MacGyver

Did you mean to quote me here nemesis? Looks like the question is directed at the OP?

Unfortunately I think this is largely true. It sounds like a horrible situation for you, but equally any attempt to prevent her gaining citizenship will likely come across as bitter and biased. It could also be perceived as controlling behaviour/abuse so I’d personally be cautious about taking that approach as it could potentially reflect badly on you in any future court matters.

That seems like terrible planning that almost ensures people will be forced to break home quarantine to go and get food at the local supermarket. Madness!

I wonder how they’ll manage this if SA allows international arrivals (with 14 day home quarantine), opens interstate border to NSW (with 7 day home quarantine or no quarantine), but NSW opens international border with 7 day home quarantine. As I wrote that I realised I answered my own question - international arrivals would complete 7 days home quarantine in NSW then 7 days home quarantine in SA (totalling 14 days quarantine which would be compatible with SA’s 14 day home quarantine for international arrivals). It could all get a bit messy between the states over the next few months.

Paul is an experienced migration agent with an excellent reputation on this site. If there is confusion or a lack of clarity, it is not coming from Paul.

The WA premier gave a late press conference yesterday and basically said what you’ve mentioned above. He said the WA chief health officer didn’t support 7 day home quarantine “at this time” and they had no plans to introduce it. Also Qantas’ recent statement about WA borders being closed until April at least, points to a very slow reopening over here. From a selfish point of view I’m trying to remain supportive and understand we need to wait until everyone has had the opportunity to be vaccinated, but the lack of a plan or target to reopen is frustrating. Also the language being used worries me as Mr McGowan has made a number of comments recently indicating he would be happy to keep the borders closed long term with a Covid zero target. I fear we might be closed until Covid sneaks in and We have an outbreak, removing Covid zero as an option. I feel myself drifting from supporting the premiers approach to being in opposition of it, given the increasing vaccination rates. I suspect I’m in the minority in WA though

There is no booster programme in Australia at the moment, for anyone. The advisory body has suggested older and higher risk people may require boosters but there haven’t been any decisions or plans announced yet. I would imagine people arriving with PR would be given the same options as those already living here. Earlier in the year it was suggested moderna would be used for the future booster programme, but don’t expect any announcements on that until the end of the year. Current evidence seems to suggest protection against infection reduces slightly over time, but protection against serious illness and death remains very high with all approved vaccines.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out towards the end of the year. The federal government seem keen to open international borders (for residents at least), while several states seem keen to remain closed for longer (Qld, WA etc). I think it will be very difficult politically for state premiers to resist opening up when 80% of their electorate are double vaxxed. I doubt they would be so forceful, but What happens if the federal government just opens international borders and allows Qantas etc to start landing planes full of passengers in Qld and WA? Are state premiers legally permitted to prevent this (I thought not as international borders are federally managed)? If not, they might have to just roll with the punches and manage the arrivals as best they can.

Some signs of hope from Scott Morrison’s press conference in Washington, where he said: "Once we hit 80 per cent vaccinations, that means Australians will be able to travel in those states that are opening up, they will be able to get on planes and go overseas and come home," he said. "And that means Australians who are overseas that are vaccinated with vaccines that are recognised in Australia, will be able to get on planes and come to Australia. "The caps at the airport for vaccinated Australians to return will be lifted, and that means there will be the commercial demand for those flights to be put on. I don't think Qantas will have to be encouraged to start running those flights and putting people on those seats." 80% target should be reached sometime between October and December so hopefully that helps people with PR overseas to get flights with more confidence if not late this year then early next year.

I agree with this very much, it's one of the reasons I was drawn to Australia many years ago. It was also noticeable on our return to Scotland and contributed to us ping-ponging back to Australia quite quickly a few years ago.

Remember when shopping for appliances ask “what’s your best price for this tv/fridge etc”. Stores negotiate on price here so it’s worth haggling a little bit. Even simply asking that question normally gets a small discount. ‘Appliancesonline’ can be ok too, free next day delivery etc.

@Nyxkat how are things going? Settling into Perth ok? Been an unusually wet start to spring this year but should warm up a bit through this week.

Lived on one line and worked on the other, travelled on both via Perth station. Late would be from midnight onwards on Midland line when I spent more time socialising in the city at night.

I wonder how you might perceive UK cities if you were to return. You mention a shop being robbed at knife point, in Glasgow that was an every day occurrence, same with violence and drugs etc etc. Also the train lines, I used to frequent the midland and Armadale lines late at night, which are the worst ones allegedly, and never saw any violence. In Scotland we used to get stabbings on the train quite frequently sadly.

