Marisawright

I wouldn't recommend attempting to go through the process nowadays without a good agent.   Things have got a lot more complex and demanding.  

George Lombard was always the go-to migration agent for people with medical issues. He's currently with Playfair  https://playfair.com.au/migration-services/

3 hours ago, juejue said:

My husband has been a Gas Engineer/Technician for 20 years here, fixing and servicing central heating boilers. His profession is on the skilled worker list and we intend to apply on this basis. 

We would like to live in WA but having had a look at available jobs, it seems that the working in the gas industry over there is different

Well, as you can imagine, there's not nearly as much call for central heating in Australia!  In fact, most gas in Australia is used by industry and for electricity production.  Gas in houses is much less common here.  Most of country Australia doesn't even have a mains supply.

You'll find some homes with gas central heating in states where it gets cold in winter, i.e. Victoria, ACT, and parts of NSW.  You'd think Tasmania would have too, but only parts of some cities have a mains supply.

Even though you can use his skills to get the visa, he wouldn't be able to go straight into business on arrival, even if there were opportunities. The skills assessment for the visa has nothing to do with being approved to work in Australia, it's just for the visa.  He will need to do some exams and then work under supervision for up to a year before he's allowed to work in his own right.

I'm sorry I can't be more positive.  The good news is that even if you use his skills to get the visa (assuming it's a 189/190 visa), he's not obliged to work in that field once you arrive. He can do anything he likes.  

10 hours ago, StevenP said:

Interesting it is funny because when I look online it is rather limited on this kind of information. Saying that I might be looking in the wrong place. My daughter will be nearer 4 when we move over so will just have to stomach the child care costs until such time. 

https://cahs.health.wa.gov.au/Our-services/Community-Health/School-Health/Starting-school

10 hours ago, Ausvisitor said:

As an Australian employee with PR and UK citizenship I am able to work in the UK for up to 8 weeks a year without tax implications so long as I am paid in Australia by an Australian employer and the whole trip is not longer than 12 weeks in the UK (can visit other countries on way there/back but can't work in them)

(Our company also doesn't allow you to use the local companies facilities - so working from home, Airbnb or hotel - due to insurance issues for the UK company)

That's what I would have expected.   Interesting that you can't use the local company's facilities.  

25 minutes ago, ukbound said:

I've decided to leave Australia after living here on a temp visa for several years. The problem I'm having is there's no travel insurance for UK citizens who want to return to the UK. All the ones I've looked at reYou to be an Au citizen so what now? 

https://www.insureandgo.com.au/travel-insurance/non-permanent-resident-travel-insurance/

https://wise.com/au/blog/non-resident-travel-insurance

15 hours ago, David R said:

All I want to do is do a day or two's work in my company's Sydney office without taking my holiday allowance, so a full registered and paid day of worl, but I am told there are very strict rules about tax meaning I could not do so.

There are two separate things here.  One is whether you're allowed to work while on a visitor visa (which Paul has answered).

The other is the tax implications.  That can be a minefield, and it won't matter what kind of visa you hold. If your company isn't willing to do it (and I can't blame them), then there's not much you can do.  You could quite likely end up losing half the payment in tax, anyway. 

I'm certain there are people who come to Australia on a visitor visa, and drop in to do a day's work at their Sydney office without any problems at all.  After all, the company is not likely to complain, so Immigration will never know.  The problem arises if you expect the Sydney office to pay you for that day's work. Then it becomes a matter of record and you're in trouble. 

I'm a bit confused, though. If you're on the payroll at your UK office, why would you expect to be paid separately for the day's work in Sydney?  Couldn't you just ask them to credit you with time in lieu?

46 minutes ago, Ken said:

I believe that's why he's asking the question. If it's a lifetime income stream it can't be changed so will have to be taxed in the UK. If an Account Based Pension it can be changed so there is the option of taking it all before moving to the UK and not being taxed in the UK at all (depending on how the money is subsequently invested).

So you're saying they have the option of withdrawing the lot and putting it in their Australian bank account before they leave (same as their house proceeds).  Once it's in the bank, it's just savings and they can just transfer it (same as their house proceeds).

Then, of course, they'd have to invest it in the UK somehow.  I suppose the good thing is that they'd no longer be at the mercy of exchange rates.  I think they'd need professional advice as to the most tax-advantageous way of investing it in the UK. 

8 minutes ago, Andrew from Vista Financial said:

Hi Geraldine

Is the Income Stream a lifetime income stream or an Account Based Pension (ABP) income stream?

