What is cheaper in Aus then in the UK !!!!!

[Guest James]

Stevo on the health care, I would say it is half a dozen of one and six of the other, Yes it is great you can go to any GP here and they are open long hours, excellent, far better than Engalnd. There can be a gap payment bewteen Medicare and the GP cost, I have found it to be $40.00 on most occasions but I know you can find no gap if you search. Prrescriptions are more expensive and people who have free ones in the UK do not here ie older people, under 16s unless they are on concession cards. However, once you are seriously ill you can wait a long while to see someone here for some specialities even with insurance, 6 months for neurology (12 or more on medicare), gastroenterology etc. Furthermore the system in England is rationed we know but so it is here quietly. I had a previous issue where I saw a neurologist in the UK with insurance and saw this excellent chap in three days, the problem recurred and I asked to see someone here, 6 months with insurance! They would speed it up if I had a CAT scan. My neurologist in England, on the telephone said that was totally inappropriate and would expose me to unnecessary radiation I needed an MRI, the GP said here that is correct but GPs can not offer MRI of the head too expensive only CAT scans untill you see the specialist so no jumping the queue

 

In other words the access to GPs is very good here, but for specialists where there is a shortage in Adealide you can wait a long time and the system is rationed quietly.

 

Same with antibiotics I had a reaction to one antibiotic they could not give me another at cost of $75 unless they got pernmission which takes ages and they were reluctant to do unless I paid for it myself whiich I was happy to do.

 

I think both systems have faults, both advantages, if you have insurance in UK the specialists are excellent, the GP coverage is less good in terms of hours and casualty is hit and miss. Here the GP is easy to see but they are too operating within budgets and you can also wait for specialists even with insurance probably longer than UK on occasions. If you compare having insurance in both places who knows which is better? If you are on medicare you can wait a longtime for a hip longer than on the NHS.

 

To compare like with like I think both like most things have good points and both bad, no where is better you have to just choose where you are personally content.

[Guest James]

In summary there are a lot of free things in UK and state pension etc which you do not get here for the same level of tax. Also due to economy of scale many things are cheap in UK ie TK Mex, Primark etc, the English do not realise what a good standard of living they have enjoyed compared to other countries in a consumer way ( not necessarily a better lifestyle) but there again England is near banrupt, maybe they are giving out too much without the money coming to the treasury.

 

Australia economy is better but I think many less wealthy Australians struggle to get by due to cost of living. Try the Hutt Street homless project Sunday mornings the queue is huge I have passed it and welfare for those who need it is less comprehensive than England So it is all as usual a mix of good and bad!

[minty]

Just one point james, in the UK we do pay for the NHS and pensions through our NI contributions its not free.

In Oz its done through medicare and you get superannuation if you work.

 

Same things but just done slightly differently.

 

 

Chris.

[ian mc]

I am on medication for life cost me $90 every 4 weeks but if I was in the UK would cost me nil as it would be free also in some parts of the UK you do not pay for prescriptions now.

[jtct]

I am on medication for life cost me $90 every 4 weeks but if I was in the UK would cost me nil as it would be free also in some parts of the UK you do not pay for prescriptions now.

 

Me too, but after 104 weeks here on A PERMANENT RESIDENT'S VISA I may qualify for a 'Commonwealth Seniors Health Card'

[tina&steve]

light fittings if anyone is coming over load your container full of them lol. they cost so much here and hard to find nice ones. ben linen is cheaper in the uk and things like ovens, hobs, sports wear and christmas trees all seem to cost more here. Have sent Argos a begging letter asking them to ship here

[tina&steve]

oh yes and paint!! god I'm on a roll now . my council tax in the uk were 1600 pounds rates here $1200 but one for the uk car tax was a lot cheaper than rego here

[Guest Barney Rubble]

light fittings if anyone is coming over load your container full of them lol. they cost so much here and hard to find nice ones. ben linen is cheaper in the uk and things like ovens, hobs, sports wear and christmas trees all seem to cost more here. Have sent Argos a begging letter asking them to ship here

 

Fair point Tina/Steve, just come back from the UK and generally the hardware stores have a much better selection compared to here, both in quality and choice. On=line is the way to go, look outside the Bunnings and other lighting stores and you'll be suprised.

 

One unfortunate fact (which amazes me) is how some importers can bring fittings in that are of substantial quality esp. from China and Asia in general but there are some nice ones there

[Pommyspark]

I am on medication for life cost me $90 every 4 weeks but if I was in the UK would cost me nil as it would be free also in some parts of the UK you do not pay for prescriptions now.

