Singaporean plumber becomes an Australian and earns more money | The Woke Salaryman reacts
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- We react to a recent post that went viral, where a Singaporean plumber relocated to Australia because they would be paid far better there.
We talk about the trade-offs for both Singapore and Australia; and discuss topics like arbitrage, opportunities, talent drain, and moving up the value chain.
I respect the ex-Singaporean. He left Singapore to seek a better life for himself. Rather than wringing his hands and complaining, he decided to take action. Kudos to him. I wish him all the best. Do come home to visit Singapore even though Australia has many places of attractions.
This is very true. I work and live in SG from 2004-2013 as a Maintenance Associate Engineer (Technician) in manufacturing company in Yishun. Last salary i got is SGD 2500/month in SG. In 2014 a made a big leap to migrate to OZ, lived in Western Australia. Now I am blue collar worker working in iron ore mining company as a FIFO (Fly In Fly Out with 15days working only in a month the rest 15 days is Off). I would say I am financially blessed (not to brag) as I am getting AUD 150k/ year before tax per month. Mechanics and fitters are even getting more.
Hi @januzportz7367 may I know is it possible for WHV with no experience to get a job in ore mining industry nowsaday? How to DM you? :)
WC, thank YOU for being open minded. I was gonna get mad at you for being mad at the Whispers' OP, but I really appreciate how you openly admitted a change in attitude towards the end. Respect!
Singapore manages the challenges of cost of living differently. We import migrant labourers to keep blue collar (trade) wages cheap. And aggressively promote the idea that we should “aspire” for more, be a manager instead of a worker. Higher education over vocational. This line of thought while encouraged during early nation building days is slowly being eroded as industrial disruptions become common.
Thank you for the grounded and thoughtful sharing. Take care guys.
My sincere apology for not knowing both your names (program hosts), it's my first time watching your channel.
I totally agree with Jeremy Chua and the Singaporean host of the channel. No disrespct to the PR host, in all honestly, I would love to be in your position, being a M'sian who holds a PR in Singapore. I make this shallow comment in the context of not having any knowledge of your background nor your struggles - just as you have extended your judgmental view on the migrated Singaporean. You actually enjoy the best of both worlds - earn S$ when you are young and can choose to retire in Malaysia and spend in ringgit when old, if you choose to and why not! As a PR, you have a backdoor, Singaporeans don't. You making a living in Singapore is exactly the same reason why the Singaporean migrated to Australia. To seek a better life.
I have been living in Australia for over 2 decades. As I have often explained to family and friends in Singapore, the money/price/salary “scale” is often, but not always, about 3-4x higher in Australia. While the salaries may appear richer in Australia, keep in mind the "scale". Whatever price people pay for chicken rice or nasi lemak in Singapore, apply 4x for Australia. Having said that, the after-tax A$80,000 is really just about average to live in Australia. Remember the "scale" that is shifted 3-4x higher.
Another, perhaps twisted, way to see this money "scale" is to see the Australian currency as devalued because of the higher figure of salary and price. Think of the Zimbabwe currency.
While it is difficult, and quite impossible to do an apples-to-apples comparison across countries, Australia is often said to be one of the highest taxed countries in the world. Her tax laws are also far-reaching beyond her geographic borders, taxing anything you may earn in Argentina to Zimbabwe. This is unsurprising if Australia provides various government welfare, just like some European countries that also have very high taxes. The personal income tax in Australia for a working adult is certainly much higher than the average Singaporean. Keep in mind, the vast majority of Singaporeans who own a car don't want to acknowledge that vehicle COE is essentially a tax, a heavy tax, ignoring that the word tax can be used in various forms, and in Singapore, cleverly disguised in one of many government made-up abbreviations.
It is generally and fairly true that Australia tends to have a more egalitarian attitude about occupations than in Asia or Singapore. It is similar in other western countries that blue-collar labour work tends to be fairly well paid. It is far more likely Asians look down on blue-collar workers. In this sense, a labourer in Asia would probably feel better about his job and life in Australia and in western countries.
In the US, men seem to be increasingly shunning college (university) in favour of labour work although there are several reasons for that that are not easy to explain in a sentence. In western countries, Australia included, the increasing push for gender equality and quotas means women get priority in corporate/office jobs whereas the men may have their resumes shuffled to the bottom of the pile. If the C-19 lockdowns have showed and proved anything, more men tend to do 3D (dangerous, dirty and difficult) jobs that are surely very essential in keeping society running hence keeping their bank accounts rising whereas OnlyFans reportedly saw a surge in the millions of new sign-ups across the world.
Thanks for the insights. How about price of housing in australia? Is it the same as in Singapore for eg a condo?
@@James-qv8eo You’re welcome.
It’s very difficult to give you a clear and complete answer, and I will leave out price figures.
Australia is big, has 8 states/territories, each have a metropolitan city and regional (second or third tier) cities. The prices of properties will vary considerably between the states. The more popular (hence crowded) states/cities will surely be more expensive. The less popular (hence “ulu” with less employment prospects and sparse services) states/cities will surely be cheaper. If you’re coming to work, you’re probably aiming for the popular states. If you’re coming to retire, then you’re aiming for the quieter states but your essential or medical services may be a bit lesser or further.
Except for people in poverty, receiving welfare, and provided a government flat, every other residential apartment building in Australia is probably privately built. Among these buildings, some, not all, usually inside the CBD may be built similar to Singapore’s condos for the secured amenities (gym or pool) that it contains. However, being inside the CBD means you could call them CBD condos. Your window view might not always be a city skyline but the next apartment building. Not nice to brag about.
