I'd start work very early so I could be out on the lake fishing in the sun by 3pm most days. Being from Christchurch I absolutely LOVED the weather. There's something about waking up and having a coffee on the deck at 5 in the morning wearing a singlet and shorts...

There was 1 major storm/flood when I lived there - that was the storm where the Pasha Bulker ran aground at Nobbys Beach. My car was written off in that storm as I got caught out by a river across the road I was driving down. That's not nearly as bad as it sounds - the road was fairly easily navigable, but the check engine light came on and my insurance company wrote it off. Generally speaking I wouldn't say Newcastle has a high propensity for bad storms, just the occasional lightning show and some rain here and there. There is generally no/low humidity which I liked.

I only left because work ran out - I worked 37 hours a week but thanks to John Howard's "WorkChoices" legislation, it was nigh on impossible to get a permanent job so many employers hired staff on casual contracts at that time, meaning it was easy to let people go when things got tight. This inevitably happened when the GFC came knocking. I'm not sure what it's like now

I can't really answer the question about being at financial risk after a major medical event - I was too young at the time to think much about that, but I also had medical insurance provided by my employer. But I think I only went to the doctor once in the 2 years I lived there. But more generally speaking, I have at least a dozen close friends who are all NZ citizens who have successfully lived in Australia for over a decade - many are raising kids over there and none have had any issues. They are all younger than you though...

kingdragonfly

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#2304988 24-Aug-2019 07:15

Couldn't ask for a better response. Cheers