Looking for Mature aged Singaporeans in Australia
Hi all, we have a few email queries specifically looking for Mature aged Singaporeans, so if you are one, or if your parents come to Australia regularly, and want to meet up with similar aged persons.. do let us know.
We try to put you in contact with other Mature aged Singaporeans in Australia.
To utilise this service, please contact us via the contact us page and we will put you in our "Mature aged Singaporeans in Australia mailing list" promptly.
We are a small social group of Singaporeans living in Australia and our network was started in response to the isolation of new Singaporean migrants and students, living in a new environment. The aim of the group is to provide and enhance community spirit among Singaporeans and their families by providing a platform for networking and socialising. We are based in Sydney with contacts in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Darwin and Perth.
Showing posts with label Living in Australia. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Living in Australia. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Negotiating your Salary and work hours
Negotiating your Salary and work hours
After getting a job, most of us will be wondering what our pay and work hours like. Some will just jump in to sign the contract.. after all the pay in the contract is much higher than our previous pay in Singapore.. But before you do anything .. please wait!!!! Read this article first!.
In Australia, there are 2 kinds of "job contracts", Individual contracts or Award/Enterprise agreement.. which on are you on?
Individual Contract
It may be an "individual contract" e.g. your pay is confidential to you only. You can negotiate your own pay and terms of contract like working hours or other benefits.
For individual contract it maybe more flexible, you should be able to negotiate your own salary, whether you want to salary sacrifice your pay to buy a car, for your house mortgage, RDOs etc..
For those of you who are not too sure on the negotiation process, joining a union may help as they have experienced people who can help you look through your contract before you sign it.
Award or Enterprise agreement
It maybe part of a award or enterprise agreement, where someone / or some group (Usually a union) has already negotiated your pay and benefits on behalf of you. Your pay and benefits will be exactly the same as the person doing the same job as you are.
When you accept a job in this category, means you accept the terms of your enterprise agreement. You can search award or enterprise agreements at Fair Work Australia website http://www.fwa.gov.au/
Unions:
Award / enterprise agreement are non negotiable with no extra claim while in force unless provisioned, you will be unable to vary any terms or conditions while the award/enterprise agreement is in force.
Usually they are in force for a period of 2 years where the next round of negotiation with the employer commence. You will be able to nominate a representative, which is usually your union to negotiate on your
behalf.
Sometimes there maybe a dispute with the employer on the negotiation process over pay and conditions. Then there's the usual stop work meetings, strikes, etc that you see on tv quite often..
For professionals, there's Apesma, they can help you if you are a member
http://www.apesma.com.au/
For tradies
Go thru the website and find the union that is most relevant to your job.
http://www.unionsaustralia.com.au
Working Hours
Typically 38 hours week,
Some jobs has flexible starting and ending time, just check or arrange with your boss
Some company may pay overtime or penalty rates, please check with your employer
Benefits
In NSW, everyone is entiled to 2 months long service leave after working for the same employer for 10 years.
Some jobs usually award/enterprise agreement usually provision for a "RDO" or rotating day off once or twice a month.
After getting a job, most of us will be wondering what our pay and work hours like. Some will just jump in to sign the contract.. after all the pay in the contract is much higher than our previous pay in Singapore.. But before you do anything .. please wait!!!! Read this article first!.
In Australia, there are 2 kinds of "job contracts", Individual contracts or Award/Enterprise agreement.. which on are you on?
Individual Contract
It may be an "individual contract" e.g. your pay is confidential to you only. You can negotiate your own pay and terms of contract like working hours or other benefits.
For individual contract it maybe more flexible, you should be able to negotiate your own salary, whether you want to salary sacrifice your pay to buy a car, for your house mortgage, RDOs etc..
For those of you who are not too sure on the negotiation process, joining a union may help as they have experienced people who can help you look through your contract before you sign it.
Award or Enterprise agreement
It maybe part of a award or enterprise agreement, where someone / or some group (Usually a union) has already negotiated your pay and benefits on behalf of you. Your pay and benefits will be exactly the same as the person doing the same job as you are.
When you accept a job in this category, means you accept the terms of your enterprise agreement. You can search award or enterprise agreements at Fair Work Australia website http://www.fwa.gov.au/
Unions:
Award / enterprise agreement are non negotiable with no extra claim while in force unless provisioned, you will be unable to vary any terms or conditions while the award/enterprise agreement is in force.
