r/AusFinance • u/Cactusbrandy_ • 23h ago

Quantifying Salary increase Expectations to move from Brisbane to Sydney?

Per title. I’m working in a strategic/corporate function and it’s clear to me that my manager & manager once removed want me in Sydney, and this would absolutely enable me to perform my role better and also give me more career progression options (I am already flagged as a high performer at my current level). I’m not necessarily stuck on the benefits, and from a personal perspective, I’d be happy to go - but it’s obviously a much more expensive city and I’m struggling to quantify what my expectations should be to enable the move.

My intention is to discuss this with my manager + Manager once removed and ask for an increase to salary if I were to move. I’ve never really had to broach this subject before, and haven’t had many salary discussions before either. I’m a bit stuck on how to quantify what I’m worth, and how the move makes me worth more. Has anyone had any similar discussions, how did you land on a number?

I can obviously look at cost of living as a guide for me personally but that does the company care from a business value add perspective? Feels a bit like pulling a number out of the air and maybe I’m over thinking it.

Obviously I’m a bit green with this stuff so any advice from anyone that has been through something similar is appreciated!

2 Upvotes

75% Upvoted

11

u/Bagelam 23h ago

"Hey boss, I'll need at least 600 a week extra for tolls alone"

6

u/bilby2020 22h ago

That makes me realise how good and lucky that both previous and new Qld gov has made PT fares 50c. I now spend $1 per day for travelling to work and that’s a nice little savings.

0

u/InfiniteShine3390 19h ago

Great for you! It's a good indirect road-user tax too. Might struggle to find revenue to pay for schools, hospitals, new PT, and stadia though if made permanent.

8

u/bilby2020 22h ago

Since it is an internal move, your bargaining power is limited, I would say 10%.

4

u/turbo88689 23h ago

If you were living in Sydney, would you take a pay cut to move to Brisbane ?

It really depends on how you spin it and how bad they you to be in Sydney, no right answer unfortunately

3

u/Cactusbrandy_ 18h ago

Yeh I suppose for those people the challenge is negotiating keeping their job in Brisbane full stop. Thankfully I’m not in that boat right now.

3

u/GoldAd5786 23h ago

I looked at this a while ago. 180 k in Brisbane needed to be 250 k in Sydney. It’s not so much day to day it’s the housing cost. Only place that worked was to live in the Blue Mountains on 50/50 WFH.

1

u/Cactusbrandy_ 18h ago

Yeh this works out at ~38%. I was estimating something like 30-40% just based on expenses. Housing definitely the killer from what I’ve looked at.

3

u/TheRealStringerBell 22h ago

I'll go against the grain here and say for my org you would automatically have your salary adjusted for the cost of living. Although in reality the small increase you get wont cover the added costs.

I would simply ask if there is a standard cost of living adjustment. If not, I would tend to agree with the sentiment in this thread that there is unlikely to be one.

1

u/Cactusbrandy_ 18h ago

I have heard this is a thing in some companies. I’ll ask this question and seek clarity - it’s a good call. Thanks

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u/suburban_necropolis 21h ago

I'd put it back on them initially and ask them how relocations work at your company. Hopefully they can provide some insight on what this looks like. They should be covering relocation costs if they want you in Sydney anyway.

Cost of living is higher and it would be unreasonable for them to not acknowledge this, however it doesn't mean you'll get a pay bump right away. Will moving to Sydney require any changes to your role or responsibilities? How long has it been since your last pay rise? If it's been a while and they want you there, then I'd absolutely broach the subject. See what they can tell you before you name a figure though.

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u/Cactusbrandy_ 18h ago

Thanks. This is good advice. And some good questions to put some thought into. Appreciate the reply.

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u/suburban_necropolis 18h ago

Good luck!! You got this.

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u/chillin222 22h ago

Unfortunately it doesn't work like this.

We have many star performers in Brisbane. The implied message is simply that to progress their careers they'll need to move - at their cost. It sucks, but that's the reality.

Otherwise, they're free to remain at their current level in Brisbane while the organisation continues to see value in having an outpost office there.

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u/MasterMuay_ 22h ago

How does one "progress their careers" at their own cost? That doesn't sound like progression to me..

-1

u/chillin222 22h ago

It means they can move, then put themselves forward for a promotion or wider area of responsibility, which could lead to a pay rise - while if they stay, they are accepting they will not get either.

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u/Cactusbrandy_ 18h ago

I understand my progress is my problem. I’m hoping that the team I work with place a bit of value on the tenure and knowledge I bring to the role and the fact that if I can’t afford to relocate, I’ll probably have to think about moving to a different company with progression opportunities here in Brisbane - Which is option B

In addition I’d bring a lot of value to the company being in Sydney with everyone else in head office. The only reason I’m in this role from Brisbane is a series of internal movements and restructuring that evolved my role to what it is now. If they were hiring someone new I’m fairly confident they’d want someone in Sydney- which will come at a cost too.