These days I design DR solutions, project manage their implementation, testing and documentation – end to end, concept to hand over to support.

I’m currently doing this as a contractor in the UK, defining standards for Global Operations, Global IT infrastructure designs, Database standards, DR Testing standards and implementing DR as a BAU process by improving Global IT project management processes. But it’s not just “thou shalt do”, I also have to demonstrate that it works by managing the DR component of every new and major change project for this major gas/oil company in exploration and production and gas markets and trading. I verify the solution designs and manage the pre-go live DR tests.

This is not only well within my skill-set, I’ve also been appointed as “Technical Liason” to the team charged with a datacentre migration, to ensure DR capability is built into the new DC.

I’ve now been asked by my boss to apply for a role in Australia as their only DR consultant. There’s a huge IT development in progress to support a huge multi-billion investment in the business there.

If I’m lucky, I may get the chance to negotiate a new day rate but I know the cost of living there is different to the UK. What do you think I should ask for before I accept?

Cheers
Vitch

I’m coming from the UK where the contract rates are a lot, lot higher than perm jobs. EG: a senior developer could earn 45k a year in a perm position, or that same person could be getting 400-500 a day (92k -> 115k). Similarly a top notch project manager might get 100 – 150k a year, or on a contract 650 – 800 a day (150 -> 194). I’ve asked many people why the exact reason the difference is so high, but it seems like ‘that’s the way it is’ over here (yep, if you get a contract, you can make quite a bit in London).

I’m coming back to Australia now, and was wondering if the situation is similar… do you have any resources which might be able to help me out?

Thanks!

I am trying to highlight the fact that $60 per hour can seem like a lot of money per hour, when in fact it isn’t really when compared to a full time salary that also has other benefits associated with it.