Cliffy43

I phone european and uk relatives constantly, on Skype mainly, but Messenger and voip landline with your internet company and most times it costs nothing. Can do it from mobile, tablet or even landline.

Make sure you have 100 point id check and sufficient proof of employment/income before you approach the financial institution, otherwise you could apply for a debit card to use.

It is possible you signed to be treated as a private patient in a public hospital. Maybe go back to the hospital and ask why they have billed you, that will give you a starting point to appeal.

Have you already consulted a Registered Migration Agent for help?

It's payable for so many weeks at the full rate, excluding some allowances, that you would be entitled to in Aus, but then drops to a figure calculated by the no. of years you have been here up to age 65 over 35 years, in my case 33/35 years × full rate. Can't remember how long before it reduced, but they told me in a letter when i notified them i was going. If you qualified for a small uk pension you can apply for a higher rate while you are in UK or Europe.

I hear of more tenants offering over the going rate, or paying up to 6 months in advance than negotiating down. There is always a shortage of good quality rentals and there seem to be many people keen to rent, but it does depend where you want to be. If you are further away from the city it may work.

Sorry, so the op is asking whether International fees are payable, I misunderstood that.

School fees are payable in all states, regardless of age. http://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/parents/financial/Pages/parentpaymentfaqs.aspx With some visas full international fees are payable, not sure which ones they are.

My relatives have a codicil in their will which states explicitly what they wish to happen to their children if that happens. It is important where more than one country is involved.

I used to order lots when I could use the Uk site, but since they have opened the Au site I find the prices especially for childrens clothes, not good value and can't be bothered.

I am not sure you have a complete understanding of how medicare works. Briefly Private health insurance is a supplement which gives you a choice of being treated at a time, place and by whom you choose, if you need hospitalisation or surgery. Medicare covers visits ti doctors, some specialists, some medications and procedures at public hospitals. You cannot choose where or when you are seen or admitted and sometimes may wait years. For that reason you cannot compare them financially. It is not comparing like with like.

Medicare does not cover dental, nor does it cover optical except for eye examination. If any Uk passport holder has need of emergency care they will be covered by medicare in a public hospital under a reciprocal agreement. This does not apply to EU passport holder. You will need medical insurance to cover all your medical needs including prescriptions.

Several years ago I had a parcel returned to the PO that I used before it ever got through Customs. It was because there were contents in the parcel that I had not included on the description. I had to go to the PO, collect it, itemise the contents in a list I attached to the parcel and reposted it. No further charge, but such a lot of bother for a few items. They had obviously xrayed it and found undeclared items. When I spoke to Customs about it, they advised we should include everything on the declaration and they will decide whether it goes forward or not. Now I send less and less.

Surely one of the main points when making any large purchase is the validity of the warranty. It would be difficult to operate a Worldwide guarantee, even on small appliances. Also, new items shipped into Australia would generally be subject to local taxes. I also endorse AOL and they will price match with any retailer Australia wide. We had a great deal on a fridge a little while ago.

You definitely need ambulance cover, but that can be provided by the service provider, you don't have to join a fund. We have complete cover for all calls with SA Ambulance; some health cover provides cover for only emergency calls. The fee is generally around that quoted to you. My husband was referred for a cataract operation within the public system in Jan last year and it was done in March. I have several friends who have had similar wait times, through the Repat Hospital in SA. Perhaps you could ask for a referral to a public hospital with lesser wait times. Cataract surgery here is day surgery and often not rebateable. You can get insurance through not for profit funds, like HCF, which cover you for certain chosen services, and you can elect not to be covered for some, like obstetrics, that you will not need.