Usually they are in force for a period of 2 years where the next round of negotiation with the employer commence. You will be able to nominate a representative, which is usually your union to negotiate on your
behalf.
Sometimes there maybe a dispute with the employer on the negotiation process over pay and conditions. Then there's the usual stop work meetings, strikes, etc that you see on tv quite often..
For professionals, there's Apesma, they can help you if you are a member
http://www.apesma.com.au/
For tradies
Go thru the website and find the union that is most relevant to your job.
http://www.unionsaustralia.com.au
Working Hours
Typically 38 hours week,
Some jobs has flexible starting and ending time, just check or arrange with your boss
Some company may pay overtime or penalty rates, please check with your employer
Benefits
In NSW, everyone is entiled to 2 months long service leave after working for the same employer for 10 years.
Some jobs usually award/enterprise agreement usually provision for a "RDO" or rotating day off once or twice a month.
Tuesday, 17 April 2012
Will it rain in my area today?
Will it rain in my area today?
It's rainy season in now Sydney once again .. and one way the locals check the if rain is coming is by checking the radar.. a sample of the picture is as below..
It is an animated image that tells you approximately where the rain are heading.. from this page we can see mid/moderate rain along the coast of NSW between Sydney and Newcastle..
Link to the radar is here:
http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/radar/
Of coz you have the regular weather update on the news, papers etc..
It's rainy season in now Sydney once again .. and one way the locals check the if rain is coming is by checking the radar.. a sample of the picture is as below..
It is an animated image that tells you approximately where the rain are heading.. from this page we can see mid/moderate rain along the coast of NSW between Sydney and Newcastle..
Link to the radar is here:
http://www.bom.gov.au/australia/radar/
Of coz you have the regular weather update on the news, papers etc..
Saturday, 14 April 2012
Catching Public Transport in Sydney
Catching Public Transport in Sydney
The website for public transport info in NSW is here:
http://www.131500.com.au
Type of public transport
Most commonly used are Bus/Trains/Ferry although there are others like tram and monorail as well.
Tickets
Most common tickets
Bus:
Single trips for irregular users
(usually @ non peak hours, Buy direct from bus drivers, drivers give change, sometimes if at peak hours, bus drivers dont sell tickets to fasten boarding time, in this case, buy from authorised bus ticket resellers)
Multi trip bus tickets
Called Travel 10, please check prices from the link above, valid for 10 trips. Depending on how far you are travelling on a bus. The ticket above is a travel 10 for 1-2 sections.
Tickets do not have an expiry date and is valid for 10 trips
Buy from authorised resellers, e,.g. newsagent. just ask for "travel 10s"
Train
System map:
Tickets:
Single trips for irregular users
Buy at train station.Either vending machine or buy from the ticketing counter.
Avaliable in Single trip or Return. Buy a "Return" ticket if you are going somewhere and coming back to the same station on the same day
Tip: Buy a return ticket after 9am and you will save in paying "off peak" fares
Weekly train tickets "weeklies"
Called weeklies, valid for 7 days although 14 days are available for double the price. Valid for 7 days between your 2 nominated stations
Tip: Buy a weekly after 3pm, it's valid on that day and 7 days thereafter.
Ferry
Seldom take ferry, but for major jetty like circular quay, either buy tickets from vending machines or ticket counter.
If boarding from smaller jetty, buy from the conductor after boarding the ferry.
Tickets for multiple modes of transports e.g. Bus/train/ferry good for unlimited rides
Again please check link above for the real prices.
Catching a train at night
When travelling at night, you will notice that the train is very empty, the best and safest way is to travel on the train carriage next to the guard.
The guard is usually located in the middle of a 8 train carriage or in the last carriage if the train is a 4 train carriage.
You can also identify where are the possible locations on a train station platform where the train guard's carriage is likely to stop by looking out for the "Night safe area" words painted in blue on the platform next to the yellow line or the blue light on the train carriage.
If trains are not operating at night, nightride buses are available.
Train time table:
As for copy of the train timetable the next time you buy a train ticket from the ticketing counter.
Extra fees for using Airport Train station and certain stations on the airport line
If boarding a train from the airport, additional fee applies as the train stations are privately operated.
http://www.airportlink.com.au/price.php
Safety advises:
Here's some safety tips and advise from the mata mata:
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/106950/personal_safety_tips.pdf
Please feel free to ask any questions
The website for public transport info in NSW is here:
http://www.131500.com.au
Type of public transport
Most commonly used are Bus/Trains/Ferry although there are others like tram and monorail as well.
