Mr Monkey

Thanks very much to everyone who has posted, and apologies for my tardy response, due in almost equal measure to pressure of work & personal health. I appreciate all the advice, although clearlythe advice from https://www.pomsinoz.com/profile/215485-andrew-from-vista-financial/ wasn't what I hoped to hear, as he says himself. I think the advise I was given previously came from this or something similar https://www.superguide.com.au/how-super-works/access-super-cease-employment-60#Other_conditions_of_release I've been here long enough to know that, although I pay the same tax as an Aussie citizen or PR holder (without many of the benefits) the governement will look to slaughter the money saved in my super because... well just because. No one said life was fair. Given my visa is based on working, I guess I can't retire from my employer and ask for my Super in a lump sum before I'm forced to leave? If anyone has further views I'd love to hear them. Thanks again to those who have posted already, it's genuinely appreciated

Hi all, Many years since I was here last, great to see you're still here helping people. My query is Am 61, have been here 10 years on skilled temp visas, my latest one expires next July & I'm fairly sure we'll be heading home then. A bit unsure what to do about my Super. As I said, I'm over 60 and believe this means I can with draw without penalty. Should i be drawing this down & transfering it home? Does it make sense to do this gradually or all at once? My wife is a few years younger, is it best to leave her Super here until she's at retirement age/ another age/ as she'd be taxed on anything she draws down? Any help, whether specific or generic is very welcome Thanks in advance

Bit lost by that one Blossom! I have no probs with a skills assessment, although I believe you don't have to do one, if you have 2 years with your current employer. My salary would be at least at current award rates, no problem there either. Also, am in Perth, so am regional. But the age barrier seems insurmountable, so at the moment I'm looking at - can I do a "rolling 457", where I can work continously with my employer for more than 4 years?

Hi all Thanks very much for all your input. It seems renewing my 457 is the only way to go, at least that buys me another few years here. When making the new application, can this be done before the current one expires, or is there a mechanism to go onto a bridging visa while the new 457 is processed? thanks again

Can you tell me more about this please, I can't find any references to it. Yes, I do understand that the 457 is a temporary visa. I also understand that I'd like to stay if I can, and that my employer is happy to assist. If renewing my 457 is the only option, I'd settle for that, but clearly I'd be a lot more comfortable if I could get PR. Ref getting a pay rise - yes, thats quite possible. But I guess it can't be backdated for 2 years?

This is a major concern for me, being over 50 & hoping for PR I'm a few bucks short of the "high wage" exemption (around 130K/year) & don't see how I'd qualify for the other stated exemtions, other than maybe becoming a Minsiter of Jedi! I'm usually a great beliver in "there's always a way". My employer is happy to do anything legal to assist me, as they are very happy with me & want me to stay. They have a retained agent to assist with visas. Am I really going to get kicked out of Oz & back to Blighty in 2 years time, when my 457 expires?

Ref Medicare - I don't see any deductions from my salary ( am on 457 visa) - am I right in thinking an amount will be deducted from my end of year tax return?

Thanks Westwood. Of course it would be great to hear how your application goes, thanks for offering to share. Fingers crossed for you in every respect.

Thanks Ponte. I've actually been here in Oz for about 18 months now though!

Thanks M2M :smile: Yes, it's not my top priority at the moment - getting well is. My specialist seems to be entirely confident that he can totally remove the Big C, even though I was classed as medium/urgent. But on the basis that the specialist is right, we hope to continue our adventure here for some years yet, as per our original plan. But looking through this & other forums, it does seem that the Oz government really don't want anyone who might cost them money. I realize specific advice is unlikely, just wondered if anyone had a similar story they could share? Thanks again

Hi all Long time reader, first time poster. I'm currently a year & a bit into a 457 visa. My employer was happy to support an application for PR when I had 2 years employ with them. All good so far... Was recently diagnosed with cancer of the prostate. My specialist feels very confident he can eradicate this with about 6 months of treatment. If he's correct - and I clearly hope that he is!- I would have approx 2 years of my 457 to run. If I waited until the 457 was almost up & I had remained in good health, how likely would I be to be accepted for PR?