Australia

Australia is a vast and beautiful country, with modern and progressive communities, a booming economy and a fortunate climate. Australia is home to people from all over the world, and is proud of its immigrant culture. Australia’s major financial centres are Sydney and Melbourne with the majority of international investment banks located in Sydney. As a young single professional or a person with children, Australia has a great deal to offer.

The economy in Australia has never been so strong with the stock market at record highs and the economy experiencing full employment. On the downside there is currently an acute nationwide skills shortage. As such, as a skilled IT professional there has never been a better time to apply for a work visa, or Permanent Residency, and secure for yourself and your family Australian citizenship.

The Financial Services sector is diverse and mature, with most international firms and asset classes represented.

Atticus has a number of clients in Sydney and Melbourne we are often asked to look beyond Australia’s borders for technology managers and specialists.

Relocating to Australia?

Due to current market conditions IT professionals are earning more today than they have ever earned. IT salaries in Sydney rank approximately 20th in the world. According to Mercer Human Capital’s 2007 Cost of Living index, Sydney ranks as the 21st most expensive city and Melbourne doesn’t make the top 50.

In various Quality of Living surveys both Sydney and Melbourne rate in the top 10 as the world’s most livable cities.

Tax levels in Australia

The following link takes you to Australia’s personal income tax page from the Australian Tax Office’s web site www.ato.gov.au/individuals/ .

It should be noted that for expatriate temporary workers the Tax Office and the Immigration department offer a Living Away from Home Allowance. This significantly lowers your taxable income, allowing for various tax deductible components (such as rent) to be factored in to your taxable package.

Education & Health

Australia’s health and education systems rank and compete with the world’s leaders.

Transportation & Communication

Both Sydney and Melbourne are serviced with extensive public transport networks, including buses, ferries, trams, trains, taxis and widespread bicycle lanes. While Australia’s broadband services are not the fastest in the world the major cities are well serviced.

Rent

The following website provides useful information about finding the right kind of area and property to rent in Australia: www.domain.com.au or www.realestate.com.au