6 month stays, Manly, Northern beaches.

Guys, your help given previously has advised the best way for me to visit for 6 months each year is using the subclass 600 visitor visa, I fail the balance of family test. So, a few questions:

1) is there a reciprocal arrangement between the UK and Oz regarding health care, if so what does it cover and is it generally recommended to obtain additional cover. Advice on what I should get?

2)the plan us to spend the UK winter in Oz so, in terms of the best weather (I know this is difficult) should I go for Nov to April inclusive or Oct to Mar inclusive.

3)I'm guessing leasing a property via a real estate agent whilst based in the UK will present difficulties (inspection, early booking not possible etc) but will be cheaper than a holiday let which could be booked early with no logistical issues but may be quite pricey!

Comments, views and suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

1. Yes there is an agreement i didn't personally bother getting any further cover.

2. Weather is very temperamental, it really depends on where you are travelling too.

3. You need to provide proof of work for most leases, overseas work may not be favorable. Before you can lease you also need to be present to inspect the property by law. Again it depends on the area, tenants are a dime a dozen in Sydney, it will be hard to find a property there whereas other cityies may differ. If you do apply for a rental property it's likely you'll be at the bottom of the list.

Weather, makes no difference. Sydney summers are quite unsettled affairs (as I write this, it is absolutely hurling it down outside) and temperatures can vary from 20C to 40C at any time between, say, October and March with an average over that period in the high 20s. It's cooling down by April so you won't get extreme heat then, but you can get it in spring (we had 41C in early November this year)

Guys, your help given previously has advised the best way for me to visit for 6 months each year is using the subclass 600 visitor visa, I fail the balance of family test. So, a few questions:

1) is there a reciprocal arrangement between the UK and Oz regarding health care, if so what does it cover and is it generally recommended to obtain additional cover. Advice on what I should get?

2)the plan us to spend the UK winter in Oz so, in terms of the best weather (I know this is difficult) should I go for Nov to April inclusive or Oct to Mar inclusive.

3)I'm guessing leasing a property via a real estate agent whilst based in the UK will present difficulties (inspection, early booking not possible etc) but will be cheaper than a holiday let which could be booked early with no logistical issues but may be quite pricey!

 

Comments, views and suggestions much appreciated. Thanks!

The reciprocal agreement won't pay for you to be repatriated if you are badly injured, just for medically essential treatment in Australia. You really should think about travel insurance - we used Go Walkabout for initial cover when we came over on our visa before registering for Medicare, they seem to offer long term cover http://www.go-walkabout.co.uk/

A rental would be extremely difficult to arrange from overseas I would think, can your family find something locally, someone who wants housesitting while they are away abroad, or a personally agreed lease without an agent getting involved? See if you can negotiate a rate for long stay from a holiday let - if they're not constantly cleaning for new arrivals they might be willing to be flexible. Or try AirBNB, see if someone has a granny flat, or if you just want a private room an bathroom as a base as you'll be with your family most of the time.

I hope this helps - good luck!

As others have said, I don't think it's legal in NSW to rent a property to someone who hasn't viewed it - though you can nominate a family member to view it for you.

However that wouldn't solve the problem. Why would any agent rent to you, when they know you'll be leaving at the end of six months? There will be plenty of other applicants who want to rent it as their home, and are likely to stay a lot longer. You'd have to pretend you're moving permanently - but of course you wouldn't be able to go back to that agent the next time!

I'd say holiday accommodation would be horribly expensive as you'll be in Australia over the peak summer holiday season. One solution would be to come off-peak in the Sydney winter instead (which actually is my favourite time of year - mild, bright and sunny, dare I say it like a British summer without the rain!). But of course that would leave you stuck in the UK for the British winter.

House sitting seems to be your best option - I know a couple who do that, but you do need to be prepared to move once or twice during your stay and of course, there will be a garden and/or pets to look after.

We've thought of dividing our time between two countries and wherever you go, finding a temporary 6 month rental is a difficult thing. If you own a big house in the UK, the best solution is to downsize and buy two smaller properties, one in each country.

Thanks all, very helpful. As "Marisawright" mentioned it maybe prudent to purchase a property in Oz so that is my next task, to investigate the possibility. I shall post a new thread and hope to get help with that option but browsing the FIRB website it does not look straightforward!

Thanks all, very helpful. As "Marisawright" mentioned it maybe prudent to purchase a property in Oz so that is my next task, to investigate the possibility. I shall post a new thread and hope to get help with that option but browsing the FIRB website it does not look straightforward!

TBH I have no idea how easy it would be so good luck with that! However I just thought of another reason why renting wouldn't be an option - flats in Sydney are rented UNFURNISHED! How would you furnish it for six months?

Another option would be a caravan park:

http://www.big4.com.au/caravan-parks/nsw/greater-sydney/sydney-lakeside-holiday-park

but again, that's going to be a lot cheaper if you go during the Sydney winter.

If your family has a big backyard, would they have room for a caravan? Or maybe you could build a granny annexe? It's super-easy to get approval for a granny annexe as the govt is encouraging them, if you pick a standard plan from a company that specialises in them, it's just a rubber stamp.