Steve Elliott

Its called "cuckoo smurfing" - its a real thing and commonly used to evade detection/paying tax

Registered migration agents (RMA) charges really aren't exuberant when taking into consideration the total cost of a transition to a new country. Costs are not regulated but it is a competitive market so fees have to be reasonable for the work performed. Location also shouldn't really be an issue as this day and age, 98% of the contact is via phone, email zoom etc as, to be honest, face to face is inefficient, so the less in person contact there is, the more competitive the pricing. Most Australian agents will be able to arrange late evening or early morning consults with UK clients. This works well as it doesn't interfere too much with the working day and family time. At the end of the day, you should go with someone who you feel comfortable with, someone who has a good support team behind them and most importantly, someone who is experienced and an expert in the area of visas relevant to you. Maybe check out their websites, years of experience, references etc. The best approach is to pay for an online consultation. In doing this, you will be equipped with the knowledge of what your options are, time lines and likely costs. Typically the consult occurs after you have provided some factual information to the agent in advance of the consult. That way, the agent has had an opportunity to consider your personal circumstances, consider any potential obstacles so that when doing a consult (typically via zoom/teams) these can be raised. Some RMA's do free consults but typically these will be quite short and vague. A paid consult will typically include written expert advice on your options. I hope this helps.

Mr Tee Based on the limited information you have provided, there are potentially some pathways for you and your daughter. I would certainly suggest a modest investment in having a consultation with a Registered Migration Agent who can determine your eligibility and potential pathways for you both. With the potential to earn a higher annual income, this potentially presents more options to you. Once you know where you stand from visa perspective, you can work on developing your strategy incorporating housing, schooling etc. I hope this helps.

Or an $A denominated account could be a consideration. It really depends on whether you want to hedge the GBPAUD or are happy to take on the exchange rate risk. Bear in mind also that gilts can fall as well as rise in value.

Having e-read this, have you explored the options with your existing bank? - Yes the proof of local address might be a problem. Otherwise, explore the options of holding funds in $AUD in a UK account. Otherwise, I suspect we might be entering the "Cindarella Zone" where no matter how hard you try, the slipper ain't going to fit without some potential negative consequence.

From my experience of 20 years with one of the major banks, I suspect you will find it next to impossible to open an account here in Australia unless you are physically onshore at the time. This is mostly due to the Anti Money Laundering/Counter terrorism laws by which the banks have to abide. So to be clear, this is not the banks being difficult, it's them having to abide by the law. I would suggest maybe a quick whistle stop holiday back in AUS, so you can open up an account in person. It might be worth considering Macquarie's accelerator account which is linked to a standard CMA. Good luck

Dentists have dental nurses, Financial planners have paraplanners Lawyers have paralegals Tradesmen have apprentices The truth is, experienced, qualified and registered professionals is typically fully capable of performing all aspects of client work, however the most efficient use of their time is to focus on the critical aspects of delivering critical care, providing professional advice and performing highly technical tasks. Other tasks are delegated and performed under supervision. As a client, I would always prefer that I am paying the professional for the technical work and delegate the rest. This way, my adviser can focus on delivering quality advice in an efficient way and not get bogged down with tasks not requiring such a high level of expertise and knowledge. By doing this, they can service more clients efficiently. They also take on the responsibility and accountability for the professional staff they employ. Qualified professionals have had to go through many years of training and our bound by codes of conduct, professional standards and require registration. There is little or no point paying these professionals big $$ when the work can often be performed by more junior yet still experienced and capable staff. Ultimately the RMA takes responsibility for all work performed and advice provided. The truth is anyone outside Australia can call themselves a migration agent even if they have no relevant experience. Having said that, there are RMAs outside Australia who still choose to be registered, and as such incur significant expense in doing so (registration fees, insurance, CPD, professional library), because continuing to be registered establishes a point of difference and demonstrates professionalism, accountability and a commitment to professional standards. The truth is, many applications are straightforward when a cookie cutter approach works well. However many applications have twists and turns and encounter bumps and pot holes along the way. There are times when an unqualified and inexperienced individual gets the job done to the client's satisfaction, however, I for one prefer the reassurance that the professional representing me, is qualified to do the job and is an expert in their field. Membership of a professional body, which subjects members to a strict code of conduct provides a level of comfort and reassurance.