Looks beautiful - where are they located? Might have to add it to my travel list post-covid!

Over the years I've noticed Melbourne can be quite polarising as well, I think partly due to the climate. Some cant handle the dark cold winters while others rave about the abundance of activities and livability of the city. Horse for courses I suppose.

The numbers might cancel each other out. I do think some fifo workers have decided to shift family over and stay in WA in a rental rather than fifo to the east coast. They might stay, but more than likely return when it’s all over. I think for some, closed borders has led to a realisation they would rather be closer to family in the UK. On the other hand, students will flood in and a backlog of new migrants will flood in, having had their own realisations during Covid that they want to move overseas and visa approvals recommending - migration is big business for the government and they’ll want it back up and running ASAP.

I think this is the most important point, you describe a happy life in Perth where your kids and your family are thriving. What you describe at the end sounds like a bout of homesickness to me. I previously moved back to Scotland and left again after less than a year and I know 100% its not the right place for me, but even I have been somewhat homesick during covid because the option to visit if I want to just isnt there. I tend to find a 2 week holiday in winter is more than enough to rid me of any homesickness and think you should try something similar when borders reopen. Go and spend 3 or 4 weeks with your family if you can (perhaps next year), reconnect with them and come back and reassess before making any life changing decisions. Yes its hard that your parents and sister dont have a close relationship to your children, but without sounding heartless, do your children care? Would they be happier with those relationships and not having the life you describe they already have here? Only you can answer that but as migrants we all struggle with these feelings of looking back with nostalgia and occasionally missing those strong connections we had. Plan an exciting trip to the UK for a family holiday when the borders open, spend time reconnecting, but be cautious of making decisions during a 1 in 100 year pandemic when feelings are running high and homesickness is dominant. If you feel the same after a holiday, perhaps it will clarify things for you.

Sorry to hear that HH, it must be very stressful for her. Is she able to be flexible with areas or do the kids tie her into a school/suburb? A poor temporary option could be airbnb - many owners are struggling to fill their accommodation and might accept a long-term stay (3-6 months). Its not ideal, and weekly 'rent' will be higher, but there would be no utility costs and may be a stop gap until she is able to find a longer term option.

I don’t know if it’s true or not but a real estate agent told us the rental market has been cooling slightly, particularly townhouses and apartments closer to the city. Northern suburbs do seem to be popular just now but they could always look for something more compact and central and use it to enjoy/get to know the city and explore preferred suburbs to the north. Then look to move to that suburb when the lease ends and the market has possible eased off a bit. I think a fair few people will leave Perth when the borders eventually open, whether that’s FIFO workers no longer staying in WA to avoid closed borders or people desperate to travel overseas and/or move back to UK etc be closer to family again.

Rent-vest? If you must live in Sydney you could rent a property in an area you could never afford to buy in, and buy an investment property somewhere else more affordable, maybe interstate (and rent that out to someone). It's not ideal and comes with a long list of challenges, but offers the option of enjoying living in Sydney while also having an investment tucked away for retirement.

If you enjoy this lifestyle you will likely find somewhere near Perth that will be a very good fit. Nowhere is perfect, there are always compromises. Perth is neither heaven nor hell but a very good life can be found here. One of the members who posts regularly (Paul) lives in a northern beachside suburb and loves it, he might have helpful advice on areas for you. Good luck on your adventure

I dont know the details of your application, but this sounds expensive to me. It may be your application is complex and requires significant work to prepare (meaning thats a fair price), but perhaps its worth contacting a few other agents for a quote to see if they can better that price. Our application was straightforward (309/100 route) but cost a third of the fee you have quoted above for the second stage application

I think we agree on the drug issue, just slightly disagree on the visibility of it and how mcuh it might or might not impact on someone living here. The main parts of Elizabeth Quay are only now being built, the corner building will bring signficiant additional food outlets and the opposite side is being developed now too. I think it will prove to be a success and a much needed focal point - in fact I think the success of EQ might have contributed to Yagan's woes, as people are drwn to EQ and the river, rather than Yagan as a place to meet/linger.

I think this is partially true, there are definitely areas where people have tried to recreate the UK in Perth. But one of my favourtie things about Perth is how multicultural it is, which cancels this out to a degree. The multicultural food options are really fantastic and only Melbourne stands out as being better in this regard. Sydney of course has a lot on offer in this regard but with Melbourne and Perth it feels more visible/in your face to me.