RockDr

The BVA doesn't allow you to re-enter the country. If you need to travel, you can apply for a BVB, generally only granted for business travel or emergency personal travel. So if you're travelling for work, that would be fine, you'd just need a letter from your employer to attach to your BVB application.

We went to a molescan clinic. It was bulk billed so we didn't have to pay anything. they were really thorough and took photos so they can compare next time to see if any have grown or changed. Also gave me lots of useful advice on sunscreen products etc.

Oh, do make a note of your UK license number, since that's one of the questions on the form if you do go back there to live and need a new photocard.

If you get an Australian license, that's what you should be using if you visit the UK. While you get to keep the physical card, your UK license is technically invalid since only UK residents are entitled to a UK license, Also since you're now resident in Australia, the address on your UK license is incorrect, so just like UK residents who've failed to update their address details, you could be liable for a fine if you get stopped and the license gets checked. If ever you return to the UK to live, it's just a simple fill out a form, supply a new photo if necessary and you'll get a new up to date photocard.

Rupert have you actually been in this situation or are you just making assumptions? The BVA off a 457 visa states that it comes into effect when the 457 "ceases to be in effect" (i.e. regardless of whether it expired or was cancelled). Work rights state that you cannot change jobs without DIAC's permission, so you can still work on the BVA, you just have to talk to DIAC.

I wouldn't say Skype in particular, but without easy and cheap communication to home (weekly rather than daily in my case) I would have definitely found it much harder coming over here. (Not that I would have ended up out here anyway without Skype since OH and I were in a long distance relationship using it daily prior to my move...)

That reads to me that they now have the option of granting BVAs without work restrictions from a tourist visa, not that they HAVE to. If anyone is going this route I would definitely discuss with a registered migration agent to clarify.

http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/forecasts/idyoc15.shtml?region=15&forecast=1

If you don't have any luck with the written request, you might have better luck getting your new doctor to send a request. hope things run nice and smoothly for you.

Not if she wants to work. Alternative would be to save enough before she comes out. If she's only coming for the summer anyway, I'd be quite surprised if she managed to find any significant work.

If you go through the public system, any medications administered while in Hospital are paid for. Anything you get through prescription you have to pay for, though many medicines are subsidised. Edit to add: re the cancer, it's quite possible if they were recent migrants on a temporary visa that they weren't covered by medicare. Maybe their health insurance wasn't up to scratch?

I would talk to a registered migration agent about this. I would also advise against taking any advice from anyone on this forum unless they are an RMA, as this is a fairly specific and potentially complicated issue. Good luck, hope you find your answers soon

Furnished short term rentals are always going to be expensive. Personally I'd be looking for a long term rental and just getting enough minimal furniture to get by for the first few months. Renting a nice two bed appartment/townhouse in the city or surrounds for about $400 a week and spending $1000 on a mattress, couple of chairs, table and some cheap kitchenware from Kmart is going to work out significantly cheaper than renting a fully furnished temp place for three months at $800 a week. Oh and if she's looking for something around the end of January, let me know as we'll be breaking lease on an unfurnished two bedroom place in Kent Town at $430 a week

I agree, we have it because we're just above the threshold for having to pay the medicare levy surcharge, so we just got the cheapest health insurance that qualified us for the exemption, and continue to use the public system since the private health insurance we have barely covers anything, and the things it does cover we'd be hit with a huge gap anyway. The only thing we've used the private system for was to get my wisdom teeth out, which wouldn't have been covered by medicare anyway. edit to add: we are also fully covered for ambulances, by signing up direct with the ambulance service, as the cover we get through private health only covers "emergency" travel, rather than "medically necessary" travel. Which is apparently a very important distinction.

The reciprocal card is the yellow one. once you've applied for the partner visa and while on the 820 you get the blue card (interim) which is full rights but needs renewing yearly. Once the 801 is granted the you'll get the normal green card.

You should have the blue interim card, which entitles you to full medicare cover but needs renewing every year.

I would say sit down with your family and properly discuss the pros and cons. Do bear in mind that if you stay any length of time, your children will probably no longer qualify for student loans in the UK either. As I've said before in other threads, yes you probably will settle better if you stay longer, question is do you want to put yourself through the intervening hardship for a chance that you might settle? It's not a failure to decide to go home.

Why have you got a tourist visa if you're wanting to do business related activities? There are business visitor visas available: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/business/business-visit-visa-options.htm

Did you not read the paperwork that came when you applied for the visa? It contained a letter to take to medicare to get your interim card. You'll need to take your passport and visa details to Medicare to register.

Tell her you can buy timtams in the UK...

You could try to appeal, but given you were caught twice it's going to be hard to claim that you're new to the area and missed the speedlimit sign. Points will be held against your name and will apply to your new Australian license.

As Petals said, the main advantage of private health is to reduce waiting times for things such as knee/hip replacements, or to get private room etc. For most things medicare will be absolutely fine. Unless you're in Queensland though, I strongly recommend you take out ambulance cover, as this isn't covere by medicare and can be very expensive.

On a working holiday visa I strongly recommend you get comprehensive travel insurance for the entire stay (google backpacker insurance). This plus medicare will be fine.

This jumps out at me. Are you 100% sure she's a stray? and that you've not just been feeding someone else's cat?

We went in March for a week to Port Douglas in 2010. We were only able to go out onto the reef on one day. We also had a lovely day's weather to go up to Daintree etc. The rest of the time was very hit and miss, windy and rain on and off. couldn't swim at the beach as the sea was too rough for the stinger nets. ended up hiring a car and having a look around the tablelands etc. Was still a good trip, but be prepared for rainy days and make the most of any good days to get out and see the reef if that's one of your priorities