advise and contacts please?

[aussiechick]

Hi,
I'm an Australian who, if all goes well, will be moving to HK in January 2006. Its all rather daunting and exciting as a newly single girl!
I will be starting up an American company over there doing sales with investment bankers.
Lots of my questions have been answered through other forums which is great, but, I'm just wondering if there are any Aussies who can help me with some specific questions about tax etc.
Other questions are, is it easy to make friends over there, and any tips? Anyone know what kind of hours investment bankers do in HK? I'm a little worried about my visa, as I don't have a degree in my field and am having trouble getting all my employers to give me verification letters... Is it really that complex?
I came over for an interview a couple months ago and loved it, cant wait to get there!

[Travie]

welcome ozchick, if u are going to stay in HK for over 6 months in a year, then you are regarded as to the ATO "non-resident". all you need to do is to fill in your tax return form for this financial year, (there is a tick box) that you will be a 'non-resident' from the next year, and to tell your bank that you are now a 'non-resident' so that they will deduct the 10% tax from your interest incurred by your savings.

[Baron]

As for the friends bit, you'll have no worries. I take it on myself to look after the other Aussies here when first arrived. Where from in Oz? Please not another one from Sydney

[saltwater]

Please not another one from Sydney

Investment bankers do long hours here. Expect to work until at least 7, and more realistically until about 10 every night. Good news is if you live in Mid Levels home's just up the road, so you can leave the office and be home in bed in fifteen minutes.

[esque]

hi, I'm another Australian coming over in 2006, I'll be sure to drop you a line when we're both over there

Check out the immigration part of the forum for advice on visas - bear in mind it's a different matter to be starting a company than to be sponsored by an employee...

[Kopi C]

There's an Australian Association in HK:
http://www.ozhongkong.com

If you want links to the other Aussie associations in HK, please click here:
http://www.aishk.edu.hk/community/orgs.shtml

[dougp]

Working hours certainly can get long - 8am to 7pm would seem to be about the minimum normal for the trading/sales side. Also depends if you're dealing with overseas markets in different timezones. Don't know anyone in our place who regularly works to 10pm though - maybe we're just lazy. Or just so good we don't need to.

There also seems to be a bit of the Japanese culture of being seen to be in the office late being as important as actually doing anything useful. I know one or two traders who regularly disappear for an hour and a half at 5pm, then come back for an hour or so before leaving for the day.

And what's wrong with Sydney? It's warmer and drier than Melbourne, it's livelier than Brisbane and it's not Perth - what more could you ask? (Don't flame too hard - I'm a new convert )

Doug.

[denzel]

You have to set a precedent early! Tell your boss and others you have stuff going on after work.. they shouldn't care. If you hang around they'll expect it forever. busy or not!

I found this out the hard way in Tokyo. Being the hardworking Aussie I am I've seen bloke after bloke leaving early becaue they expect me to be there until all hours.

So, I'm moving to HK next week to start a new job after 5 years slavery. Looking forward to it!

[aussiechick]

As for the friends bit, you'll have no worries. I take it on myself to look after the other Aussies here when first arrived. Where from in Oz? Please not another one from Sydney

Thanks for all the replies.

I'm actually from Adelaide, South Australia (anyone else?) and I'm 26. I'm quite nervous about moving over there and starting this a life there. Sounds like there's lots of friendly people there though. I guess closer to them time, I can get details about whats what and where to go etc.

The visa part of the forums has scared the s**t out of me though, do you guys know of many people who are denied?

[hbrand]

Hi Aussie chick,
I'm a 26 yr old Aussie girl too - just got here three weeks ago. You'll love it. Look me up when you get here too. Baron and I will take you out (won't we Baron??)