What is the cost of living in Western Australia?

22/07/2012 2:08:30 a.m.

Offshore Engineer wrote:

We must stop this open gate policy of Kiwis free to come and go to Aus. Kiwis undermine wages and rates and will always work for lower rates than an Australian that is why Kiwis are popular with the Aussie Companies...Cheaper labor....I prefer to not employ Kiwis on offshore projects as they always cut corners and generally work unsafely....so no Kiwis for me when I have the say....

17/07/2012 5:52:28 p.m.

Heather wrote:

I worked in the mines (as a planner) for 2 years and absolutely loved it. I probably worked as hard there as I ever have in my life (it's not easy). I would literally fall into bed at night and want to sleep on most of my days off. The rewards - great climate, great friends and a great bank balance. I don't regret my time in WA one bit. The most fascinating thing for me (working in the admin part of the mine) were just how many Kiwis there were - good ones - I mean true leaders. We would quite often talk about what they were going to do next and in 99% of cases, none were heading back to NZ unless they were heading there to retire. The reason was that the leadership in NZ companies didn't reward good workers, in fact the opposite. My boss - one of the best project managers I've ever worked with - said that in NZ he was forced to work for a chap that even on his best day he wouldn't employ. To get his job back in NZ he had to 'dumb down' his resume so he wouldn't appear too threatening to his future boss. How sad is that? To those who want to head away to WA - whether it be for the dollars or the experience, I say GO FOR IT.

17/07/2012 1:05:38 p.m.

Homework done wrote:

me and my family moved from christchurch to perth in september last year to get aay from the earthquakes. its the best decision I ever made. i was a tanker driver getting paid 23 dollars an hour, here in perth im on 39 an hour and going up to 42 an hour. i dont know what everyone goes on about the cost of living, yes some things are more expensive, such as car ownership. it costs aropund $300 to register a large car for 6 months. on top of that the mileage to get from one place to another adds up but petrol is cheap 1.26 for 91. i rent in the suburb of ellenbrook in a 3 year old 4+2 bedroom house at 450 a week. bond is usually a month rent. food is cheap. $1 1l milk 85cents for 1l pure orange juice $13 leg of ham. basically if youre thinking of making the move, do it! do your homework and then make the move. we did and we dont regret it.

13/07/2012 8:16:22 p.m.

Bronwyn wrote:

Born and bred in WA, I also lived in Christchurch for nearly 2 years so I know both NZ and WA pretty well. If your considering moving to WA go for it but definately do your research first. One thing we noticed in Christchurch is that people don't have a clue how big WA actually is, you cant just drive to Karatha or Geraldton (the main towns where mining workers live). Fly in/out is probably your best option. (Living in Perth is great, as long as you can handle the horrendous heat in Feb/March). Where do you do the research?? Here's a few websites and links for you to try www.realestate.com.au and www.reiwa.com.au for rentals and purchasing a home, take a look at www.commerce.wa.gov.au/labourrelations/content/Employers/Pay_rates_leave_and_conditions/Pay_rates_and_award_summaries.html for minimum pay rates for various jobs. Also try www.migration.wa.gov.au/Pages/LivingInWesternAustralia.aspx for info about living in WA and don't forget about schooling, unfortunately the public system is for every man and his dog, if you want private schooling then your up for mega bucks ($15 - $20,000 per year per student for tuition) but take a look at www.privateschoolsdirectory.com.au and www.bettereducation.com.au for the top public schools in Perth. Good luck, NZ is an absolutely amazing place but if your seriously considering a move to Oz (not Aussie like so many Kiwi's say!) then do your research and take the plunge, you'll never know if you don't give it a go. Best of luck from a girl who still misses Christchurch every day.

