AmandaJB

Hi Amanda

 

Thanks, not sure they sound convincing to me though - what are your thoughts?

 

Cheers

 

Steve

Hi Steve, I'm sure it would all be fine. We have an account with HSBC in Sydney already so perhaps that makes it easier to deal with. Mind you, anything regarding large amounts of money at the moment terrifies me haha!

Amanda

Nn

 

Hi Amanda

 

Yes it's been a worry how the pound has dropped because of the pending Euro vote.

 

I'd be interested to hear the results of your enquiries but not sure the pound would fare much better against the dollar over there?

 

Cheers

 

Steve

Hi Steve,

I have heard from HSBC in Aus now. We have let them know our requirements (GBP account), and why, and our possible timeline and the advice is to wait until closer to the time that we will need the account (of course, if the rate improves we won't need it!) and then to e-mail our contact there one week before we plan to open the account, so we can discuss options and they can prepare the paperwork to set up the account. So far, so good.... although I think it may take more than one week.

Cheers

Amanda

Hi Amanda

 

I seem to recall that there was a price increase in March 2014; and even more worrying rumour had it that there was going to be another one in June 2014, this never happened but I reckon we're in for another backlog in June/July 2014 applications as a result of that rumour.

 

Was wondering if you had any joy finding out about a GBP account in Aus?

 

Cheers

 

Steve

Hi Steve,

My son sent me an email contact, a product specialist at the Sydney head office. I sent my initial email to her and heard back the next day, an introduction and questions about our plans so I let her know our requirements etc and am just waiting for her further reply now, hopefully this week. I'll keep you updated if/when i hear more.

I had also thought there may be further backlog delays, I'm really hoping April 2014 was quieter with the influx in March that year!

Cheers

Amanda

I am guessing the 20% extra volume was in the last week of March 2014 because they seemed to sail through the earlier weeks (quicker than any other time I think!). Was there a fee increase on 1 April 2014? I was really hoping it was going to be better news this week, same as all of us I'm sure! :-(

Hi Amanda, we also have an HSBC AUD account. We asked about a opening a GBP account for Australia with them but it was such a kerfuffle to do it here that we took all the necessary documents to HSBC in Canberra last October. Took about an hour to open it. Very helpful there. Just be sure you take all the necessary ID. HSBC here will be able to give you a list of what you want. With regard to the furniture going out, we are sending it to our daughter as some of it is hers, so hopefully there won't be a problem. It will be in her name. Kathy

Thanks Kathy, that's helpful - our problem is we're in the UK still, and not going to Aus now until our visa has granted. I will see what details they come back with soon.

Amanda

Nn

 

Hi Amanda

 

Yes it's been a worry how the pound has dropped because of the pending Euro vote.

 

I'd be interested to hear the results of your enquiries but not sure the pound would fare much better against the dollar over there?

 

Cheers

 

Steve

Hi Steve,

I will let you know how I get on with the enquiry. It's rather to sit with GBP in the account and wait until a better rate is available than to transfer immediately (and we would use a forex company to transfer at better rates than direct bank transfer which is always quite low compared).

All the best

Amanda

Hi Amanda

 

 

we have exactly the same worries, I so wish we had pegged an exchange rate last year. the other problem of course is how you spread the money around once you have received it. House sale money is secure in your UK bank account for 6 months if you are over the 75k per person allowance. Oz has a similar allowance rate. Do we risk putting it all in the same - once upon a time banks could be trusted not to go bust!!!!

 

Julie

Hi Julie, it's such a shame it's changed for the worse like this - we can live in hope of it improving I guess! Life's a gamble (and especially for us brave souls selling up before visas are granted haha)

Amanda

amanda that's a fantastic idea, I hadn't thought of. It doesn't apply to us at the moment but is certainly something to keep in the memory banks for the future. The exchange rate has been a real blow hasn't it. We had most of the money for our visa in oz dollars but just the last bit, sent yesterday, has cost us an extra few hundred pounds! ... Coulda woulda shoulda ....

