The team at Geoffrey Nathan have been sweating it out at the gym and topping up our tans to prep for the upcoming summer months – looks like it’s going to be a scorcher and we can’t wait for BBQ season to begin!

We’ve been working hard on new incentives and programs to make your experience with GN as awesome as possible. End up with more cash to splash this weekend just for referring a friend to us. After reading our travel article you may want to save your pennies so you can sail off to the white sands and crystal clear waters of the Whitsundays...?

Confused about the Living Away From Home Allowance? Have a question you’d like answered? Read our ‘The Truth About LAFHA’ article and be informed about this tax free allowance and what it means to you.

Ever wondered what the person on the other end of the phone looks like? Well check out our staff profile for this month or if you’re in Sydney, pop down to our office for the Melbourne Cup on the 4th November and meet us face to face.

Remember to slip slop slap this weekend whilst lying on the beach, don’t want to see any lobsters, only the ones on my plate....

Geoffrey

STORIES

Meet the Team                      Melbourne Cup Lunch                        

GN Candidate Story             $150 for a Phone Number!                      

Visit the Whitsundays          The Truth about LAFHA

Recent Appointments           GN Online           

awaypay                              Contact Us  

Name: Charlotte Crudden
Original place of residence: Dublin, Ireland
Time in Australia: 1 year
Hobbies: Travelling

After almost six months of travelling throughout Asia, I landed in Queensland and my Australian adventure began.....

Brisbane holds a special place in my heart; where I was first introduced to Goon! Many a night, shivering on the rooftop of Palace backpackers, did I have my fair share of box wine and enjoyed the freedoms of the unemployed backpacker.

Naturally, the funds ran low and it was time to move to Sydney to find a real home, and work! So we packed up the camper van and headed south. We got a great deal on the van as we were just returning it to Sydney for the company (see Charlotte’s travel tips below).

For the first couple of weeks in Sydney we stayed in various hostels, we had spent so long living out of a rucksack and the novelty had now worn off. We were lucky to find a nice 3 bed in Bondi that suited us all but as we had not a stick of furniture between us (and not a dollar either), work was definitely next on the agenda.

And so, like the majority of Irish imports, I started sending off my CV in every direction, hoping that something would come back in the form of a real job. Geoffrey Nathan then became my employer and here I am today still at Geoffrey Nathan, over a year later. Everyone in the office is great and they have nicknamed me ‘Irish’ so to differentiate between the 4 Charlotte’s working at GN!

I really enjoy working at GN, and there is always the next trip to plan for so I am settled in Sydney and looking forward to my next adventure....

Charlotte’s Travel tips;

1.    Ask your hostel or rental car service whether you can drive a car back to their office for them. You   don’t actually have to pay for it (definitely a great way to save some dollars) though you do have a time limit so if you want to travel at your own pace you may need to seek out other options.

2.    Trying to secure a place to live can be frustrating and tiring, the only advice I can offer is to go to viewings prepared. Literally take everything you will need with you (references, bank statements, and even a cash deposit) and try to get hold of the application forms from your estate agent prior to the viewing. If you want the unit, say so, and secure it with a cash deposit there and then if you can. Also, make sure you check your tenant’s rights before agreeing and signing any leases. Good luck!!

3.    Don’t just pack your swim suit and flip flops, it does actually get cold in Australia (shock horror!) and you need to be prepared for anything.

The drinks are on us!

If you are in Sydney, come and have a cheeky few and meet the team on the 4th November.

We will be kicking off at 1.00pm and would love for you to join us for the big race
(yes I know we aren’t in Melbourne but any excuse right?!).

We are located at Level 6, 60 Carrington Street, Sydney CBD.

Please RSVP to Ali Steadman by 31st October

ali.steadman@geoffreynathan.com

Hope to see you there!

Name: Ruth Smiley
Original place of residence: Birmingham, England
Time in Australia: 7 months
Hobbies: Snow Boarding

Ruth’s Story…..

I found Geoffrey Nathan through an ad in a backpacker magazine and have been with them for 7 months so far. I think GN is fantastic (especially the candidate nights!) as they have always worked really hard to find myself and my friends a job. When I found out that my job would be finishing a bit sooner than expected, GN got straight on to it and I was having interviews with agencies within days and had a new job within a week!

It has always been my dream to come to Australia; I met loads of Aussies when I lived in Canada so I had a great group of people to come over to. I have now been here for 7 months and loving every minute!

So far I have travelled up the East coast from Sydney to Cairns, from Alice Springs to Darwin (I also climbed Ayers Rock which is a major achievement!) and last but not least, Perth. I now live in Melbourne which is full of cool cafes and bars and great people.

