Emmigrating with a disabled child

[riggers]

Hi
we have been advised by an agent that we are likely to get turned down for a visa because our 3 year old son is disabled. He has global developmental delay and autism. He cannot walk or talk yet but is on his way to learning to walk. He is not on any medication and has no need of medical help apart from speech therapy and physiotherapy which we provide. He does have a statement for educaional needs. Just wondering if anyone else has been in similar situation and have you any advice?
Riggers

[_shel]

I'm afraid the agent was right. It is most difficult for people with disabilities to migrate to australia. The Australian Governement weighs up the costs to them and the tax payer with things such as in school support, welfare benefits, medical care and social care. They also look at if children with disabilities are likely to be able to live independently as adults. If the cost is too high the visa is rejected.

From the few cases I have seen on the immigration boards from the thousands which must get dealt with every day the child had a learning disability, including autisim.

[jsnowling]

I would most certainly get the help/advise of a specialist migration expert on this. George Lombard has been a big influence to a lot of people on this site and is a specialist in medical areas. Good luck
julie

[UFO]

Hi
we have been advised by an agent that we are likely to get turned down for a visa because our 3 year old son is disabled. He has global developmental delay and autism. He cannot walk or talk yet but is on his way to learning to walk. He is not on any medication and has no need of medical help apart from speech therapy and physiotherapy which we provide. He does have a statement for educaional needs. Just wondering if anyone else has been in similar situation and have you any advice?
Riggers

You need to speak to agent which has works with cases like yours . The best well known agent outside of the forumns is a guy name peter pollack( need to check the lasst name). He is well known in Australia for handling medical mirgration cases, and he offers inial email question.

[wrussell]

You need to speak to agent which has works with cases like yours . The best well known agent outside of the forumns is a guy name peter pollack( need to check the lasst name). He is well known in Australia for handling medical mirgration cases, and he offers inial email question.

Perhaps Peter Bollard?

In any case get the medical assessment out of the way before spending money on anything else.

[Quoll]

Yes definitely either George Lombard or Peter Bollard.

It doesnt look really positive from here to be honest but they have medical specialists on board who would give you an objective assessment. There is a kind of catch 22 - if you are eligible for a visa then chances are the child would not meet the disability criteria for support in schools.

Some people have also thought they could get around the system by coming on a temporary visa (457) which has less stringent medical criteria only to find themselves on their way home when they applied for permanent residence - DIAC isnt really swayed by the argument that a kid has settled in so well and you still have to tick all the same medical boxes as if you were applying for PR in the first place.

[guest17520]

Some people have also thought they could get around the system by coming on a temporary visa (457) which has less stringent medical criteria only to find themselves on their way home when they applied for permanent residence - DIAC isnt really swayed by the argument that a kid has settled in so well and you still have to tick all the same medical boxes as if you were applying for PR in the first place.

If you apply for an ENS 856 visa after your 457 then in some cases they will allow a health waiver, which I am led to believe is very rare. I'm actually applying for a health waiver for myself. In any case I would do what others have said and get advice from George Lombard or Peter Bollard and see what they have to say about your chances of migration are.

Good luck and keep us informed.

[riggers]

Thanks everybody--that has been very useful. Not giving up yet!
Riggers