Keep More Money In Your Pocket, Legally

If you know you're going the temp route, your first stop should be Geoffrey Nathan. They aren't a temp agency so much as an accounting firm that specializes in making you more money. You get work through another agency, and Geoffrey Nathan helps you out a little with that, then you ask your agency to pay you through Geoffrey Nathan. Here's how it works, and it's all perfectly legal.

Most temp agencies take whatever you've made for the week, subtract their fee, subtract your taxes and superannuation (retirement), and give you the rest. Simple, but costly for you in terms of what you actually take home.

If you ask to be payed through Geoffrey Nathan, your agency still takes its cut, but then it passes the rest on. GN takes that amount and divides it in half. One half is put aside as a "living away from home" allowance that travelers are granted tax-free. You pay the regular 30% tax on the other half, but already you've saved 15%.

Geoffrey Nathan takes out their own service fee as well, but you still wind up ahead. It might only be an extra $50-$100 a week that you get, but that adds up quickly, especially if you're saving up to travel once you're done working.

Another perk of signing up with Geoffrey Nathan, is that once you've gone through their orientation, which takes about half an hour, you are free to use the room they have set up for clients. There's free Internet access, bulletin boards with job postings, tea and coffee, and couches to just sit and take a break. If you've just arrived and don't want to shell out money for Internet cafes, or if you have a busy day of interviews and need somewhere to pop in for a drink and to check email, this place is a wonderful resource.

There's no obligation to Geoffrey Nathan at any time. If you find a job and decide not to be paid through them, that's fine. The one down side of the system is that you may be paid a few days later than if you were paid directly through the agency that hired you, but if you aren't desperate for that first check, it's worth the extra time to get the extra money.

If after a few months in Australia you decide you want to stay longer, GN can also help you with Sponsorship and Permanent Residency visas. The paperwork for either can be a nightmare, so having help with it will save you lots of time, and stress.

Financial decisions are different for everyone, based on individual circumstances. Talk to your agency about your payment options. Also, if you are going to work for longer than three months, it might be more worth your while to file for a tax refund at the end of your visa and get a lump sum, if you qualify.

Contact:
Geoffrey Nathan Consulting Inc.
www.gnaustralia.com.au

Sydney
Level 14, 23 Hunter Street
PH: 02 9235 3598

Melbourne
Level 4, 607 Bourke Street
PH: 03 9614 8588

Brisbane
Level 7, 344 Queen Street
PH: 07 3004 3418