Hi there.

I'm a Brit but have been offered a job in Perth with a well known finance company on a 457 visa starting in mid 2010. They have offered AU$ 100,000 per year plus 9% super.

I have 3 kids under 10 and wife to keep and of course would like to reduce my tax liability as much as possible.

I've worked out that income tax and Medicare on AU$ 100K is AU$ 26450 leaving me with a net income of US$73550.

Health Insurance (approx AU$ 4000) I should be left with approx AU$ 69550 based on 2010/2011 tax rates (see http://www.dolmanbateman.com.a...ools/tax-calculator/)

I understand that I should be able to reduce my tax and medicare liability but having some of my salary paid as LAFHA. I've worked out that I could claim AU$ 463 per week (food allowance) and AU$ 450 per week accommodation (AU$ 913 per week / AUS$ 47476 per year as tax free).

Hence my 'salary' would only AU$ 52524 per year (tax and medicare on this amount appears to be AU$ 9496.02)

Have I got this right? If so it seems very generous of the ATO to gift me an additional AU$ 17000 per year.

Also I assume that if my employer agreed to this that they will only pay Super of the Salary amount rather than the full AU$ 100K, so they too would make a saving of AU$ 5273 (albeit at my Supers expenses).

Is there anything else I could package up to avoid paying unnecessary tax?

Also I decide to return to the UK after a couple of years what happens to the Super payments my employer has made? Do I claim on them at pensionable age?

Thanks for any advice. Jasper

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jasper,

Good people

I've now been here in Perth (Mindarie) for a few months and I love it.

On arrival I'd contact the Joondalup Migrant Centre (Lakeside Shopping Centre, Joondalup, North Perth).

They helped us out with everything from banking to getting medicare cover and a drivers licence. I can't recommend them enough. They can be contacted on 08 9233 9100 / http://www.facebook.com/joondalupmigrantcentre

If you have any questions let me know! Jasper

Jasper,

If you leave Australia you can have the balance of your Super account paid to you.

Of course, there are conditions to meet, forms to fill out, and taxes to pay; but it is YOUR money, may as well play the game to get it back.

I have written an entire article on this topic and will be happy to post it if you're still interested.

Cheers,
Marilyn

Hi There.

The good people at Joondalup Migrant Centre can also assist with UK pensions pots being transferred into Australian supers. They've already done this for several of my freinds.
I can't recommend them enough. They can be contacted on 08 9233 9100 / http://www.facebook.com/joondalupmigrantcentre

Bye for now! Jasper