Working in Oz

• Banking
• Tax & Superannuation Facts
• Tax file numbers
• Tax Paid
• Rebates
• Medicare
• Income Tax Returns
• Superannuation
• Visa and Immigration Regulations
• Handy numbers Out and About in Sydney
• Telephones
• Mail and Message Companies
• Post Offices
• Shopping
• Australian Public Holidays

Banking

All you need to open a bank account is your passport and a second form of identification.

If you are a non-resident with a working visa you will NOT need a Tax File Number to bank in Australia. You will be taxed at the non-resident withholding rate of 10% on bank interest and at the appropriate rate on dividends and/or royalty payments.

There are a large number of banking institutions in Australia which you will be able to choose from. Provided below are online links to the Australia wide banking chains.

National Australia Bank
www.national.com.au

Commonwealth Bank of Australia
www.commbank.com.au

ANZ
www.anz.com.au

Westpac
www.westpac.com.au

Generally there are on-line facilities between different branches and an abundance of Auto-teller machines in all major cities. The general opening hours are 9.30am-4.pm Monday to Thursday, 9.30am-5pm Friday.

Tax & Superannuation Facts

How you are taxed in Australia depends on whether or not you are a resident of Australia

Tax File Numbers

To work in Australia you require a Tax File Number (TFN). This one number will be valid for your whole stay, regardless of where you work in Australia. A TFN can be obtained from the Australian Tax Office (ATO) www.ato.gov.au. You will need to take along your Passport showing your work visa and another form of identification (eg international drivers licence, birth certificate or bank statement). The ATO will post your TFN to the address you nominate within 4 weeks.

When you start working for PKL you will be asked to complete an Employment Declaration Form which will ask you for your TFN. If you choose not to quote your TFN on your Employment Declaration Form, tax will be deducted at the highest rate of 47 cents for every dollar you earn.

Tax Paid

The Australian Government places the onus of tax collection initially on employers. Therefore PKL is required to deduct tax from its temporaries weekly pay. The amount of tax paid depends on how much is earnt. In Australia, rates of tax are not flat but calculated on a progressive scale. Different tax scales apply for non-residents as follows (current time of printing);

Rebates

Non-resident employees cannot claim dependant or zone rebates.

Medicare Levy

How you are taxed in Australia depends on whether or not you are a resident of Australia

Income Tax Returns

Everyone is required to submit an Income Tax Return at the end of the Australian financial year on 30 June. The deadline for the submission is 31 October. If you leave prior to 30 June you will still need to complete an Income Tax return for the period you have worked.

In assisting you in lodging an Income Tax Return, there is an instructional guide called the 'Tax Pack' that is available from the ATO or newsagents. Alternatively, for a fee, you may lodge your Income Tax Return through a tax agent. Your tax assessment and refund cheque will be sent to wherever you nominate.

When you finish working for PKL and/or at the end of the financial year, PKL will give you two copies of your Group Certificate. One for your records and one to be attached to your Income Tax return. Your Group Certificate shows the total amount of income you earned and how much tax has been deducted.

Superannuation

All employers are required to make minimum levels of superannuation contributions to a complying superannuation fund for its employees. How ever superannuation won't have to be paid for an employee who is:

• Paid less than $450 in a month
• 70 years of age or over
• Under 18 years of age and working 30 hours a week or less. The minimum amount of required superannuation support is 8% of each employee's earnings.

Visa and Immigration Regulations

Most people travelling to Australia fall into two categories of visa applicants: those who want to work will need a Working Holiday Visa and those who want a holiday require a Visitor Visa.

Visa application forms can be obtained from any Australian Consulate, Embassy or High Commission.

Migration Branch
Australian High Commission
Australia House
The Strand London
WC2B 4LA
Tel: 0171 379 4334
Open Monday to Friday 9.30am - 3.30pm

You are eligible for the Australian Working Holiday if You:

• Hold a valid UK, Irish, Canadian, Dutch, Maltese, Korean or Japanese passport
• Are aged 18 to 25 at the date of application. UK, Irish, Canadian or Dutch nationals aged up to 30 may be considered, but they must show their trip will benefit Australia as well as themselves.
• Have no children
• Have the intention to travel extensively, with the option of taking casual work to augment your holiday funds
• Can show evidence of having at least 2,000 pounds in funds for your trip or have proof of a parent or guarantor setting aside 2,000 pounds for your trip
• Have not previously had a Working Holiday Visa
• Do not intend to take formal study in Australia
• The Australian Government intends the Working Visa to be for those travelling around the country who need to keep their finances topped up by working
• The visa limits you to work for one employer for no more than three months
• Working Holiday Visas are valid for 13 months from the day of issue and allow you to stay in Australia for a maximum of 12 months.

Handy numbers Out and About in Sydney

Telephones

There is a set cost for local calls, 50 cents, these are not timed. Local calls, long-distance calls (STD) and overseas (IDD) calls can be made from coin operated public phones, some of which accept credit cards and phone cards. Pre-paid phonecards are available from most newsagents and post offices.

Mail and Message Companies

Post Offices

Post Offices or Australia Post shops are open 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.

Shopping

General hours of opening are:
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm (with extended shopping to 9pm on Thursday)
Saturday 9am to midday Sunday 10am to 4pm

Getting Around It would be worthwhile buying a street directory if you are going to live and work in any one place for a period of time. The main street directory is the Gregory's available from bookshops and petrol stations.

Australian Public Holidays

• New Year's Day 1 January
• Australia Day Holiday 26 January
• Good Friday March/April
• Easter Saturday March/April
• Easter Monday March/April
• Anzac Day 25 April
• Queen's Birthday June 11
• NSW Labour Day October
• Christmas Day 25 December
• Boxing Day 26 December