Freesia

How do you know in advance though that you'll have work every day to meet your deadline?

Youngfreewild you have to have PR & there is no rule that says you have to have been a PR for 2 years- as you said, you just have to satify DIBP that you are 'settled' PR's. So along with your documented evidence that you've put together, write them an essay about your life & how you deem yourselves to be settled here; what your jobs are & your lifestyle/ how you spend your leisure time / what community facilities you use/ how you support your neighbourhood & how you've fitted in locally etc / church/ sports & social groups/ children's activities. Make it personal .

In the guidelines for the Parent visa, it says something like if whereabouts are unknown, the place of residence will default to wherever he was generally known to live ie country of birth. So you just inform them you have no idea of his wherabouts & if they want to check further with you, they'll ask.

We'll be paying taxes of one kind or another until the day we die.

yes- I think we should maybe recognise the fact that far from being a 'burden on the taxpayer' we parents contribute a lot of $$$ to the Australian economy- and are still working and paying taxes long after the extortionate visa costs ( btw much closer to $50k than the $40k someone quoted earlier - plus $10-14k also held for that long ten-year stretch). I might not even consider it extortionate if there wasn't also a 2 year wait attached to it- they make us sweat for those visas! In my case I'll also be working for probably the next 15 years (from the age of some people I've seen working they don't expect you to exit the workforce too early here) The only burden I can imagine ever needing is healthcare- and I certainly be won't be feeling any guilt on that score- we more than pay our way.

Well if you're waiting on yourown visa grant , they could actually be there before you . As long as your brother has PR , is your only sibling and has been settled for around 2 years, they are in a position to apply onshore in Australia for the 864 . So if they choose to visit soon, they might decide they would like to stay permanently; in which case they apply for the 864 which is apparently only taking around 6 months to grant.

Yes, if you're ready to go & eligible I think it would make more sense to get a grant in 6 months rather than 2 years. If you decide to apply for the 864 while you're out there on your visitor visa, you'll be in the very lucky position of a grant of PR pretty quickly; 6 months or so will fly by- 2 years is a bit of a stretch !

I don't know the answer to that one - someone will though ! ( just thinking if there's one main applicant & the other is classed as a dependent they might have to arrive together- but if their applications had to be separate then she could arrive independently)

Sorry you never had a reply to this- if you apply onshore you can go to Centrelink & have a Medicare card issued once you have your Bridging Visa.

She has a 173- within 2 years they have to apply for the 143- so if the father passes away the mother applies for her own 143

I did exactly the same as you & wasn't asked for anything extra apart from an Aussie police check, as I'd been here cumulatively for over a year.

As you said yourself Little Grandad, you apply for the 864 onshore. Every decent Migration Agent I've spoken to acknowledges that in order to do that, you need to arrive on a tourist visa. Technically speaking, a tourist visa is for a temporary visit, but of course once there you can decide to apply for the 864 and stay - you will get a Bridging Visa & the grant time is only a few months . You're paying well for the privilege and this is perfectly in order. The 804 by comparison is years & years . No contest. If you're in any doubt, before you make a final decision ring around some MARA agents re. the legalities.

It would be a shame to end this thread on a downer though - let's hope that Alan Collett's wise strategy advice does the trick - too sad to think it wouldn't have a positive outcome . just a note on the drugs side of things though- I have treatment for a similar condition & they don't go for the 'cheaper' ones - Avastin or Lucentis are the only ones mentioned IME as they are proven to be the most effective.

The Aged Contributory visa (864) waiting time is much quicker- it's granted after only a few months as opposed to nearly 2 years for the 143 ( that's the last I heard anyway)

I don't know the answers Charlotte, but there's a nursing section on here plus there are several F/B groups dedicated to 'nurses wanting Ahpra' or similar titles.

but it can't match those rivers & canals ........ Or the castles !

Would he consider going back into year 10? My son went back a year coming into Aus & didn't object fortunately- in fact I think it helped him to settle. it might work for yours in reverse?

Oh wow , all such beautiful pics- just the type to make us feel a a bit homesick - well nostalgic rather ! I was back a few weeks ago & it was stunning weather then too in London & the Midlands, there certainly doesn't seem to have been much rain around lately.

Oh ok :smile:

I came over in my 50's to be near a daughter & grandchild- I don't understand why people think that's even slightly odd for the OP's parents. They'll be joining a whole family, not just a child- & that equates to a support network for both parties. It's working for me. Yes the costs are high but that's the deal they seem to be willing to sign up for, and if they're prepared for that then good luck to them. I've also had lots of job offers (albeit slightly different from my regular work) & know plenty of 50somethings working- fit 50's are really no different from any other age group! Assistant Nursing posts are pretty easy to get & for the mother in this scenario with particular specialisms that might work. I'm having to rent which is very different from ownership, but I'm perfectly happy not taking responsibility for hpuse repairs etc any more. It might suit them too. Not all rentals are crummy. And in order to make a successful move we all have to appreciate the need to compromise in some areas. You'll need to check the Immigration website on the regulations around the husband's timeline to sponsor. If he's an Aussie Citizen he might be eligible to do that straight away, so the waiting time might only be 2 years ( for 143) & they can spend a full year in Aus visiting you during that time.

We have Specsavers- plus all sorts of independents. I recently got quoted by one of each for lenses for prescription sunnies - both said $100- obviously frames extra , but there's a huge range just the same as UK , & I thought that was very reasonable.

I shipped a container from the UK on a visitor visa no problem ( had already applied for Parent Visa though ) but only had to declare visitor visa on the forms. You just need a receiving address.

Thank you ; I know you're all right! It's just been such a difficult couple of weeks - we found out our long lost brother has died at the other end of the UK where none of us live - he chose not to keep in contact which I think I've found even sadder now he's gone so young & I think I will just find it hard to have to endlessly discuss that aspect of things . Only today can we go ahead with even planning the funeral which from a distance has been hard. The choice to stay with which sibling is not even simple as two are away atm, another doesn't have much space etc etc - it's always a bit more complicated than it first seems ! And the other aspect which I know I was making difficult for myself is that if I do stay with one or other it might make me want to stay - & I want to feel as easy leaving again as I did thefirst time aaah!! but yes- I know once the formalities are over it will be good to see everyone & lean on each other a bit - & go out & do ordinary stuff for a week. My daughter's able to come back with me now too but we can't stay together - more complications !!

Well seriously you can't do a lot else but wait can you - now I really know the meaning of LOLling- where did people's patience go? It's like a huge tragedy's going on !!

So anyway Spanner , are you a plumber ?