It's a very tight market for truck mechanics and technicians, the one point of difference you have, is being on the Sunshine Coast so that might resonate with some candidates in the Southern States. Increasingly Aus employers are having to resort to pro-active offshore recruitment for the right candidates. Identify where the target talent pools are, and execute a targeted recruitment strategy. I have seen this done with paramedics, coal miners as well as bus mechanics. While a temporary or permanent move to Australia might not be on the radar, competitive salaries and prospect of an improved quality of life, work life balance is often enough to at least start a conversation!

No problems at all. My personal perspective is that the door has been closed for anyone considering applying for a business visa (188). Given the 188 is a provisional visa pathway which leads to a 888 after a qualifying period, holders of a 188 will still be able to apply for the PR 888. For those "locked out", all I can suggest, in the absence of other pathways, is to wait until the government reveals details of what I believe will be a new visa or dramatically redesigned 188, which will look very different. The only clues we have are comments the Government liked some aspects of the Significant Investor Stream which I suspect means they liked the flow of new funds flowing into Venture Capital and Private Equity. They weren't as keen on the investor stream as it really didn't create jobs, encourage innovation. Likewise the business innovation stream had relatively low thresholds and I suspect post visa grant surveys/analysis would have revealed the majority of businesses invested in and or created were not the innovative, high growth, job creating business hoped for. Given Government has indicated the migration program should be demand driven, (demand from Australia and NOT the applicant), I suspect thresholds will rise significantly and some streams as we know them today will unlikely never resurface. I think also, in line with International trends, having big pots of money to bring to Australia, simply won't be enough. Quite often big pots of money seeking a new home can indicate ulterior motives, which is why Australia has some very rigorous AML/CTF (Anti Money Laundering/Counter Terrorism Funding) legislation. When I have something solid to post, I will do so. Suffice to say, If any forum members have an undecided 188 in the system, feel free to reach out.

Hi Anna I am guessing you are seeking an opinion prior to progressing further down the 'migration pathway" and before you engage with potential employers? What you need to focus on is the significant costs threshold which stands at $51k over 10 years. Personally, I would suggest you seek some advice from an experienced RMA who will be able to guide you.

Great question Jalphonse This is one of the niche areas I specialise in. Firstly, the media reports were all incorrect and the visa has not been abolished. It is however closed to new applicants. The original article was published in "The Australian" newspaper by a journo who simply did not check her facts. The 188/888 program has been suspended, pending a review. My take on the situation is that the Government is looking to potentially create a new visa, or redesign the existing 188 to attract a targeted group of entrepreneurs, investor, and talented individuals. To answer your questions. If you were nominated via an EOI, and have already successfully made a valid visa application, you are fine. It is the requirements which were in place at the time of making the application which apply. While logic would suggest the absence of new applications should increase processing times (they can't get any slower !, there is no logic when it comes to processing times and priorities. There are literally thousands of 188s which are 2-3 years old, simply collecting dust and are not being processed as the government has been clearing backlogs elsewhere. You just have to sit tight for the time being. It's frustrating and everyone is complaining about this. They will be processed at some point in time, but "when" is the big question.

As a migration registered migration agent myself, I would normally high five anyone steering business towards RMA's and bypassing Lawyers. While it is true that legal many migration law practitioners do indeed specialise ion complex matters, refusals, cancellations etc, there are many lawyers who do the more routine migration visa applications. Indeed, many legal practitioners were RMA's until 2021 when amendments to the Migration Act meant they were no longer required to be RMA's. I tend to refer some very specialist matters to migration lawyers who are experts in their respective areas, otherwise I would refer prospective clients to other RMA's who are also experts in their fields and who "typically" are more cost effective for the client. Emergico was recommended above (thank you "Cheery Thistle") but I'm not your man as I specialise in a small number of niche visas. The business owner (Leanne Stevens) was a nurse and paramedic for over 20 years before becoming an RMA. She is also very good at complex matters such as health , character etc if required. Paul Hand and Raul Senise also worth having a chat with.

