Marisawright

12 hours ago, InnerVoice said:

 

All the more reason not to live in any of those places - life is good 'up north'

On the other hand, public transport into the city is so good that you don't need to take your car.

On 29/10/2023 at 23:30, birdy990 said:

Hi Everyone, 

I have been offered a job in Australia with the company offering sponsorship for myself, my husband and my daughter. 
We are going to be making the move in January but my husband has a few things that need to be tied up here in the UK with his business and will have to travel back here to the UK for a while whilst me and my daughter stay over in Australia.

my question is, is there a maximum amount of time my husband can stay out of the country before it affects his visa? Does he have to to stay in Australia for a minimum amount of time for him to qualify for PR or is it just reliant on me staying with my employer for two years to qualify for PR after the qualifying period?

Right now, we have no idea.  Under the current 482 conditions, it wouldn't matter.  However when the new changes come into effect, they are likely to have different conditions attached, and there's been no indication what they might be.    The best advice, when considering a 482, has always been to budget/plan on the basis that it's a great opportunity to have a few years' adventure in Australia, and that you'll be coming home at the end of the contract (because there are so many things that can go wrong).  If you get the opportunity for PR at the end, it's a bonus.

Where in Victoria did you have in mind?   One big thing has changed here -- housing affordability, especially in Melbourne and Sydney.  House prices, both for sale and rental, have shot up in the last six years.  It's such a big part of your household budget, I'd recommend you do some thorough research to make sure you would really be better off.   

1 hour ago, Quoll said:

Golly, don't come to Canberra then. I had to pay $5 for 5 minutes on Saturday night! I think the Aussies went for wider parking spaces because back in the day reverse angle parking was the thing. Still see it in some country towns like Bombala which has barely moved into C21

Inner city parking is horrendously expensive in Melbourne and Sydney too,  but then that's true of large British cities as well.  I don't think the wider spaces has anything to do with reverse angle parking, it's just that English cities are so much denser in population so space is at more of a premium.  

1 hour ago, BobHatton said:

Car park spaces that modern cars actually fit into? You haven't spent much time in Australian carparks I take it?

They're still big compared to British ones.  I remember the council or supermarket carparks in places along the South Coast (Bournemouth, Poole etc) in 2015/16.  There often wasn't enough room to open the passenger door once you'd parked, so I'd have to get out of the car before my hubby parked it.  And our car was a Ford Focus, not a big car. 

Anyone with a car the size of a Ford Focus wouldn't have any trouble parking in Australia. But of course, Australians are buying bigger and bigger cars in spite of complaining about the price of petrol.

13 minutes ago, JonR said:

Thanks BendigoBoy and Steve Elliott for your replies. It sounds like it's a bit of a grey area unless you have specific conditions attached to your visa - I'm yet to find any law to say whether it's permissible to change states and still get PR or not. However, I value my sleep so without a definitive answer I'll keep waiting patiently for state nomination from the state I actually want to go to. Thanks again

Please note that Steve Elliott is a professional migration agent and he has told you, pretty clearly, that it's not a grey area at all, even though the law is vague.

Bear in mind that the granting of PR is always at the discretion of the state.

35 minutes ago, ausdre said:

No Problem, thank you.  I can only take your services if a need arise. Don’t want to sound rude but for now there is no indication from the department so wont have any advantage of taking your services now 

You are already taking advantage of his services by asking him questions and expecting him to answer them free of charge.

9 minutes ago, Msmit said:

 My employer has been helping people with there 186 for years all of them have gone within the first year alot within days of approval. Some apparently didn't turn up from the day they received the email.

I'm surprised that employer is still sponsoring people for the 186 in that case. He is investing a lot of money and time in helping those employees stay in Australia but they all just slap him in the face. Ungrateful bunch.

12 hours ago, Aeoz said:

Hi Paul, not the thread starter but I have a related question: If the mum does this and goes back and forth (stays 3 months in AU, goes to Bali/NZ for 1-2 week holiday, and go back to AU for another further 3 month stay, repeat) will there be any issues with immigration?

If someone "goes back and forth" repeatedly, over and over again, there will certainly be issues with immigration.  It will look as though she's trying to beat the system and stay long-term.

Melbourne's climate is unique in the world, apparently, because it sits on the edge of a very hot continent, but there's nothing between Melbourne and Antarctica except little Tasmania.  So when the wind comes from the north (inland) it can be blistering hot, but when the wind changes, you can get a freezing blast or pouring rain from the south. 

