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LIVING AND WORKING IN AUSTRALIA
Visas & Immigration:
It is essential that, before traveling to Australia, you obtain a legitimate visa that will allow you to work in Australia. You will need to apply for a Working Holiday Visa, Permanent Resident Visa or 4-year business visa. If you are applying for permanent residency in Australia, ensure that you plan well ahead as these visas take longer to process.
In certain circumstance a company can sponsor a highly skilled migrant on a 4-year work visa. To be eligible you must have the relevant degree and industry work experience as deemed necessary by the Australian employer.
Working Holiday Visas are valid for 13 months from the day of issue and allow you to stay in Australia for a maximum of 12 months. You are eligible for a “Working Holiday Visa” if you meet the following criteria:
- Hold a valid UK, Irish, Canadian, Dutch, Maltese, Korean or Japanese passport.
- Are aged 18 to 29 at the date of application
- Have no children.
- Have enough money for your return fare. It is not necessary to have a return ticket.
- Can show evidence of having at least 2,000 pounds in funds for your trip
- Have not previously had a Working Holiday Visa.
- Do not intend to take formal study in Australia.
The Australian Government intends the Working Visa to be for those travelling around the country that need to keep their finances topped up by working. The visa limits you to work for one employer for no more than three months.
Visa application forms can be obtained from any Australian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission: See Department of Immigration website.
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Taxation:
How you are taxed in Australia depends on whether or not you are a resident of Australia for tax purposes (residency for tax purposes is not the same as that for immigration).
Tax File Number
To be eligible to work in Australia, you must register for a tax file number. This can be done at any main tax office. In Sydney CBD you should go to: Podium Level, Centrepoint Tower, 100 Market Street.
Your tax file number will take approximately four weeks to process. In the meantime, you will be issued with a registration notice. This allows you to commence employment and be taxed at the appropriate rate.
When you start working for On Q Recruitment you will be asked to complete an Employment Declaration Form, which will ask you for your TFN. If you choose not to quote your TFN on your Employment Declaration Form, tax will be deducted at the highest rate of 48.50 cents for every dollar you earn.
Paying Tax
On Q Recruitment is required to deduct tax from your weekly pay. The tax you pay depends on how much you earn. In Australia, rates of tax are not flat but calculated on a progressive scale. Different tax scales apply for residents and non-residents.
When you finish working for On Q Recruitment and/or at the end of the financial year, On Q Recruitment will give you two copies of your Group Certificate: one for your records and one to be attached to your Income Tax Return. Your Group Certificate shows the total amount of income you earned and how much tax has been deducted.
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Superannuation:
Superannuation payments are similar to National Insurance contributions paid in the UK. Once you are earning a salary in Australia, your employer will make, on your behalf, superannuation payments of 9% of your gross salary.
From the 1 July 2002 if you are visiting Australia on a Eligible Temporary Resident Visa and later leave Australia permanently you can claim any Superannuation you have accumulated.
For more information on Superannuation visit the ATO website.
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Bank Accounts:
To open a bank account in Australia you will be required to show proof of identity up to 100 points.
Acceptable forms of identification include: passport, birth certificate and drivers license
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