ramot

Like Rupert I don't understand your problem. We are the reverse of you, we retired to Oz as self funded retirees. In our case even though we live in Oz, we are only taxed once due to the double tax laws? We are taxed at source in UK as all our income comes from there, and it is to our benefit, sorry I'm no expert only quoting our circumstances, so if this works in reverse? Would you not just be taxed in Oz? Why not contact Allen Collet at Go Matilda as he is very knowledgable on tax problems. are you UK citizens? Because that would make a difference as to whether you are eligible to the NHS, but might have to pass the test to prove you have cut all your ties to Oz. if you explain a bit more some one might be able to help.

Interesting thread. I have moved all my life, father in army, lived in Germany as a child, and have moved constantly since, my wander lust and then husbands occupation. I have lived in 5 different countries even going to Africa on my own in the 1960's, and have no real loyalty to anywhere, but can make anywhere home because I have had to. have moved our 3 children around, and they don't hopefully appear to have suffered. the oldest has stayed in UK and quite content, middle one has moved to OZ to join us from UK, he prefers the climate etc here, having spent lots of time with us in Asia, our youngest has wander lust like me, lived in Mexico and Africa and now here, hope for ever, but that's a mum talking, but all 3 have had the most amazing experiences due to moving around with us. so same background, but all made their own decisions. My oldest prefers to keep in touch with ex uni friends, middle one makes friends where ever he lives, and daughter has friends all over the world from her travels. There are no rights or wrongs, we have all lived different lives, and never know where we might end up, just try to be happy and make the most of where ever we are at each stage of our lives.

Sorry I don't know anything about the contributory parent visa as we don't qualify for one, I am only an ordinary poster. Hope you find out and good luck

I am no financial expert, but the other consideration for us to possibly not apply for the parent visa when and if this is a possibility, is that to pay out approximately $100.000 out of our savings, depending on individual circumstances would leave a big hole in our finances, and we would to prefer to pay for medical cover over the years, and keep the security of savings, and to spend it on having a good time!! it costs very little to renew the 410 visa, and it's valid for 10 years from renewal, and as far as I know unless you have a contagious disease, eg. TB, renewal is almost automatic, several people we know on this visa do have serious health conditions, but have had no problems renewing. good luck to your parents with their decision, and I do understand that the security of feeling more permanent here is important.

When my oldest was about to go to university, his head master gave all the parents some advice. he said don't worry if your son doesn't know what he wants to do after university. It was an all boys school. only 10% know what they want to do after university and while there 9 out 10 change their minds!!!!

We are also on the 410 visa since 2003. At the moment we wouldn't be eligible to change to a parent visa, but not sure that we would if and when that might change. When we balance up the $43000 ? charge for each of us + other charges? That's an awful lot money balanced against what we pay for medical insurance and what we might we could gain from having Medicare. it's a personal decision and depends perhaps on your age. Might make a different decision when there Is sadly only one of us left, sorry that sounds a bit morbid, but it might change the decision. We feel quite safe on this visa and know many others on it, some for over 20 years. Obviously we have to have medical insurance, but I have had a few problems over the last couple of years, and not really very out of pocket. Also most of our Australian friends and friends who now have citizenship all have medical insurance, so it is possible that you might still decide that you need medical insurance, so still paying out quite a lot. sorry don't know much about your visa options question, I'll leave that to posters who know more, or perhaps you could have a preliminary chat with an agent.

My daughter also is epileptic. She is an amazing daughter who has been epileptic since age 8 and is now 33, she has never let it stop her living life to the full. Luckily mostly controlled, but had a bad one last week, thought she might have spinal damage from the fall but luckily ok. Cracked ribs, possible broken nose and a very bad burn as she had just taken food out of the microwave. Dreading the cost of the ambulance as we didn't know she hadn't taken out ambulance cover!! Will just have to pay up, but can't fault the medical care she had, saw her specialist within 2 days and a plastic surgeon as well for the burn. I was on the telephone for 20 minutes, keeping her calm before her partner got home and called the ambulance, it's a mean medical condition and unfortuneately she gets no warning. do hope that your son can get his under control, it makes such a difference to their lives. Sorry if I have gone on, but I know you will understand how I am feeling at the moment.

