ScotsLass

I've just started talks with a migration agent to have my work sponsor me through a 186 visa so that I can go PR. Currently on the 461. I've been here just under 3 years and they've confirmed I don't have to do the skills assessment which is great. Saves money and time and hassle. On a 461 you won't get full Medicare unless you're kiwi (not sure about the kids), you will get rebates if you're from the UK or other country with reciprocal agreement, there's only one private health insurer that I know of for 461 visas and they charge quite a bit more than your standard providers especially if you want extras and full cover. 461 is a great entry visa (quick and cheap) but if you can get one leading to permanent path then I'd definitely recommend exhausting that route first. Especially if you plan on being here long term and raising the kids here. Once you're pr it's easier to get the kids and husband PR, you never know when they change the rules again on kiwis! Remember if you're on a visa linked to an employer or other specific conditions and it doesn't work out you'll likely always have the 461 to fall back on Best of luck!

I've taken out ambulance cover with NIB on a cheap plan which also gives me dental and other perks. Medicare won't cover you for ambulance charges which can be expensive I believe so definitely find something. Yeah my main concerns are with birth related services and not being able to claim back the full amount rather than not being able to go private. Something to look into and remember once you're on a plan for a few things you have to wait 12 months in some cases before you can claim, some babies stuff will fall under that... It took a while to settle in but we love it. It feels like home now. I thought it may be hard being away from my folks and friends, I'm very close to them. But we Skype/Facetime almost every weekend and it feels like I see them more now! It's been 9 months and they come out tomorrow for their first visit but it really does seem to have flown by. It's great out here, the summer has been terrible but still better than a British summer and Autumn is shaping up nicely here, 26 and sunny all weekend so looking forward to making the most of it. Good luck with the move, I remember that fun time all too well haha.

Hi. I'm on a 461 living & working in Sydney since July 2011. I did the 461 through my NZ partner so that I'd have freedom to work where I like and because it was quick a cheap. It's generally quite good as you say you can renew it every 5 years and you can work for who you like, choose not to work etc. The downfalls I've encountered... You don't get full medicare (NHS equivalent) - UK residents will get a reciprocal health care card, most doctors here will not bulk bill for your Medicare if you're on a reciprocal card so for each trip to the doctors you'll pay around $70 and get $35 back from Medicare. This is for a standard check up. Any specialist visits incur more. Ok in the short term but if you're thinking about babies (which we are!) it's going to stack up... Also I have been told that due to the visa conditions you cannot get proper Private Health insurance. They will make you pay for Private Health insurance but you can actually only access Public Services and you can't chose your own doctor/hospital etc... So you pay through the nose for the standard NHS style treatment and waiting lists! There are no routes to permanent residency other than through the standard channels of non NZ family members - work sponsorship or skilled worker etc. If you're already in Oz I don't think you can move to a 457 temporary visa you have to move to a 856 which ties you to your employer for 3 years... I'm also struggling to get a NSW driving license which I want for ease (ID rather than taking passport, ease of car hire arrangements etc) - you have to have been in the country for 6 months since your last entry stamp on your passport not the date you first entered on your visa. This is proving annoying as we're visiting family in NZ every 6 months at the moment since we're now closer to them. This is more an annoyance I'm having due to the timing of holidays and weddings overseas etc forcing me out of the country. So may not be an issue for you. Your UK license is valid anyway. If you have children in Oz and you do not hold permanent residency they do not get citizenship in Australia until they have lived the first 10 years of their live in Oz. This is something to consider. You will have to register them through a descendent visa of either the UK or NZ I'd imagine NZ is best so that they have the 444 visa and the rights of your husband which are better than the rights of a UK cit. So there are a few things I've encountered to date not being PR. If we intend to live in Oz long term and raise children one of us will have to go down the PR route to ensure security and nationality for our kids. You never know when they're going to change the 444 (NZ Sub Class) visas and put further restrictions on kiwis in Oz - although hopefully this isn't something we need to work about. We haven't looked at buying a house or car yet and I don't know what issues if any we'll run into there but given the house prices in Sydney we won't be rushing into that any time soon! If you can I'd recommend going PR or a route that can progress to PR but if you're just here for a few years to get away from the bleak British summers then the 461 will be fine. Hope that helps. Also if anyone knows how to get around the health insurance or moving to PR please let me know...... Cheers and good luck!