IT Contractor in Singapore - move from Sydney to Singapore

[andrewwrx]

Hi,

I am an IT specialist from sydney and earning a contract rate of $1200AUD per day. I feel I am at the upper level of what I can earn for my experience and knowledge (having over 15 yrs of experience in this field).

I am struggling (like everyone else) to come back to the employer on what I expect as a salary. I know I am on a good wicket here in Sydney and from searching on the forums around feel that I would get nowhere close to my equivalent salary in Singapore as what I get in Sydney. My intention is to come back to Sydney after 3 years so I do not want to compromise my financial situation.

My question - with $1200AUD per day, would any employer even consider this or should I just forget it and acknowledge that I am on good pay in Sydney and forget about the move?

andrewwrx.

[revhappy]

Its very unlikely that you will get anywhere close to what you are making in Sydney.

You must understand that the economics are completely different. Australia has higher salaries because its difficult to get good talent from other countries. The visa regulations are much tougher and more often than not you need atleast a PR to work there. Whereas in Singapore, the work visa is very easy to get to hire a person from anywhere in the world.

Plus, the size of Australia and the number of companies there is much more than SG. In SG most of the companies are either ofshore development centers of large banks that have shifted part of their operations from US and EU to here due to the cost efficiencies.

Plus the Aussie $ is so high that most countries will fall short of your expectations mainly due to the exchange rate.

If you are looking for higher salaries look at Zurich or London.

[andrewwrx]

Thanks so much for replying. It is the response I expected but somehow needed someone else to confirm for me which is what this forum is all about!

I'll be happy with where I am at for the moment in Sydney

It's a catch 22, born raised in sydney but want to get out and experience another part of the world without sacraficing my income. Can't have it all I guess

Thanks again.

[sundaymorningstaple]

It's a catch 22, born raised in sydney but want to get out and experience another part of the world without sacraficing my income. Can't have it all I guess

Thanks again.

I think they are called vacations!

[Asian_Geekette]

It's a catch 22, born raised in sydney but want to get out and experience another part of the world without sacraficing my income. Can't have it all I guess

Thanks again.

I think they are called vacations!

sms has a point. However if he wants to experience another part of the world not as a tourist, he'll have to stay longer there. Perhaps taking a sabbatical would be a better option? Stay in another country for a year or so?



Oh by the way, happy new year to all the forum regulars here.

[revhappy]

Just curious, Which technologies do you specialize in? I know for a fact that in the UK, consultants specializing in Microsoft technologies related to Business Intelligence, Sharepoint etc with 5 years and more command upwards of 1000 Pounds a day.

[andrewwrx]

Hi Again, I work with a product called FileNET, which is an ECM / BPM technology. IBM purchased the company about 4 years ago.

About my situation, I think I will just quote them my current aussie rate and ask them to match. I will have to pay Aussie tax rate when I come back anyway with the income I earn over in Sing. They (not via agency) approached me so I would assume they understand I would not move for significantly less money (maybe big assumption). After talking to them, they have the skills available from offshore but not to the level that I have. They have a large system which spans over several countries / continents which I would be responsible for along with a local and offshore team combination.

One can only try, nothing to lose right?!

BTW - cheers and thanks for all the responses. I've never posted on this forum before and you've all given me food for thought.

[JayCee]

Just curious, Which technologies do you specialize in? I know for a fact that in the UK, consultants specializing in Microsoft technologies related to Business Intelligence, Sharepoint etc with 5 years and more command upwards of 1000 Pounds a day.

1000 pounds a day?? No sorry, it's very rare if a techie/developer gets that in London. It's possible for a senior project manager or architect but they would have significantly more than 5 years experience. The norm is more like 500

[technocracy]

$1200AUD - is pretty much reasonable in Sydney - which comes in around 770 GBP and that is pretty much the kind of going rate in London.

The main problem in Singapore is there isn't a contract market as in the sense there is in Oz or the UK. Any contract roles will invariably be offer at a permanent kind of rate.

At the end of it you'll pay around 40% of your AUD per month on tax whereas the tax here is far less around the 15% mark (all dependent on your earnings).

Also if the company will be relocating you and paying accommodation etc. and given Sydney is one of the most expensive cities in the world to live things will suddenly become far more closer.

The one major thing I would stress is also Singapore is not for everyone! Particularly when coming from Oz and having open space and room to enjoy the outdoors, you might just be stir crazy in the space of 3 months of condo life, everything being in malls and there being people wherever you go! (I know I am very much reaching that way after 12 months coming from my previous land).

At first the malls are a novelty and you are suckered into thinking there is plenty of stuff to do, however you soon realise when you've seen one you've seen them all! There is very few open spaces (let alone things to do outdoors) where you can relax or enjoy yourself, as a friend of mine called it - island fever!

[sundaymorningstaple]

Sounds like more and more of our long term regulars are starting to have the rose tint fade from their glasses. I wondered how long it would take for our regulars to start to understand where I've been coming from all these years on here.....

[metroguy]

I'd say you can still give it a shot, insist on A$1200 a day. There are still a few companies that pay such rates, especially if they can't get candidates that meet their stringent selection criterion.

For the record, I'm hiring a SAP Program Manager specializing in Retail, with global experience. I'm paying S$1500 per day. But it's temporary, 18 to 24 months contract.

On the other hand, I am preparing for my move to Sydney and find it extremely difficult to convince my employer to pay a package that would let me take home same as I do now. Due to higher taxes in oz, the numbers look big, but the take home pay is considerably less, and the cost of living in Sydney is much higher compared to Singapore. Guess I'll still move for better education for my kids and a house with a backyard.

Hope this helps.

[andrewwrx]

Thanks. I will ask, nothing to lose.

About the tax, no matter if I earn in Sing but if I then want to take home the money, I still have to pay aussie tax on it so I am not really getting the advantage of the lower tax rates in Sing.

A new development for me on this one. They are now suggesting KL. Things a lot cheaper there especially accommodation. I think it would also suit me better. Both are good hubs to go places on weekends and the working environment in KL is nowhere near as full on as in Sing.

Cheers.

[technocracy]

Thanks. I will ask, nothing to lose.

About the tax, no matter if I earn in Sing but if I then want to take home the money, I still have to pay aussie tax on it so I am not really getting the advantage of the lower tax rates in Sing.

A new development for me on this one. They are now suggesting KL. Things a lot cheaper there especially accommodation. I think it would also suit me better. Both are good hubs to go places on weekends and the working environment in KL is nowhere near as full on as in Sing.

Cheers.

On the note of Aussie tax I thought this changed so if are out of country and living out of the country for 183 consecutive days you do not have to pay tax in Oz?

I say this as I caused a fair bit of upset at the mine I was working at when the roster in and out guy suddenly had to pay tax in Oz or relocate.

[ozjourno]

Hi, I'm a Australian journo writing a story about professionals tossing up between Singapore/HK vs Sydney/Melbourne. I would really like to chat with someone who would be prepared to go on the record with their name and area of work (but not employers etc..) about how they the considerations they weighed up between the alternatives . It is for an Aussie newspaper but I am happy to speak with a Brit, Singaporean, European or Aussie, doesn't matter! please PM.