Hi Fisher1, yes, it's amazing how much difference even a few cents drop in the rate makes - but it's more than a few now! Am kicking myself for not transferring funds for the 2nd VAC when it was 2.18 :-( I guess that's life - in the meantime, I'm living in fear of the June referendum now!

Good morning/evening all,

Here's something new to fret about :-) GBP has plummeted these past few days and we have been in a dilemma - what happens if it's just as bad or (please no) worse when the time comes to transfer our funds! I don't mean the 2nd VAC, but house sale etc. Thousands of dollars can be "lost" - I told my son in Sydney of my worries ("only positives, no negatives" is always his advice) and he said why not open a GBP account in Australia, then when the time comes we can transfer GBP funds from UK to a GBP account in Australia and wait for a better rate (if absolutely necessary) to then transfer to our AUD account - good plan I think. He spoke to the bank there today, and has sent me a contact name and so I will be making enquiries. We have an AUD HSBC account in Sydney already (fee free I might add) and so hopefully it can be easily done. I thought this "might" be handy to pass on, it all depends on circumstances of course!! I don't like to think I'm losing anything so will always try to find a way to keep more of that hard earned cash.

Cheers,

Amanda

Hi Amanda,

I was requested by our agent to do Police Checks when we we're requested for Meds but there is no referral letter for this to be done. Go onto the ACRO site and get them out of the way, that's' one less thing to stress about and I suppose it will feel pro-active. The only criteria is that you will have 12months from the date of your Police check (been earlier than meds) to enter Oz but I'm presuming you'll be doing that anyway.

It is getting exciting with lots of anticipated forth coming good news for applicants on the forum, bringing you closer to the front of the queue.

Cheers

Phil

Thanks Phil, I think we will go for it! :-) Not long for you now!!

Amanda

Congratulations! We sold ours today too within a week. Now everything is in place for heading out in April! I can't believe it after more than 2 years.

Congratulations to you too!!! How exciting, hope all goes brilliantly for you!!

Amanda

Hi Amanda

 

Great news on the house sale - congratulations.

 

We're thinking of having our police checks done so that at least we've achieved something and I don't think we need anything from Immi to get them done and as they last a year I would hope that there's little risk in them expiring.

 

Hope all goes well.

 

Steve

Thanks for the congrats Steve! Your house sale must seem like a long distant memory now - I'm not hugely excited at the prospect of all there is to do, but it's better now than last minute for sure! Good to know that you're considering doing the police checks early too, it's nice not to feel alone in these types of decisions :-) Hopefully someone has done them before being asked so we can get advice as to whether that all worked out okay.

Amanda

Hi everyone! It's busy on here lately, I guess the movement of dates has got us all chomping at the bit - it has got us thinking more about what to do! We've just accepted an offer on our house, YAY!! One very large less thing to worry about (assuming the sale goes through of course!) - but lots still to do. I was wondering, does anyone know if it's possible to apply for the police check before being contacted by a CO? Presumably I'll hear news of our grant before the last quarter of this year (I better had anyway!) and so we would still be within the 12 months to move to Aus.

Thanks in advance

Amanda

Fisher1, the Assurance of Support is requested BEFORE the visa is granted. Take a look at the signatures of other members on here and you'll start to get an idea of time scales. HarleyDPhil and Dolphin1962 for instance have paid their Assurance of Support but are still waiting for visas. Also, take a look at the visa tracker and note dates of various stages on there. http://www.australia-parent-visas.com/tracker2.php

Hi Catlady2014, I'm guessing they wait until medicals and police checks are passed before asking? Hope so anyway as I can imagine what a nightmare it'd be to try to get it back if something came up in the medicals (not that anything should!). I'll try to find some timescales with that info, good tip!

Amanda

Thanks Amanda that's a big help.

