A British backpacker has been left stunned by her earnings as a casual supermarket worker in remote WA compared to her earnings in the UK.
29-year-old Lauren from Liverpool quit her job as a support worker earlier this year and flew to the other side of the world to explore Australia. She secured a job stacking shelves at IGA in Derby in May, according to Daily Mail.
The young Brit posted a video on TikTok that quickly went viral — breaking down her pay packet from the popular Aussie supermarket, explaining that she earns much more than when she was working gruelling 60-hour weeks in the UK.
“My wages in Australia compared to my wages at home need to be spoken about,” she said in the video.
She explained that she earned £12.50 (around $23) an hour as a support worker in England, working 60 hours a week including bank holidays and public holidays, and brought home about £2,500 per month (around $4700).
In Australia, the minimum rate of pay for stacking shelves at IGA on weekdays is $34 an hour and those rates are even higher on evenings and weekends.
“After 6pm, Monday to Friday, and on Saturdays, my rate of pay is $38 an hour, which is the equivalent to about £19.
Camera IconThe British backpacker has explored various places in Australia, including Melbourne, Cairns and Broome. Credit: @laurensadventures/TikTok
“And on public holidays, my rate of pay is $64 an hour, which is equivalent to about £30 an hour.
“I just cannot believe the difference in wages. It’s just insane” she said in the video.
She explained that she will be earning more in a supermarket doing 40 hours a week than she did as a support worker working 60 hour weeks.
The 29-year-old is aware that there is a higher cost of living in Australia but she still feels like she is better off overall.
“I know accommodation can be expensive here, and that’s part of why the pay is higher,” she said.
She elaborated that most of the time if you come to Australia as a single person and share with housemates the costs can be reduced, especially in more remote areas like WA’s Kimberly region.
“I’ve decided to experience outback life, so I’ve come to Derby. My accommodation is $165 a week — around £80,” she said.
The video has racked up close to 700,0000 views and was flooded with hundreds of comments from fellow Brits, some of whom agreed with her.
“And this is why everyone is leaving the UK and not only that it’s going to s..t, I’m emigrating in December to Perth and I can’t wait for the better work/life balance,” one person said.
Camera IconThe young Brit has emphasised the other elements of WA she enjoys including sunsets, frozen yogurt and Aboriginal art. Credit: @laurensadventures/TikTok
“Fellow scouser here, how beautiful is Western Australia though 😍 enjoy and get that bank 💰,” a second commented.
“I miss that place, I did the same 20 years ago and I urge you not to come back,” another Brit added.
Others were quick to disagree with her stance.
“Give your head a wobble. The cost of living is double over there that’s why you need more money,” one person said.
“You can’t just compare wages. Brits can travel all over Europe and for a couple hours and for so cheap get a European holiday, would cost Aussie families 30k not to mention the price of housing in Australia,” another replied.