I'm not comparing, but just want to say what has happened to my daughter over the last 2 days. she lives in Sydney, and is epileptic. Tuesday she had a bad fit, fell at home, pssible broken nose, cracked ribs, and possible damage to her spine. On top of this she had just taken hot food out of the microwave, and has a severe burn, now an enormous blister, has to be seen to be believed. Obviously it had been treated before she came home, ambulance came very quickly, para medics excellent. Hospital treatment excellent, scans on her spine, EEG, kept in over night, and luckily her spine seems ok. What a relief. wed. Home. Today saw her epilepsy specialist, he is very worried about obviously every thing, but especially her burn. So she has an appointment tomorrow morning at 7.30 to see a plastic surgeon at E&R. I can't fault her treatment. Her epilepsy specialist cost $200 medicare rebate $120. So $80 cost to us, but for her to be seen so quickly is worth every $. obviously we don't know how much else we will be charged and we are lucky we can afford it, but the speed of her treatment is fantastic, and the care shown by every one. just so relieved that things aren't as bad as first thought. I'm not saying her treatment wouldn't have been as good in the UK, PS we live in QLD and have no complaints there either. Sorry just wanted to add that we are very grateful for her care at a worrying time I meant A&E tomorrow, think my stress level was a bit high when I typed E&R!!!!

Probably won't make you feel any better, but when my family member needed to take the test, there was nothing available anywhere in Oz for 3 months, yes it was awhile ago, so as time was short, had to go to the expense of flying to NZ. Flew in tookthe speaking part that afternoon then the rest the next day andthen flew straight back afterwards, so he certainly wouldn't have complained about a bit of a wait balanced against the cost that he had. hope the rest of the process goes smoothly, but for some of us that would qualify as a very minor irritation, when it took 3/12 years to get PR because of all the retrospective changes made a few years ago that affected thousands who had already lodged and paid for valid visa applications and had to put their lives on hold. you are lucky that the system is easier than it was a few years ago. hope he gets a good result.

We have a south facing back garden, and live next to a lake on the Sunshine Coast QLD. Mostly the neighbours on the opposite side are never seen in the garden/pool during the day in summer. It's just too hot especially with the reflection off the water, whereas we have shade our side and it's noticeably cooler. However!!! Our back garden feels at least 10' colder in winter in comparison to the front north facing garden, and the main living area is at the back and can feel very cold, especially in the evening, but as winter doesn't last much more than 6 weeks'sh, a south facing garden means we spend lots of time comfortably outside. It will depend probably on where you want to settle, but a large covered outside sitting entertainment area is a real bonus in QLD, and most take full advantage of the climate that way.

So I went to the Dr. On Monday, was feeling well, only went to get a letter for a check up! Was suggested that due to my age I should have a flu and pneumonia inoculation, as have ever had either before. Have been so sick for 5 days now!!! My arm red and very inflamed, could not move it all as was in so much pain, and I'm no whimp. Totally nauseous. Back to the Dr, wed, apparently unusual reaction, not sure which jab caused it. Slightly better today, but no way right yet, on pain killers and anti inflamateries. can't believe I was well when I went on Monday and so sick since. Not sure I will have either jab again. sorry if I have put any one off, but I am feeling very sorry for myself.

I forget what was this post was originally about??? hijacked as usual! Posted as above poster was posting

I'm out of touch as I haven't visited for a couple of years, but if you have to pass several hours at the airport, then it's worth taking a trip to see the water village and get an idea of another way of life, if it's still available, and or a trip up the river to see the proboscis monkeys. Brunei is a very different country to westeners, and it can be well worth a quick visit, but as far as I know they have sadly introduced Sharia Law recently, and I'm not sure about that, I think things are changing since I lived there.

My husband flew for them for 9 years, and they were fine. We left 11 years ago, but still know quite a few flight deck, and the ones we know are very professional. friends fly with them regularly, as they buy a return from UK every year as it's cheaper, and say based on their experience of having flown with them for over 20 years, as they lived in Brunei before moving to Oz, they are fine. they don't serve alcohol on board, but you can take your own on board and drink it.

I am also frisked almost every flight, they even pick on me at Maroochydore. I obviously fit a profile!! Little old grey haired granny! Not funny when I used to fly as a passenger a minimum of 6 long haul flights a year, at least it's only an average of 2 long haul these days + the odd domestic flight. I do have a theory, but best not post it on an open forum. the worst was flying from Heathrow a couple of years ago. I had had a bad fall, broken my shoulder and arm in 3 places. first I was body frisked, then had the wand passed round me, and both times the security female did her best to make me raise my arm, and pushed the wand under my shoulder, it was impossible for me to raise my arm, I was ina lot of pain.Then the next security man decided I needed a whole body scan, and again they tried to insist I raised my arms. It was just cruel/sadistic. I am a very experienced traveler, but I was seriously distressed by my treatment, but you know if you refuse they can refuse to let you fly. we were traveling back to Oz via Dubai, and I can assure you there were plenty of other passengers who might have fitted a suspicious profile more than me!!!!

