The outlook from my investigation is that if you are earning money here and paying tax under the Australian tax system then your employer must contribute into a fund. This applies if you are an employee. Overall it would be safest to do so since if you don’t and you are supposed to then you may be in trouble however if you don’t have to and you do then you can redeem once you leave the country. Finally, if you are self employed or are contracting out then you don’t need to make compulsory payments into super – you only need to make payments if you are employed as an employee and not under a self employed situation. I definitely recommend seeking specialist advice in this area to fully confirm your thinking.
Subject: Super Answered by : Brendon Gleeson (WilsonHtm)

Key expenses can be found on the office of state revenue website. They include: Council Rates, Water Rates, Body Corporate fees, property management fees if you do not manage it yourself, and maintenance costs for general upkeep of the property. For the actual purchase, you need to pay legal fees, stamp duty, and mortgage fees.
Subject: Property Answered by : Dr Tony Hayek (Blue Wealth Property)

Yes capital gains tax is payable regardless of whether it is funded through debt or not. The stock buy/sell is completely independent of that. Interest on the margin loan is tax deductible but only against your other income, the interest cannot be used to offset a capital gain. So if you have nothing but capital gains as income you cannot claim a tax deduction on the interest. You need to have other income to claim the interest as a tax deduction.
Subject: Tax Answered by : Brendon Gleeson (Wilson HTM)

For a new trader I would suggest having a broker to help you initially with your trading, the slightly extra cost for brokerage will be more than offset by the better fills they can obtain for you. Options can be a difficult market to trade as you are dealing with a highly leveraged instrument,market makers, strike prices, expiry months, rolls, TMC's, and an error on an options trade can be very costly very quickly. I would also suggest becoming familiar with options market by reading a number of the really helpful articles that can be found on the ASX website (http://www.asx.com.au/products/exchange-traded-options.htm). The Women's Investment Club also has interesting articles and links on its Options page.
Subject: Options Answered by : Simon Bylsma (Bellmont Securities)

Yes, I am happy to address each part of your question separately: 1:Exchange Traded Commodities (ETCs) are traded and settled on regulated stock exchanges, the same as any equity, and can be purchased and held in ordinary brokerage or custodial accounts; 2:Yes; you can buy and sell any number on ASX; 3: Technically ETPMAG (Physical Silver) or ETC for gold (GOLD) are call warrants, which goes back to the rules under which they were originally listed; 4: Quantity and price must be specified, just like trading shares; 5:No. It is not a call. It is just like buying a share. You have an entry price but no time limit; 6: Yes you can, although ETCs are designed to enable investors to gain exposure to commodities without taking physical delivery. However, you can arrange for physical delivery physically backed ETCs. Redeeming for delivery is arranged by contacting ETF Securities. ETFS Australian Metal Securities Limited is the issuer of 5 physically backed precious metal ETCs.
Subject: Precious Metals Answered by : Richard Jones (Kinetic Securities)

I am able to give only a general answer to your query. You should see a financial advisor if you have specific questions about art investments based on your personal situation. I would suggest that you do your homework before you buy investment art. I would suggest journals rather than books. They are usually quarterly editions, sometimes monthly and give a very up-to- the minute analysis of the art market and artists performance. Galleries advertise their upcoming exhibitions in these publications, giving the reader a great catalogue of artworks to peruse and shows they can attend. It's a great starting point for getting your eye-in and working out what styles and genres you like and dislike. You may want to look out for the Australian Art Market Report, Australian ArtCollector, Artist Profile and Australian Art Review. www.artwhatson.com.au It is a great online directory for exhibitions running throughout the country. They have just released a terrific "App" for iphones too.Finally, keep an eye out for free tours and lectures at your localregional and state galleries We at ArtEquity specialise in building portfolios of art for investment purposes. Our website is quite informative website and we also have a comprehensive Guide to Investing in Art which you can request (for free) from our website. We also run regular education seminars in Sydney and other capital cities which cover the how's and why's to investing in art.
Subject: ART Investing Answered by : Sophie Hobbs (Art Equity)

Security refers to equity or debt (Bond) whereas stock (which can be called a security) usually means ownership of equity in a corporation. Shares in a company listed on the ASX are commonly referred to as stock.
Subject: Stocks Answered by : Daniel Moore (Wilson HTM)

There are a number of things to consider and each person's situation is different so I will provide general information here that has not taken into account your personal needs and objective so must not be construed as advice. Please refer to WIC disclaimer before you proceed to read my answer. Firstly in any insurance the most important factor is to make sure you get a good policy (with best definitions). For death cover it is quite straightforward, you die and they pay you out (except for some clauses). For total and permanent disability cover there are two types of definitions-one is any occupation, which means you have to have two doctors saying you cannot work every again (very hard to claim). The other type is own occupation, which means you only have to prove that you can't do your job you are reasonably qualified for (a lot easier!). Inside super, most funds do not provide own occupation options as the fund does not get a tax deduction on it. However there are one or two new super funds on the market that provide the best of both worlds- the best own occupation definition and the ability to pay most of the premiums through your super fund! Income protection- I am not a big fan of doing it through super for four reasons 1. It is normally indemnity cover-which means they will only pay you an average of last two or three years earnings. I prefer policies that have agreed cover based on your current salary. 2. In many cases you can't get cover to age 65 3. The definitions (especially in industry funds can be very poor) e.g. if you are not totally injured after two years they may stop paying you! 4. You cannot get your benefit indexed for inflation I prefer to either use a good quality income protection policy outside super and get 100% tax deduction. If you really can't afford it outside and want to use your super monies- as mentioned above there maybe some policies in the market that solve all of the four issues above.
Subject: Insurance Answered by : Justin Pagotto (Jireh Financial)

Setting financial goals can be done in may ways. This answer describes one general approach to setting your goals. If you are seeking advice or want an answer specific to your personal circumstances, please see a financial planner. STEPS: a.. Firstly, understand what you want to do with your life and career and what is most important to you. Your personal financial goals are only important if they lead to where you want to be b.. Finding what sort of life you want to lead (e.g. travel, independence, education, family etc), will help determine what it will cost and how to arrange your financial affairs (e.g. investment, superannuation, mortgage, personal debt, life insurance and estate planning) so that you can realise the lifestyle you see for you and your family whist providing financial and personal 'peace of mind' c.. To live the life you want, you therefore need to set a strategy or path that deals with all of your financial arrangements so that you have control, independence and the confidence that your getting closer to living the life you envisage d.. The strategy needs to ensure that each ‘piece of the puzzle’ is arranged to work with the other so that you have a comprehensive picture that allows your investments, debt, insurance and wills to ‘marry’ not clash. Equally important is how these are held to minimise tax, provide income flexibility, maximise the protection of your assets and realise your future vision and your family’s e.. The financial goals and the strategy are yours and by understanding and owning the strategy, you have the confidence to know you are on the path to realise your lifestyle ambitions regardless of what you hear and see other people do f.. Control of your future also enables you to share that insight with your family and the generations that follow, creating a family legacy of understanding and confidence We support our clients take greater control of their futures with these steps.
Subject: Financial Goals Answered by : Craig Saalmann (Moorstone)

The answer below is general information only. MINI's trade on market in the same way as equities, 'market makers' also have an obligation to provide a market so at any time the investor will be able to trade out of their position. MINI's will also settle like equities at T + 3 (Trade Date + 3 Working Days).
Subject: Stocks Answered by : William MacDiarmid (Ord Minnett)