rammygirl

For citizenship you must also have been PR for one year so it will be more than 4 years for you depending how long the PR process takes. There are also other rules in the link I posted. We didn’t come on a 491 so I can’t really give insight for that one.

Exactly I really don’t mind paying a bit extra for local convenience and to support local, but when they charge SO much more for exactly the same thing…………….then are happy to lower the price if challenged it makes me mad.

Or you can “self insure” we made the decision not to pay monthly for private health care but to have a slush fund to use where Medicare could not offer what we needed. We did the same in the UK. It can be a gamble but we are many thousands up on the deal so far. Even Medicare isn’t totally free so you may pay a gap fee to see a gp. You can and should shop around for treatment and prescriptions though, never be afraid to ask how much. Also your gp may well automatically refer you to a private clinic but you can ask for public and discuss costs. Chemist Warehouse is a big pharmacy chain that is cheaper for most prescriptions, there isn’t one near us but local chemists will price match - but only if you ask! It can make quite a difference. My neighbour was paying $35 for her regular prescription and now pays $19 it all adds up, she was embarrassed to ask so I went with her. Honestly it really annoys me as the people who need the cheaper prices simply do not realise or are afraid to question.

Have you taken any independent advice re visas? Are you sure you can’t apply for PR now, either independently on a skilled visa or a direct entry employer sponsored visa?

Unless things have changed you had to prove ownership and use (or at least access to the car) at the time of application for the import.

Maybe when you have been here longer and can show the regular income in dollars they will reconsider. Or simply shop around …..

Yes 12 months from grant.

Start here. https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/citizenship/become-a-citizen yes you can keep your Uk citizenship but once you are an Australian citizen you must use an Australian passport to leave and enter Australia. The hardest bit is filling in the application form (no surprise there) the test isn’t difficult and if you revise the document recommended on the. Gov website you will be fine. The interview is more like a chat to verify your identity. First step is to identify if you are eligible.

If you meet. The qualifications for an independent visa you could apply now. Otherwise can your employer offer PR straight away (again if you qualify and they are willing). As Paul says getting independent advice could be key as you have no time to waste. There are a few visas you could look at but you may not qualify for all of them. Why not contact Paul who posted above he is a reputable agent after all!

You can check in VEVO it should say it is activated. But as above really.

Do check the recent rule changes to commence 1st March I think. Places in quarantine are limited so you do need to book ahead.

Only if it is applied as a specific condition. It used to be common but doesn’t seem to be now. It was clear on our visa that the main applicant should arrive first with a condition number and everything.

Look at your visa grant notice. If no condition about who must arrive first is stated then it doesn’t matter.

But the op said the police check came back with no trace so maybe it wasn’t an official caution. If they mentioned it on their application then they could be asked for more info but …..

They are good these days. To be honest it can depend on the actual plane and the crew as much as the airline. We had a ratty old plane and grumpy crew on Singapore and a brand new plane and a great crew with Qatar recently. I know which I preferred. Also airlines fit out planes to different specifications so the same plane May give you more legroom and better toilets with some airlines. We always fly economy, preferring to spend on accommodation on holiday so I can’t comment on business or first class!

We are in Adelaide Hills. All electric no gas. Annual bill less than $1000. Yes we have solar….. an investment worth doing (pay back three years ) and even with lower feed in tariffs and price hikes still makes a huge difference. £350 a month is a lot, although I guess will reduce in the summer. Depending where you are heating or cooling year round here. Good insulation helps and many houses here simply do not have it, single glazed and basic roof and wall insulation is the norm. Standards for new builds have improved and if you build yourself you can upgrade.

Seven seas do both boxes and a small move cube. They are good although the website was confusing when we used them a quick phone call sorted it all out. I think that is what was referred to earlier by Quoll.

Depends what your contribution has been so far. You can check on the state pension website.

There are other possibilities other than the $100k plus visas. There is a five year visa and an onshore visa depending on ages of parents and other things. That is what an agent could take you through. As you say though bringing parents over isn’t cheap or simple, even if you pass the balance of family test to start with. Longer term visit visas are available, I do know some spend every Uk winter in Australia either in a granny flat or holiday home.

Not so much just looking at the fees an agent can help you understand the various pathways available and help you to identify which suits your situation the best. $300 is cheap really since the whole application will cost well over $100k (for the contributory visa) plus a bond paid by your sponsor. Timelines are also variable and the gov website is less than transparent here. Applications made now would take 10 plus years before grant.

And keep the info it comes in handy when completing the citizenship forms down the line.

The 25% will be taxed but with my recent lump sum (from local gov pension) only the growth from when I became an Aus resident was taxed. So not the full amount. I obtained a valuation from the pension on that date. Not sure if this will be the case for you. The remaining payments were taxed at source until my UK tax code was changed. I had to fill in a form and return it to the ATO who then sent it to HMRC who told the pension company not to tax at source. This took some time! I lodged a UK return to claim the tax paid to HMRC. I did use an accountant (qualified in UK and Aus )who advised me though.

I am no expert but with provisional visas the medical taken is as it would be for a PR visa and another one isn’t required. But an agent would be able to clarify this.

Also you don’t have to go too far inland from the Gold Coast to find a much more country vibe. A neighbour of ours moved inland from the GC and loves it. After living in the Adelaide Hills for decades he wasn’t sure but he says it has all the pros and none of the cons (mainly weather!)

Also carry the old passport as well just in case……..