We do get hot summers but the weather isn't predictable. Besides, the beaches close to the city aren't what you'd think of as Australian beaches, so it's not a particulary outdoorsy city.  I'd say winter is like a British autumn, with grey skies and unpredictable rain. I lived in Sydney for 30 years before moving here. I've had to buy woolly hats, gloves and scarves again (today I went out shopping in my fleece and a beanie).   It is definitely not what you think of as Australian weather!    It suits me because I came to hate Sydney's stinking hot, sticky summers and Melbourne's weather suits me much better.  I do miss the mild, sunny, blue-sky Sydney winters though. 

Is there a reason you're looking at Sydney and Melbourne and nowhere else?  That's a bit like saying you're moving to the UK, but the only two cities worth considering are London and Manchester. Both have eye-wateringly expensive real estate if you want to live in a half-decent suburb.

33 minutes ago, Malisa said:

Thank you for the info, much appreciated. Yes I can only get a 2 year visa initially as a primary teacher. Hoping opportunities will arise while there to extend though. 

Yes, you might be able to extend but not indefinitely.   There are no visas that will magically become available once you're in Australia, and it's extremely unlikely that you'll ever qualify for a permanent visa.  If you're single with no kids, then spending a few years in Australia could be a great adventure, just don't fool yourself you're migrating.  

Whether your qualifications are sufficient for WA is a question for @benj1980.

The bigger issue is your age.  As you say, your only choice is a 482 visa, but that is not migration.  It only gets you a short-term work contract for 2 to 4 years.  After a qualifying period, you'd normally be able to apply for a permanent visa, BUT the cut-off for that visa is 45.  There are only limited exceptions to that age limit.  Have you looked into the exceptions and whether you'd stand a chance of meeting one of them?

When I migrated, my biggest challenge was that so much of Australian social life revolves around sports, and I'm not sporty at all.   As you're all into sports, you'll have no difficulty. 

I assume you mean lawn bowls?  https://www.bowlsqld.org/

https://qld.netball.com.au/

https://brisbanekids.com.au/junior-cricket-in-australia-the-ultimate-guide/

https://www.silkyoaksstables.com/

12 hours ago, Simontucks said:

She will be 17 at the beginning of May so with us moving at the end of April would she be classed as past school age?

She is legally able to leave school, but bear in mind that the education system is different here.  Over 80% of Australian children stay at the same school all the way through to Year 12 and get their HSC.  Obviously, that means if your daughter doesn't have her HSC, then she's going to be disadvantaged in the employment market compared to Australians, even if she gets a trade qualification.  Australian employers don't recognise GCSEs because there is no equivalent here.

I'm sure your daughter won't be keen to 'go back to school' so it might be better for her to do her HSC at TAFE.

 https://tafeqld.edu.au/campaigns/do-year-11-and-12-differently

41 minutes ago, Simontucks said:

I had no worries regarding the move apart from the obvious missing family here in the UK

The thing is, missing family and familiar culture is a massive thing for some people.   Some people miss home so much, they'd rather live in poverty where they belong, than live in comfort somewhere alien.  

I wouldn't say the majority of people regret their move, by any means.  I would say, it's normal for most human beings to feel very connected to the country and culture they grew up in.  That's why most people never migrate!   But that still leaves a sizeable minority of people, like me (and maybe like you), who are able to move to a new country and adopt it as their own, and never look back.  Those people probably never feel the need to come to these forums for help, so that's why you get a distorted view. 

Congrats on getting a visa at your age, it's not an easy task.  Is it a permanent visa or are you just moving for an adventure?

40 minutes ago, Jon the Hat said:

RRV is nothing to worry about if you meet the 2 year residency requirements.  It appears to be fully automated...

Yes it is.  However as you point out, it's only automated IF you meet the 2 year residency requirement.  I seem to recall the original poster was thinking they might not move to Australia during those first 5 years, and if so what would happen?  Obviously it wouldn't be automated in that circumstance (and he has had that question answered already).

You already had all this answered on your other thread, here:

...including from some agents.  Choose one of them. 

1 hour ago, welljock said:

So you cant see the entrance on your left? 

If there is a car to your left which enters the roundabout before you you should give way to it.

That's odd.  This is the relevant section of the Highway Code:

Section 185
Section 185 explains what you should do when you reach the roundabout. Again it is important to be aware of the traffic around you and look out for road users who may be signalling incorrectly or in some cases not signalling at all!

When reaching a roundabout you should:

• Always give priority to the traffic coming from the right, unless you have been directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights
• Check if the road markings allow you to proceed without giving way (always look right before joining just in case)
• Watch out for other road users on the roundabout
• Check the traffic has moved off in front of you before you proceed to enter the roundabout

Which means, of course, that the vehicle on my left should be giving priority to me.  That's why the "give way to the right" rule is so neat, because everyone on the left is giving way to their right all round the circle, and that's what creates the smooth flow.