13/07/2012 6:13:19 p.m.

not sure mum wrote:

I say kiwis go for it, but make sure you have job and somewhere to stay before you leave nz. My kids went to perth and they were stung by the non available housing, the rental companys were asking people to pay a weeks rent just to veiw the house didnt mean you got the house, my son had about $2000 tied up in rental companys just to veiw the houses,people were offering the landlords 50-150+ extra in rent just to get the house. The average amount of people veiwing just one house was anywhere from 20 to 50, anyways it took them about 3 months to finally get a house,the rents probably same same as nz. Yea shit loads of jobs, but just like nz shit loads of people going for them. Yep the money is in the mines, not really in the jobs that are there in perth it self, they both earning about the same as they would be here, so not sure mum says its not always greener on the other side, so make sure you kiwis do your homework before leaving our shores

13/07/2012 3:10:57 p.m.

Danny boi wrote:

Ive been in perth for two years now and been fly in fly out all over Wa, i work six months of the year and still make more then when i was home, weather in perth is amazing sunshine 80 pecent of the time! When i go home the rain makes me depressed, houses and rent are really expensive tax is high it costs alot of money to have any kind of fun! Streets are tidy clean hardly any tag i feel alot safer walking around. If your going to come over find accomodation first it can take months to find a rental and be prepared for really hot summers, you will get homsick! Ive adapted to the WA life now and i love it wont be going back poor wet cold newzealand anytime soon, cambell has no idea!

13/07/2012 2:37:20 p.m.

David wrote:

@Fair Kiwi - try telling the rest of humanity that. They won't stop breeding, they won't stop eating, the planet is screwed. Greed is an intrinsic part of the human psyche - and you cannot stop it.

13/07/2012 12:41:59 p.m.

Fair Kiwi wrote:

What a sad future for the human race. The continual rape and destruction of Earth will eventually have disastrous consequences for the survival of mankind. One day all these resources will be gone. What then? With a planet denuded of mineral resources and forestation which will escalate global warming and ill health; an increasing population, I see nothing but bad times ahead. People need to stop this continual greed and want, want, want. Celebrate living in the greatest little country in the world and budget within your means. There are plenty of ways to make extra money in NZ if you get off your lazy bums and forgo a few luxuries as well. ie cigarettes, and the government needs to be held accountable in a law court for allowing the sale of these evil things. The world does not owe anyone a living. You need to do that yourselves.

13/07/2012 1:07:10 a.m.

Jonathan wrote:

Emigrating to Aussie is the best decision that my wife and have ever made. No-one says you must work for the mining companies. Wages outside of mining,while not as much, are still twice that as in NZ for the same job. Cost of living is about the same as NZ - don't believe the NZ govt propaganda that it is higher over here. And, at least where we live (Gold Coast), the emphasis is on life outside of work. But remember, if you're coming over here you'll get no handouts from the govt.

13/07/2012 1:04:26 a.m.

Happy Kiwi in WA wrote:

Kiwis need to bear in mind that these reports have been based on one region of WA only (the pilbabra). Perth is a completely differen't story. My husband has been doing Fly in Fly Out for a little over a year now, for the first 11 months he commuted back to NZ for his week off, but due to the long travelling distance we decided that I would move over with our son to Perth. I was very hesitant at first but after being here for a few months I am so pleased I made the move! Bills are cheaper here, food is about the same, petrol is cheaper and rent in Perth is pretty much the same as our mortgage is at home for a similar house. My husband is currently working as an electrician in mining construction, he is working in the Pilbara region but because he does Fly in Fly out his company cover all of his living costs while he is away. He is now earning 4 times his NZ salary on a 2 week on 1 week off roster. We only planned to stay for 12 months but love it here so will probably stay longer. As a young family we feel we have more of a chance over here to get ahead, we will eventually return to NZ but just not sure when! He has also had a look into electrical jobs in Perth and these are paying twice his NZ salary. If you are wanting to get ahead and can't see it happening in NZ I would definitely recommend taking a look at Perth, the weather is great, it's a great place to bring up kids, the people are friendly and there is plenty of work both in the mines on FIFO and also in Perth itself. The FIFO rosters all have different lengths some are 8 days on 6 days off and go up to about 4-6 weeks on 1 or 2 weeks off so lots to choose from!