2024年2月15日 星期四

The University of Sydney 雪梨大學

當地人都稱之為 USyd。



澳洲大學的申請相對於美國來說是容易的,基本上是學校要什麼給什麼就好。澳洲國際學生留學代辦通常是免費的,代辦中心幫澳洲大學在海外找學生,只要國際學生被學校錄取繳交學費,學校便會給代辦中心報酬。
以國際學生身份來說,澳洲大學學費一年約澳幣4~5萬,房租在澳洲以週計算,大約澳幣600/週。美國國際生學費年約美金6.5萬,房租大概要抓 1000/月,澳洲費用相對便宜。
對於有身份的當地生學費一年約澳幣1萬。

我們是以當地生(紐西蘭籍)身分申請。當開放申請日時需要 create 帳號。每州有每州可填選的志願,我們當初是代辦朋友給我們國際生申請的參考資料,但是還是要常常問學校需要的資料是什麼,畢竟美國學校的系統和澳洲是不同的,有些當地生的成績我們並沒有,所以會有個別的問題需要來來回回與學校溝通。

申請結果公佈時間約在 12月~1月,分 3 round,當第一 round 結果不理想時,可以更改志願,看第二 round 會不會理想一些。我們很幸運地提早收到雪梨大學的 offer

雖然是以當地生身份申請,但也不是澳洲人,十幾年沒來過澳洲,對當地的一切都是陌生的。之前一直往美國跑,以為大一就是要住校,原來這裡是不管住宿的,所以宿舍是搶翻天。應該一收到 offer 確定要去就要趕緊排宿舍,排不到,就要開始找 student accommodation。如果預算夠高,選擇性非常多,我們希望一週在 600 左右,後來找到的 student accommodation 560/week,兩人一室。

ID 是很重要的。光有護照有時不夠的,有些東西需要兩種有照片的證件,跟台灣一樣。
首先,先開戶吧!有住址有戶頭,慢慢再辦理其他東西。
台灣的國際駕照需要在當地再做一次翻譯認證,上網搜尋 NAATI,可以翻譯駕照,約澳幣30元。我們另外去 Service NSW 辦一張 ID,這樣就有一張類似身分證的東西,費用澳幣61元。

決定到雪梨大學後才認真看一下學校的模樣,老實說看到照片有點驚艷,真的是這麼美麗的大學嗎?跟大部分的人一樣,對澳洲總是有一點陌生感,來到雪梨大學看到真面目後,覺得實在選對了!
學校與學生的溝通在開學前就已經展開,學生需要準備什麼都會 email 聯絡。雖是 2 月中下旬開學,但學校在 2 月初即有一系列的活動,自行參加。我覺得這方面的事宜辦得挺好的,除了認識新的同學外,也會更了解學校和系所。
以下分享其他雪梨大學的照片。
















2024年2月14日 星期三

NSW Property Notes 新南威爾斯房產資訊

Downtown Zetland

New South Wales

雪梨市大學集中區的房價高,一房不帶車位的公寓目前(2024)都要 80 萬以上,兩房帶車位要 110 以上。租金部分,一房可租 800/week,兩房可租 1200/week (也可能更高)。


Notes

    1.    買方無須支付仲介費。新房或二手房都是 (這點和美國同)。

    2.    二手房賣方支付佣金約 1.5%~2%。

    3.    NSW property management fee(代管租賃)大約 3.5~5%。

    4.    公寓大樓管理費 Strata Fee(美國的 HOA) 一季一季付,一房約 850-950/季,

           二房約1000-1350/季。所以一房 80/week,二房 113/week。

    5.    簽約合同需有律師看過,費用約 1,500。

    6.    投資出租通常還會買保險防止租客不繳房租,費用 30-50/月,看各人要保的程度。

    7.    Land tax(地價稅) 本國人有免稅額,以2024年來說,個人土地總價值在1,075,000內

           都是免稅的,所以一套公寓土地價值大約在300,000,就免繳交地價稅。   


2023年之後,外國人 Land Tax 的 Surcharge Rate 是 4%,

表示每年除了該繳的地價稅之外要再加 4% x 持有住宅(residential) 土地地價總值。

Commercial 就不用課 Surcharge。


    



         新西蘭公民不用繳交 Surcharge



    8.    預售屋 (off-plan) 合同簽好後,通常兩週內要付 10% 。

    9.    印花稅 Transfer Duty,外國人要再多繳 Surcharge 8%,本國人正確金額的印花稅有個網站可以試算,依照你要買的州,身份,買房用途,金額等計算: https://conveyancing.com.au/tools/stamp-duty-calculator-nsw 



Transfer Duty (印花稅) 可以理解為 Property Tax (房屋稅)。 曾有一段時間 NSW 可選擇每年繳交 property tax 或 一次繳交 transfer duty,後來取消了。目前都是買房時一次繳納,有級距,超過 100 萬的房子對自住或投資來說印花稅就沒差別了。

*以投資角度,NSW 印花稅是 VIC、SA、及 QLD 中最便宜的。

**超過100萬沒有印花稅優惠或減免,自住或投資的差別的是何時繳交印花稅,投資目的就要三個月內繳交,自住可延至15個月。

***有身份者,第一次買房自住800,000內印花稅全免。800,001~1,000,000 每$1 課 21%。超過 100 萬就沒有任何優惠了。


10.   Land Tax (地價稅) 有免稅額,所以沒超過免稅額是不用繳,但有一個市税要繳, Council rate calculator 

【關於 ABN】要開發票給別人就得申請 ABN
以下文章取自:

If you have an ABN as a sole trader, you will have to pay tax on your individual income. Find out the rules in this article.