No disrespect intended here, but if your on free prescriptions in the uk that should cost a fortune, its just the rest of the population that paying for it in some way. Unfortunate I know but nothing is free, just someone else picking up that bill.

[Guest James]

If you have to have medication possibly on a regular basis you will realise that it is not funny if you have to pay a lot for it. Some older people in Australia on the means tested pension find it hard to afford pharmaceuticals and decent nutrition. Let's be honest the UK system is a bit more compassionate in that way and like I said you are still paying just as much tax in Australia so what are you getting for it when you then pay for so many top ups for medical care and do not get a state pension in addition to the super like Engalnd but instead of.

 

I think it is really hard for older people here to make ends meet and if you are an immigrant it is hard to build up sufficent super unless you come at a young age. They say you need to save $400,000. No way I can do that unless I earnt about $150000 a year.

 

I would not poke the finger at others needing medication and having it paid for just be glad you do not need to have it.

 

The truth is in Australia the government is not in debt because the burden is put on the average person to pay for most things at high prices with little assitance, so the average person has becone very heavily indebted through credit cards and mortgages here just as much as England if not more so as interest rates are much higher on mortgages here

[minty]

My wife has Crohns, even though its life long and requires medication we pay the pescriptions in the UK and will continue to pay in OZ. Its just one of those things. Problem with the UK is we are getting the "equivelent level of care in my opinion or in someone elses more care but its not a true comparison. The UK has a massive deficit of about £70billion per year and thats after the recent cuts. This will have to come down in the next few years to £0. This will mean freebies like perscriptions, winter fuel allowance, will go and extra charges getting brought in for the NHS, doctors & A&E appointments ect. This alone will not sort out the deficit so there is a real chance of NI contributions and income tax being raised. In other words the Uk as a country spends beyond its means, and has no major exports such as comodities to balance this out. Oz does have comodities but still balances the books better then the UK.

 

When the UK balances its books in my opinion we will be gald to be in Oz.

 

 

Chris.

[ian mc]

When the UK balances its books in my opinion we will be glad to be in Oz.

 

The thing is OZ has got to balance there books it was going to be 2013/14 but thats been put back as the government is not getting as much Income in as they thought they would, There is a lack of work in some areas they always say the mines are booming but unless you have the experience in the right areas you are no use to the mining industry.If China India slow down which there is talk about the mines will slow down and there goes more of the goverments income.But that will be ok as they have the carbon tax coming in so it will generate money from that along with all the other taxes and levys they have made up.(save the murry emergency services levy etc

I feel sorry for people coming over hear now its getting so expensive to live here with the poor exchange rate and the set up cost involved .

[jim and adel]

The UK has a massive deficit of about £70billion per year and thats after the recent cuts.

 

The Australian deficit is around $50billion, but this is with a much smaller population and with natural resources that have largely shielded the country from the worst of the GFC. It's also minus a lot of debt that for accounting purposes doesn't show on the balance sheet (but whose equivalents are shown on other countries statements.)

 

Also, Aus is far more at the mercy one one partner (China) than most other countries, which spread their exports (it's not for no reason that Aus is known as 'China's quarry', a point that tourism bosses are very conscious of because it's holding back the Asian tourism dollar - for some reason, a lot of people don't want to spend their holidays in a place that's regarded as someone's quarry!)

 

Jim

[minty]

When the UK balances its books in my opinion we will be glad to be in Oz.

 

The thing is OZ has got to balance there books it was going to be 2013/14 but thats been put back as the government is not getting as much Income in as they thought they would, There is a lack of work in some areas they always say the mines are booming but unless you have the experience in the right areas you are no use to the mining industry.If China India slow down which there is talk about the mines will slow down and there goes more of the goverments income.But that will be ok as they have the carbon tax coming in so it will generate money from that along with all the other taxes and levys they have made up.(save the murry emergency services levy etc

I feel sorry for people coming over hear now its getting so expensive to live here with the poor exchange rate and the set up cost involved .

 

 

Its a fair point Ian but i think the world is just getting more expensive as a whole.

 

Chris.

[minty]

The Australian deficit is around $50billion, but this is with a much smaller population and with natural resources that have largely shielded the country from the worst of the GFC. It's also minus a lot of debt that for accounting purposes doesn't show on the balance sheet (but whose equivalents are shown on other countries statements.)

 

Also, Aus is far more at the mercy one one partner (China) than most other countries, which spread their exports (it's not for no reason that Aus is known as 'China's quarry', a point that tourism bosses are very conscious of because it's holding back the Asian tourism dollar - for some reason, a lot of people don't want to spend their holidays in a place that's regarded as someone's quarry!)

