Information for prospective postdocs

The WEHI Postdoctoral Association has endeavoured to compile some information, which may be of use for those relocating to Melbourne for postdoctoral studies. If you find there was information that could have been provided or is in error, please let us know. When you arrive, please join the Postdoctoral Association by emailing the current President (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)). Information about the Postdoctoral Association can be found on the WEHI webpage: http://www.wehi.edu.au.

Getting Started In Melbourne

  1. Accommodation
  2. Second-hand furnitures etc
  3. Health Insurance
  4. Setting up a bank account
  5. Transportation
  6. Second-hand bikes

Working At The WEHI

Getting Started In Melbourne

1. Accommodation

Graduate House
Ideal for temporary accommodations (provides breakfast and dinner, has single rooms, laundry) until you find a permanent place, Frank Draffen can help set you up.

International House

Shared accommodations can be found

  • Newspaper ”The Age”: Saturday edition
  • Uni Melbourne: noticeboard in Union house
  • Bookshop “Readings”, 309 Lygon St, Carlton (side window, updated every Wednesday)
  • WEHI: noticeboard ground level

Online

Rentals of flats and houses are done through commercial agents. Listings for a particular area can be found by going to local agent shops in the neighbourhood you are looking. You will require identification to apply (copy of photo ID necessary, references required and good idea to have Human Resources down as a contact for your position at WEHI).

Connecting utilities

Most commercial rental agreements will ask if you want a company to call you and set up the necessary utility accounts in your name.

2. Second-hand furniture etc

  • Noticeboard in WEHI on ground level
  • WEHI electronic pinboard
  • Uni Melbourne Union house noticeboard
  • The Age Saturday edition
  • The post-doc mailing list (.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)) is also a good way to get information on post-doc leaving Melbourne and willing to sell furniture etc.

3. Health Insurance

Health Insurance is a must in Australia as you are not covered by WEHI or the government. The following insurance companies offer private insurance for overseas visitors. Benefits will vary depending on the amount of coverage that you would like (essential or premium cover). At a minimum, get coverage for hospital stay and ambulance transport. All insurance companies have waiting periods for extra service cover (dental, optical, physio, pregnancy).

Insurance for overseas visitors is called ‘Healthy Travel’.

A comparison for private health insurance funds is provided by the government at http://www.privatehealth.gov.au/

4. Setting up a bank account

To set up a bank account, you must have the following information with you:

  • Offer letter
  • Passport
  • Another photo ID
  • Credit cards from your country

The major banks are NAB, Commonwealth bank, ANZ, Westpac. The Commonwealth bank has a branch in the Royal Melbourne Hospital beside WEHI, and the NAB has a branch at Melbourne Uni, across the road from WEHI.

5. Transportation

Public transport

Trams, Buses and Trains using Metlink

Metlink is sufficient to get around Melbourne without a car but has limitations.

Tickets can often be purchased at retail stores (eg. 7-Elevens), internet, Metshop, at train stations or on the tram itself. Authorised officers do come aboard to check tickets. Tickets last 2 hrs and can be used in round transport. After 6 pm, tickets are validated until 2 am.

Sundays – a Sunday Saver can be used all day. These tickets are available at train stations.

Parking

There is an underground car park at WEHI for $11/day, but the space is limited and the waiting list is over 5 years.

6. Second-hand bikes

Riding is a good way to get around in Melbourne, as it is a pretty flat city with a large number of bike lanes.

To buy a second-hand bike: Bike shop in front of the Union house, Uni Melbourne or bike shops in the area, for example Borsari Bike Shop corner Lygon Street/Grattan Street.

Bikes can be locked up in the underground bike-cage at the WEHI. Access is permitted to all WEHI and hospital staff.

Working At The WEHI

1. Visas

457 Long term business visa

418 Visiting Scientist – with this VISA you are not entitled to receive any money within Australia, including the royalties from WEHI patents given yearly.

Ask Sue Hardy for further details about the visa and the recommendation letter.

Should you have to re-apply for a VISA while in Australia, you must first accept the offer letter from the WEHI, allowing the WEHI to sponsor your visa. Once you have lodged an electronic application to DIMIA, ensure you follow up with a phone call to the case manager you have been given to determine what medical tests you are required to do to fufill your VISA application.

Note: If you have been working at the WEHI for 2 years and subsequently have a contract with the WEHI for 3 years, you may be able to get sponsorship from the WEHI for permanent residency. Getting permanent residency may assist you in your ability to apply for fellowships within Australia (eg. NHMRC).

2. Fellowships

Non-permanent resident and non-Australians can apply for the following fellowships:

  • www.arc.gov.au
  • www.leukaemia.org.au

See Julie Mercer, Grant Manager, about details as conditions apply.

3. Bringing your own fellowship money

If you have your own money for salary, there are several options to consider. If your fellowship agency will allow WEHI to distribute the monies, you will be entitled to salary sacrifice (see No. 9) and royalty distribution after a full year of employment (from July 1st to June 30th). Your salary will not be dictated by the fellowship agency but the institute will determine your level of pay (see pay scales) according to your experience.

4. Living and Food allowance

If you are not an Australian permanent-resident (eg., you are on VISA subclass 457), the WEHI will give you a living and food allowance each pay, provided your salary is received through WEHI. This is not an increase in gross salary but an increased amount of take-home pay.

5. Salary Sacrifice/ Smart Salary

Smart Salary is a salary packaging program available for those within institutes affiliated with public hospitals.

This program is only available for those who receive their salary through WEHI. In effect, this program reduces the amount of taxable income, allowing you to take home more money.

There is an initial set-up fee and an annual fee. Money is deducted from your pay pre-tax (this amount is not taxed) and deposited into your account the next day. Full details are listed on the website. Credit card bills, health insurance, personal laptops, cars can be salary sacrificed.

6. Royalty distribution

To receive the royalty distribution, you must receive your salary from WEHI and have been a full-time employee from July 1st to June 30th

7. Childcare

WEHI does not currently provide childcare services.

Many childcare centres have long waiting lists so it may be necessary to apply well in advance. It is recommended firstly put your childs name on the waiting list, then to visit a number of centres and get opinions from parents currently using the centres.

Staff are eligible to use City of Melbourne Child Care Centres and get some limited priority at Melbourne University Centres.

Centres close to WEHI include:

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