Marisawright

5 hours ago, Cantabrigian said:

I also have a 10 year old daughter who is thriving here and fingers crossed she will have a good adult  life, not sure I could pull her away from what she has open her. I know Australia has opportunity and wouldn’t talk her out of going when she adult. 

You're thinking of Australia as it was when you first considered moving.   These days, "opportunity" in Australia is no better or worse than any other first-world country.    The unemployment rate is virtually the same as the UK.  When I arived in Australia 30 years ago, I had three job offers within a fortnight, all at a higher level than the job I did in the UK.  That doesn't happen now, in fact many migrants have to take a step backwards because they "lack Australian experience".  Some jobs in Australia are much better paid than the UK:  others aren't as well paid, particularly in the corporate sector.  On top of that, housing affordability (relative to income) is much worse than in the UK.

I don't mean that to sound bleak -- it's just a reflection of the fact that Australia is no longer the burgeoning young country of last century. It's becoming a mature, first-world country with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails.   For me, the bottom line is that if you prefer the Australian lifestyle and culture (as I do), then that's a great reason to migrate. Whether it's worth migrating for economic reasons, unless you're from a third world country, is debatable.

As you say, there is a parent's visa, but even if your daughter manages to get a skilled visa as an adult, I wouldn't bank on that as an option.  Elderly people cost too much money in healthcare and aged care and the Australian government doesn't want to take them on.  For that reason, the government is very stingy about handing out parent visas, and they're likely to make it ever more difficult as time goes by.   Some argue that the government should be more generous, because they are losing skilled migrants who aren't willing to stay if they can't bring their parents over.  However the reality is that for every migrant who goes home, there's several more eager to replace them, so there's no great incentive for the government to change its attitude. 

1 hour ago, paulhand said:

It’s  not a case of ‘getting it done in time’.  Points (other than the ones for partners) are locked in at the time of invitation and must be the same or greater than originally claimed in the EOI otherwise the visa is refused. So, once an invitation is received, it’s too late to sit the test.  

Thanks for clarifying.  Actually I thought that was the case, but your first answer said it could be done in theory, so that confused me.

13 hours ago, Rawp said:

My daughter and granddaughter are in Australia, we live in UK. We would like to look into spending 6 months in OZ per year and 6 months in UK. Wondering if subclass 600 is the best option? However can we apply and get a subclass 600 each year or is it a one off?  --Tks

Yes you can apply multiple times.  Just be aware that there are quite a few logistical challenges with your idea.   For instance, if you leave your UK home vacant for 6 months of the year, will your insurance still be valid?  Do you have someone who could keep an eye on the property while you're away, or are you thinking of renting it out as a holiday let?   Where will you live for the 6 months you are in Australia -- if you're thinking of buying a property, consider what you'll do with it while you're not there (the same insurance question applies).  Cars can be an issue, too. 

55 minutes ago, Rachandian said:

So we really are unsure if he will pass the English test . This is so hard . Is 65 points not enough for  a skilled visa ? 

The visa process is exactly like applying for a job.  It's a competition.  The job ad sets out what the minimum requirements are, but the employer will, naturally, prefer a candidate who exceeds those requirements.  Similarly, 65 points is the minimum, but Immigration will, naturally, prefer candidates who exceed that score.  

Just a few years ago, there were so many people applying for visas, you didn't stand a chance unless you could score over 90. In the past year or two, people with 65 points have been successful. So it changes.  An agent (like Paul Hand) has more access to inside information, but he doesn't do this for a hobby -- if you want his professional advice, you'll need to book a consultation and pay for it.  Which, in the circumstances, I'd advise you to do -- time isn't on your side so you don't have time to dither about, trying to find information on the internet.

In another post, you mentioned that you're both on the skilled list.  Have you looked into how many points you could get?  Remember, one of you will be the main applicant and the other is just included on the application.   So if you can score higher points, you would apply and he just gets included, then his points aren't an issue.

3 hours ago, Jehwal said:

I know how you feel. Currently in Oz but really not living at all. Both parents are now very elderly and unwell both here in Oz with us. Watching their later years in Oz has been difficult, they really regret coming here now. They only have me to rely on. All the friends here they did meet have now passed. They both have other family at home they desperately would love to see but none are well enough for that flight. It has been a constant dilemma for many years, one i regret not facing and dealing with back then. ...

My first thoughts on that was back when my daughter was 8 but i listened to everyone else who said no Aus is so much better, i didn't think so myself  as not having” your people “ around affects mental health terribly, i know i have suffered for years. Being isolated away from what is home is not great and gets harder as time goes on.

I'm so sorry to hear you're in this situation. I get accused of being a negative Nellie when I urge caution on parents considering a move to Australia in old age, but your parents are a good example of why I always speak up.  Mothers, especially, are sometimes so desperate to be close to their son/daughter that they don't face the reality of how much they're giving up. Of course there are many migrants and parents who are delighted with the move but it's a disservice to everyone if we pretend it's always rosy.   I don't know what to say other than offer a virtual hug.

