Working in Australia?

[Fleegle]

So what is the salary expectancy for a retail pharmacy manager in Australia? (Based on my currency-converter rate of Stg £1 = Aus $2.07).

What would you expect to pay in Australia for basic day-to-day requirements eg milk, bread, beer, fags etc. etc......?

[aussiepharmer]

My stepdaughter has just returned from a trip to Sydney, Oz (where does she get the money, etc etc) and said that the Cost of Living is higher there than here!

But the weather is better/hotter and the NHS equivalent rules make more sense, I believe (neither of those being particularly difficult to achieve).

But wouldn't that depend on the region? What if you compare Sydney with London?

[sweetto_oth]

Hi aussiepharmer,

I'm from Singapore, I think you're prob in the best position to answer all our questions. Would you be so kind as to let us know what the salary's like for retails there? And the cost of living for staying somewhere quiet.

Thanks

[johnep]

When I looked into emigrating to Oz, told pharmacists not required as too many already. However, I could go as teacher to South Australian Housing Trust.

Decide, that East ,West, home's best.
johnep

[Pharmanaut]

When I looked into emigrating to Oz, told pharmacists not required as too many already. However, I could go as teacher to South Australian Housing Trust.

Decide, that East ,West, home's best.
johnep

Looked into South Australia around 12 years ago.
They were keen at the time as they got two pharmacists at once.
Probably their own schools have turned out enough pharmacists now.
My old school chum moved out there around 8 years ago and became a postie (postman).
He starts at 0530 and finishes by 1300. Plenty of time for surfing and such.

[aussiepharmer]

Hi aussiepharmer,

I'm from Singapore, I think you're prob in the best position to answer all our questions. Would you be so kind as to let us know what the salary's like for retails there? And the cost of living for staying somewhere quiet.

Thanks

I actually don't recommend Australia for working as a pharmacist. I would have to say the starting salary for community pharmacists is around $28~30/hr AFTER pre-reg, and sadly, the rates tend not to go upwards as much or quick as other professions since it's gov't-regulated. $28/hr is also equivalent to a parking inspector's starting salary! Those working in Coles or Safeway can get $20/hr EASILY.

Hospital pharmacists' rate is around $21/hr starting for Grade 1 pharmacists(right after pre-reg). I can assure you that there is a saturation of pharmacists recently due to high influx of intake and so the graduates. Just my year consists of 240 students!!! And there are about 16 or 17 pharmacy schools in Australia - two in Vic, 3 in NSW, and 4 in Queensland. The chances of owning a pharmacy these days is also very slim to none. It costs like 2 to 4 millions to purchase a pharmacy business, and even if you had enough assets, you just can't beat the chains (Yes, chains are taking over like US). I've just heard of an independent going downfall in its business b/c it was located very close to a chain pharmacy.

Also please read carefully the posts from this site:

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I find it quite accurate with regards to career outlooks, and I know what's going on since I have talked to real pharmacists when I was working in my placements, and also to my other classmates that have gained experiences in
the workforce.

I am not forcing you to stay away from Australia. I was only ENCOURAGING your direction. If you still would like to settle here, that's totally fine, but you should consider why I really want to work in Australia as a pharmacist, whether that be retail or hospital.

I am thinking of moving to US or Canada in the future. I just don't think it will be possible for me to even buy a property in Australia, which averages around $400 to 500k(ALL cities are expensive). This is about the cost of a two bedroom apartment. Rental rates are around $280/week to $350/wk or even more.

Cost of living in rural areas or small towns is definitely not less than cities. I heard it could be even cost more due to the shipping of items from city areas.
I remember that clothings are still as or more expensive, and a single lip balm cost was around $6.

Edit: Seems like you need a facebook account logged in to read it. You could use yours to log in and join the group ‘Australian pharmacists!’ and look for the thread ‘Pharmacist salary?’. These are all my 2 cents.

[johnep]

Won't be long before there will be world surplus of pharmacists as was in UK during last slump. At that time average pay was £3/week. Some pharmacists found got more by working in a cinema. Main reason why so many opened their own pharmacies, often in out of the way places, eg rural Wales.

One pharmacist wrote article in PJ and said that first week of owning his own pharmacy had made £2 more than could have got paid as a manager.

No restrictions in those days. Now, only chance for a low capital start up is 100 hours and sleep under the counter.
johnep