Is this worth doing for the salary ?

[kips]

I have been offered a job as a customer advisor in Perth with one of the big banks,via a recruitment agency, but not sure whether to accept because of the crap salary.

The pay is $40,000 a year including 10% super for 34 hours a week Monday to Friday with a 9am start on Mondays and Fridays and 9.15am rest of the week.

I live in Baldivis so would have to travel into Perth and pay for pre and after school care. This would be $170 a week during term time and $270 a week for vacation care.

This child care centre is one of the cheaper ones. Some charge $60 a day during school holidays.

I would get very little back in Child Care Benefit/Rebate because of my husband's income.

Initially, I was going to reject the job after realising I wouldn't be left with much after child care and travel costs and tax.

But now having a rethink as the job includes training, bonuses and good prospects so it is step in the door. I'm wondering if it is worth accepting the low salary for future prospects with a large company or is this wishful thinking ?

Plus it is very hard to find work that fits in with child care hours as most centres close at 6pm or want you to work evening and/or weekend shifts.

My husband, who works in Osborne Park, leaves home at 2pm and doesn't get home until 10.30pm/11pm and works these hours on Sundays as well.

He usually has Mondays off but some weeks this can be a different day of the week. We only moved to Perth in September and have no family here so can't get help with child care and most of our friends live in Perth.

I'd very interested to hear from anyone in the banking industry for their thoughts.

Don't know which branch I would be working in but told it would be in the Perth CBD or surrounding areas such as Cottesloe, Northbridge and Floreat. No mention of branches south of the river.

[Weedolly]

I suppose it is a foot in the door but is there no chance of being in a branch nearer you. You would have to leave around 8 in the morning and wouldnt be home till about 6, you would hardly see your husband if he is working those hours as you wouldnt see him before he started anymore, no time with the kids, would just be tea time and bed, plus the cost of travel and childcare. If it includes 10% super then its only 36000, not a lot for full time and the sacrifices you would have to make. I wouldnt personally but I would rather spend more time with family than a full time job. thats only my opinion though.

[verystormy]

That is VERY low. I was chatting to one of the waitresses at a conference in Perth and they get more than that. Its only about $19 an hour.
Also agree with Weedolly that it wont leave much time for you and your husbad together or with the children.

[kips]

That is VERY low. I was chatting to one of the waitresses at a conference in Perth and they get more than that. Its only about $19 an hour.
Also agree with Weedolly that it wont leave much time for you and your husbad together or with the children.

Thanks for your comments. It confirms my opinion that the job is very badly paid and I am surprised a major bank, which makes millions in profit, can offer such a derisory sum. By the way I have only one child. A son aged 9.

[Arwen]

Personally I would take it, it's a foot in the door of a large organisation and these days part time work is hard to come by. I'll gladly swap you.

[ali]

I know the salary is poor ... but it would give you some much valued Aussie experience for your CV and your next job application. Generally here, new positions have a 3 month period before contracts become permanent - is it worth trying it for 3 months, if the travel etc, is too much then you can leave, or they might offer you a transfer to another branch closer to home.

During school holidays, if your husband doesn't leave until 2pm ... could you not use child care of half days?

[Pathfinder]

Hi Kips, My friend over there in Rockingham has had 4 jobs since she arrived in just over a year, part of the reason for this was the travelling and she is now doing a job she likes 5 mins away, therefore I would say that because you are just starting out with a new employment record in Oz that it might be worth considering purely for the reasons you stated like the training/experience and to add to your CV, and you never know in time you might to be able to transfer out to a Bank in the area you are in.


I noticed a Bank in one of the shopping centres when we were over there at xmas, think it was Port Talbot or Warnbro?. Do you mind me asking if you have any Banking experience as this is something I may look for if we return. I don't have counter experience though so the training would be good for me - Or was it telephony?


Has your son settled in so soon that you want to leave him at an after school club? If he has you don't have a lot to lose and usually the company of adults can be an advantage if your friends are in another area

[Pathfinder]

Sorry mean't to say Port Kennedy of course!. I don't know where Port Talbot came from - Long day at work!


Keep us updated, I would like to know what you decide and how you go on........................

[Chook]

I feel you may be putting yourself under pressure in taking a job that requires a lot of commuting and time away from your son, and if the remuneration isn't that great, it is likely you will feel dissatisfied before too long. Baldivis is a thriving area and I imagine there will be more jobs coming up all the time, so tell the recuitment company you are seeking something closer to home. Working locally will mean meeting local people, and through that you may find more support for your son if needed. It seems a shame to come to Australia for a better way of life only to spend it commuting to a poorly paid job. I really do think you will find something more suitable, don't worry - it may just take a couple of months.
I arrived in August and my son started school in September. It has taken me until now to ensure he is properly settled, at school, in sporting clubs and socially. I have just accepted a part time job in the local area, doing something totally left field of my usual occupation. It is a job share and it fits in well with school hours and after school committments. The local paper (The Post) is full of such jobs at the moment. I was almost tempted (almost!) to accept $25 an hour to stay at home in airconditioned comfort and do someones ironing. Not a bad little earner while you wait for the ultimate job.
Good luck, whatever you decide to do.

[kips]

Hi Kips, My friend over there in Rockingham has had 4 jobs since she arrived in just over a year, part of the reason for this was the travelling and she is now doing a job she likes 5 mins away, therefore I would say that because you are just starting out with a new employment record in Oz that it might be worth considering purely for the reasons you stated like the training/experience and to add to your CV, and you never know in time you might to be able to transfer out to a Bank in the area you are in.


I noticed a Bank in one of the shopping centres when we were over there at xmas, think it was Port Talbot or Warnbro?. Do you mind me asking if you have any Banking experience as this is something I may look for if we return. I don't have counter experience though so the training would be good for me - Or was it telephony?


Has your son settled in so soon that you want to leave him at an after school club? If he has you don't have a lot to lose and usually the company of adults can be an advantage if your friends are in another area

I think I need to clarify a few things. I have been in Oz for 9 years and only moved to Perth in September. I became an Australian citizen in 2008.

Up until July last year I worked part-time for Medicare in Coffs Harbour, NSW, for 3 years on the front counter and prior to that I worked full-time as a member service officer in a call centre in Wollongong, NSW, for ahm, a private health fund.

We have relocated twice due to my husband's work.

Ideally I would like a job with Medicare, a health fund or Centrelink but there aren't many vacancies in these areas in WA.

There have been some vacancies with Centrelink but in places like Broome, Kalgoorlie and Collie. Not much good if you live in Perth !

What annoys me is that because I was only a non-ongoing employee with Medicare I could not get a transfer when I moved here. This is only possible if you are a permanent employee.

The job with Medicare was initially only for 12 months but was extended for another 12 months in 2009 and again in 2010. It probably helped that I worked my socks off, took hardly any days off sick, worked extra hours when asked or worked different hours and took leave on whatever days were left after the permanent employees booked theirs.

I hoped to be offered a permanent position but it never happened.

In July 2011 I was told my contract would not be extended further because of cutbacks. As it turned out I would have had to leave anyway as my husband was offered a job in Perth with a relocation package.

I have never worked for a bank but the company is looking for people with good customer service skills as training is offered for the financial part. However, I handled large sums of cash while working for Medicare so that probably helped.