Tickets
Most common tickets
Bus:
Single trips for irregular users
(usually @ non peak hours, Buy direct from bus drivers, drivers give change, sometimes if at peak hours, bus drivers dont sell tickets to fasten boarding time, in this case, buy from authorised bus ticket resellers)
Multi trip bus tickets
Called Travel 10, please check prices from the link above, valid for 10 trips. Depending on how far you are travelling on a bus. The ticket above is a travel 10 for 1-2 sections.
Tickets do not have an expiry date and is valid for 10 trips
Buy from authorised resellers, e,.g. newsagent. just ask for "travel 10s"
Train
System map:
Tickets:
Single trips for irregular users
Buy at train station.Either vending machine or buy from the ticketing counter.
Avaliable in Single trip or Return. Buy a "Return" ticket if you are going somewhere and coming back to the same station on the same day
Tip: Buy a return ticket after 9am and you will save in paying "off peak" fares
Weekly train tickets "weeklies"
Called weeklies, valid for 7 days although 14 days are available for double the price. Valid for 7 days between your 2 nominated stations
Tip: Buy a weekly after 3pm, it's valid on that day and 7 days thereafter.
Ferry
Seldom take ferry, but for major jetty like circular quay, either buy tickets from vending machines or ticket counter.
If boarding from smaller jetty, buy from the conductor after boarding the ferry.
Tickets for multiple modes of transports e.g. Bus/train/ferry good for unlimited rides
- Day tripper - Valid for the whole day on many public transport in Sydney - ~about $20.
- My multi tickets - e.g. mymulti1, mymulti2, mymulti3, Valid for 7 days on many public transport in the area that you have chosen.
- Family tickets only valid on Sundays, ~$2.50 for each travelling adult if travelling as family
Again please check link above for the real prices.
Catching a train at night
When travelling at night, you will notice that the train is very empty, the best and safest way is to travel on the train carriage next to the guard.
The guard is usually located in the middle of a 8 train carriage or in the last carriage if the train is a 4 train carriage.
You can also identify where are the possible locations on a train station platform where the train guard's carriage is likely to stop by looking out for the "Night safe area" words painted in blue on the platform next to the yellow line or the blue light on the train carriage.
If trains are not operating at night, nightride buses are available.
Train time table:
As for copy of the train timetable the next time you buy a train ticket from the ticketing counter.
Extra fees for using Airport Train station and certain stations on the airport line
If boarding a train from the airport, additional fee applies as the train stations are privately operated.
http://www.airportlink.com.au/price.php
Safety advises:
Here's some safety tips and advise from the mata mata:
http://www.police.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/106950/personal_safety_tips.pdf
Please feel free to ask any questions
Thursday, 12 April 2012
First few things to do after arrival in Australia
First few things to do after arrival in Australia
Please try to do all these within the first week, all these are for potential nsw residents although people who intend to live other states may get some hints and tips from here too.
The first few things to do upon arrival in Australia is to create your identity in the Australian Society. This is for persons with PR only, those on work/student visa, you are not eligible for some stuffs. Check with your co or sch.
If you have the following documents handy, they are usually very useful
Please try to arrange these within the first week. the following are not in order:
1. Get your teng ki:
For people like ah tan who who can't live without a "ang teng kee" this is your teng ki in Australia la!
How to get driving licence in NSW read this link.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/
for other states find the transport agency of your state.
Reminder to google or go to the link and explore yourself ah, dun say you eyes gotsai stamp didn't see the link ah.
For People with SG licence, if i remember correctly, if you get all your required documentation correct, fill in the correct form and pay the fee ~$150 for 5 years, you can get your licence printed on the spot for you.
Again the price you check yourself in the link above ah, you can pay 1 yr or 3 yr or 5 year but pay 5yr more wu hua..
If no SG licence, then suggest to you is either to take the Theory test and get your "L" plate licence and use as your teng ki or get this (there is a fee, check this)
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/photocard.html
2. Get a Medicare Card
To get free Medical care, you will need to register with medicare http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/,
You will need to provide documentations etc passport etc.. check the link for more details. they will give you a green card you will need to bring to the doctor clinic.
When you get ur medicare approved, you will usually get a print out of your medicare number, use that till they post you the card.
Card is usually green but some ppl get issued blue card for some reasons (i know why but explain this later if necessary)
Most clinic are usually free if you have the medicare card but some clinic will still charge you even though you have this card!
