Cerberus1

Hi

As I understand it, you wouldn't qualify for the 155 Resident Return Visa as you wouldn't be able to meet the '2 in 5 years residence requirement'

So you'd have to apply for the 157 Resident Return Visa - which is for people who have 'spent at least one day but less than two years in the past five years in Australia immediately before applying for that visa.

The difference between the visas is the length of the travel facility:

Subclass 155 - up to five years from the date of grant.

Subclass 157 - 3 months from date of grant.

Departing Australia superannuation payment  is only "If you have worked and earned super while visiting Australia on a temporary visa"

https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Super/In-detail/Withdrawing-and-paying-tax/Super-information-for-temporary-residents-departing-Australia/

I believe Mouse was in Australia for 10/11 years, so I don't think this is applicable

Hi Keith, I think you'd always get a better rate using a forex company rather than bank to bank. Just had a very quick look

According to the Westpac site, transferring £200,000 would give you $326,797 AUD

Using a forex company, you'd get around $339,000.  More than $12,000 AUD more

4 minutes ago, calNgary said:

All those people must be from 'Up North' where winters are far from hot and shorts are rarely seen that time of year..lol

Cal x

They're not from Stratford, don't you know the weather's perfect there all year round

There’s lots and lots of threads about this on the forum from members who’ve gone through similar situations. One of the main threads is

If you use the forum’s search facilty and search for ‘Hague Convention’ there’s lots of discussion topics.

The following form https://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/1023.pdf is used to notify the Dept of Immigration that you need to correct an incorrect answer on your visa application. If you're using ImmiAccount, it should be able as an online form.

It seems the NBN is beset by a uniquely Australian problem...Cockatoos are chewing through the NBN cables

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-41857761

Some members were discussing this recently on another thread, but hadn't had much luck. This link was posted which gives an overview of the different lenders positions when it comes to expat mortgages. http://www.international-mortgage-plans.com/a-z-expatriate-mortgages.htm

First time I came to Australia on holiday, I was in bed for about a week with jet lag, think my relatives who I was stopping with were worried they wouldn't get to see me 

Second time in 2006, I was up all night for the first couple of weeks, body clock totally out of step, although I did get to watch every game of the world cup, so it did have its advantages.

I presume your only here on a Working Holiday Visa or something similar? Surely you wouldn't have emigrated to the other side of the world, only to head back after 4 weeks because you needed to have your skills assessed?

It is a different country with its own qualifications, licenses, standards etc, most people are aware they're going to have to go through a skills assessment, RPL, top up course, exams or similar before they can work in many industries in Australia.

England still need to master the art of penalty taking, perhaps they could copy this example..

The World Economic Forum recently released a report about Migration and Cities (and the impact migration has).

Migration Report.pdf

Should more focus be on Regional Skilled Visas rather than general skilled migration, although I guess it's difficult if not impossible to ensure that migrants remain in regional areas.

The ABS recently released the results of its latest 'Average Weekly Earnings Survey'. The results are below.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics' Average Weekly Earnings survey is designed to measure the level of average earnings in Australia at a point in time.

Movements in average weekly earnings can be affected by changes in both the level of earnings per employee and in the composition of the labour force.

Factors which can contribute to compositional change include variations in the proportion of full-time, part-time, casual and junior employees; variations in the occupational distribution within and across industries; and variations in the distribution of employment between industries.

TREND ESTIMATES

In the twelve months to May 2017, Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings increased by 1.8% to $1,543.80.

The Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Total Earnings in May 2017 was $1,608.40, a rise of 2.1% from the same time last year.

PRIVATE AND PUBLIC SECTOR EARNINGS 

In May 2017, the Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was $1,686.00 in the Public sector.

Private sector Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was $1,503.90. 

Looking at Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings for May 2017 in more detail:

the Full-Time Adult Male Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings were $1,784.70 in the Public sector, and $1,607.80 in the Private sector; and

the Full-Time Adult Female Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings were $1,594.50 in the Public sector, and $1,298.00 in the Private sector.

INDUSTRY EARNINGS 

In May 2017, employees in the Mining industry had the highest Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings in Australia at $2,551.10.

The industry with the lowest level of Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was the Accommodation and food services industry ($1,098.50).

STATE AND TERRITORY EARNINGS 

In May 2017, Full-Time Adult Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings was highest for the Australian Capital Territory and Western Australia, $1,774.10, and $1,714.70 respectively.

Source: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6302.0?OpenDocument

The correlation between UK winters and the interest in migration is always interesting. We find this to be the case on the forum as well.

Below is the search traffic on Google from people in the UK searching for 'Moving to Australia'. Winter time and twice as many people in the UK are seemingly researching about moving to Australia / hotter climates. 

According to a recent Australian Population Research Institute survey, three quarters of Australians believe the country doesn't need any more people while 54% want a reduction in the annual migrant intake.

The organisation's researchers, Katharine Betts and Bob Birrell, say the result shows a disconnect between the political elites' commitment to high immigration policies and the concerns of voters.

In their analysis, they said the results are driven by the impact of population growth on people's quality of life.

Australia's population increased by 389,000 people to 24.5 million in the year to March, largely due to the arrival of new immigrants.

Most people who migrate to Australia are skilled workers (68%) and about a third make the move to be with family.

But 74% of those surveyed believe Australia is "already full", with most pointing to roads congestion, hospitals capacity, affordable housing and fewer jobs as evidence.

Mr Birrell said "population pressures" significantly contributed to this result. 

"For most Australian voters, the problems associated with Australia’s very high population growth, which is higher than other developed countries are now starting to bite," he said. 

"We’re seeing that in our survey that most respondents thought that population pressures were adding  to difficulties of urban congestion, housing affordability, job competing and the like. It's hardly surprising that 74% of them would respond by saying Australia doesn’t need more people."