Apartments in, or around, the CBD, may also attract higher property management fees. In western countries, drinking to stupidity and retardation is part and parcel of the social culture. Alcohol bottles, some smashed, litter Melbourne everywhere every weekend night. Public toilets are NOT as easy to find as in Singapore. So where do you think people pee and puke? I have frequently seen workers cleaning up and washing down the ground floor lobby and outside area of a posh apartment building just outside the CBD. Residents must be loving it.
Regardless, apartments closer to CBDs are generally going to be smaller and pricier. Some could be akin to submarine cabins, usually aimed at international students whose only possessions are their books and clothes when they first land. HDB bedrooms can be, and I suspect, mostly bigger than most apartment bedrooms here in Melbourne.
@@jeremychua76 thank you for the info, interesting to know that there are so many differences of the cbd condos there and here.
Can you give specific examples rather than a long textbook answer since you lived there for two decades? Let me tell you straight. CBD melbourne apartment 2bed2bath 900 sq ft is 600k. CBD apt 3B2B 1200 sq ft is 900k SGD.
Guys, lets face it. Singapore is an Elitist country shaped by Mr Eugenics-LKY whom defines “Success” as only being academically inclined and White collar.
However, despite the “world class” claims of Singapore’s educational system. Singaporeans still lacks CREATIVITY! 🤦🏼
I wouldn’t blame the writer for being resentful towards Singapore. Have you seen how ITE and Normal Technical students are treated?! They are seen as pariahs of Singapore society even by teachers.
Yes, you are right. Students from ITE or the NT are very unfairly treated by the system. Elitism society does not believe late boomers at all, neither giving them a stage or chance where they can shine their talent in other ways. I know a Malay friend from ITE Electrical course, he graduate with NTC2 and worked for SIA for 3yrs, later on, he migrated to AU and become a qualified electrican there and eventually set up his own small firm. He doing very well and bought a big house and 2 cars. Citing he can easily earn more than 150k per yr. Skilled workers are much better respected and earning better wages in AU. Is really time we need to review why we need to depend on labours from other countries and how come our local ITE graduates are not given any chances and better wages in sg!
Nurse can earn 200k in australia just work night shift penalty rate. Sg pay too low bois.
In Australia when your toilet breaks and you call the plumber, he's going to answer the phone with a quote of $250 before cost of replacement parts. Most people there resort to simple DIY unless it's a big job. Yes the money is great as a tradie, but he's giving up other aspects of his life like his social support, moving to a foreign country facing possible racism and safety concerns. These things are also important to mental wellbeing. Not all upsides.
For your infor, Singapore has blatant Classism thus they are really not that much better off than other countries’ racism.
Stay scared
You expect immigration no downside and better quality of life?? Then no more people in sg liao. Definitely the pros outweighed the cons and the person is happier there.
As usual, so much wisdom shared
Guy on the right is constantly salty because of that one line, meanwhile even filipinos move to Australia for higher pay
Many plumbers in Singapore actually earn more because they often cheat their clients.
Yes trades pay better in western countries.
But!!!!!
How much is the income tax in Australia? At least 40%
So u need to put that into account.
But in trades and manual labour you can do better in western countries that’s a fact.
Construction workers, truck drivers and welders earn well in the West.
please lah, 80k AUD (~70k SGD) is tiny af, especially considering the continuous downward trend of AUD vs SGD
It might surprise you, but the average annual salary for a senior level plumber in singapore( that is ceritfied for industrial and commercial plumbing) is actually about SG$ 80 k + which convert to Aussie dollars would not be much of a difference anyway. So who go there to get a job where in Singapore can get probably the same pay?
Senior plumber that needs a degree and bca cert? Compared to that guy with only an ite cert? Lol
Singapore is very rich but very poor in natural resource 90 %of the food sre imported
what an irony
This guy complains about "people across the causeway" coming into Singapore as "cheaper labour"
Same guy proceeds to AU and became a plumber there.
If you dont get it, basically he just became a very group of people he was complaining about (i.e replace Singapore with Aus, and the cheaper labour across the causeway from Aus prospective is SG)
Is like Singaporean tourist going to Paris and complaining Paris is full of tourist
Next point, 80K might seem very big in SG context but its not as much as one would think it is. if not please tell me which part of Australia you can find $3 chicken rice and $1.20 kopi o.
When one want to talk and compare about $$, it has to be put into context taking into account the standard of living
@J
The average Aussie family Men could afford to buy a car thus improving the quality of their family life. Can the average Singaporean family men afford a car?? 😂
The difference is Malaysia man come here depress price. Sg go Australia same price.
U're a typical sporean that lacks critical thinking. In AU, there is obviously no open leg policy like SG to depress wages. They only accept foreigners that don't duplicate their skillset. U even have to pass an very difficult english test for high level jobs.
2nd, Chicken rice in AU is like italian food in SG, sure expensive. Do u know AU dun have GST on basic necessities ? So if u just eat their aussie food its actually cheaper.
Healthcare is basically free there, and just because you're jobless, they dun leave u to die . Not like singapore where everyone is so worried about retirement.
Lastly, their house is free hold, 800k for a BTO here I can get a nice landed there with CAR & some spare change. WHILE living in a nice scenic country that everyday is like being on a tour!
Lol have you been to aus yourself?
I don’t get $1.20 kopi O.
I can get a full cappuccino for just $1 at 7-11s in australia. It tastes better than kopi o.
Secondly, when he came to australia as a labourer, he is earning the same wages as an Australian.
Not like Singapore where migrant workers earn depressed wages.
Find one country where "public housing" is 800k sgd & resale can go 1 million. Just for 99 yrs. Pull your head out from your ass can?
Whatever u saved from chicken rice $4 (not 3 cannot eat full) or diluted kopi cannot make up for the hidden tax u paid to HDB, LTA, SLA, GST, etc etc