Highlights from my travels definitely include climbing Ayers Rock, snorkeling at the Great Barrier Reef, feeding kangaroos in Queensland and meeting Dr Karl Kennedy at the Neighbors night! I have yet to experience an Australian summer though, so I can’t wait for that!

Future plans are to eventually go back to the UK (sigh) and move to London. GN provides a service with FastrackUK so I can use them to find me a job and sort my affairs before I even get home. Leaves me with more time to travel so I’m happy with that!

Ruth’s Travel Tips;

1.    Only take what you need with you, all the rest you can buy when traveling
2.    Mozzie spray is your best friend
3.    Suntan lotion is an absolute necessity

If you refer a friend to Geoffrey Nathan who’s looking to work whilst they travel, you will receive a gift voucher valued at $150.

Entries end on the 31st October so be quick!

It’s easy....

1. If you earn over $20 per hour, email us the names and numbers of your friends, colleagues or associates you think would benefit from our services.

2. One of our friendly team will call to see if we can be of service.

3. If your friend or colleague is payrolled through Geoffrey Nathan for just four consecutive weeks, you will receive a $150 voucher!

If you know of any friends, colleagues or associates living 130 km from their permanent place of residence and are currently eligible for the LAFHA (are being sponsored, are a NZ Citizen or Interstate Australian) but not reaping the benefits of this tax free allowance then refer them to us too! Our new division - awaypay can help maximise their take home pay so there’s more money in their pocket to buy the beers!

Call 1300 GN JOBS or email referafriend@geoffreynathan.com (include their name and phone number).

Terms and Conditions: The candidate referring a friend must be earning at least $20 per hour. The candidate referred needs to work a minimum of 4 consecutive weeks to register as a referral. The referrer will only receive a voucher after 6 weeks due to processing. This offer is not available for recruiters. Offer ends 31st October 2008. Not all candidates are eligible for all of GN’s services. 

Location
The Whitsunday Islands are located in central Queensland, approximately; 1,400 km from Sydney, 2,000 km from Melbourne and 1,160 km from Brisbane. The islands are surrounded by crisp, untouched white sand, crystal clear waters and cloudless skies. This tropical paradise is a must see for either beach bums or thrill seekers!

How to get there

By Plane - The Whitsundays are serviced by two airports;

1. Great Barrier Reef Airport, Hamilton Island (HTI)
2. Whitsunday Coast Airport, Proserpine (PPP)

The flight times differ depending on which state you are flying from and at what time. Rough times are 4 hrs from Sydney, 5 hrs from Melbourne and 1.5 hrs from Brisbane by plane.

By Rail – Connecting coaches operate to Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour from the Proserpine train station.

By Road - The Bruce Highway is part of Australia’s national road network and links Queensland’s major coastal cities and towns, including Proserpine. Just north of Proserpine lies the turn off east to the 2 communities of Airlie Beach and Shute Harbour.

Coach - Major coach operators include the Whitsundays in their regular scheduled services.

For more information on travel visit the tourism website; http://www.whitsundaytourism.com/getting_around/getting-here_home.cfm 

Where to stay

Budget Accommodation – Backpacker Hostels at Airlie Beach
For the budget conscious, Airlie beach is a popular tourist destination. A beautiful beach with shops, bars, cafe’s and water sports right at your door step. There are many backpacker hostels situated on the main esplanade of Airlie beach right on the water. Shute Harbour Road is the main drag and you will find ample accommodation here that will suit any budget.

Luxury Accommodation – Apartments in Hamilton Island
Hamilton Island is situated just off the coast from Airlie beach and is one of the largest of the 75 islands which make up the Whitsundays. A little piece of luxury – you are surrounded by the coral reefs, cool cafes and delicious dining. Accommodation varies but there are some great ocean view apartments and villas as well as resorts and hotel rooms available.

What to do there
The list is too long for this newsletter! However, here are a few ideas that will guarantee you some memorable holiday moments...

Watersports – The Whitsundays have numerous water sporting activities available for the adventurous; jet skis, parasailing, kayaks, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing and sea kayaking just to name a few.

Relaxing – If you prefer to soak in the serenity and float away with your thoughts, the Whitsundays have some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Lie on the beach with a cocktail in your hand, sail around the islands whilst topping up your tan or just relax on your balcony whilst watching the sun set. 

Many overseas workers are not aware of the benefits The Living Away from Home Allowance provides, or understand how it is administered. At Geoffrey Nathan, this is what we specialise in; we are the experts so you don’t have to be! However, to put your minds at ease, here are the answers to some repetitive questions we get daily at GN.

