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05-09-2006, 02:31 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 17
| | | What is a sufficient salary in Hong Kong
Hi
My partner was just offered a job in an international school in Hong Kong.
I am very worried about the financial side of the situation and if I will be able to find a part time job (I am a Social Worker). It appears very difficult to work out what is a 'comfortable' level of income, ie. enough to support two people in a reasonable accommodation and a life style which allows a bit of travelling and is generally comfortable. I know it sounds a very general question but I hope that I can at least read about other people's experiences | |
05-09-2006, 02:49 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 6,049
| | | As a "partner" your biggest problem is likely to be getting a visa to stay here - you can't just roll up off the plane and say "Hi, I'm moving to Hong Kong!".
HK only recognises legal (opposite sex) marriages for granting dependent visas. I very much doubt that you would be able to get a job (and hence a visa) in your own-right as a part-time social worker in HK, particularly if you don't speak Cantonese. | |
05-09-2006, 05:25 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 17
| |  What is a sufficient salary in Hong Kong
Many thanks for your comment. Getting married would not be a problem after two decades of life together. Getting a job sounds more difficult based on what you have written. Thanks anyway. I understand that if I arrive on a spuuse visa I am allowed to work - obviously if I find a job. | |
05-09-2006, 05:29 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 6,049
| | | Yes - if you are married you get a dependent visa which has no restrictions on working. That being so you wouldn't have much problem finding something to use your skills and keep you occupied in the voluntary sector (e.g. working with one of the Domestic Helper support groups) but it might be hard to find something that paid much money...
Teaching jobs in the international schools do tend to pay reasonably well. Bear in mind that the median salary in HK is about HK$10,000 per month and the median household income less than $20,000 per month. | |
05-09-2006, 05:29 PM
|  | Resident Peacekeeper | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pokfulam Age: 40
Posts: 10,427
| | | Yes, you can work. There are several places that need english speaking social workers.. either on a volunteer basis or on a paid basis. | |
05-09-2006, 05:30 PM
| | Resident Peacekeeper | | Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Pokfulam Age: 40
Posts: 10,427
| | >> median household income
And the median person stays in a housing estate.  | |
05-09-2006, 05:33 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 6,049
| | | Well yes (to some extent, although I know plenty of people earning around HK$20K who live in their own private rented apartment), but teachers at international schools (particularly those with experience) tend to get several times the median income... | |
05-09-2006, 05:43 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 17
| | | What is a sufficient salary in Hong Kong
May partner's salary will be just under 30 thousands a month (and yes he is higlhly qualified and has a PHd for those who are so sceptic)
So it seems that it could support both of us untill I find work.
I am very curious what are the places emplying English speaking Social Workers
The only one I can think of is ISS (International Social Services0 | |
05-09-2006, 05:46 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hong Kong
Posts: 6,049
| | | Others here are better qualified than me to comment, but that seems really quite low for a teacher with several years experience at an International School... particularly if no accommodation allowance etc. To me it seems more in line with what NETs (Native English Teachers) with a couple of years experience get at local schools.
Last edited by PDLM : 05-09-2006 at 05:50 PM.
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05-09-2006, 05:52 PM
| | Registered User | | Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canberra, Australia
Posts: 17
| | | What is a sufficient salary in Hong Kong
I agree it is probably quite low but since he has accepted the job on two years contract that is what is going to be. He can re-negotiate later. In the meanitme we need to work out how to make the best of the situation.
Both of us can hold on to our jobis in Australia so in the worst possible scenario we will that we just come back in two years time. I do, however, thinik that once in HG we can work ourout future better. | | Tools | Search | | | | | Rate This Thread | | | All times are GMT +8. The time now is 11:17 AM. | |
