G'day Carlos.

Born and bred Aussie living in Sydney replying here. With regards to
your main points:

You will find a job here. Maybe not instantly, and maybe not exactly
what you want, but there is plenty of work for anyone who's honestly
looking for it. With your qualifications i would expect to earn no
less than $50K/year (=$40K after tax) if you got something at the
bottom end of your field, maybe $75K ($60K after tax) if you find a
good job. With a few years of local experience, a good command of the
language and local conditions you should be earning $100K or more
($75K after tax) within a few years.

The schooling system is fine. The state (public) schools are more than
adequate. The mainstream Catholic schools are similar and quite
reasonably priced (from $1K to $3K per year). Independant schools can
cost up to $20K per year per child (without a cap at 3 kids like the
Catholic system) - that's very expensive for most people. Most
tertiary education is free or payable by a government loan that is
repaid via extra taxes (only when you earn over a certain threshold
and only till the loan is payed out). Kids can generally have a great
time growing up here.

Health can always be better but rest assured that if you are seriously
ill you will be looked after immediately. If you are ill but it's not
life threatening you may wait (even up to 2-3 months) for an
operation. General practitioners available everywhere. All free.
Private insurance can ensure immediate attention and choice of doctor
but will be about $250/month/family but may still leave you with some
out of pocket expenses.

Remember, "free" in the above means "your and my taxes"!

Life can be expensive here. A house is quite a burden - you will not
get anything "nice" for less than $400K in the greater metropolitan
areas and prepare to pay twice that for something "nice" in an
established area not far from the city. Go to www.realestate.com.au
for a bit of a browse.

Grocery prices are on par with other developed countries; see the
prices at http://coles.com.au (go to shop online and enter postcode
2222 as an example). Petrol is currently around $1.20/litre. I find
that Coke ($3 for a 2L bottle in the supermarket) and ice-cream ($5
for a single scoop at ice-cream parlours) are more expensive here than
anywhere else in the world! (With the exeption of resorts and other
tourist havens of course).

For recreation you have choices - you can spend plenty of money on
ready-made activites and attractions, restaurants, etc. Otherwise, if
you like the beach and bush you have endless days of activities at
your doorstep for no cost at all.

Sydney has plenty of eye candy, Melbourne has a deep soul. They're
very similar but also very different. I could live in Melbourne any
day (very Euro feel about it. If you love the theatre, arts, etc. then
Melboune may be your pick). Perth is beautiful but a 4hour flight to
the nearest other civilisation (Sydney). I find Brisbane too
hot/humid. Adelaide is a bit inactive for my liking. The areas north
of Sydney (Hunter Valley, New England and Mid-West, all 1.5 to 4 hours
away) have plenty of coal mines and power plants; not sure about other
states.

Most overseas visitors that I've had here have been very positive
about Australia. But, remember, it's just another place and only as
good as your attitude / daily job / family life / health, etc. If you
are prone to homesickness and nostalgia you may be bitterly
disappointed - many have been in the past.

Good luck in your endeavours!

Kris.
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