regas14's picture

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Submitted by regas14 on
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Career Management

I'm looking for some more information about living and working in Australia as an expatriate. Is there anyone on these boards that has done this or is currently doing it?

Please send me a PM or respond to this post.

Thanks,

G.R.

tomas's picture
Submitted by tomas on Sunday November 2nd, 2008 2:33 am

What sort of information are you after?

regas14's picture
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Submitted by regas14 on Monday November 3rd, 2008 10:00 am

I guess we should start with a more well-defined question:

Does anyone have a corporate ex-pat policy that they would be willing to share with me?

My company does not have a policy and therefore is not very adept at addressing issues such as:

Salary Normalization
Cost of Living Adjustments
Settling-In Allowances
Health Insurance
Taxation Issues
Pension Plans
Home Leave
Disposition of Primary Residence in Host Country
Disposition of Automobile(s) in Host Country
Currencey Risk

I'm faced with an exciting opportunity and a daunting challenge in that it seems I'll be significantly responsible for identifying and mitigating the risks associated with taking such an assignment.

We do have a standard relocation package which is somewhat negotiable, but that essetially addresses domestic relocation not international.

Thanks,

G.R.

MTdevotee's picture
Submitted by MTdevotee on Monday November 3rd, 2008 11:23 am

G.R.

I have a temporary assignment in Europe coming up (less than 6 months). Perhaps some of the details of my arrangements will be helpful to you.

[u][b]Cost of Living Adjustments[/b][/u]
My company does a cost-of-living adjustment using an index from a 3rd party company. This 3rd party company specializes in these matters and updates their indices 2x a year. I will receive this adjustment in an additional paycheck 1 month in advance of my departure. This lump sum will cover the length of my assignment.

[u][b]Settling-In Allowances [/b][/u]
My company offered a lump sum to be paid 1 month in advance of my departure to cover the need to pick up small appliances and personal care items. Because it’s such a short term assignment, this was roughly 2 weeks pay.

[u][b]Health Insurance [/b][/u]
Since I am still officially on my home country’s headcount, that’s where my health insurance remains. I checked with my HMO provider and while they do not have a network in my host country, they will process claims after-the-fact. My HMO requires a formal translation of all foreign medical receipts into their language. My host country’s HR department provides this service on a regular basis.

[u][b]Taxation Issues [/b][/u]
Sorry I cannot offer help here since my assignment is less than 6 months, I will have no tax liability in my host country.

[u][b]Home Leave [/b][/u]
Since I will remain on my home country’s headcount, I will continue to accrue the normal vacation/sick time. The only difference is I have to check extended period vacation dates with 2 bosses. Sick days, just my host country boss.

My colleagues who are on longer term assignments generally only have to work out the dates with their host country boss.

My company offers 1 plane ticket per 6 months of your assignment. It can be used by yourself or any person you designate (family or not) to visit you or for you to visit them.

--end--

stephenbooth_uk's picture
Submitted by stephenbooth_uk on Monday November 3rd, 2008 12:37 pm

[quote="MTdevotee"][u][b]Health Insurance [/b][/u]
Since I am still officially on my home country’s headcount, that’s where my health insurance remains. I checked with my HMO provider and while they do not have a network in my host country, they will process claims after-the-fact. My HMO requires a formal translation of all foreign medical receipts into their language. My host country’s HR department provides this service on a regular basis.[/quote]

But bear in mind that many European countries have socialised medicine that covers both residents and visitors, there may not be a bill (depending on country). Certainly I've had friends who have visited here (UK) from the US (usually working here on a visa, but one was just here on holiday) and received free medical treatment, just paid the same prescription charges I'd pay (about £7 ($11) now).

Stephen