A few questions for our friends in Australia

[Dr Zaius]

I'm trying to get some information on Australia and what better place to get it but from the people who live there. I know these questions are a little generic, but I appreciate any feedback you may have.

1. What is the cost of living like in the Sydney area? Is it reasonable or are utilities and housing really outrageous?

2. What type of system does Australia have for its colleges? I know some countries in Europe pay for part of students' admission into college as part of their social system. Does Australia have anything like this, or is it like the US where students pay their own costs? If so, does anyone have any idea what tuition rates are for students who are non-citizens?

3. Does anyone have any information on the Australian tax system? I understand that Australia has an extrememly high income tax rate (I heard around 47%). Are there other taxes as well, and what do the taxpayers get in return for all that taxation?

4. How expensive is it to own an operate a vehicle in Australia? Is fuel super expensive like in Europe?

Thanks in advance.

[RhinoBones]

Originally posted by Don Maddox
[B]I'm trying to get some information on Australia . . . /B]

Maybe you need to ask some really important questions, such as:

Does the methane cloud over New Zealand affect the area in which you are interested?
Do the toilets really drain backwards, and if so, does this affect your garbage disposal, electricity and life force?
Do their clocks run backwards?
Be sure to find out the true meaning of “Swagman”, “Jumbuck”, “bilabong”, Tucker-bag”, “Foster’s” and the all time favorite “Waltzing Matilda”.

These are reasons why we love these people, shrimp, barbies and Crocodile Dundee are but a few other reasons.

[Chuck?]

Also I heard they hold Christmas on June 25th to accommodate the weather.

[Case]

Originally posted by Don Maddox
1. What is the cost of living like in the Sydney area? Is it reasonable or are utilities and housing really outrageous?

I'm a Canberran, but lots of my relatives live in Sydney. Sydney housing is pretty expensive at the moment, but prices are expected to drop in the next 12 months as the real estate bubble bursts. From what I understand, food, utilities and transport are all pretty cheap (though Sydney's road system is seriously overcrowded)


2. What type of system does Australia have for its colleges? I know some countries in Europe pay for part of students' admission into college as part of their social system. Does Australia have anything like this, or is it like the US where students pay their own costs? If so, does anyone have any idea what tuition rates are for students who are non-citizens?

As a 4th year university student I'm competant to answer this question. Almost all Australia universities are run by the government, and the government heavily subsidies tertiary education by paying 3/4 of tuition costs and making cheap loans available to all Australian students. Foreign students have to pay the full cost of education, and I have no idea how much this would cost, but given the large number of foreign students out here, I'd guess that it's reasonable. Your nearest Australian embassy should be able to provide you with the exact details.


3. Does anyone have any information on the Australian tax system? I understand that Australia has an extrememly high income tax rate (I heard around 47%). Are there other taxes as well, and what do the taxpayers get in return for all that taxation?

47% is the highest marginal tax rate, and most taxpayers pay much lower levels (the average rate is about 30%) There's also a near universal 10% sales tax. Australian governments provide more services then American governments, but not as many as most European governments. The best thing you get for your tax dollar is cheap medical care via Australia's fairly efficant 'socialised' medical system.


4. How expensive is it to own an operate a vehicle in Australia? Is fuel super expensive like in Europe?

I think that cars are fairly expensive compared to America, but Australian fuel is pretty cheap (it's a bit more expensive then American fuel, but much cheaper then European fuel). A litre of petrol in Sydney costs about $A 0.80 (roughly $US 0.50)


Also I heard they hold Christmas on June 25th to accommodate the weather.

Nope. Some people enjoy doing Christmas stuff in winter, but 99.9% of Aussies stick to December 25.