So tip here is to look for "Bulk Billing", some clinic do bulk billing for All patients, some clinics do bulk billing for Children only . So check carefully ah.. if no bulk billing available in the clinic that you go.. you will need to pay.
Its best to check with the clinic whether they "bulk bill" when you call them up to make appointment.. most clinics in Australia need appointment, but there's some "walk in also welcome!"
Recommended to call up to make appointment first coz if you call up before you leave your house, you get to see the doc faster!!
3. Get a bank account
The bank requires 100 points identifications to open a bank account for most Australia residents, however as you are a recent /newly arrived migrant, you may not be able to produce this 100 points documents, so there is waiver for you.
Please speak with the bank. This waiver is only available to people who arrived less than 1 or 2 mths.. differnet bank different so better get this sorted within 1st week of your arrival. exact period of waiver please check with the bank yourself.
Best bank to get are those with full service and branches and yet no fees.
Currently we recommend NAB, coz it got no fees but please feel free to choose your own bank for your own individual needs.
The following are some links of the banks: of coz they are more la. just goolge.
http://www.anz.com.au/personal/
http://www.nab.com.au/
http://www.westpac.com.au/
http://www.commbank.com.au/
http://www.rabodirect.com.au/
http://www.bendigobank.com.au/public/
http://www.boq.com.au/
Some online only bank give high interest rates they are good but they got no physical bank branch, can't deposit cash. But try to get at least your daily bank account to be some bank that has branch readily available in your state, so that you can easily access to your cash by just queueing up at the counter.
Sometimes coz sometimes shit happens and you may need to withdraw cash over the atm limit. then you will have a problem with online only bank.
Please give your bank your TFN so that they will not withhold your interest for taxation purpose
4. Get a Tax file number
Need this for your job, and your bank account. I got this years ago, queued up at the ATO and got on the spot. now i think can get it online. please check this website:
http://www.ato.gov.au/
5. Register yourself with Centerlink
You will be able to get access to some resources to help you to find a job, such as using free telephone, free computer with internet etc . Different centerlink offer different services i think ..
Check the link below or just turn up at a centerlink near u when u arrive
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/home/index.htm
All comments good or bad are welcome!
Please try to do all these within the first week, all these are for potential nsw residents although people who intend to live other states may get some hints and tips from here too.
The first few things to do upon arrival in Australia is to create your identity in the Australian Society. This is for persons with PR only, those on work/student visa, you are not eligible for some stuffs. Check with your co or sch.
If you have the following documents handy, they are usually very useful
- Your Singapore Passport with your PR label (if no label on your passport, produce your PR approval letter)
- Your Singapore Driver's licence
- Your Singapore Bank ATM Card or Credit Card (Name must be exactly the same as the Passport, if not the same dun be violent hor when they reject you!)
Please try to arrange these within the first week. the following are not in order:
1. Get your teng ki:
For people like ah tan who who can't live without a "ang teng kee" this is your teng ki in Australia la!
How to get driving licence in NSW read this link.
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/
for other states find the transport agency of your state.
Reminder to google or go to the link and explore yourself ah, dun say you eyes got
For People with SG licence, if i remember correctly, if you get all your required documentation correct, fill in the correct form and pay the fee ~$150 for 5 years, you can get your licence printed on the spot for you.
Again the price you check yourself in the link above ah, you can pay 1 yr or 3 yr or 5 year but pay 5yr more wu hua..
If no SG licence, then suggest to you is either to take the Theory test and get your "L" plate licence and use as your teng ki or get this (there is a fee, check this)
http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/licensing/photocard.html
2. Get a Medicare Card
To get free Medical care, you will need to register with medicare http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/,
You will need to provide documentations etc passport etc.. check the link for more details. they will give you a green card you will need to bring to the doctor clinic.
When you get ur medicare approved, you will usually get a print out of your medicare number, use that till they post you the card.
Card is usually green but some ppl get issued blue card for some reasons (i know why but explain this later if necessary)
Most clinic are usually free if you have the medicare card but some clinic will still charge you even though you have this card!
So tip here is to look for "Bulk Billing", some clinic do bulk billing for All patients, some clinics do bulk billing for Children only . So check carefully ah.. if no bulk billing available in the clinic that you go.. you will need to pay.
Its best to check with the clinic whether they "bulk bill" when you call them up to make appointment.. most clinics in Australia need appointment, but there's some "walk in also welcome!"
