WTF - Q & A

What you want:
Some general information on the day to day expenses

What you think:
Where am I going to get this?

What they DON'T tell you:
Here!

Some general info I've put together for some friends that are coming over...

Q - Medical & Hospital insurance/cover - Is this government medical?
A - Yes -Medicare if you're a permanent resident. Very expensive privately, so make sure you get medical included when you get employed if you come over on a 457 VISA.

Q - Do you pay for medical if there on a work permit (before Residency is through)?
A - yes

Q - How much?
A - The doctors , dentists etc are not regulated, so you should discuss with them before treatment. Also prescriptions are the same. Quite pricey.

Q - Pharmacies - Dischem equivalent?
A - yes - Chemist Warehouse http://www.epharmacy.com.au/chemistwarehouse/welcome.asp

Q - Cars - buying. Cash? Or deposit and credit?
A - Both. 10 % deposit.

Q - How much deposit if latter option. How does credit vetting / rating work?
A - Need 100 points. This is proof of address, copy of Visa, proof of employment, copy of SA drivers license.

Q - Car Insurance - More or less an average amount?
A - We pay $98 for house and car. see http://www.realinsurance.com.au/ . MUCH Cheaper.

Q - What is the transport system like (buses, trains, trams)?
A - excellent. all the above avialable - trams only within about 10km radius. clean and on time.

Q - Petrol/fuel price per litre?
A - Varies - cheapest on Tue/Wed morning - around $1.36 then more expensive towards the weekend - around $1.46.

Q - Process of getting your driver's license, some kind of ID card?
A - Have a look at http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/Home/Licensing/NewResidentsVisitors/OverseasDriversLicences.htm

Q - Groceries - do they have equivalent of Pick & Pay or Woollies
A - Yes - Coles, Safeway. No Woollies or equivalent found so far. Markets are great - good quality food, meat and veg.

Q - What do you spend on groceries per week / month?
A - around $600 to $800 per month.

Q - Clothes - equivalent of Woollies, Edgars, Foschini.... or just name brand stuff?
A - Mostly brand name, but also large discount stores such as dfo (http://www.dfo.com.au/)

Q - Cost of a Starbucks cuppa
A - Dunno, but average good coffee around $3.50

Q - Eating out for two - decent restaurant, average bottle of white wine
A - Pricey - around $50 to $60. Wine is $8 per glass, beer around $6, spirits around $8

Q - Water, electricity, gas bill per month (Stoves - gas or electric?)
A - water - $50Gas & Elec - $50Gas cooker with elec stove

Q - Telephone - home phone vs cellular. Rental and call prices
A - Home line=$19 pm depending on package
cell= from $30 depending on package. $79 for equiv of talk 500. calls are between 27 and 40c, with 30c connection fee

Q - Malls - ZA or US equivalent?
A - very few - mostly UK type shopping strips

Q - Social life - do they invite/include foreigners?
A - very open to cultures. no issues

Q - Electric appliances - looks like all our South African stuff will work there?
A - Yes, except if your TV is older than around 10 years

Q - Garden Equipment - are you allowed to ship your lawnmower and spades, gazebo (I happen to like my metal sculpture) etc?
A - Yes, just make sure NO seeds/grass etc comes with - they will find it and destroy it. Steam clean it.

Q - Container / move - what size did you take, and how much did it cost?
A - 30m3/R40000.

Q - Hiring a car when you get there - cost per week / international license ok?
A - Varies - best site is http://www.vroomvroomvroom.com.au/. SA licence is OK.

I'll keep updating this as I get questions.