Hi Ferrets As a financial adviser of 30+ years and given the nature of your question, it is impossible to answer your question on a public forum in such a way to break the advice rules for which there would likely be severe consequences. One general comment I would make is around risk and diversification. Your employee shares are shares in one specific company so the long term performance is entirely dependent on the fortunes of this company. Money in super, if invested in large reputable industry funds will typically be more diversified and thus the returns will likely be steadier and more consistent. Your super wont shoot the lights out, neither will it disappear. There's also an added benefit in terms of not being able to access the funds until retirement. There are some experienced financial advisers here and it might be worth your while having a chat as you have a number of technical issues/moving parts to consider. Good luck.

I first came to Australia 30+ years ago on a partner visa and switched to an independent visa at the first opportunity, so I totally get where you are at. I too don't buying a lottery ticket when I'm pretty sure my numbers aren't going to deliver. But I do enjoy the anticipation and small adrenaline rush. For many, the prize of PR is as good as a lottery win, some would say better. The visa application process is not based on luck and the probability of a successful outcome are shorter. Indeed, you can personally increase your chances of a successful outcome simply by investing in yourself. You really are in control of your own destiny, until the rules change, which they will. It's time to bite the bullet and seek out some professional advice so you know where you stand. It's time to take the next step and move on from your current Bridget Jones cameo

As Paul suggested, I would seek out some professional advice. As a Migration agent I have worked with many families and individuals who, having confirmed their visa eligibility and made the decision to migrate, were not ready to make the physical move at that point of time, but still wanted to lock in their migration pathway with a view to physically making the move maybe 2-5 years down the track. Australian migration rules could be likened to a Sushi train. You see something you want but miss it first time round. You then have to hope it's still there on the next loop, hoping it hasn't been removed by another customer and if it has, will the Sushi chef be making anymore. It may sound silly but that's pretty much how it works, except with the visa system, sometimes the train can stop without notice, only to restart with a new menu with many items totally removed and some items changed beyond recognition. One way to approach such uncertainty might be to examine your potential eligibility for all (if more than one) and formulate the most suitable migration plan. Even if not ready to move, you will have a "business plan" which you can execute. This might look like what I refer to as a call option. In other words, all possible options are considered, and risks assessed to determine an agreed strategy in full knowledge and expectation that the odd curve ball might be encountered along the journey. At the end of the day, if your circumstances are such that a move to Australia is no longer on the cards, at worst, you will have lost some money, but at least you had the option. It's a little like paying your insurance premium when you don't make a claim! The benefit of this approach is you would be walking through an open doorway. If you wait until you are physically ready to move, that doorway may have closed. If you walk through the open doorway, and it slams shut afterwards, it doesn't matter as you will already be on your way (metaphorically). What is critical is that you fully understand all the possible options, risks and associated costs of your potential pathways, so that you can make a fully informed decision.

I am in the process of moving my UK funds to Australia and am using the one retail fund which is (Q)ROPS compliant. To be clear unless you are taking (paying) for financial advice, the selection of investments is pretty much your own personal choice. It's not like many superfunds whee you have the option of selecting various sleeves such as growth, balanced, conservative etc where performance relies on the asset allocation, investment skills of a fund manager, instead, the investor has a menu of funds and ETFs to chose from. There's a fair bit of choice for the typical investor. Many of the ETFs and funds have low/competitive fees however the administration fee is relatively high. So really, its not fund manager performance/investment track record which we need to look at as it will be different for everyone. It's more about the integrity, compliance of the trustee, custodian etc all of which have very stringent reporting obligations.

It's a bit like having to ask for a divorce due to the fact that you have found someone more attractive. I'm not sure they will be jumping with joy to release you doing cartwheels to release you as they will be wasting that precious spot they allocated to you. If you do not get their permission to release you, and you relocate interstate, asking for nomination at the PR stage might be as likely as Sheffield United winning the FA Premier League. .

