Is Australia an expensive country?

[serfty]

I tracked down three books I was after on booko.com.au and purchased all of them for AUS34 all up. Cost for same books at Borders with 30% discount would have been around AUD51.

 

[Warks]

I tracked down three books I was after on booko.com.au and purchased all of them for AUS34 all up. Cost for same books at Borders with 30% discount would have been around AUD51.

Yes since Book Depository (can't help but think of JFK whenever I see that name) came along with free shipping and prices about half here we haven't bought a book from Borders/Dymocks etc. Basement Books at Central station gets a look in though! Books have always been expensive here though - we've been able to track that by the relative prices on the covers. Canada is always more expensive than the USA but still cheaper than here.

 

[Flashback]

I tracked down three books I was after on booko.com.au and purchased all of them for AUS34 all up. Cost for same books at Borders with 30% discount would have been around AUD51.

Meanwhile, there's a certain series of books I was reading back at home, and I was onto the 2nd book before I came over here. I didn't bring it with me as it was too bulky.

It cost ~$25 AUD for each book. Over here I picked up BOTH books for 7 quid total from Sainsbury's! :shock:

 

[ellen10]

There is a discussion thread on Fodors started by American tourists in Oz also discussing how expensive Australia has become, especially food. Of course the dollar exchange rate is a big influence these days. They think that Australia is a long way to travel to and now are questioning the expense. Whereas they can usually fly to Europe (shorter flying distance) and prices are quite comparative. This is not good for our tourist industry.

Speaking of prices in Oz, my son lives in Canberra and we find prices there for eating out very expensive, especially drinks even in local pubs. And Canberrians love to eat out breakfast, lunch and dinner!

 

[RB]

There is a discussion thread on Fodors started by American tourists in Oz also discussing how expensive Australia has become, especially food. Of course the dollar exchange rate is a big influence these days. They think that Australia is a long way to travel to and now are questioning the expense. Whereas they can usually fly to Europe (shorter flying distance) and prices are quite comparative. This is not good for our tourist industry.

Speaking of prices in Oz, my son lives in Canberra and we find prices there for eating out very expensive, especially drinks even in local pubs. And Canberrians love to eat out breakfast, lunch and dinner!

There was discussion on FT re Aussie Prices & the opportuities to avoid high prices if need be-

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/aust...d-beautiful-sydney-we-have-sticker-shock.html

I am happy to still be able to buy full strength schooners at my local golf club for $3.80

 

[zzyss]

I think high prices are one of the prices that we pay for some of the social benefits of living in this country - we have very little poverty / slums thanks to welfare, and our healthcare system is pretty reasonable. Granted, one can reasonably argue about dole bludgers and all, but no system's perfect when the players are a bunch of selfish, greedy human beings.

 

[coyote25]

I think high prices are one of the prices that we pay for some of the social benefits of living in this country - we have very little poverty / slums thanks to welfare, and our healthcare system is pretty reasonable. Granted, one can reasonably argue about dole bludgers and all, but no system's perfect when the players are a bunch of selfish, greedy human beings.

I agree we have 'all in' prices ie they cover higher wages and higher taxes. Other countries have either lower wages with tips or low to no taxes (paid at least think Greece) or both.

Add in distance costs and you have most of the reason.

However right now it is even worst due to other countries devaluing their currencies ie USA plus terrible economic conditions meaning bigger discounts lower inflation or deflation.

So yes more expense but it could be argued it's better than a race to the bottom. I like our strong infrastructure (meaning welfare or support) resulting in less social problems ( wages can be lived on without tips or theft).

In these days of hard right economic theory we are unique but it appears to work for us.

Things work in balance we could lower prices if we wanted but it would be bad news for majority of lower to middle class people but better news for travellers

 

[simongr]

I think high prices are one of the prices that we pay for some of the social benefits of living in this country - we have very little poverty / slums thanks to welfare, and our healthcare system is pretty reasonable. Granted, one can reasonably argue about dole bludgers and all, but no system's perfect when the players are a bunch of selfish, greedy human beings.

In terms of health care I think the system here compares very unfavorably to the UK.

 

[straitman]

In terms of health care I think the system here compares very unfavorably to the UK.

Are you referring at the Medicare level or private insurance level or both :?:

 

[Flashback]

In terms of health care I think the system here compares very unfavorably to the UK.

I like that I can visit the GP for a quick check-up and it doesn't cost me anything! (Not entirely true, NIN contributions are taken from my wages every pay on top of income tax! :shock. One way or another you always end up paying for things.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I like that I can visit the GP for a quick check-up and it doesn't cost me anything! (Not entirely true, NIN contributions are taken from my wages every pay on top of income tax! :shock. One way or another you always end up paying for things.

I found that "overall", l still paid less tax in the UK than here, including NIN (which is just like medicare really). That was 6 years ago, it might have changed now though?

 

[Flashback]

I found that "overall", l still paid less tax in the UK than here, including NIN (which is just like medicare really). That was 6 years ago, it might have changed now though?

I haven't quite worked it out yet as I'm still trying to work out the cost of living vs wages, etc.

 

[JohnK]

Rather expensive drinks compared to when I was in London last weekend.

That is expensive although from memory all cafes, pubs around Queen Street charge ~$8 for schooners of beer.

I am happy to still be able to buy full strength schooners at my local golf club for $3.80

Golf clubs are quite good on beer prices. It is in pubs where beer prices have gone through the roof and this was not supposed to happen once they got their pokie machine licenses.

 

[frankieholt]

the term is purely relative.

 

[Warks]

That is expensive although from memory all cafes, pubs around Queen Street charge ~$8 for schooners of beer.


Golf clubs are quite good on beer prices. It is in pubs where beer prices have gone through the roof and this was not supposed to happen once they got their pokie machine licenses.

Yes that's what sticks in my craw! With all that extra boodle they could offer club prices for beer but instead they've jacked it up. Anywhere on the northside in Sydney seems to charge at least $7 a schooner now - if you're lucky you might get $6. These prices are what the Sheratons and the like charge which is what you'd expect. I think buying from the bottle-o on special is still good value especially for some imported beers - would rather have a beer at home with mates anyway.

 

[simongr]

I found that "overall", l still paid less tax in the UK than here, including NIN (which is just like medicare really). That was 6 years ago, it might have changed now though?

Except NIN is 11% but the top rate of tax...

NHS > Medicare
Uk private > oz private as no gaps in uk

 

[oz_mark]

I think buying from the bottle-o on special is still good value especially for some imported beers - would rather have a beer at home with mates anyway.

Funny how the price went up when they started making some of the 'imported' beers in Australia under license.

 

[Flashback]

Except NIN is 11% but the top rate of tax...

NHS > Medicare
Uk private > oz private as no gaps in uk

Such an efficient system. I had a GP appointment for 9am. Arrived at 8.59. Checked myself in using a touch screen system, 9am Dr came out and called my name, went in. Maybe I was just lucky... but I've never had such an on-time appointment back home!

 

[Warks]

Funny how the price went up when they started making some of the 'imported' beers in Australia under license.

Yes many aren't aware that Becks, Stella Artois and I think (but not sure) Heineken are just thrown together by Lyon Nathan here (or the other mob). Certainly don't advertise the fact.

They don't make Hoegaarden here though!

 

[Flashback]

Yes many aren't aware that Becks, Stella Artois and I think (but not sure) Heineken are just thrown together by Lyon Nathan here (or the other mob). Certainly don't advertise the fact.

They don't make Hoegaarden here though!

Drinking Stella over here gets you the same look as drinking xx_X or Emu Export back home...