If you’re running your own business, you’re probably familiar with your Australian Business Number (ABN). As a business owner, you also have to comply with the rules set out by the Australian Tax Office (ATO). Your ABN doesn’t simply give you a reference point when sending invoices and other documents, it also means that you’re accountable to the ATO if you don’t comply with your tax obligations.

In this guide, we’ll explain what your tax obligations are as a holder of an ABN. Fundamentally, the tax you have to pay on your ABN depends on your business and your combined income. This is all counted and assessed when the financial year comes to an end on 30 June.


Australian Business Numbers (ABNs)

To operate your business in Australia, it is necessary to have an ABN (Australian Business Number). This unique 11-digit number is the key means of identifying a business and is provided when you register your business. Sole traders, partnerships and companies are all required to have an ABN.

You can register your ABN using an online form in a matter of minutes. Registering your ABN is crucial for tax purposes, including GST and PAYG. If your business is making more than $75,000 annually, then you may face a penalty if the ATO finds out that you haven’t applied for an ABN. If you are doing business with other businesses, then that business can withhold payment to you if you do not list your ABN on invoices you issue.


ABNs and Tax File Numbers (TFNs)

An ABN is necessary for operating a business, while a TFN (Tax File Number) is required for any person working in Australia. Most people apply for their own TFN when they start working at their first job. Your TFN will stay with you for life. However. if you start a partnership business, then you and your partner will have to apply for a separate TFN.

When you start working, you give your TFN to your employer, who can then deduct tax from your income. This is normally done through PAYG (Pay as You Go). With a TFN, tax is taken at the source, i.e., at the time you are paid. This means you normally don’t have to worry about your tax obligations at the end of the financial year.

If you run your business as a sole trader, you will be able to use your current TFN for tax purposes. However, if you are in a partnership or have started a company, your business will have its own TFN.


Tax Implications

With an ABN, tax is not taken directly from the source. For example, a carpenter raising an invoice will receive full payment for his or her work; tax is not deducted at this stage.

This means that as a sole trader with an ABN, you need to set aside a portion of your income so that you can meet your tax obligations when the financial year ends. When June rolls around, you must include your ABN earnings with any other income received; after you lodge your tax return, tax is assessed based on that combined income. The tax-free threshold sits at $18,200. If your income is higher than this, then progressive tax rates will apply.

What and how you need to report depends on your business structure. You can also use the ATO tax calculator to estimate the amount you are obliged to pay.


Compliance

Staying organised is key to ensuring you can meet your tax obligations at the end of the financial year.

Some things you can do include:

  • Keeping all invoices issued as part of your business
  • Retaining receipts for products purchased as part of running your business
  • Understanding your tax obligations according to the ATO
  • Being transparent and accountable in all your operations

Further, having a tax lawyer advise you on your situation will help you ensure you’re complying with your obligations. Tax can be tricky when it comes to running your business. However, if you understand the requirements and are organised, it doesn’t have to be difficult at all.

2024年2月13日 星期二

Barangaroo

大分行能處理的事比較完整,如果早知道這樣,應該就來這裡開戶,
可以把事情一次處理完。為了來 HSBC Head Office,第一次拜訪這裡,
當時聽到這個地名 Barangaroo 有點想笑出來,實在不知對方在說什麼,
趕緊用 Google 溝通一下。

我們搭火車到 Wynyard 站走過來,只要幾分鐘時間。

天氣好,整個氛圍也很讚,紀錄一下當天的照片。









2024年2月11日 星期日

奧克蘭特輯後記


如果沒有朋友熱心幫忙,這次的行程不會如此順利。因為要 Renew 駕照,此事只能親自到紐西蘭辦裡,既然人已在澳洲,如果可以就飛過來,順便帶小孩見一見她的出生地。非常感謝我的朋友們,不論多久沒見,總是一口答應我,感激之情難以言喻!我很幸運,生命中很多好朋友在左右,不論是在台灣、美國、澳洲、還是紐西蘭!這次要辦的事情不只順利,還「非常順利」的完成,連銀行的事也處理妥當!

雖然還有一些口袋地點沒來得及去,就期待下回吧!





Sylvia Park 是很大的 shopping centre,奧克蘭真的不可同日而語。

另外,看到真人抓娃娃機,太有趣了!