The 491 is a temporary visa with a potential pathway to PR. It's a two stage process. The best way to sabotage your chances of PR, is to snub your nominating state by going interstate. You need to understand, the program of state sponsored visas is intended to address skills shortages of each state. Each state has a finite number of places which are allocated to them by the Australian Government. So by going interstate, you are effectively torching that place which results in another state benefitting. You will need a very good reason indeed to be released. Consequences of non compliance is that you will not be nominated for PR. Remember, the Australian visa system is structured to serve the needs of Australian business, States and Territories, not applicants. - It sounds a bit harsh, but that's the reality!

I would be going back via your MD in the UK to connect you with the HR/recruitment team in Australia. Based on your description, I would be gobsmacked if they do not have a dedicated person who is a specialist in global mobility within the global business. I would be gobsmacked if they don't have policies in place to manage the whole process and will more than likely have a dedicated migration agent they use. They should also be acutely aware of the rules as to who has to pay for what visa costs and the consequences of falling foul of the regulations. I am surprised the agent you are working with has not already mentioned this. From experience, many line managers are blissfully unaware of all the rules and regulations which often results in promises made which are more complex and time consuming than first appears. Good luck with your adventure.

I am aware of a number of RRVs which have been granted in the past few years where the submission wasn't the strongest. It is quite possible the sands may have shifted in he past 7 years. Australia has different needs today so maybe your professional background, skillsets may potentially add weight to our case. I totally understand you may not wish to post these personal details on a public forum but for the sake of clarity, the nominal cost of a consultation would likely be insignificant in the broader context. - It has to be worth the small investment?

I would tend to agree with Paul. More personal details are needed to assess any possible pathways. Your age, profession, qualifications, family situation, remaining links to Australia (if any ) etc etc. Much has changed in recent years, so it would be worth investigating more thoroughly even if such an exercise concludes you have "Buckleys". At least you will know where you stand and can get on with your life...

A visa refusal is where the application for a visa is unsuccessful and thus, the visa was not granted/issued. A cancellation is where the initial visa application was successful, but the visa was subsequently cancelled. In the scenario you describe, the applicant must answer YES. If the response provided is false, every likelihood is that the false answer will be detected and this could cause further consequences down the track.

Yes, it's a real shame Many offshore operators prey on the vulnerable and misrepresent the chances of successfully obtaining an Australian visa.

All RMA's are required to display their "MARN" on their website. The MARN is a unique number which is given to every migration agent in Australia. It means they have undertaken extensive studies, passed the required exams and undertake ongoing study. RMA's are also bound by a very strict code of conduct which stipulates how agents must operate including handling monies giving advice etc. You simply can't provide immigration advice in Australia if you are not registered. If however, the "agent", and I use the term "agent" loosely, operates physically outside Australia, they are beyond the reach of Australian law, so anyone could potentially set up shop and call themselves an agent. In order to try and legitimise their business, they often claim to work in collaboration with Australian RMA's but this is typically untrue or they pay an Australian RMA a commission to "borrow" their RMA status. The problem for you, the consumer, is you have zero protection unless you are dealing with the RMA directly. This not only could result in the loss of money, but also visa refusal or worse! I have looked at the website and it is very clear that they wish to give the impression they are based in Sydney and Melbourne. It is very clear to me that much of the information is clearly out of date as several of the visa pathways listed are no longer available. My advice is to tread carefully!

As Paul Hand mentioned above, the QPS International recruitment campaign is centred around what is known as a Labour Agreement. These are essentially "tailor made" agreements between the Australian Federal Government and certain industries, businesses and organisations who have a critical need to source skilled employees and have typically struggled to recruit applicants within Australia. Examples include, Meat processing, horticulture, fishing and fine dining. As Paul mentioned, often there are concessions such as wages and age. This is not the first time the Queensland Government has done this. I had some first hand involvement with the recruitment of Paramedics from the UK back in 2006/2008. Almost 200 paramedics were successfully sourced from the UK. I recall part of the orientation/induction program when recruits were introduced to some Queensland residents rarely encountered in the UK such as venomous snakes, crocodiles, and spiders - The session was hilarious.