Tazzamaraz

The hospital have phoned me and spoke to me about it and I told them I would be covered the same as a permanent resident but they have continued to pursue me for the money. Just wondered if anyone else has had a planned procedure and not had to pay?

I also have Medibank cover that apparently is not applicable for this procedure either [emoji31]

Hi, I had an Endoscopy procedure last year as a day patient in my local hospital. About 3 months later I received a call that I needed to pay for the procedure (no mention of this prior to the procedure) and have now been sent a bill for over $2,000! I'm from the UK and on a 820 visa awaiting processing of my 801 application. I was under the impression that once the Partner visa application was lodged all Medicare over and above the reciprocal agreement would be covered. Has anyone else had this experience?

Hi All, Myself and my son are on an 820 visa but he has just been refused a School Opal Card by Transport NSW. He has always gone to Catholic school since we were on a 457 visa but I was of the understanding that on 820 he would be eligible for both free school education and therefore free school transport. Can anyone tell me if I am correct or not before I challenge this decision! Thanks,

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Hello, Are there any Immigration Agents on here that I could PM with a question please? Thanks!

Hi, Are there any timelines for onshore spouse visa (820) waiting times?? Thanks

Hello, I'm attempting to complete my Form 80 at the moment and really struggling with info for employment covering the last 30 years (I'm that old). I travelled a lot when I was younger and can't even remember what country I was in nevermind who I was working for. Does anyone have any contact details I can use for gaining this info from UK, USA and Australia tax agencies - ATO, Inland Revenue, IRS that they have used successfully. Thanks in advance

I'm currently on a 457 visa (18 months in). I previously decided not to pursue a 186 visa through my Employer as I wanted to look for a different job. i applied for a partner visa in July but have not yet had a Case Officer assigned. There have now been significant changes in management at work and I'm happy to stay. Does anyone know whether I could change my visa application to swap to an employer sponsored visa (as this will give me PR quicker) at this stage as no work has been done on this visa?? Thanks

Hi, I am currently on a 457 visa with the worst company EVER! I have just moved in with my partner and we are in the process of registering our de facto relationship then intend to apply for an 820 visa for me. My question is will I be apply to apply for a bridging visa to relieve me of my 457 restrictions so I can work elsewhere? My partner lives very rurally and my home is now a one hour drive from my work so a two hour round trip for a job that I absolutely hate is torture. I hope there is good news for me!! TIA

My Australian partner and I are about to register our relationship as de Facto as we are moving in together. I am currently in a 457 visa and would like to apply for a partner visa. We have been in our relationship since June. I am have only just found out that registering our relationship waives the 12 month rule, so does that mean I can apply for the partner visa immediately?? Thanks

Thanks all for the advice regarding PR - I'm aware of the points needed for a skilled independent visa and believe me I wouldn't be on a 457 if there was any other option. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Ok, thanks I thought I had read somewhere that over 45 the rules changed. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

Have you contacted Workcover? Maybe you're sick leave would be covered by a workers comp claim if you have medical evidence of stress?? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free

I'm currently in Oz on a 457 visa and have just found a new job with a different employer that is willing to take over my sponsorship. My question is that I have just turned 45 so will this now affect me if I want to apply for PR through my employer in 2 years? Does the time that I've spent with my first employer count at all?? Thanks

Hi, I am arriving into Sydney on Sunday 31st March and am looking for a cheap automatic car under $2k. If anyone has one for sale please let me know. Thanks

I had one for £1,750 from Brighton to Sydney just a few weeks ago that was for self-load

I wondered about this too. I was told no vacuum bags but was suspicious of whether the mildew thing was an urban myth created by greedy removals companies!! Glad to see proof that it can be done, OK. I'm just packing at the moment and have been putting straight into boxes, think I will break out the disgarded vacuum bags in the cupboard. Asda do some good ones btw.

As was said earlier they have no power of enforcement. I'm a Debt Adviser and a member of the Institute of Money Advisers in the UK. Next time they contact you tell them to go away, if they don't then have a look at who regulates debt collectors in the US and threaten you will report them for harassment. Even if the original creditor had taken a county court judgement against you it's not enforceable in Australia.

Hi, just call DIAC - I called them a few times whilst going through the 457 process they were always very friendly and helpful. I only have the number for the Sydney Officer but here is the link for Melbourne. You will need the TRN codes. http://www.immi.gov.au/contacts/centres-of-excellence/melbourne-coe.htm

I just had a really good quote from them today for £2,000 for 400 cubic feet for full packing and door to door. Very tempted!

'Expats in the Hunter' group on Facebook will be able to help anyone new to the area. https://www.facebook.com/groups/289909804382266/

Hi, If anyone has experience with loading their own container please can you contact me, I really need some advice. Thanks,

Depends where you are going to be living. Sevenseas said they couldn't deliver the movecube to me and that I would have to collect my stuff from Sydney. I had a pretty good quote from Anglo Pacific though. If you are in a major city you might be alright with movecube though.

You're right, in the UK my salary is £26k in Oz my new salary will be $61k for the same job. I am a single parent with one child and in the UK I am entitled to no benefits whatsoever but in Oz I would get $150 week Family Tax Benefit, rent assistance and 50% of childcare refunded. It's these differences that lift standard of living. I work in social housing and I work with the unemployed and benefit dependent everyday, I see horrific poverty but I also see ridiculously high benefit incomes (I have on a few occasions had people tell me in all honesty that they spend more than £100 a month on Sky, I also had an unemployed mum of 5 tell me that she pays for her son to go to private school out of her Income Support). So quite frankly I 100% agree with the benefit changes that are being brought in especially the benefit cap. For working people though standards of living are declining, lots of people are giving up luxuries, budgeting a lot more, borrowing a lot more (my car insurance just went up £15 month for no apparent reason). Career progression is harder and redundancy can happy to ANYONE even those in their ivory towers!