Sadly I know you are right.

I feel for everyone potentially affected by this. I think you have flown as your career? both my husband and I have worked for airlines, me as a hostess and husband a pilot in the RAF before commercial. We have both lost several friends over the years in aircraft accidents, and words can't adequately express the shock and sadness. i wouldn't presume to venture an opinion on what might have happened, there are experts for that, but a small part of me clings to a bit of hope, until proved otherwise.

Would like you to give a few examples of the jokes against Tony Abbott please. I am posting this as neutral, but I watch Al jazeera news, BBC and Sky news, read UK papers and Oz on line. Honestly don't know what you are quoting, as on the whole the rest of the world shows very little interest in oz politics, although I do remember the odd comment about Julia Gillard, but that if I remember was in response to her misogyny speach/rant, and some were supportive, and yes I am female, so not a biased male. Sorry was too long ago to prove, but i think when making sweeping derogative statements, it would help if posters included a few facts irrespective of your personal political views. Most people take most of the news with a pinch of salt, but hope there is a glimmer of truth in some of it.

I don't know where you live on the Sunshine Coast, but I have been here 11 years, and unless my usual Dr is away I have never had a problem, and I wouldn't have a problem seeing another Dr in the practice if it was urgent, as all my records are there. also there are 2, 7 day Dr's surgeries locally, to access a Dr at weekends, if close to Maroochydore or Kawana. Luckily I can't fault the medical system here so far. I even for the first time in my life had to call a Dr out in the middle of the night last year for me, and again have no complaints about the system. I think you were unlucky and hope it was a one off.

Just In case no one else has picked up your lovely news, congratulations.

I don't know how old you are, but as an older member, who lived in Germany after the war, how dare you call them concentration camps!!!!!

I'm with you, but I was going to say wimps. I moved to Borneo when I was 50. If the temperature got as low as 27 we would put a jacket on. Only had air con in the bedroom. Certainly didn't hide away in a darkened room. I played badminton in a large airy non air conditioned hall in the daytime, but didn't play tennis outdoors until the late afternoon. lots of people were keen cyclists, but again went out early or late afternoon, and we walked on the beach again late afternoon, after a swim. you have to adjust to your living conditions, and we all lived life to the full. Obviously some people find either the hot or cold difficult to deal with, but it's the "I find OZ too hot posters", that surprise me didn't they do their home work before they emigrated here. I love the climate on the Sunshine Coast and after 9 hot sticky years in Brunei and 11 years here it seems perfect for most of the year. Almost every country has approx 3 months of unpleasant weather, too hot, too cold, too wet etc. it's the other 9 months that should tip the scales. keep cool or warm, whatever suits you, but please stop moaning about the weather.

Got to love the UK weather. We took our son to hospital to have his tonsils out on the first Monday in June 1975, and there was snow on the ground. Bought him home on the Friday in a heat wave. As for spring, went back last year for the coldest March in 50 years. We froze, and April wasn't much better. Don't think you can rely on any of the seasons, just take it as it comes.

I can only tell you what happened in my daughter's case, which although similar wasn't necessarily the same, and I am no expert. she was on a WHV then 457 and met her partner while on WHV. She left her 457 job, but lodged her partner visa before her notice expired on her 457. She had bridging visa A theoretically given, but as her 457 had almost 3 years still to run, it wouldn't kick in until 3 years later. she/employer had to cancel the 457, but although this is difficult to understand it was still valid until it ceased 3 years later. So she then went on bridging visa E, no work rights and could not return to OZ if she left the country. She and her partner pleaded and had to prove hard ship and the work restrictions were lifted some time later. Every thing took a while as she was waiting on police clearance from Mexico which took a long time, but every thing apart from that had been front loaded, and shortly after that came through her 820 was granted. Probably took about 9 months, but her work restrictions were lifted sooner than that. good luck

Please don't think I am not completely sympathetic, and if you work for the national carrier you probably rightly think you have job security, but airlines have to be competitive, and I have seen so many airlines go under since I worked for independant airlines in UK in the 60's and know the heartbreak of your airline going under, then moving to another and it happening all over again not much later. Then had the same happen over the years till my husband retired 11 years ago. Have had to cope with move base or loose your job, and face loosing seniority with change of base as well. It's like others I'm sure a hard competitive industry, and seems very hard for airlines all over the world to be cost effective without either cheap labour, government support or who knows what. I really feel for everyone facing redundancy, been there more than once and it forced us to move over seas, but we were lucky that there was a job to go to, but not all the job skills have that option.