Recommended to call up to make appointment first coz if you call up before you leave your house, you get to see the doc faster!!
3. Get a bank account
The bank requires 100 points identifications to open a bank account for most Australia residents, however as you are a recent /newly arrived migrant, you may not be able to produce this 100 points documents, so there is waiver for you.
Please speak with the bank. This waiver is only available to people who arrived less than 1 or 2 mths.. differnet bank different so better get this sorted within 1st week of your arrival. exact period of waiver please check with the bank yourself.
Best bank to get are those with full service and branches and yet no fees.
Currently we recommend NAB, coz it got no fees but please feel free to choose your own bank for your own individual needs.
The following are some links of the banks: of coz they are more la. just goolge.
http://www.anz.com.au/personal/
http://www.nab.com.au/
http://www.westpac.com.au/
http://www.commbank.com.au/
http://www.rabodirect.com.au/
http://www.bendigobank.com.au/public/
http://www.boq.com.au/
Some online only bank give high interest rates they are good but they got no physical bank branch, can't deposit cash. But try to get at least your daily bank account to be some bank that has branch readily available in your state, so that you can easily access to your cash by just queueing up at the counter.
Sometimes coz sometimes shit happens and you may need to withdraw cash over the atm limit. then you will have a problem with online only bank.
Please give your bank your TFN so that they will not withhold your interest for taxation purpose
4. Get a Tax file number
Need this for your job, and your bank account. I got this years ago, queued up at the ATO and got on the spot. now i think can get it online. please check this website:
http://www.ato.gov.au/
5. Register yourself with Centerlink
You will be able to get access to some resources to help you to find a job, such as using free telephone, free computer with internet etc . Different centerlink offer different services i think ..
Check the link below or just turn up at a centerlink near u when u arrive
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/home/index.htm
All comments good or bad are welcome!
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Singapore Club in Australia Advice: Buying a Car in Sydney Part 2 (Buying Car)
Singapore Club in Australia Advice: Buying a Car in Sydney Part 2 (Buying Car)
After reading our part one:
http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/singapore-club-in-australia-advice.html
So you have decided to get the car of your choice.. here's part 2!!
So you have choose the car.. remember our previous advice:
After reading our part one:
http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/singapore-club-in-australia-advice.html
So you have decided to get the car of your choice.. here's part 2!!
So you have choose the car.. remember our previous advice:
- Make sure that the car is registered in the STATE that you are buying. Do not buy interstate cars.
- Do not buy the car if it's not registered even if it's velly cheap and seller say easy to register
- Make sure that the car has long "rego" or registration so that you no need to pay registration 1 or 2 weeks after buying the car.
- Check for "Australian Compliance plate", usually installed under the bonnet in additional to manufacturer's plate.
Buying 2nd Car in Sydney is really very easy
For private sale, once you paid the seller, he will need to give you his "rego" papers, you will need to fill it in and go to your nearest RTA office to pay these fees.
For buying from dealer, they will give you the rego papers and a pink slip.
Some examples of RTA office location are here:
You will need to pay:
- Transfer Fee ~About $50 or 60??? (i think)
- Stamp Duty ~About 5% or 10% of your purchase value (estimate only check link below)
- Late fees if you are late
Read more about it here:
When you transfer the car to your name, you also transfer the CTP insurance to your name, this is for personal liability damage and compulsary.
Transferring and Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance
A vehicle's existing CTP insurance will be automatically transferred when the registration is transferred. You don't need to do anything about CTP insurance until the registration is due for renewal.
You will still need to get your own car insurance to insure your car eg the normal 3rd Party or comprehensive insurance just like when you own a car in sg.
Before you got your car transfered to your name, it's better to get the vehicle details, eg, Registration or Car plate number, VIN number and engine number, all these information are found on the "rego" papers.
You will need this information to:
Check the PPSR register
To ensure car is not stolen property in NSW.. check this Personal Property Securities Register first: http://www.ppsr.gov.au/Pages/ppsr.aspx
And buy your own Car insurance.(3rd party or comprehensive) to insure yourself against claim by other car owners etc.
Here are several links to get your car insurance, please go online and get a quote form them to know the price.
From our experience, the cheapest is Coles insurance
You can try others too (you use google search la maybe can find more!)
Most car insurance have 14 day free trial period. so better insure first, then find the cheapest!
