crispysince70

Just spent the last hour in Bupa trying to sort out private health cover for mum, who is living here on a bridging visa whilst waiting for her 804 to process. Basically the only cover they provide is the visitor insurance, however, this is only applicable to under 70’s. ( she’s 72 ) Her worry now is, as she hasn’t been back to the Uk in years, and her Medicare card ( yellow ) runs out next year, what happens when the reciprocal cover runs out? Our understanding of the reciprocal cover, is that you need to be residents of the Uk for at least 6 months to qualify for this. So, does this mean that she will have to live back in the UK for 6 months?

Thanks Marisawright I also thought that they must be wrong regarding the EHIC card, but the lady down there was quite insistent about it, so this link is great! So, regarding the knee op, do you think that she should ring the lady from the hospital back, and explain that she is on a bridging visa, and therefore was under the impression that she would not be able to receive treatment in a private hospital, only a public hospital? Not sure where to go regarding this, as maybe it is dependent upon circumstance? We are in Tassie btw, where the hospital system is under serious pressure at the moment, and all necessary surgeries are going down this route ( from what i understand ) Thanks

Hi I recently headed down to centrelink with my mother to re-new her medicare card that had expired. ( mum lives here on a bridging visa whilst waiting for an 804 aged parent visa ) So, she was told that she needed a EHIC card in order to renew the medicare card as it has been more than 5 years since she moved her from the UK and also, that she is not to be treated in a private hospital. However, when looking to get another EIHIC card the requirement is that you are resident in the Uk to receive it. Just to confuse things further, when she got home, she had a call from the hospital telling her that the knee operation that she needs has been outsoursed to a private hospital and will be getting a date shortly for surgery. Ok, so through previous experience with centerlink, I know that sometimes they don't get it right. Does anyone have experience of this problem?

I have less teeth than i used to have. Luckily they are at the back. chris x

Have a look on poms in adeleide. There is a sticky thread that gives you lots of information on this subject. chris x

Definatley best to do without in the UK. We still spent about 4 weeks without anything and that was too long, still ended up having to buy a load of stuff cos we had rented out an unfurnished property, and had allready moved in. good luck with the move x

Hiya Tastastic Yes it's child freindly, we are taking along two of ours. Hopefully there will be a bit of entertainment on, it's usually a live band, so we could sit outside in the beer garden. Wendy Parfitt will also be there, and some more freinds, so if you could make it, that would be great, it will be so good to meet up at last Chris x

That's a shame, maybe next time? chris x

Hi all There is going to be another meet up on Sunday 5th of April 1pm at The Longley International,( @longley! ) if anyone's interested, at 1pm. Would be great to meet freinds old and new! Chris x

How far off your move is it now? It must be pretty close! don't forget if we can help in any way, just get in touch. chris x

Hi Wow! 2 months will fly by! We made the move just over 3 years ago now, and can honestly say we've never had a moments regret. i'm so pleased that we chose this as our new home as it suits us perfectly, the weather, the people, the pure beauty of the place...i could go on, lol we have some freinds whos kids go to Taroona high school, and they have nothing but poitive things to say about it, and what a novelty, having your school right on the beach! Our eldest went to Kingston high school, and we found it a great school also. hope the anticipation of the move isn't killing you too much! chris x

Hi Tastastic when's the big move happening? it's such an exciting time isn!t it? Was just bringing back a few memories of when we made the move. Chris x

Hi wendy, We'll be there!! chris x

Was just saying at work today that it's a bit different from the uk, where every man and his dog has a bit of a patriotic moment when the world cup is on, wheras here, not even an aussie flag in sight, and on doing an interrogation with my customers today, nobody seems even interested in watching it! chris x

Hi julie, its just a spur of the moment thing really, i'm sure there will be another one coming up shortly, will give a couple of weeks notice on here, and hopefully you might spot it ) chris x

I had a barbers shop in the Uk and now also own one here. No business qualifications needed other than the trade qualification. Chris x

Hi Having run my own business in both the Uk and in Aus, I've found that once bitten with the working for yourself bug, it's pretty difficult to get rid of it. I've found, once you get your head around how things are done over here, the actual keeping up with the bookwork is easier, as you are forced to do it quarterly ( as opposed to yearly ) but employing people is much more costly and certainly not as straight forward as the Uk. Pros are nobody bossing you around. More money. A certain satisfaction of being able to not only support your only family, but also your employees familys. Cons are for me, at the moment, no holidays. No holidays. I want a holiday. Please, please I just want a holiday. Ok, I'll settle for a day off. Chris x

Will jump out and grab you on the way there Wend xx Chris x

From what i can gather, you are 'selling ' your positions to your employees by including the super in their total wage. This gives a false impression of their true wage by inflating it by 9.25%. i could do that too, but i wouldn't like to mislead anyone. Chris x

I give in. chis x

What hapoens is, i increase the prices to my customers. Which in turn, increases the profits of my business, which then enables me to pay the extra super that i am required to pay. Alongside this extra cost, the award rate for my employees will also increase, so that will also come from the increased profits. i have to accept that the same as i have to accept paying public holidays. It's just a part of employing someone. Chris x

I'm sure you employee 100 employees out of you're own pocket. Not. If you did you wouldn't spout such nonsense. Chris x

The cost of my employees super comes out of MY pocket. As an extra. On top of any wage i HAVE to pay. NOT taken out of THEIR wages. It is a cost to MY business for employing someone. I certainly am NOT taking it out of their wages. Chris x

don't worry, i'll have a little drink or two especially for you.x chris x

Obviously you've never employed anyone, as the super most definatley does NOT come from the employee, it comes directly from the employer, as i know to my weekly cost. chris x