7 hours ago, 123Family said:

Thinking about it all. I suppose my actual question is, is it financially ignorant to take out a (lowest as possible) mortgage for a (most likely) small home at our ages. Next year. Very small deposit. I imagine we'll be working until late 60's anyway, unless we receive a miraculous windfall.

No, I don't think it is financially ignorant, but the question is still, "Where?"   

As you've noticed, although you're earning higher salaries in Australia, housing is much less affordable too; so in the long term, you may stand more chance of paying off a mortgage if you move to Scotland.  The report below highlights how much more affordable houses are in the North of England and Scotland, relative to salaries. 

http://demographia.com/dhi.pdf

I know you'll get plenty of people piling in, telling you how dire things are in the UK and how much better life is in Australia.  But there are also plenty of people who were in your situation, and are very happy with their decision to go home.  And in your case, it sounds like the whole family would  be happier if you moved.

3 hours ago, Rachandian said:

Am I right in saying we can do his skills assessment and put in our EOI in whilst working towards the English test ?

As Paul says, I wouldn't recommend it.  Some people wait a long time to get invited to apply, but sometimes, it's a very quick turnaround.  He doesn't want to submit his EOI, get invited and then find he can't apply because he can't get his English test done in time.

2 hours ago, 123Family said:

I'm Australian......We loved our woodland/countryside walks in the UK, went out in all weather, but now don't go out a lot due to the very high UV and sun/heat. We just don't enjoy it, hate the high UV. July is the only month we feel ok to go out in the great outdoors and that's one month in 12. Feel Trapped. Everyone else seems to live in the outdoors. I get it, the way I used to live growing up. No way is right and no way is wrong. I feel more strongly about this due to now suffering years of sun damage.

I understand this very, very well.   My husband is exactly like you.  He's had two bouts of melanoma, and now he is extremely conscious of high UV.    He's very reluctant to go outdoors when the UV is high, which made him a virtual prisoner in the house for most of the summer.  I felt he was  over-cautious but how can I criticise him with such a threat hanging over his head?

His concerns about UV were part of the reason we decided to retire in the UK.  However unlike you, we didn't have any UK friends left, and my family are too scattered, so I found it too lonely and couldn't settle. 

We had planned to settle in Hobart to get the lowest UV exposure possible, but (long story) we ended up in Melbourne instead. The UV is low here all winter and only bad in the middle of the day during spring and autumn, so it's much easier to get out and about.  I wouldn't recommend Melbourne to you because the house prices are astronomical, but depending on work, country Victoria offers lots of good-sized towns.  

At one time it was said that Tasmania had higher UV due to the hole in the ozone layer but that seems to be all over.  They do have a high incidence of skin cancer, mainly because people tend to equate UV with heat (which as you know is totally wrong).  Tassie gets a lot of bright, sunny but cool days, and people have been complacent about wearing sunscreen in that kind of weather. Rates are dropping now as people are more aware.  

As you can see from the maps below, UV is very high all over Australia at midday in the height of summer, even Tasmania, whereas in the UK at the height of summer, it rarely gets above about 8 (high).  However, note the winter map and how low Adelaide, Victoria and Tasmania are.

What occupation are you applying for a visa under?

Your husband is right. It's done, you can't afford to uproot everyone and move back now. 

You could however PLAN to go back at some future date, which would give everyone something to look forward to/work towards, and that can make a tough situation much more bearable. Worth a thought?

By the way @Ollie2212, how did you manage to be in Sydney and not notice the ocean? There's miles of gorgeous beaches in the coastal suburbs.

37 minutes ago, Drumbeat said:

 I'm sure anywhere would be less lively than Sydney - on the other hand it's far more affordable and not everyone wants to live in a huge, bustling city.

But the OP did say they'd ideally like somewhere that's the centre of Sydney at Hobart prices. So they want bustle 

On that basis I'd say Brisbane is closer to that than Perth

1 hour ago, Ollie2212 said:

Are you guys from Manchester originally? Hell of a difference over here isn’t it

On a new note, I’ve just done some research into Perth. For some reason, in my mind I always considered it to be more of a quiet town haha. 

It's a city not a town and good for young families by all accounts. My niece sent almost her whole WHV year in Sydney because she loved it so much and she didn't want to go home. When she got a chance to spend a few months in Perth with her work, she jumped at the chance to be in Australia again. She didn't like it, felt it was 'dead' compared to Sydney. She was about 30 at the time. 

9 minutes ago, Skani said:

It's certainly true that heat puts an extra strain on your body and carrying extra pounds will exacerbate it.   But there's more to it than that.    I suspect that there's a genetic component

I agree. When I lived in Africa in my 30s, I worried because my fingers swelled up like sausages in the tropical heat. I went to the doctor who just said, "You've just got Scottish genes"

5 minutes ago, ramot said:

So the answer is live where it suits you, and accept that people can be happy in a climate that doesn’t suit everyone.