 

Im fairly sure it's paid when the visa is issued, it was the amount I was unsure of. It's funny, we always knew the cost of the visa itself, but I've been taken a bit by surprise by all the extras ... Cost of police checks, cost of medicals, train fares to medicals .... All those little bits of money. I'm beginning to feel like we should just put all our money in a big bag and tell them to take what they want!

 

Let's hope it's all worth it in the end :wink:

Hiya, yes cost after cost and that's before moving there, it'll be adding up once we can be on our way! It'll be worth it in the long run! We don't live on the mainland so have to factor in flights, time off work and hotel for the medicals too, all to be booked within 28 days which means pricey flights! Hopefully those won't be in school holidays! At least we have time to pace ourselves with two years of waiting but it is an expensive way to move there for sure. Still, can't wait to get there and put all this application stuff behind us :-) At least we're not alone in this journey, great to have this forum.

Amanda

Hi all

 

We're doing our sums re: paying for the visa if they actually grant us one. Does anyone know the exact cost of the bond we have to pay for and whether we have to pay it when the visa is issued? we've heard the figure of 14,000 dollars but I'm so stressed at the moment I can't remember where I saw this figure and whether it was 14000 each or for both of us. Can anyone shed light on this?

 

Thanks in advance

Hi Fisher1,

hopefully I can put your mind at ease if it's the Assurance of Support cost you are thinking of? It's $10,000 for the first applicant and $4,000 for the second applicant so that's likely where you got the $14k figure from. It all adds up to an awful lot though and especially as the rate is not on our side again! We are hoping that'll change soon for the better. I am not yet at the stage of having a CO and so am not entirely sure when it needs to be paid but am sure another of us on here can help with that info :-)

I hope that helps a little!

Amanda

Hello Amanda.

 

I perceive the default setting to be for the PVC to request a form 80 for all applicants.

 

I'd be interested to know if any applicants who have received requests to progress the AoS in the last 6 months haven't also been asked to provide a completed form 80 ...

 

Best regards.

Hi Alan,

Many thanks, I wonder how they use these forms to be honest, with so much info requested, but hey ho, if that's what they want, then that's what we must do. I'd also be interested to know if all applicants have been asked recently :-)

All the best,

Amanda

https://www.border.gov.au/Forms/Documents/80.pdf

 

Forewarned is forearmed ... :wink:

 

Best regards.

Hi Alan,

I have a question, if you don't mind (I see you are very knowledgeable/helpful, for which we are all grateful!). Are you aware if every parent visa applicant is now requested to fill out Form 80, or is it a "lucky draw" for want of a better description?

Many thanks,

Amanda

It is sooo confusing, isn't it. The CPV is around 50,000 pounds for two.. You get your pensions if you move here but they are frozen at the amount you get before you leave so they don't increase with inflation over time from that point. The exchange rate to the Au Dollar is the best it has been for many years at the moment. It wobbles up and down a bit depending on who says what about China in any given day. They really advise not to sell your house until you get your visa, in case. My advice, for what it is worth,and knowing nothing else about your circumstances, is that if you are working out if you can survive or not over here, you are better to stay where you are, and instead come over regularly to see your family in non school holiday times of the year. Do you need the financial stress at this time of your lives? You will buy a lot of trips for 50,000 pounds. Good luck!!

Hi daughterK, some very good advice there, and relavant points. We are okay, we're selling so we don't have the stress of that at the last minute, not for the visa fee. We have a flat to sell too and have a buyer, so will be fine. Our pensions are not UK pensions, and are not frozen so we know we are very lucky on that point, plus a few private ones between us as well (I think I read something recently about possible changes to the UK ones, perhaps they will increase in future? That would be great for so many). I've not reached 50 yet, and my hubby is a just a few years over that mark, so many years of work ahead yet (we keep an eye on the job, house, and exchange rate situation constantly). I have a job contact already, but realise that may not come to anything. All pretty sensibly planned out, and I lived in Aus for 10 years, in the 80's and 90's, and we now visit annually (but I foolishly didn't apply for my citizenship!!). Of course, if it all falls through, we'll be more than devastated, but at least will be able to purchase again here. Fingers crossed it works out for all of us parents and we all get our visa's. I'm a rather boring realistic planner when it comes to these things, but hopefully the planning ahead we've done will pay off :-)

All the best,

Amanda

Hi Amanda

 

Yes I think it was 3 months from going on the market to actual completion.