Also it's good to have roadside assistance:
Roadside assistance, handy if you driving old car
Just go to NRMA la if other dealers offer u other brands of roadside assistance, dun take it la, got ppl take say no good, call for tow truck say dun have, say tell them leave the car at the roadside but NRMA very good come within 30mins!
********************************************************************************
Renewing your rego if your registration going to expire, about 1 or 2 mth before the RTA will send you a renewal notice.. you will need to...
Minimum
- Pay Registration Fee ~$200-$300
- Pay CTP "Green slip" (depends on your age) ~$400 - $600
- Send your car for rego check / inspection and pay for "pink slip" ~$30
Optional
- Pay your comprehensive /3rd party insurance when necessary (variable amount, depends on your age, please get a free quote from the links above to know more)
When we say optional is really optional, so if u no buy insurance then langa with merceedes, then how? you pay yourself!
Good to have
Roadside assistance, handy if you driving old car
What does the Rego check do?
Very simple, just simple check , roadworthy check, nothing mechanical , doesn't check very detailed thing!
Something like:
Check all your lights are working
Check if you tire not botak
Check if your wiper/water spray is working
Do a road test and brake test to see if your brake is working
****************************************************************************
So that's about it, remember to take good care of your car when u buy it ok?
- Change engine oil every 6mths or 10,000km (mineral oil also ok!)
- Do not use engine flush
- Change tyre when it's botak
- If dunno the history, flush at least the coolant and if possible all the liquid inside the car at least once during your ownership!
- Don't just turn up at any workshop, ask for recommendations, else they just chop u
- If you feel that something is wrong with your car, faster fix it before it go worse!
- Do not pump e10 unleaded petrol if your car does not support it!
When going to car workshop their usual market rate labour charge is $90/hr!!
Hope that this can help you in your car ownership in Sydney.. any questions or any thing that I have missed out please feel free to add...
Rego label (past on your wind screen)
Rego certificate keep till u selling your car u will need it
Singapore Club in Australia Advice: Buying a Car in Sydney Part 1 (Looking for a car)
Singapore Club in Australia Advice: Buying a Car in Sydney Part 1 (Looking for a car)
During one of our recent gathering.. one of the most commonly asked question is how to buy a car in Sydney? Is it risky to buy a old car?
In one of our previous post, we have a small section about car ownership in Sydney..
http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/typical-living-cost-in-sydney.html
This post is to explain more, we talk more about old car coz it's cheaper and higher risk, if u can afford new car then is the best la got warranty etc, but old car, we take the risk.
Where to find lobang for old car:
Here are some guide to get you started:
Online: (Google la .. i am sure u can find more!)
Car sales websites:
Others (Traditional way):
Go and visit Car Dealers:
This is a big place somewhere at the western end of sydney near to blacktown, in there you can see a huge selection of cars.
http://www.carcity.com.au/
Parramatta Road Car dealerships
Just Drive down Parramatta road from Sydney, westbound towards Parramatta, you will pass by many dealerships.. just turn up and look at the you are interested car! The road is so long and lined up with Car dealers from Sydney University to Parramatta Church Street!
Go to a Car Auction:
This is something that's very interesting here, you can get a variety of cars here, the only problem is you can't test drive.. and no recourse if you bought a lemon.
However, the good thing is most car are EX GOVERNMENT FLEET vehicles, so means that they are usually serviced at their regular interval, but of coz since it's a FLEET car, there's no owner and drivers do not take good care of their car.. but the cars there are relatively new and most likely you can find a bargain here.
here are some website for u to get started.
http://www.pickles.com.au/about/branch-location/sydney
http://www.governmentauctions.com.au/
http://www.manheim.com.au/
Buy from Dealer or Buy from Private?
Buying from private:
The previous owner may have fines or outstand loans on the car, to prevent that check the PPSR link below
To ensure car is not stolen property in NSW.. check this Personal Property Securities Register first: http://www.ppsr.gov.au/Pages/ppsr.aspx
Buying from dealer
If you dun feel safe buying a old car, we got mechanic friend who maybe able to help, read more here:
http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/automotive-workshop-in-sydney-he-will.html
Your Consumer rights
As a consumer, you have the right to be given the goods that's exactly described... If after buying the car, maybe if you have some complains, go back to the person who sold you the car and try to resolve it.
If you bought from a dealer, you maybe able to get some help from "FAIR TRADING" office if you feel that you really got cheated http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Consumers/Buying_goods.html
So take your time to pick and choose the car you like.. so many cars in Sydney, there will be one that suits you!
