Daeria

Hello, We're 31, 33 (and a 9 month old boy). Down a bit further on the Mornington Peninsula, in Tyabb. We've been here 3 years now - time flies!

When we flew here we had a short stopover when they cleaned the plane and did the refuelling, then we got back on and continued on the final leg to Melbourne. It was a much better experience than previous flights when I'd had to change planes. I'll have to double check it's still the same, but it was only two years ago. The baby will be Australian so will not need a visa for a shorter than 6 month stay in the UK as others have said. We will have the birth certificate with us in any event and that along with documents from both British parents will prove British citizenship of the baby.

I would prefer not having to change aircrafts. I find it stressful normally so can't imagine how bad I'd be trying it with a child! We're both permanent residents so the baby will be Australian & British when it's born. One of the first photos will be for it's Australian passport! We will be applying for a British Passport as well, but haven't decided whether to do this in the UK or in Australia before we fly.

How bizarre! Wouldn't he have booked a separate seat for his child at that age though? I guess the extra room is good for toddlers to get down on the floor and play? Is there really that much space? I'm hoping that as the baby is going to be so small, they will sleep in the bassinet most of time, but I will take lots of spare earplugs with me to give out to my neighbours if not!

I plan on sending my hubby to Melbourne to file for the birth certificate in person so that's done in a day, then we'll pay for the faster passport service. If we're fighting against a deadline for already bought tickets I'll find this stressful and worry about it so I'd rather buy the tickets after. I think they let me book, but won't confirm the infant till they get the passport number? It seems to be different for every airline though. I would like to fly "non-stop" which limits my airline choices, so I'll ring them next week and see what their policies are. We can change our dates of flight within reason to get a bassinet seat, like a couple of days either side so hopefully this will be enough by the sounds of it. I know it'll cost us more, but my maths isn't that good and hey, we may save as much by not having to put it in the credit card! Haha.

Thank you. I know there's sales on now, but we'd have to use a credit card to buy now, whereas we'll have the cash in a few months. Guess I should bite the bullet and call the airlines. I just don't want them to talk me into buying tickets now if it's actually possible to do it later.

Baby is due end of August, and we're thinking of flying out in October. I would rather wait till we have the baby's Australian passport in hand before I buy the tickets (this will also give me more time to save money and hopefully buy tickets on a "non-stop" flight). It will also mean I can wait till I know the baby is happy and healthy before we do such a long flight. Do bassinet seats book out, or are they still available later on? Anyone got experience or a crystal ball?

Thank you, it's probably good advice but we're trying to save as much money as possible as weren't expecting to pay for the visa for quite a bit longer.

Thanks Fisher. I feel so guilty that I can't be there to help her get all the paperwork together, but really need to push her to do it ASAP now. I'll pass on your advice and get all my paperwork sorted this end ready to go. It's weird you can't apply for this visa online like we did with ours.

So now we are panicking as looks like they are pulling the 103 visas. I'll have been here two years in June and my mum was still just considering applying but now it looks like this might be her only chance to avoid paying the contributory visa costs. As I'm rushing through trying to get everything in order, can I please check a few things with those in the know already? The only fee upfront it the $2400 fee for the 103 application. She will be able to come to Australia on a tourist visa to see us for visits and return to the UK like she normally does once the application is lodged. In about 10 years they will ask for medical and police checks to be done. Once the checks come back to them ok they will ask me for the $5000 assurance of support bond, and once I pay it, they'll grant the visa. Mum will have 12 months to come to australia and validate, then 5 years to come and go as she pleases, after which she'll need to apply for citizenship or a rrv to make another trip back to the UK. Does this sound ok, or have I gone drastically wrong somewhere and picked up the completely wrong end of the stick?!

I have the same number, but I called them on the phone to update and and let them know that I was now a perm resident.

I've been putting it off, but I really need to go for a check up - plus I'm seriously thinking of getting a lingual brace! Say Ahh!!!

I was also told by ATO that I couldn't lodge online for my first year. You can use etax but as others have said you need to print and post the first year.

Welcome! Good luck with the visa process if you have yet to have a grant, and good luck with the job hunts if you already have!

We bought our tickets a few months ago for Qantas flights in June - does this mean we can't buy the extra baggage then?