Post: #1

I stumbled across this job offer today and just gave them a call. The HR women told me that they have already begun the interviewing process and I should immediately send her personally my CV if I'm interested.

I'm not really interested in their industry (metal working) but see it rather as an opportunity to go and work abroad, to see something new. Basically I could leave my flat within 24hours. I have no car / or house. I can cancel my tenancy agreement quickly so I would not waste money.

Bad:
- loose connection to my friends
- parents would be sad I guess
- I wouldn't learn something new regarding the job (see Good)
- going into a toxic environment regarding feminism - I assume that if one can trust this forum (Maybe limiting belief?)
- I would go under regarding the huge competition of aussie blokes there I guess
- medium english skills

Good:
- no attachments like car, girlfirend, house, mortgage
- it would be something new
- I did this kind of job already a couple of years, means I met the requirements
- good weather
- they would handle the Visa affairs

They would pay me a basic salary of ~60k AUD and I have no clue if this is enough or not. Depending on my skillset they would pay me a little more she told me on the phone and I have to travel in Australia. She did not exactly told me if they would provide me a car or if I have to cope with that by my self and I then forgot to ask.

Main question: What would you guys say about this salary?

I'm torn between going to a continet I haven't been before and live and work there and the possibility of not being able to "connect" with the culture/people there because I knew it already and don't like it that much. And to be honest. This kind of western culture is something more western than where I'm am from. Here in my country I did not experienced such things as feminism etc. in the past. I guess it would feel like I have landed on Mars.

Post: #2

What country are you in now and what's your job and salary? If you're not particularly attached to your job then it sounds like a great opportunity. If it turns out to be no good, you can always just go home and everything will still be the same but you have a new experience.

Post: #3

I think 60k is an average wage in Sydney, bear in mind cost of living there is high.
How does this compare with what you earn at the moment?

Post: #4

OP where are you based from? The line "medium english skills" to me sounds like you're not based in an english speaking country.

If the job is a step up in terms of your career both title, prestige, and pay then do it.

60k AUD is only 40k USD however. Australia will also be getting hammered from the commodities down turn. Make sure they plan on keeping you long term.

You can always use the experience to leverage work experience elsewhere too.

Post: #5

Right now I don't earn anything because I just graduated from university and I'm looking for a job. I'm based in Germany.
It would be a step up from my last job of around 9k USD, so I think this is okay.

@The Beast1
As I said, it's not a step up career wise. I already carried this job title a couple years long and worked for companies which are more commonly known than this one in question. I can't really take a decision regarding their prestige because I don't know them or the industry where they are in.

"You can always use the experience to leverage work experience elsewhere too."
- Yes, this is true!

"Make sure they plan on keeping you long term."
- Can you elaborate this? Do you mean they should raise my salary after a year so my outlook would be more promising?

I just talked with a friend about this and he encouraged me to at least try it. I decided that I will send my CV to the HR woman and just push my luck. Maybe I will just fail when they switch from german to english during the telephone interview who knows.

Post: #6

Your first post is a little confusing, but if you're based in Germany and are making less right now, I don't see why you shouldn't give it a try. If it doesn't work out, you can always come back. If it does work out, you'll get some experience, make new friends, travel around and improve your English.

Post: #7

That's not a good wage for Sydney and Australia is in the midst of its economy collapsing. As a result its racing to the bottom with wages and exploitation, particularly of foreign labour.

That said, any job is better than no job and if you're so young that you're a graduate, you have plenty of time.

If you take away the goal of 'making a fortune', because you wont on that wage, there are still benefits for you.

The adventure is obvious, exposure to new ways of doing things. Old school Australian male thinking is often creative in low to middle end STEM, and Aussies are over represented globally in things like engineering due to their creativity.

But this is pure chance that you end up with someone good who can mentor you.

Don't be concerned about your English, Australia is still in the midst of its highest ever migration wave. Poor English is de jure now, but bring immersed in a country where it is spoken will improve yours immensely.