 

Jim

 

 

Hi Jim, dont get me wrong im not saying Oz is not problem free i just think it has less of a problem then the UK at present. Australias external debt is 95% of its GDP but the Uks external debt is 400% of its GDP, and thats a huge difference.

 

Whilst i agree that it does not want to become a quarry it is good that Oz has comodities and has the option to sell. The Uk on the other hand does not have this luxury.

 

Both have there plusses and minuses but in todays economy even with the poor exchange rate i belive that Oz has the better future.

 

Like i said though its just me opinion.

 

Chris.

[Tizzer]

I Think you must have worked out by now that it is not cheap to live here. We pay rent that is much higher than in the UK and are about to get a mortgage well over triple our english one.

 

On the flip side, both of our saleries are higher than the uk.

 

If you look at prices of things you will never come.

 

Life quality is far better. Sunshine, beaches and outside space is all free.

 

What I would say is that I would not like to be out of work here. Would be a hell of a struggle then.

 

TIZZER

[minty]

I dont belive its any cheaper but personally i dont belive takeing the increase in wages its any more expensive either.

Again this will depend on circumstances though. For us the rental/morgage costs are no more then where we lived in the UK.

 

Agree with the quality of life and the out of work parts though.

 

 

Chris.

[Guest Guest5035]

swings and roundabouts, lots of whinging going on, how many on here complaining about the cost of things pay for foxtel

 

stevo

[tina&steve]

Someone said to me and I have to agree I would rather be on the breadline in OZ that be a millionair in the UK. but heck I'm a woman so will always moan about something now where is the web site for those light fittings?

[jimmyskinner]

swings and roundabouts, lots of whinging going on, how many on here complaining about the cost of things pay for foxtel

 

stevo

and buy bottled water, thats one i cant get my head around !

[Guest James]

Actually I think this has turned out really interesting and Ihave learnt a lot. Not whineing just people all in the same boat trying to know what is the best to do for their children and making the best of it when you can never have all the info to hand. The truth is we are ina different situation now with teh whole world financial system close to melt down and the world environment in trouble. Who knows where is best?

 

My take is this if you can afford to come come and get the passport knowing it will not be cheap and then you have choices. Be aware it will be expensive. For me the exchage rate changed when we arrivd from 2.3 to 1.5 as we came and that caused finanial chaos, would I have done it in hindsight not sure? If you know this though and come you are walking in knowing it will cost atleat you are aware.

 

I think if you can face it come and get the passport and then make your choice. If I were younger I would get the Canadian one too. It is true that both Canada and Australia would have to try hard to muck up their economies, not many people and loads of land etc. So get it for that reason alone.

 

Just be aware though as stated it is not all rosey there is debt here too just personal. It is a two tier economy with teh miners doing well but the ordinary person does not benefit but has a very high cost of living so you need to earn quite a bit. In teh next few years I think Australia may fare better than Europe, long term not so sure all the mines and farms are fast going to other countries and will not belong to Australians in ten years time then you can exit. Also some mines have big environmental impacts that will have affects

 

But if you can come get the passport and have the choice. Do think about pensions though, I did not enough and one final caution, if the world economy gets worse and I sense it will you may haveto stay out here as going back may not be easy so make sure you are comfortable with that.

 

I genuinely thank everyone though because I have found this so educating and yes I will be getting a car bill in detail ad advised.

[Guest James]

Jimand Adel would love to hear how debt is hidden is that through state government deficit? Thanks I found your post very interestiung

[Guest James]

Just to annoy everyone as well I do not touch the water it is disgusting like drinking out the pool. Adelaide is known to have the poorest water in Australia, safe but very chemical and the taste yuk!

[Sallyh]

Someone said to me and I have to agree I would rather be on the breadline in OZ that be a millionair in the UK. but heck I'm a woman so will always moan about something now where is the web site for those light fittings?

 

Don't know about that but I have said here before that I would rather be poor here than poor in the UK. That's not cos I hate the UK or anything else, just that we haven't got a lot of cash, didn't have much in the UK either but are better off here after selling our house there and we are renting here. Life's good, can't afford a trip back but don't need to do one right now either. We'd find the money if we had a crisis in the UK that required our presence which God willing we won't have to.

[jaynem]

Just to annoy everyone as well I do not touch the water it is disgusting like drinking out the pool. Adelaide is known to have the poorest water in Australia, safe but very chemical and the taste yuk!

 

At least we're lucky enough to have water that is safe to drink...........in plenty of countries they don't!!!