 

We're now sitting in our rental flat, what we call our "transit lounge" eagerly awaiting some progress.

 

Hope you have a great time in Sydney, we're going over to Perth in January as our son is due to graduate which is something we want to see and obviously we don't know when/if we're getting our 143's anyway.

 

Have a safe journey and good luck with the house sale when you go on the market.

 

Best wishes

 

Steve

Thanks Steve,

I obviously am very excited about going over on Saturday, and January will come around quickly for you.

"Transit lounge" - I like it :-)

All the best,

Amanda

Hi all

 

The auto reply from the "Test" email to Immi today says they are now assessing up to the 6th December 2013.

 

I'm back on the forum after an enforced absence caused by BT messing up our Broadband into our rental, we moved in last week and the house sale is completed now.

 

Just want our visa's now - please!!

 

All the best

 

Steve

Hi Steve, thanks for today's update and congrats on the house sale! Wow! From where I'm sitting, that seemed pretty fast but I guess you've been crazily busy for a while. Ous is yet to go on the market although we have picked an agent and had the valuation. We're getting some painting done first, then I'm off to Sydney next weekend (YAY!!) for a couple of weeks, so a bit more of a delay. Hopefully we will be lucky too and find a buyer quite fast - yours was very quick! Busy times ahead across the English channel...

All the best,

Amanda

Hi Amanda

 

Yes it has been a while, I hope all is good with you and your plans.

 

Hopefully it was quiet all the way through to June/July 2014!!

 

We've sold and are due to exchange contracts this week as we have a rental to move into now.

 

Good luck when you take the plunge - we sold much quicker than expected.

 

Regards

 

Steve

Hi Steve, yes, all good with us, thanks :-) I hope you've been keeping well. You must have been very busy decluttering etc, we don't know where to start haha! Congrats on the sale, that must be such a relief! Apparently luck should be on our side, houses seem to be selling quite fast in Jersey but you just can never take it for granted. At least we are giving ourselves time so we don't have to panic sell at the last minute.

Good luck with the move into the rental !

All the best,

Amanda

Hi all

 

Auto reply to "Test" email this morning says they're now assessing for finalization for 8 November 2013, good progress!

 

Cheers

 

Steve

Hi Steve (I know, it's been a while)

This is good news to see! Hopefully December 2013 was a bit quiet for lodgements. This would mean I could be looking at about 7 months or sooner, a couple more weeks for you I think. How are the house sale plans going? We are likely to put ours on the market soon so there is no last minute panic :-)

Amanda

Congratulations Joe on getting one step nearer. we are all waiting now for Amanda to post her next update. As far as I can see Amanda is the only one on the forum who's just in front of us all. no pressure then!!!!!

 

Julie

Haha, Julie, trust me, when I know, you'll all know :-) So, I'll update you all in, shall we say, about 8 or 9 months? I'd be amazed if it's sooner! I was thinking yesterday though, I may not be the first, we're all close in dates, and maybe some CO's are faster than others. Time will tell......

All the best,

Amanda

Hi Amanda

Thanks for this.

I do hope you're right about none of needing the dreaded form 80, I'm pretty good at form filling but that one looks horrendous!

Best wishes

Steve

I agree, I've not even dared try to find it to sneak a look at it, and I'm the form filler of the family, which I am starting to dislike doing now haha. It's just had bad press on here, but I'm still holding out for it not being required.

All the best,

Amanda