ABP can be fully accessed typically tax free.

@Andrew from Vista Financial, are you aware she's asking what their UK tax liability will be after they have moved to the UK?

8 minutes ago, David1316 said:

 prescriptions from my understanding in AU are also paid for and not "free" so this is at our cost still. 

They are paid but they are subsidised. So for instance, I pay $30 for an asthma inhaler but the actual cost is double that -- so the taxpayer is paying the other half. Some medications are much more subsidised than that.  GP visits are the same -- you'll pay to see a GP, but it's subsidised.

9 minutes ago, David1316 said:

In respect to future medicals nobody knows and likewise for most people nobody knows.

You're right, nobody knows.  It will be up to Immigration's Medical Officer to make a judgment based on her history, the medical exam, and the typical progression of the disease. If her disease is very mild then you probably have nothing to worry about because they only look at the next ten years, not a lifetime, but it will be up to the doctors to decide.

12 minutes ago, David1316 said:

I've read on other forums about different medicals that you can sign a medical waiver does this just mean they won't pay for medicals for this problem for so many years on arrival or what?

No, that's not what it means. You can't sign a waiver.  Immigration decides to give you a waiver, in other words they decide it's worth making an exception to the health rules for you, e.g. for compassionate reasons (say you're applying for a partner visa to be with an Australian partner).   

59 minutes ago, Geraldineinoz said:

Thank you, at last l have got my head around it. 

One thing I thought of:  is it possible to get the pension paid directly into a UK bank account, instead of going into an Australian bank account first?

I ask because if you have any funds or investments in Australia, they will be liable for Australian tax.  It's not a lot -- you just let the bank know you are living permanently overseas and they deduct 10% tax at source, and that's that.   But it's an extra hassle you could avoid.

The visa agent is right.   It's going to depend on her prognosis.   They're not really interested in how she's coping now, they'll want to know how the disease is likely to develop as she gets older -- because if she's going to spend the rest of her life in Australia, her treatment and medications will be covered by Medicare and therefore be a cost to the Australian taxpayer.  They'll work out what the likely cost will be over ten years, and if it's over $50,000, your visa will be rejected.  

6 hours ago, Geraldineinoz said:

I should have said:-  Bank interest plus Income stream plus Pensions equal INCOME 

Less Tax free amount, Balance is Taxable income.

Yes, you've got it.

1 hour ago, Movingdownunder1 said:

 I’m just after some advice for the steps to get my skills assessed? Is it worth trying to start the ball rolling before we get out to Australia with the hope to eventually get my licence? 

What you'll need to do, depends on what state you'll be living in.  The bad news is that it's a bit of a long haul. Chances are you will have to work for about 12 months as an assistant to a licensed electrician before you can go out on your own.

https://www.tradesrecognitionaustralia.gov.au/electrician-general-and-special-class

https://pathwaytoaus.com/blog/how-to-work-as-an-electrician-in-australia/

58 minutes ago, TheBs said:

so all being well we won’t be in the UK for the whole duration of the treatment, How easy is it to continue orthodontic care in Aus? I’m guessing pretty straight forward? 
 

Dental work in Australia isn't covered by Medicare.  It is all private, so you will have to pay for it.  You can get private health insurance, but there is usually a waiting period (six months or more) before you can claim for more expensive procedures like orthodontics.   When you first join a health fund, the benefit for orthodontics is often fairly low and it improves the longer you're a member. Not much use to you, I know, since you'll be arriving brand new. 

This article is basically an ad for a cheaper alternative to braces, but it lays out the costs for various kinds of orthodontics fairly well.

https://www.ezsmile.com.au/cost-of-braces-australia/

3 hours ago, Toots said:

If they are living on the relative/sponsor's disability pension surely it would be less expensive for the disabled person to get help from here in Australia. 

I agree.  I'm guessing the real motive is not for the sponsor's benefit but for the family. They think they have a chance of a better life in Australia if they can get the visa.  However as Quoll points out, the waiting time for the visa is at least 7 years, and that's a long time to survive without being able to work, and having to pay school fees.   

Also there's always the chance that the visa will be rejected.

12 hours ago, Vengatessh said:

Hi All,

Currently  I have Subclass 600 Business Visitor visa which I got it in September 2022 and valid till September 2024....