Remember :
Part 2 will talk about registration and insurance and maintaince etc.. akan datang!
So any questions about Part 1 please feel free to ask.. as for Registration and insurance etc please
go to part 2 here: http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/singapore-club-in-australia-advice_10.html
Thanks!!
During one of our recent gathering.. one of the most commonly asked question is how to buy a car in Sydney? Is it risky to buy a old car?
In one of our previous post, we have a small section about car ownership in Sydney..
http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/typical-living-cost-in-sydney.html
This post is to explain more, we talk more about old car coz it's cheaper and higher risk, if u can afford new car then is the best la got warranty etc, but old car, we take the risk.
Where to find lobang for old car:
Here are some guide to get you started:
Online: (Google la .. i am sure u can find more!)
Car sales websites:
Of coz you can also buy car on ebay la!
Or the usual Classified websites
Others (Traditional way):
- Newspaper Classifieds. your traditional way to buy and sell car
- Your local newspaper E.g North Shore Times
- Car with for sale sign driving on the road or parked at the road site
- Don't forget your uni or local shopping center notice board, there maybe good lobang there!
Go and visit Car Dealers:
This is a big place somewhere at the western end of sydney near to blacktown, in there you can see a huge selection of cars.
http://www.carcity.com.au/
Parramatta Road Car dealerships
Just Drive down Parramatta road from Sydney, westbound towards Parramatta, you will pass by many dealerships.. just turn up and look at the you are interested car! The road is so long and lined up with Car dealers from Sydney University to Parramatta Church Street!
Go to a Car Auction:
This is something that's very interesting here, you can get a variety of cars here, the only problem is you can't test drive.. and no recourse if you bought a lemon.
However, the good thing is most car are EX GOVERNMENT FLEET vehicles, so means that they are usually serviced at their regular interval, but of coz since it's a FLEET car, there's no owner and drivers do not take good care of their car.. but the cars there are relatively new and most likely you can find a bargain here.
here are some website for u to get started.
http://www.pickles.com.au/about/branch-location/sydney
http://www.governmentauctions.com.au/
http://www.manheim.com.au/
Buy from Dealer or Buy from Private?
Buying from private:
- No warranty
- No recourse if sold a lemon
- Cheaper
The previous owner may have fines or outstand loans on the car, to prevent that check the PPSR link below
To ensure car is not stolen property in NSW.. check this Personal Property Securities Register first: http://www.ppsr.gov.au/Pages/ppsr.aspx
Buying from dealer
- Some claim they give warranty (REal or not i dunno la)
- Dealers are legally obligated to give you a "roadworthy" car (is car really roadworthy?)
- Dealers are more expensive
- Maybe able to lodge a complain if sold a lemon, or goods not as described.
If you dun feel safe buying a old car, we got mechanic friend who maybe able to help, read more here:
http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/automotive-workshop-in-sydney-he-will.html
Your Consumer rights
As a consumer, you have the right to be given the goods that's exactly described... If after buying the car, maybe if you have some complains, go back to the person who sold you the car and try to resolve it.
If you bought from a dealer, you maybe able to get some help from "FAIR TRADING" office if you feel that you really got cheated http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/Consumers/Buying_goods.html
So take your time to pick and choose the car you like.. so many cars in Sydney, there will be one that suits you!
Remember :
- Car age is not by year rather by mileage if a newish 2010 car has 400k Mileage, better avoid them!
- To get Low mileage car: around 100k is good (But beware ppl modifying speedo and mileage)
- Avoid cars with engine oil leaks (expensive to repair)
- Avoid cars with screeching sound when cold start (Prob engine belt need to change also $$$)
- Check the car tyre not botak (1 tyre at least $70 for 165R13) change 4 then multiply that by 4!!
- Manual car are cheaper than Automatic
- Make sure that the car is registered in the STATE that you are buying. Do not buy interstate cars.
- Do not buy the car if it's not registered even if it's velly cheap and seller say easy to register
- Make sure that the car has long "rego" or registration so that you no need to pay registration 1 or 2 weeks after buying the car.
Part 2 will talk about registration and insurance and maintaince etc.. akan datang!
So any questions about Part 1 please feel free to ask.. as for Registration and insurance etc please
go to part 2 here: http://singaporeclubau.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/singapore-club-in-australia-advice_10.html
Thanks!!
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