Immigration minister Peter Dutton reacted cautiously to the survey results on Thursday, stating that the government was "always looking at the migration numbers" to get the balance right. 

"In the Labor years the number peaked at about 305,900 in one year which was an enormous number, we've got that number down now below 190,000 and as I say, we’re happy to reassess."

He said new migrants were drawn to the big population centres where pressure on housing and infrastructure was most often felt, however, "In some regional towns they’re crying out for people because they can’t get workers in the meatworks or areas of primary production, tourism, restaurants and so on. So we need to get that balance right."

The institute commissioned the survey from July 31 to August 17 this year, where a random national sample of 2067 voters, drawn from an online panel of 300,000 people, were asked questions about Australia's immigration and population policies.

You can use https://www.det.wa.edu.au/schoolsonline/home.do to help with catchment areas

The 'Search by an address' facility is primarily to help you as a parent find the school where your child is guaranteed a place. This guarantee of a place is based on your child’s usual place of residence. 

WA Dept of Education School enrollment policies are detailed in http://det.wa.edu.au/policies/detcms/policy-planning-and-accountability/policies-framework/guidelines/enrolment-frequently-asked-questions.en

 There's also info about 'Local Intake' schools on the attached pdf

Declaration of local-intake areas for schools 2017.pdf

CENSUS 2016 – OUR BRISBANE

Brisbane’s LGA population has grown by 1.7 per cent per annum on average over the past five years, in line with the national average.

This increase in population is mostly attributed to continued growth in outer suburbs such as Taigum, Fitzgibbon, Rochedale and Burbank, but also reflects the increasing growth in inner city suburbs such as Bowen Hills, Newstead and Fortitude Valley.

Brisbane’s population growth has also been supported by migration. The number of overseas born residents, particularly from China and India, as well as a host of other Asian nations, has increased.

The proportion of Brisbane LGA residents born overseas increased from 28.3 per cent in 2011 to 30.6 per cent in 2016.

Although the United Kingdom and New Zealand remain the most common overseas nations of birth, this proportion has decreased.

Language diversity in the city has increased with the shift in migration. The most commonly spoken languages other than English are Mandarin, Vietnamese and Cantonese.

AGE
Brisbane’s median age has increased slightly from 34 to 35, due to a 16.6 per cent increase in the number of residents older than 65.
 

EDUCATION
The proportion of residents who have completed high school has increased from 69.5 per cent to 72 per cent.

There has also been an increase in the number of residents attending universities from 81,000 to 97,800.

HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Brisbane’s median personal and household income continued to increase between 2011 and 2016, by 10.6 per cent and 13.4 per cent respectively.

Median personal income in the Brisbane LGA is $770 per week, which is higher than the median income for Australia, Queensland and Greater Brisbane.

HOUSING COSTS
The median mortgage repayment decreased in the Brisbane LGA, as interest rates reached record lows.

As a result, housing affordability has improved, with the proportion of household income spent on rent and mortgage repayments decreasing.

Improved rental affordability has occurred at the same time as the proportion of renters in the Brisbane LGA has increased, which in part reflects an increase in the proportion of people living in apartments.

The average household size in the Brisbane LGA remained unchanged between 2011 and 2016 with the growth in occupied dwellings in line with population growth.

INTERNET CONNECTIVITY
Greater Brisbane has retained its position as the most internet connected of the state capitals.

The proportion of dwellings with an internet connection increased further between 2011 and 2016, from 78.6 per cent to 82.4 per cent in Greater Brisbane (84 per cent of dwellings are connected in the Brisbane LGA).

EMPLOYMENT

It says that the form to 'Appointment or withdrawal of an authorised recipient (including migration agent)' is available through ImmiAccount but I assume that's relating to who the department corresponds with and not for actually terminating the appointment of your migration agent. (https://www.border.gov.au/Lega/Lega/Form/Immi-FAQs/online-forms-immiaccount-update-details)

From: https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa/Usin/Using-a-migration-agent-in-Australia

If you withdraw or terminate the appointment of your migration agent, they should advise the department in writing or using Form 956.

If Form 956 is used to notify the department, your migration agent will ask you to sign and indicate at Q24 (Declaration by Client) that they are no longer acting on your behalf.

https://www.border.gov.au/FormsAndDocuments/Documents/956.pdf

1 minute ago, Perthbum said:

I am not most people.

A master of understatement if ever I've seen one

2 minutes ago, Perthbum said:

I know and have been there many times as I have relatives there, just showing that although it has been very mild over the last few winters it still can get very cold and frosty in the mornings.

Most people would post there own photos up surely, not search the Daily Mail for a photo of where they've walked, still each to there own

On 29/10/2017 at 20:44, Perthbum said:

You probably stayed indoors with your woolly hat on and your granddad slippers.....ohhhhhh its cold outside and look how frosty it is.... ....you get as many people walking in the winter as you do in the summer, 

last winter walks...

I'm confused about this picture, what's it's purpose?, you've nicked a picture from a Daily Mail article depicting Malmesbury in Wiltshire from an article talking about 'temperatures plummet as low as -12C' ? (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3407991/UK-weather-Rush-hour-drivers-face-icy-roads-freezing-fog-12C-temperatures.html)

Hi Kelly

There's several Migration agents in Melbourne & Sydney who actively contribute on the forum, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them.

@wrussell   http://www.pinoyau.com/ (Sydney)

@Raul Senise http://www.ozimmigration.com  (Sydney)

@Alan Collett https://www.gmvisas.com/ (Melbourne)

A figure or around $1100 per month seems to be the ballpark figure, although it appears there's some variation depending on the immigration officer you may encounter.