16 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

I was in the same boat. I wanted to return to the UK but hadn't got around to applying for citizenship, even though I'd been here almost a decade by then. I remember thinking it was a bit of a faff at the time, but I'm so glad I did it as I always had that piece of mind when I was back in the UK and it made returning here a doddle.

I think some people think they can just keep renewing their RRV but it doesn't work like that.   Holding a RRV doesn't mean you automatically get another one when it expires. You need to meet the eligibility requirements every single time. 

53 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

I agree that it seems unwise not to become a citizen when you have the opportunity given the privileges and benefits of being one. However, there are quite a few countries that do not allow dual citizenship. By renouncing citizenship in one's birth country, I assume you would lose any entitlement to those benefits in future like their state pension.

One risk of not getting citizenship, that you haven't mentioned, is the risk of getting stuck overseas unexpectedly.  That's why I got citizenship as soon as I could.  I always worried that I'd get called back to the UK one day to care for a sick parent, and end up having to stay for several years.  Quoll's experience is a good example of exactly that happening.  At the time, I was renting, so I'd have given up my Aussie home, so would've ended up with no 'strong ties' to justify getting a RRV.  

As for pensions, I don't think citizenship confers a right to pensions in many countries these days.  In Australia, for instance, it's residency that determines whether you get a pension, not citizenship.  In the UK, it's NI contributions not citizenship.  

You'll stay in Australia and will be on a bridging visa for the intervening years.   A lot of parents are doing this now, but be aware that there are downsides.

I'm sure you already know that within six months of making the move, you will become a non-resident of the UK and lose your right to the NHS and benefits there. Your UK government pension will be frozen at the figure it was when you left.

However on the bridging visa, you won't be a permanent resident of Australia either, and therefore not entitled to the rights and privileges of a permanent resident. Fortunately, because you were a UK resident, you'll be covered by Medicare under the reciprocal agreement.   Any other benefits available to Australian pensioners won't be available to you, e.g. subsidised prescriptions. 

If you feel you want private health insurance, you don't have access to the policies available to permanent residents. There are special policies available for people on bridging visas.

If you want to buy property, you'll need to apply to FIRB for special permission (for a fee).  You will have to pay a surcharge on the purchase price (about $45,000 on a $500,000 property). 

It's very important to be aware that the bridging visa allows you to live IN Australia. It does not allow you to ENTER Australia. If you wish to leave at any time, even for a short holiday, you must apply for a BVB, which will allow you back into Australia after your trip.  If you don't get a BVB  before travel, or you have one but stay beyond your planned date of return, you won't be allowed to enter Australia even if your home is now here.  If you're not intending to travel much once you're in Australia, that won't be a big deal but just needs careful planning when you do.

.

7 hours ago, Homesick1 said:

Just to clarify, I’m not asking for advice on if we should move

However, we're all reading your posts and thinking that you desperately NEED advice on whether you should move. I think you're making a dreadful mistake. 

Your husband doesn't want a permanent move, he just wants to get his surgery and come home.  Your daughter doesn't want to move.  You're willing to ride roughshod over their wishes and it has nothing to do with your husband's surgery.  You're just obsessed with the need to bring your family together, and since your son won't come to you, you have to drag the rest of  the family to be with him, regardless of whether it's what they want or what it costs.  The sad thing is that reuniting with your son won't make you happy, because when you were all together in Australia before, you had terrible depression, and it will be exactly the same this time. 

I'm sorry to be so blunt, but it feels obvious to me that you're not thinking rationally about any of this, and a visit to a counsellor might help you sort through your feelings and guilt

You have one problem right now:  getting your husband the surgery he needs.   As others have pointed out, there are ways to pursue that in the UK.  Also, you need to check what the waiting list would be for the same procedure in Australia.   It may be just as bad.  And if he's planning to go private in Australia, then he'd be better off staying in the UK and going private there.

9 hours ago, Rawp said:

 

Tks for the response Paul. Is that because my daughter is on a temp visa? I read this on visa guide.world which would suggest her partner can sponsor their partners parents? 

• You must be the legal child of your parents (biological, adoptive, or step-child). You may also sponsor your spouse or partner’s parents

Yes it's because she's on a temp visa.

49 minutes ago, Parley said:

Not true. Many roundabouts have 4 entrances.

Yes, but when you approach the roundabout, usually the only car you need to worry about is the car approaching on your right. Chances are you can't even see the entrances on the other side of the roundabout

3 hours ago, Homesick1 said:

Yes my mental health really suffered in Australia (as I’m sure it will again!),  but I’m also struggling here as I miss my son & feel terribly guilty for splitting up my family.

You didn't split up your family.  Your son chose where he wanted to live, which he has every right to do, at his age.  Even if you move back to Australia, there's no guarantee he'll stay living close to you.  

What does your husband want to do?  Given that it's his health which is the driver, his opinion is important.