1. How long can I receive the Living Away From Home Allowance for?

The amount of time differs depending on your particular situation, but typically, you can receive LAFHA right up until you are granted permanent residency (PR) or for as long as your intention is to return back to your original place of residence. If you intend to apply for PR then you MUST inform GN as soon as you apply and let us know once your PR has been approved.

2. How much LAFHA am I allowed to receive?

Australian Tax Law does not specify exactly how much LAFHA you can receive. This tax free allowance is calculated based on your living expenses in Australia, the state you live in, how much you are paid by your employer, your job role and whether other people in your family (spouse/children) are receiving LAFHA. At Geoffrey Nathan, we are the experts and we’ll give you the most LAFHA that is right for your situation!

3. Is Geoffrey Nathan qualified to work this out for me?

Geoffrey Nathan has been administering LAFHA to overseas candidates for over 15 years and is a founding member of the ACPMA. The ACPMA work closely with the ATO to establish our processes and procedures for administering LAFHA to ensure that we are adhering to current legislation and our candidates are receiving the maximum amount. The team at GN constantly monitor the industry and work closely with the ATO to keep on top of changes and updates in this area.

4. Why is your quote different to other contractor management companies?

At Geoffrey Nathan, our aim is to provide the greatest amount of take home pay possible to our candidates. However, we want to administer the greatest CORRECT amount and therefore have strict policies and procedures to make sure everything we do is right. Geoffrey Nathan has a low risk status since we administer under the ACPMA guidelines. Many of our competitors may be able to provide more LAFHA to their candidates; however, this amount may be at a higher risk status.

5. My accountant doesn’t know about LAFHA, why is that?

LAFHA is available to overseas workers under Fringe Benefit Tax legislation. Your personal tax accountant will know Income Tax legislation in and out; however, LAFHA never becomes part of your income since it is an allowance under a completely different set of rules – Fringe Benefit Tax! LAFHA is a niche part of Fringe Benefit Tax law and even your company accountant simply may not have come across it before.

6. What happens to my tax back at the end of the year if I receive LAFHA?

When you submit your tax return at the end of the year, the amount of tax you receive back is reduced. The reason for this is that you receive more pay each pay period so that you have more money in your pocket each month rather than at the end of the year.

7. What will happen if the ATO audits me?

Due to Geoffrey Nathan’s strict procedures and processes, if you are audited by the ATO you will not be in breach of any laws in regards to the amount of LAFHA you receive as this will be correct as per the ACPMA’s guidelines. As long as you keep Geoffrey Nathan informed of your visa status and living arrangements you have nothing to fear in regards to LAFHA.

Do a good deed for the day! Pass this newsletter onto friends so they are also informed about the benefits of the Living Away from Home Allowance.....

For more information on the Living Away From Home Allowance visit our website

GN is proud to announce the recently appointed staff members to our 457 team;

Emily Baker – Migration / HR Manager
Emily has been working as our HR Manager for the last 4 months, taking over Lisa Harrison’s role whilst she was on maternity leave. Emily now transfers to the 457 team where she heads up the 457 department nationally and will oversee and manage operations going forward.

Lizzie Stubbs – Migration Auditor

We have recently added Lizzie to the 457 team as Migration Auditor. Lizzie is managing reporting, processes and compliance for the 457 team and will work closely on queries from the Department of Immigration to make sure everything runs smoothly in our sponsorship area.

Welcome Back!
Lisa Harrison – General Manager
Lisa Harrison recently arrived back to GN after maternity leave and has fallen back into her role as General Manager. Lisa will be running some HR functions, compliance and operations.

Congratulations to Lisa who has been blessed with a very cute and cuddly baby girl named Kate. The four month old has already made a trip to the GN office and fits right in!

Want to meet the rest of the team? Visit our website.....

Have you checked out our website recently?

Meet the Geoffrey Nathan team on our ‘Meet the Team’ page or check out our candidate event pics and see if you’ve been snapped!

Think you’re ready to become a permanent resident of Australia? Take our quiz to see if you’re Aussie enough...

Do you know anyone who is working at least 130 km from their permanent place of residence and not reaping the benefits of the Living Away From Home Allowance while being employed directly?

Tell them to visit awaypay.com.au or call us on 02 8022 8022 for a free personal assessment on how to maximise their take home pay.

If you have any interesting travel stories, tips, advice or anything you think people like yourself would be interested in let us know!

Just email the marketing manager ali.steadman@geoffreynathan.com with your ideas, tips and stories.