Congratulations on your move to Australia. I made the move several years ago. Over time I discovered dozens of legitimate ways to pay thousands of dollars less tax annually. Boosting mine, my partners and our children’s retirement pots simultaneously, even getting large cash refunds every July.

Laterals who have been in Australia for years are still losing too much of their pay and pensions at the detriment of their older selves. ADF consumer advice to new laterals is either not being read or not understood due to its safe nature to comply with government rules. Requiring you to do further laborious research. It cannot be biased to any company that does not have a contract with defence. But I can, and so can the experts I will link you to for advice, products and services. I will give you examples how to apply savings and much more than the ADF consumer advice website provides.

I want you, in your first year to maximise your pay, benefits, tax return and save on essential life costs.

I’m not going to tell you to save every cent, give up barista coffee or buy your clothes from a charity shop. It’s the opposite, educate you on how to reduce your tax burden, reclaim tax on work purchases and use defence discounts to enjoy the nicer things in life. To free up more of ‘your’ money to explore Australia’s parks, beaches, holiday spots and islands, its surrounding countries and set yourself up to be wealthy in your older days at the same time.

Advice is written with a transferring defence member in mind, but it can be applied to all nationalities moving to Australia, civilians, defence partners and dependants. In some cases, links are provided just for dependants/civilians.

Links are to official government or professional pages, there are no misleading links, pop ups or spam ads. Some links are part of an affiliate program and will provide you additional sign-up benefit or freebie as a welcome to country.

Information is correct for the Australian financial year 26-27.

Disclaimer: There is no intent to judge any person’s financial history or future plans. It’s impossible to provide examples for everyone’s nationality, incoming rank, pay group or individual circumstance. Most within the site are aimed at ADF Sergeants and above aged 40 transferring from the UK with dependants.

Subscriptions are required to cover developer, domain and website administration costs. Costs are kept as low as possible; I am not an IT expert capable of making my own website. Site is unlocked for now but will be subscription based from May 26. Subscriptions will be valid from sign up until end of May 27, whereby a new subscription will be required for 27-28 tax year advice. You will save what you pay to subscribe 50 times over.

No financial information or personal details are stored by AOLTFF. Payments are made through a secure third party.

We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work, and we pay our respects to Elders past and present. We recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.