Also, keep an escape plan, Australia has a property bubble just about to blow, and Sydney's bigger than them all.

Post: #8

@OP what I mean is, nothing would suck more than moving there just to get laid off or have the company go under in 4 months. It probably won't happen especially if they're willing to front the bill to get you there visa and all. But it's good to check.

You said it's a metals so check on the long term health of the company. It pays to be informed about stuff like this.

Post: #9

Do you have an offer?

It sounds like you are just considering applying.

Post: #10

60K in Sydney is about a typical middle class income. You'll be able to rent a small but decent place (studio apartment), afford transport, a couple meals out each week, drinks on weekends, basically a decent lifestyle, but you won't be saving any money unless you're very frugal.

So I would do it for the experience, Sydney is a nice city.. But your net worth wouldn't grow much on that salary.

Post: #11

Send us a message when you get to Sydney mate

Post: #12

I really liked Sydney. Modern, clean, solid mix of city/nature, good weather, bays and beaches, and cosmopolitan. As far as English speaking western cities are concern, it's top tier despite the women/competition issues. If the women/competition issues were non-existent and you could fly to other places cheaply/quickly, it probably be pretty close to the perfect city for many people.

That said, I wouldn't sweat over the women/competition issues. Honestly, the biggest thing that I imagine would be a potential problem if living in Sydney long-term would be how expensive and time consuming it is to travel outside the country. If you are in Germany now (probably the easiest/least expensive place to travel from in all of Europe given its central location), you might develop strong feelings of being isolated and trapped. Even traveling between Australian cities isn't particularly cheap; especially when compared to Europe.

I just looked up Sydney to Melbourne roundtrip tickets for instance and its around 300 AUD and even higher if you want to go in less than two weeks. I don't know the tax structure of Australia (I would try to figure out your post-tax income since thats what really matters) but I sure as shit know that damn near everything is pretty expensive. There are a lot of areas around the country worth seeing on top of the cities: The sunshine coast, the Great Ocean Road, the great barrier reef, Ayers Rock, and so forth. But all these places (including the cities) are spread all the fuck out. There is also New Zealand relatively nearby and you should make it a point to go there as well; if not for the simple fact that getting back to that region isn't cheap or quick from most parts of the world.

60k AUD is somewhat of a low salary for living in Sydney so its going to be a pretty frugal existence with very limited traveling; to include in-country traveling as alluded to. But I would still go to check out Sydney/Australia/New Zealand and knock out all the sightseeing stuff but have no qualms about punching out after 3-6 months without a pay raise. Maybe you can get a pay raise bump after X amount of time negotiated prior to leaving. If not, I would be prepared to demand a significant bump once you have proven you have your shit together. You are gonna need the money eventually.

Post: #13

Do it.

Changes and travel are always good, and just make sure you have the means for a ticket home if needed. Also sounds like you're close with your parents so you have a safety net should this job go to shit

Post: #14

Everyone I've talked to who's been to Sydney has loved it.

Post: #15

Thanks again for all of your input but I got rejected today.

I felt really confident getting this position with my CV but hm.. this is how it is. Feeling a little sad about it as I wish a really a big change in my actual life.

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Post: #16

Not sure what kind of IT job they're offering you, but 60K AUD indicates a shit-kicking position especially in Sydney.

Post: #17

I was earning 70k a year in an entry level phone sales job in Sydney.

This is a shitty offer and endemic of the underlying 457 visa issue in Australia.

Australian born specialists get paid $100K+

60k will probably net about $850 a week.

A studio apartment + utilities and internet etc wont come cheaper than $350 a week unless you're far out in the suburbs.

You're probably looking at least $100 a week in transport unless you live within walking distance of your work.

You're looking at least $100 a week in shopping expenses unless you eat noodles.

You'll have disposable income after expenses of no more than $300 a week.

Good luck.