I'm an Indian and I wanted to check if there is any feasibility to apply for PR or any other means by which I can convert this visitor visa into permanent visa w

You cannot convert the 600 visa into anything.  It allows you to come to Australia and speak to employers, and see if anyone is willing to offer you a job and sponsor you. 

However, employers can only sponsor you if you have the right qualifications and experience, which are specified by the Australian government.  So you need to speak to a MARA registered migration agent to find out whether your qualifications and experience meet the government's requirements first. 

2 hours ago, kikice said:

Thank you for your reply. Sorry, what do you mean " sometimes there is no charge"?

It depends which state you are in.

1 hour ago, Jehwal said:

Just had a weekend in Hobart and could easily live there. Originally from Wirral but live in Melbourne and i have always felt overwhelmed in Melb just so big, its getting worse it was 3mil pop when we came now approaching 6 mil. 
Hobart reminded me of home, nothing was rushed , lots of lovely pubs, bars, restaurants etc. 
 

Now all you have to do is get a job there...which wouldn't be hard to do from Melbourne, since it's only a quick plane hop.

26 minutes ago, Majhar said:

Now, we are faced with uncertainty regarding the pending application, especially concerning my younger brother who is 22 years old.

Your brother is not a parent, therefore he can't get the 143 visa on his own merits.  It is a parent visa.  Your father was the applicant and as he is deceased, the application cannot proceed.  If you don't tell Immigration that he has died, you will be committing fraud. 

To be honest, I'm not even sure if his 173 is still valid if the main visa holder is not living. I suggest contacting a MARA registered agent urgently to find out what his status is.

31 minutes ago, Geraldineinoz said:

In regards to my husband's income stream, will the whole amount we draw each month be taxed or only the amount left after the tax free amount is deducted?

I understand that the UK tax free amount is 12,750 pounds per year. I am trying to get my head around all of this, any advice will be most helpful. Thank you in advance.

I'm not sure I understand the question.  

The income stream will be taxed as part of your total income, whatever that is.  You get a tax free threshold of GBP 12,750 per year and then you'll be taxed on the rest of your income, whatever that is.

11 minutes ago, lilliatommy8 said:

Hi good morning I’ve just been offered a sponsorship visa for rendering in Brisbane. I’m trying to find out if the vid will extend to my partner and my two children 

Yes, you'll include your partner and children on the visa as your dependents.  

Is it a 482 visa (which is just a temporary work contract for a few years), or a 186 visa (which is a permanent visa that lets you migrate to Australia)?   

A 482 visa can be a fantastic opportunity for an adventure for your family, and it is possible that you might be able to stay permanently after the contract ends -- but it's far from guaranteed, so make sure you understand all the in's and out's of the deal.  It can be a very expensive adventure if you don't plan carefully.

1 hour ago, BendigoBoy said:

Worlds apart from where I am in regional VIC: if anything, I think we've come out kinder from things these last few years.

Worth pointing out, that could just be the difference between city attitudes and country attitudes anywhere in the world.

8 hours ago, Mummyc said:

 don’t plan to do this as 143 should be granted or we will reapply for 870 please help 

When did you apply for the 143?  Do you have a queue date?

8 minutes ago, BrettyM said:

Hi Nemesis - she has a Latvian passport not British. When you say expensive?

I'm guessing your wife has "indefinite leave to remain" in the UK?  The thing is, "indefinite" does not mean indefinite.  If she leaves the UK for a continuous period of more than two years, she'll lose it.  So if Australia doesn't work out and you decide to return to the UK after a couple of years, you'll have to go through the whole process of getting a new UK spouse visa from scratch (and of course, that means meeting the financial/job requirements).  I assume you've done it once so you know how it works.

Your qualifications, experience etc are all irrelevant to the "last remaining family member" visa, because that is based entirely on your family relationship.  However I doubt the visa will suit you, as there is a very long waiting list (only a small quota is granted each year). Based on the current waiting list, if you applied today, you would get your visa in about 25 years' time. 

The Business Innovation Visa is currently closed to new applicants, pending a review. This thread is relevant, and @Steve Elliott (who posted on that thread) is probably your man to talk to about it.  

Your other option would be to apply for a skilled visa (189 or 190), but I have no idea whether you'd be eligible.  You'll need to research and act on that very quickly, though, because you're fast approaching the point where you'll be too old (45 is the cutoff age). 

Sadly it is a fact of life that Australia is no longer crying out for migrants. It's still easier to get into Australia than to some other first-world countries, but not by as much as you might think.