Exactly. I don't see anyone saying otherwise. I don't understand why.when someone says Queensland weather doesn't suit them, it's taken as some kind of attack.

Of course, the weather suits some and not others. If it suits you it's a great  place to live.

I don't think that means people who it doesn't suit should be shouted down or told they have a problem. I think it's perfectly reasonable to point out, to someone coming from Tasmania, that the difference in temperature may be a bit more dramatic than they're expecting. If that doesn't worry them, fine. 

10 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

How can I put this diplomatically? Most people tend to feel the heat more as they get older and start carrying a few extra pounds - not that I'm saying that applies to anyone above - but I've noticed it myself (gained about 10kg in the last 10 years). I see people from time to time who fit a certain demographic and think, oh dear, you really don't look happy!

From @Ollie2212 post it sounds like they are a youngish couple (I'm guessing in their 30s) and S E Queensland would be a great choice. They work in hospitality so they'll easily find work in the holiday state, and it doesn't sound like there's anything holding them back. If they don't like it they can always return to Tassie at a later date, or try somewhere further south. I thought Newcastle was an excellent suggestion, and one of the places we've been looking at for a future move.

Thanks a lot, but I've found Queensland summers a trial since I was travelling up there for work in the 1990s weighing 55kg. Naturally you're not going to meet many people like me in Qld because we don't put the up with it for long, but it's narrow minded and rather rude to dismiss our existence.

12 hours ago, calNgary said:

Brisbane is awesome, as is the Gold Coast... Its Australia it gets hot sometimes but you tend to find across the year you may have a dozen days that are that hot you can't do much. 

We've had this discussion many times before. Reaction to heat and humidity is such a personal thing. You obviously tolerate high humidity well. I'm more like Nemesis - winter in Queensland is gorgeous but the other 6 months is unlivable for me. 

It's very natural that the OP, being in Tasmania, is hankering for warm, sunny weather but they should be aware that moving to Queensland is a pretty extreme change

3 hours ago, Parley said:

But in somewhere cold a coat is only helpful if you're wearing it.

But if you're somewhere hot and sticky and you're already wearing just shorts and a singlet, you can't get any cooler, even if you plan ahead. Whereas you can plan for cold weather with extra layers

4 hours ago, Nemesis said:

I would add a caveat to this though, not every property in Brisbane has air con, and even fewer have heating. The more modern places do, but take care to check as there are older properties, especially rentals, which do not.

I would add another caveat -- air-conditioning is only helpful while you're indoors. If you're not an indoors kind of person it's useless! 

Unfortunately the Immi phone line is notorious for giving bad advice. I don't know the answer but it's too late to wonder now, all she can do is try to reapply and see what happens 

7 hours ago, Ollie2212 said:

Thanks for the info guys! What do people feel about Brisbane? Seems to have a good nightlife, warm weather and close enough to take day trips to the gold coast? Also seeing some pretty nice modern apartments for around $600 in places like Woolloongabba, West End and South Brisbane, all which seem pretty close to the city centre therefore walkable to work?

It's not "warm", it's hot. I used to live in Sydney and while I liked visiting Brisbane, I found it far too hot and sticky in summer. 

14 minutes ago, InnerVoice said:

Those processing times on the immi website don't appear to be accurate for a partner visa, as they indicate a processing time of 2-3 years. 

Partner visas from "high risk" countries can take a very long time due to all the extra security checks, so they distort the statistics 

You'll be applying for a partner visa, right? In which case, don't apply till you're almost ready to make the move. Processing times vary every single year, but if you apply while in the UK, they are usually on the faster end. Recently we've seen them granted within 3 months. 

Newcastle. Brilliant beaches, good nightlife, trendy cafes, property approximately half the price of Sydney, warm weather, on the doorstep of the wineries, only two hours from Sydney if you fancy a weekend in the big smoke. 

It used to be a dismal working class town and still has that reputation among Sydneysiders but it has totally changed. Lots of Sydney young people moving there. Parts of the city are still a bit grim but don't let that out you off. 

I like Hobart but you'll find Newcastle is much bigger and a lot more going on

@OzukOzuk, I think for many, it's normal to feel as you do. It's called 'the curse of the expatriate'. 

Early in my first marriage, my oh and I spent 3 years in Africa. Tough, but very well paid and an amazing social life in the expatriate community. We met many couples who were on their 3rd or 4th contract or even longer. They were why we decided not to renew our own contract!  We learned that most of those people weren't in Africa because it felt like home, but because they didn't feel at home in the UK any longer. We didn't want to fall between two stools like that. 

As it happened, we returned to the UK in the middle of the miners' strike, struggled to find jobs and decided to try Australia. Luckily for me, I felt at home right from the start.